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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Combinations of Power (Rahu and Ketu)

Combinations of Power (Rahu and Ketu)
by Joni Patry
for “The Blast” Astrology Conference
Sedona, Arizona September 16 - 21, 2008

In Vedic astrology the lunar nodes, known as Rahu and Ketu, have special powers in a chart. Often referred to as our karmic destiny, they indicate our greatest gifts and our darkest issues. In prediction they are where the annual eclipses fall, and indicate the areas of our life that involve the most transformation for that year. When the lunar nodes are combined with another planet they take on the quality of that planet. Each combination will produce very different results.

Rahu and Ketu are described as shadowy planets because they are associated with the eclipses of the Sun and the Moon. These shadows developed the powerful myths and meanings bestowed on the nodes, myths of struggles with demons, serpents, and forces of darkness and light. Symbolically they may be seen as our own shadows.
Astrological charts of the following people are reviewed in this article.

Donald Trump Albert Einstein Roman Polanski Mark Spitz
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Madonna Bobby Kennedy Jerry Seinfeld
Edgar Cayce Priscilla Presley Bobby Fischer Tyra Banks
Elvis Presley Lisa Marie Presley Roger Daltrey  

Mythology
In the Hindu myth a serpent slithered in the line between the Sun and Moon to partake of the nectar of immortality being given to the gods, planets, and luminaries. When the thief was discovered, Lord Vishnu threw a disk, splitting him in half, but he had already swallowed the nectar. This was the creation of the serpent’s or dragon’s head (Rahu), and the serpent’s or dragon’s tail (Ketu). Rahu is the head that is consumed with the thinking mind. The mind separated from the senses creates illusions, and Rahu is the indicator of worldly illusions. Ketu is the quality of knowing without the thinking mind. It is the perception of spiritual insights that lead to enlightenment.

The Moon’s orbit around the Earth intersects the ecliptic at two points. These two points are the nodes of the Moon. The north node of the Moon (Rahu) is where the Moon crosses from south to north, called the ascending node. This symbolizes the birth into the material manifestation. The south node (Ketu) is where the Moon crosses from north to south, called the descending node. This symbolizes our leaving the material plane for the spiritual realm. So Rahu takes us into the physical world and Ketu takes us out of it.

All this represents the cycles of birth and death into and out of this world. Rahu and Ketu are the indicators of destiny and fate, symbolizing our entrapment in this physical plane. These shadow planets control us by our desires. Our desires are our karmas. Our destiny is to release the chains this world has cast upon us. It is like the serpent’s bite. The poisonous venom intoxicates us into this world. Rahu takes us under its spell with the illusions of this world, the promise of happiness, leaving us with a sense of wanting: “If I could only have more of the things that give me pleasure”. But of course, this only leads to insatiable desires. We can never have enough. This is the venomous bite of Rahu. Conversely Ketu strips us of the objects of our desires, revealing that nothing in this world gives us security and permanence. It is essentially the process of enlightenment, when we come to realize that ultimately, it is all an illusion. Nothing of this material world lasts, therefore; it is all an illusion or Maya. Ketu is the bringer of enlightenment through the realization of this truth. Ketu is the release of this world.

Extremes
Rahu is our entrapment and Ketu is our final liberation from the karmas of the soul. Rahu will give things, but always with a price. Ketu will take away, but gives the gift of seeing or enlightenment. When the lunar nodes are combined with another planet they take on the quality of that planet, like mirrors magnifying the energy of that planet. Each combination will produce very different results. In a birth chart, the extremes caused by Rahu and Ketu will be seen in:
  1. the houses that Rahu and Ketu occupy;
  2. the houses of their (sign)dispositors;
  3. the nature of the planet that conjuncts Rahu and Ketu and the houses ruled by the planet that conjuncts Rahu or Ketu;
  4. the nakshatra dispositor of Rahu or Ketu.
All of the houses that are involved with rules 1-4 will be connected to the destiny and fate of the soul.

To get a deeper look at the results a planet will produce, you must look to the nakshatra dispositor of the planets. It is the nakshatras that determine the entire predictive system used in Vedic astrology, the Vimshottari Dasha System. This system is based on the nakshatra that the natal Moon is placed in at birth. This nakshatra determines the entire life sequence of events that occur in a lifetime.[1, 2] The ruling planet of each nakshatra will be referred to in this article as the nakshatra dispositor. What will be exemplified throughout here is that when an individual is in a dasha and bhukti of the key planets referred to with these guidelines, you will see the events of their fate and destiny manifest fully. The dashas bring into fruition through timing of events the promise of the planets.

