Paula's Vedic Astrology Blog

In Vedic Astrology November 29, 2023, was the first day of Rahu and Ketu’s transit into the Virgo-Pisces axis where they will stay a year and a half to May 29, 2025. Rahu is the planet of attachment and materialization. Ketu is the planet of detachment and dissolution. I have been obsessing about this shift, which is appropriate as Rahu and Ketu, otherwise known as the North and South Nodes of the Moon, can be obsessive. Intoxicating is the word my teacher Dennis Flaherty uses to describe their energy. I like Vedic Astrology for its accurate predictive powers, but I struggle when those predictions are too dark or negative, too fixed, too fatalistic. Even while loving Vedic astrology’s rigorous framework, at the same time I am always tinkering with the symbolism, trying to work the energies of the planets for their best possible results. Along these lines if we consider that Ketu is the planet that detaches, that lets go, and in its purest form, is the energy that carries us off out of the earthly realm and back to the Godhead. And we consider that Rahu is the energy that materializes us, that brings us down into the earthly realm, then consumes what comes before it ravenously, then… This suggests if we want to work well with these two energies as they transit new areas of our horoscopes, we should consider focusing on the purer-minded detaching, letting-go-of-things energy of Ketu. That way our detachment will balance with the materializing Rahu side so that what we materialize comes from a better place, one that is in keeping with our highest spiritual aspirations. See how Western and exploitative my thinking is??? Another useful approach when working with the transiting energies of the nodal axis, is to keep the idea of balancing the two opposing energies in mind. My suggestion above to focus on the more spiritual side of the axis in Ketu ignores that Ketu’s detaching energies often easily lead us into fantasy and illusion. Most of us are not spiritually evolved gurus that have figured out how to work well with Ketu. Rahu and Ketu are not actual planets but two opposite points that the Moon crosses when it orbits the earth. The points mark where the Moon ascends above and descends below the ecliptic (path of the Sun). They’re not distant planets with their own cycles and perspectives. Their scope is rather limited. Similarly, Rahu and Ketu have no powers of rulership. They have no dominion over any separate realm. This means that what Rahu and Ketu are good at is bringing tremendous, focused intensity to the zone where they are transiting. At their best both Rahu and Ketu are healers. Ketu’s detachment gives perspective since it is our attachments that limit our ability to see. This is great for diagnosis. Rahu’s attachment to outcome helps him persist by any means necessary. Rahu is a rebel who follows no traditions. He finds avenues for cures that convention prevents us from finding. * Below I’ve written a few snappy possible avenues of exploration for the various transiting Rahu-Ketu house placements according to rising sign. This presentation pertains to Vedic Astrology which is based on the actual position of the stars and constellations in the sky and not Western Astrology which is based on the first day of spring representing 0 Aries. Since presently the Vedic horoscope wheel is running about 24 degrees behind the Western wheel, to translate your Western horoscope Ascendant to Vedic, simply minus the 24 degrees. For example, if your Ascendant is 20 degrees Libra in Western Astrology, your Ascendant would go back 24 degrees to 26 degrees Virgo in Vedic Astrology. Vedic Astrology uses a whole house system. Virgo, from 0 to 30 degrees, would be your Ascendant or 1st house. Ketu would be transiting your 1st house, Rahu your 7th. About five out of six of us will see our Western Astrology rising sign move to the previous sign. * Aries Rising: Ketu transiting 6. Rahu transiting 12. Ketu – exploring alternative health, allowing work to be meaningful. Rahu – mental health is real. Exposing hidden problems and working on them. Taurus Rising: Ketu transiting 5. Rahu transiting 11. Ketu – softening expectations of what we love, of children. Rahu – solidifying reputation, being known. Gemini Rising: Ketu transiting 4. Rahu transiting 10. Ketu – letting go of foundational ideologies. Loss of homeland, mother. Rahu – fulfilling ambitions, desire to let the world know who you are. Cancer Rising: Ketu transiting 3. Rahu transiting 9. Ketu – letting go of developmental notions regarding competition, new conceptions of how to be consistent. Rahu – attachment to higher understanding, philosophy. A great time study or to finish that post-secondary degree. Leo Rising: Ketu transiting 2, Rahu transiting 8. Ketu – Dematerializing the material. Letting go of what money has meant to you. Allowing the values you believe in drive your consumerism. Rahu – Deep bonding with significant other. Learning what can’t be controlled. Virgo Rising: Ketu transiting 1, Rahu transiting 7. Ketu – Letting go of parts of your self image that no longer serve you. Rediscovering your kinetic self. Rahu `– Solidifying relationship connection. Keeping your public self real. Libra Rising: Ketu transiting 12. Rahu transiting 6. Ketu – going inward. Spiritual retreat. Being soft. Rahu – work, work, work and enjoying work. Digging in. Miracle cures. Scorpio Rising: Ketu transiting 11. Rahu transiting 5. Ketu – what is the point of social gains. How can one’s being recognized be used more altruistically. Rahu – good time to create that masterpiece or manifesto. Sagittarius Rising: Ketu transiting 10. Rahu transiting 4. Ketu – feeling open to all possibilities. Upliftment. Rahu – strong attachment to land, home, mother. Capricorn Rising: Ketu transiting 9. Rahu transiting 3. Ketu – openness to prayer, to wisdom, to freedom. Rahu – knowing your competition. Strategic abilities. Aquarius Rising: Ketu transiting 8. Rahu transiting 2. Ketu – loss. Letting go. Intimacy. Psychological intensity. Rahu – capacity to manipulate matter. Sensuality. Pisces Rising: Ketu transiting 7. Rahu transiting 1. Ketu – allowing partner to be who they are, feeling more open publicly. Rahu – getting real about yourself. Feeling your body.

