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Vedic astrology · Glossary
राहु–केतु अक्ष
The nodal axis — Rahu and Ketu are always in exactly opposite signs, creating a karmic polarity that defines the soul's evolutionary direction in this lifetime.
Rahu and Ketu are the North Node and South Node of the Moon — the two points where the Moon's orbit crosses the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun). They are not physical planets but mathematical points, always exactly 180° apart, always retrograde, and they represent the primary karmic axis in Vedic astrology. Rahu (North Node) indicates the direction of future growth — what the soul is reaching toward in this lifetime: new experiences, unfamiliar territory, worldly ambition, and obsessive desire. It brings strong attachments, illusions, and amplifies whatever house it occupies. Ketu (South Node) indicates the past — accumulated skills, wisdom, and also unconscious patterns from previous lives. It brings detachment, loss, spiritual inclination, and dissatisfaction with the things of Ketu's house. The Rahu–Ketu axis creates a tension between what the soul is moving toward (Rahu's house) and what it is releasing (Ketu's house). The house Rahu occupies tends to be an area of obsession and ambition; the house Ketu occupies tends to be an area of natural ability but diminishing attachment. Eclipses occur only when the Sun or Moon is near the nodal axis.
Rahu and Ketu are the lunar nodes — the mathematical points where the Moon's orbit intersects the Sun's apparent path (ecliptic). In Vedic astrology they are treated as shadow planets (Chhaya Grahas). Rahu represents worldly desire, ambition, illusion, and the karmic direction forward. Ketu represents past-life accumulated karma, detachment, spirituality, and loss. They are always in opposing signs, 180° apart.
No. Rahu is the planet of worldly success, ambition, technology, media, and unconventional paths. In a chart where Rahu occupies a kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th house) or a trine (5th, 9th) and is well-aspected, it can give extraordinary worldly success. The Vedic concept of Rahu is that it amplifies desires — which can be positive (career achievement) or negative (obsession, addiction, delusion) depending on what house and sign it occupies and what planets it influences.
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