The best planets in your horoscope are the planets that rule the houses of purpose. When you begin to understand the nature of the planets in your horoscope connected to your purpose and learn to hold onto them as your focus, you start feeling pretty good about what you’re doing. The ruler of your 1st house, the house of self, is the planet that shows your agency. The ruler of your 5th house, the house of creativity, shows how you need to play. The ruler of your 9th house, the house of philosophy, shows how you are free. Even when the rulers of the purpose houses are seen to be thwarted, the most uplifting opportunities come to us when we begin working with their energies. What is the story of the three purpose planets in your horoscope? In what areas of your life do they hold sway? Feeling dull? Too much work and suffering on the agenda for today? Connecting to your purpose planets is enlivening. The tediousness and doldrums just slip away. Be sure to ask for more details about your purpose planets when you pursue an astrology consultation.

In Vedic Astrology news, the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu are moving into new signs on November 29 where they will stay for the next year and a half. Otherwise known as the North and South Node of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu are not actual planets, but two opposite points along the ecliptic where every month the Moon travels above (north of) and below (south of) the ecliptic. It’s during the times of year the Sun and Moon travel over these nodal points that eclipses to occur. Rahu and Ketu’s movement is backwards through the zodiac. Instead of entering a sign at 0 degrees they enter at 30 degrees. In this way you could say their approach is from the back door and they operate on us in a more unconscious manner. Rahu and Ketu’s backward approach also makes me think of when I was a kid in school. Since my last name started with the letter P which was about two thirds of the way through the alphabet, my predictable teachers would seldom call on me until two thirds of the kids had gone first, leading to my developing a two thirds comfort zone. Rahu and Ketu transits do not follow the predictable order. They surprise us. In Vedic mythology the North Node or Rahu is the head of the dragon or serpent, and the South Node or Rahu is the tail. Rahu, or the head, is associated with engulfing and eating and materialization. Ketu, the tail is associated with expelling or ridding oneself of or freeing oneself from materiality. Rahu and Ketu’s origin story has a Promethean flavour. A character named Svarbhanu manages to get at some divine nectar which gives immortality that the gods are keeping for themselves. Just as he is taking a sip, Lord Vishnu catches and beheads him with his divine discus. But the divine nectar (Amrit) has already taken effect and Svarbhanu, now Rahu and Ketu, possesses immortality. Hence there is an intense survival imperative with Rahu especially but also with Ketu. Rahu’s survival is of this world. Rahu will go to any length and by using any radical creative means for survival. This extends to family as in a sense our family is our earthly access to immortality. Ketu survival mechanism is to detach to cope with abuse, be it physical or mental, and in that way endure to live another day. (PTSD) On November 29 Rahu will leave action-oriented fire sign Aries, and move into water sign Pisces, the sign connected to receptivity and big picture perspective. Ketu moves out of Libra the air sign of balance and fairness to earth sign Virgo, the analyst and critic. Since Vedic Astrology uses a whole house system, for each of us when a planet moves into a new sign it also shifts into a new house or life domain. Rahu, the materializer, and Ketu the planet of detaching and letting go, are moving into entirely new areas of our lives. Since for myself the Nodal axis is moving into a cardinal or action-oriented part of my horoscope I’m preparing to find my self pushed out into the world more than I have been for the past three years. Since planets operating in cardinal houses put out so much, they often find support. Which I am totally fine with! Ketu is often linked to loss. To work best with Ketu. I believe a helpful approach is to be proactive in your consideration of what it is you are ready to or want to let go of. This works hand in hand with Rahu, which can be obsessive in its desire to consume, or take in.

I am constantly thinking about different ways to approach my Vedic Astrology consultations with people. Below I discuss the Vimshottari Dasha sequence as a focus. The word Vimshottari by the way is derived from the Sanskrit words that mean “one hundred” and “twenty” referring to the 120-year cycle of the dasha system. ** The Moon represents the mind in Vedic astrology. The Vimshottari Dasha sequence is Vedic Astrology’s main predictive tool and its starting point for each of us is based on where the Moon was when we were born. I can’t say the Moon’s symbolizing the mind registered with me much when I began my Vedic astrology studies. I think this is because “the mind” isn’t something we think about much in Western culture. The Moon is the measurer. We can think of it especially in connection to our original relationship with mother and nurturing. The Moon’s way of measuring is entirely innocent and connected to growth, but not necessarily our human embodied growth. Rather a good way to locate this part of us, especially as we age, is that classic moment of looking in the mirror and seeing an old person, but still feeling our inside selves to be young. We see the same eyes looking back at us that we saw when we were unselfconscious little kids discovering ourselves in the mirror. This part of us that is the measuring Moon, and the growing mind gets revealed to us when we learn about what planet we were born under in the Vimshottari sequence, what planet we suffered under when we went through that difficult period and by what planet is illuminating where we are in the now. Learning about ourselves though the Vimshottari Dasha sequence shows us the story of our mind’s growth. Fascinatingly a planet that brings auspicious times for one person won’t for another. It’s wonderful to know when we’re going through a period where we easily find purpose and support and it’s also helpful to be able to put into context the difficult times. Working with the energies of Vedic astrology is teaching me that its important to keep this inner innocent Moon self growing. As a bonus, doing so supports aging well.

Venus, the planet of love and desire, of equal relationships and of the arts is in Virgo, the sign of its Fall from Nov 2 2023 to Nov 29 2023. Virgo is the sign ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication and of measuring the value of things. Virgo is both an earth sign and a mutable or adaptable sign. It is particular and detail oriented and quite critical. It makes sense therefore that when Venus transits through cranky, particular, critical Virgo, it forgets its higher - sometimes manifesting artistically, sometimes manifesting through committed love – intentions. Although on another level I have always thought it strange that Venus is in its detriment in Virgo, since in Vedic astrology, Venus and Mercury are both benefic planets and for that matter are friends. (In Vedic astrology there are two camps of planets, the Devas and the Asuras and Venus and Mercury are in the same camp) Usually when a planet is transiting a sign that is ruled by a planetary friend, its energies play out productively and quite well. Alas, it is tremendously self-evident that Venus in Virgo is a case where the practical results overwhelm the theoretical. Venus’ visionary largesse truly is cramped in critical Virgo. During this period, while Venus transits Virgo, especially in our relationships we forget about our partner’s glow. We notice the spittle at the corner of their mouth and how their absentmindedness makes them ask the same question they forgot your answer to twice. And in our Virgo relationship state of mind, we’re eager to correct them for their follies, when usually we’re less concerned and/or don’t even notice these things. Furthermore, our lovely criticism annoys our people! Their backs get up. They criticize back. Venus transiting in Virgo is also self critical. I think Venus in Virgo works better on this level. It is a good time to get at all those details of life, making appointments, painting the chipped windowsill, sorting the spices, finessing the final details of your masterpiece that you just couldn’t find your way to before. Also, along these lines, with regards to the problem of knee jerk picking at your loved ones to ill effect, I believe that if we work at it that on a personal level, the current Venus in Virgo period can help us take that extra self-critical step to remember the greater reasons we’re with our loved ones, and remind ourselves in that connection, we don’t need to blurt out every interesting critical fact about what it is they’re doing incorrectly that is annoying us. At least we can try to work at it. We can try to work at it while also knowing Virgo’s temperament is on our side, because another thing picky Virgo loves to do is work at things.

Today is Monday or Moon Day. The Nakshatra sign of the Moon today is Shravana, the star of learning. Shravana runs from 10 Capricorn to 23.20 Capricorn. Shravana is a hearing, listening, teaching Nakshatra. The reason Shravana is associated with teaching is because ancient teachings were done orally. To learn you had to possess listen skills. Shravana is a Deva or high or pure Nakshatra. It is ruled by the Moon. (So that’s a double Moon whammy, it’s Monday or Moon Day, and the Moon today is in a Moon ruled Nakshatra) Shravana lets us hear the subtle etheric realm, the cosmic sounds of Krishna’s flute. It sees perceives through illusion. Shravana’s shakti or power is providing connection. Shravana brings people together by connecting them to their appropriate paths. Those with natal Shravana planetary placements are writers and teachers, travelers and truth seekers. They love to learn, have large libraries and need solitude and alone time. Their listening powers can give musical ability. Today’s Moon is opposite Venus which brings sweetness in relationship. It is in a Gaja Kesari yoga which is when Jupiter is in an angle from the Moon which brings exuberance and braveness. It is in a Sunapha yoga with Saturn suggesting a sober, cautious approach or way of giving. Today is also Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, for Jewish people. I think today’s Moon is a good one for atoning, a mode that does well to listen hard for truths.

The idea of working with astrological energies is so strange to us. It seems like we’re submitting to some weird religion and by submitting to it we brainwash ourselves into believing something is happening that isn’t or possibly only is, because we’ve let the idea in and it’s taking us over. But what if working with planetary energies proved helpful? Did you know the planetary energies can be accessed through working with the days of the week? Did you know that the days of the week are based on the five visible planets and the Sun and the Moon? Yes, the days of the week, are actually already governed by the planets you don’t believe in! Monday is Moon Day, the day of the Moon. In Vedic Astrology the Moon is connected to the mind, to perception, to mother, to nurturing our mind’s growth and to nurturing others. Tuesday is Mars’ Day. Mars is the planet of self assertion, of putting ourselves out there competitively. Mars is the planet of action and doing. Wednesday is Mercury’s Day. Mercury is the measurer, the merchandizer, the planet of evaluation and judgment. Mercury is the communicator. Thursday is Jupiter’s Day. Jupiter is the great benefic, the philosopher and universal expounder. Friday is Venus’ Day. Venus is the planet of love, relationship, the arts. Saturday is Saturn’s Day. Saturn is the planet of organization and control. Sunday is the Sun’s Day. The nature of the Sun is to shine. The Sun is connected to vitality, to self respect (and getting respect) and the heart. It’s easy to work with the planetary energies of the days of the week. First off, you already do. You already have your own feelings about the different days of the week based on your experience of them. Second, see if your feelings connect in any way to the symbolism of their planetary rulers as described above. Third, try on doing something connected with the planetary energy of a day and observe if the thing you’re doing gets enhanced. Fourth, keep trying and experimenting. It’s fun!

In Vedic Astrology the Sun is fully a degree into its own sign Leo today. Prevailing wisdom about days when the Sun is transitioning between signs is to not ask too much of them since the new energy hasn’t settled into itself yet. This is an interesting idea and I’ve been paying attention but with nothing to report back yet. I should clarify the Sun moves about a degree a day and the mixed energy applies to the last degree of the previous sign and the first degree of the new sign which means it takes a couple of days. Speaking of unfocussed I do find for myself that each year, during the month the Sun travels through Cancer, the sign we just moved out of, my ambition gets away from me and my energies tend to dissipate and become disorganized. For me since working with astrology means working with the available energy around me, I had to wonder about this annual tendency, and it occurred to me to simply consider the movement of the Sun. The Sun’s movement through the 360 degrees of the zodiac is one of most easily tracked astrology patterns there is. I do think that even though the sign Cancer occupies my 11th house, a good house, a house of being recognized and of friends, that working with the condition of my Moon, the ruler of my 11th house, is the place to start to get this time of year going better for me. That said I am looking forward to this month, the month of the Sun traversing Leo, despite Leo occupying my 12th house, and the 12th house being a house of withdrawal and turning within. The 12th house is classified as a dusthana or bad house and is associated with loss. Technically it’s not a great place for the attention loving Sun. The 12th house is also associated with healing and with moksha which is defined as freedom from the endless cycle of transmigration into a state of bliss. The reason the 12th house is considered a bad house is because it takes us away from earthly considerations like getting rich and/or famous for example. Since my Sun and some of my other planets oppose the 12th house it’s actually a pretty emphasized house for me. Knowing which house the Sun is transiting in your horoscope and knowing the condition of the house and the planet that rules it can tell you a lot about the nature of 1/12th of your year.

In Vedic Astrology we work with a one-hundred-and-twenty-year planetary cycle called the Vimshottari Dasha sequence. Where you commence your personal 120-year cycle and what planetary energy you start under, is based on the position of your Moon when you are born. Different planetary cycles have different priorities and powers. They run different lengths of time. When we shift from one planetary cycle to the next it’s like we enter an entirely new part of ourselves. The new cycle brings a different emotional energy into us, circling around and driving us. It becomes our new emotional frequency. People should want to know what Maha Dasha they’re in! Vedic astrologers judge what the planetary cycles you’re in or shifting into are good for based on where the planet is placed in your horoscope. You may be completing a cycle that brought you before the public and into a leadership role and are shifting into one that puts you in the background in service to others. Or vice versa. Alas our Western, free-will-oriented minds balk at the idea of shifting into a period of life that won’t be good for our Western aspirations and ambitions. Okay, our Western minds already resisted the idea of astrology in the first place! To assuage our tender sensibilities, I will therefore talk about the cycle of Rahu, the most ambitious and materialistic planetary period. Personally, I’m fascinated by Rahu. Rahu is a demon and a malefic and his energy is base. At the same time, he is incredibly fertile like fresh volcanic soil. He is a force of both adaptation to and manipulation of the world around him. Rahu will survive by any means necessary. Rahu’s cycle is one of the longer ones, lasting 18 years. Here follows a mostly descriptive sequence on the symbolism of Rahu. Since the Vimshottari Dasha sequence takes 120 years some of us won’t run his cycle in our lifetimes. Rahu has his favourite signs and houses where he’s better able to sate his appetite which won’t come up in this post. Rahu is an iconoclast, a rebel, a non-conformist, a heretic. Rahu is the foreigner, the alien, the other. In Western astrology Rahu is the North Node of the Moon. There is a South Node of the Moon as well, called Ketu in Vedic Astrology. These are the two points along which the orbit of the Moon intersects with the ecliptic. It is along these points that eclipses of the Sun and Moon occur. This is why Rahu is known as the engulfer. It is because of his power to engulf the Sun that Rahu is said to be more powerful than the Sun. Rahu is known as the dragon’s head and Ketu as the dragon’s tail. Rahu is associated with the material world/the real while Ketu is connected to spiritual or mystical or otherworldliness. Rahu is political. Of high intelligence. Disturbs. Is adaptive. Is manipulative. Is experimental. Is extroverted, materialistic. Rahu is psychologically astute. Rahu is future oriented. Rahu is savvy. Rahu is untrusting. Rahu is prone to reality-based paranoia. Rahu inflates. Rahu engulfs. Rahu consumes. Rahu’s cycle brings ambition to improve your position in the world. Rahu is materiality/ the stuff of the world. Rahu’s cycle gives you the potential to materialize/to manifest what it is you want. Rahu is associated with political agendas and plans for going after and getting it. Rahu is a thinker, a calculator, a conniver. Rahu is good at PR. Rahu is the planet of acquisition. He is connected to the foreign and to foreign opportunities. Rahu is politically upwardly mobile. Rahu likes to travel especially to foreign countries. Rahu is the outcast. Rahu represents the process of involution and the descent of spirit into matter. Rahu is an indictor of material wealth and worldly recognition. Rahu is also associated with healing. Rahu’s cycle is one of ambition and improving one’s stature in the world. Rahu likes to do so in a subverting the status-quo kind of way.