Effects of Rahu

Rahu Rahu (North Node of Moon): Rahu has the nature of a serpent. It poisons you to the illusions of this world. It is our desires that keep us incarnating here. Under Rahu, things happen. Rahu gives, but with a price. When our most intense desires are granted under Rahu we discover that too much of a good thing ends up causing our most intense suffering. We may, for example, gain fame and fortune, only to realize we have no freedom or place to go without being mauled by fans. Family and friends disown us out of jealousy. The fame and fortune we desired only brought us separation and sorrow. Ultimately the disillusionment leads to the enlightenment of Ketu, who detaches and renounces the world for spiritual enlightenment. The nodes are the most powerful of all the planets, for they cause the eclipses of the luminaries, the Sun and Moon. The nodes block out the light or consciousness. Rahu is the material world and all the desires it creates. It gives material things which will never bring lasting happiness. This is the illusion of Rahu. When these things start to fall away we become obsessed with trying to hold on to them. Rahu deals with fear, obsessive and compulsive behavior. It is about addictions, poisons, alcohol, and drugs. Any planet with Rahu will be magnified greatly in the chart as Rahu will take on the quality of the planet it is next to (in the same sign). This can be good or bad depending on the planet. Rahu with Venus or Jupiter can bring wealth, but Rahu with Saturn can cause suffering to the house they are in.

Key Words: Fame, status, prestige, power, worldly success, fulfillment of worldly desires, outer success with inner turmoil, extremes, obsessive behavior, addictions, psychic disturbances, collective trends, foreigners and foreign lands, epidemics, disease, poisons that destroy and heal, medicine, drugs and alcohol.
  • Rahu and Ketu take on the quality of the planets that are associated with them or in aspect (especially conjunct). If they are not associated or aspected by other planets they will give the results of the planet that rules the sign they are in (dispositor).
  • The sign and nakshatra dispositor is considered the karmic control planet.
  • Rahu and Ketu cast the trine aspect 5 and 9 signs away from their position.
  • Rahu acts like Saturn, and Ketu acts like Mars. They can be described, in my opinion, like the outer planets. Rahu is similar to Pluto or a mixture of Uranus, Saturn, Pluto, and Ketu is similar to Neptune or a mixture of Neptune, Mars, and Uranus.
  • Rahu and Ketu will give raja yoga whenever they are either in a trikona or kendra house and they are conjunct a planet that rules a trikona or kendra.[3]
When the lunar nodes are combined with another planet they take on the quality of that planet, like mirrors magnifying the energy of that planet. Each combination will produce very different results. As we go through all the planets in conjunction with Rahu the qualities of each planet will be magnified with these conjunctions. Conjunctions will always occur in the sign Rahu and Ketu are in during the 18 month period Rahu and Ketu are in a sign, once with Rahu and then with Ketu. Below is a list of the conjunction frequency:
  • The Sun will conjunct Rahu and Ketu once a year (during an eclipse), 6 months apart.
  • The Moon will conjunct Rahu and Ketu once a month.
  • Mercury and Venus will conjunct Rahu and Ketu once a year.
  • Mars will conjunct Rahu and Ketu once every 2 years.
  • Jupiter will conjunct Rahu and Ketu once every 7 years, and the conjunction will occur 8 signs away from the previous conjunction.
  • Saturn will conjunct Rahu and Ketu once every 11 years, and the conjunction will occur 6 signs from the previous conjunction.

Rahu conjunct Sun (Surya): The Sun is the life force of our planet. It is the soul and spirit of a chart. However it can be an overpowering influence. If it is too close to other planets it can burn up their capability to function properly. This condition is called combustion of the Sun. The Sun works best in the tenth house where it gives a sense of power and career opportunity. In other houses its forceful presence can be excessive and cause problems.

Key Words: Atma-Self, masculine, day, future, soul, physical body and health, heart, life force, courage, pride, ego, vitality, will power, stamina, sense of self, power, fame, glory, inspiration, creativity, leadership, Father, teachers, authority, law and order, bosses, political leaders, kings or presidents.
The Sun is the karaka for (indicator of) the father and leaders or Presidents.

Famous People[4] with Sun conjunct Rahu
Hank Aaron: Sun conjunct Rahu, Saturn, and Venus in Capricorn in the fifth house
Cheyenne Brando: Sun conjunct Rahu with Venus in Aquarius in the 10th house
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: Sun conjunct Rahu, Pluto and Moon in Gemini in the 5th house
Timothy Leary: Sun conjunct Rahu and Mercury in Libra in the 12th house
David Cassidy: Sun conjunct Rahu in Pisces in the 10th house
Donald Trump: Sun conjunct Rahu in Taurus in the 11th house

Donald Trump Birth Chart

Donald Trump’s Chart
The Sun is the atma or the self. It is the ego and rules our motivations and drive in life. The Sun rules leaders, teachers and is the karaka of the father. With the Sun conjunct Rahu his ego and sense of self worth is expanded and exaggerated. In the 11th house, this gives gains and the ultimate gift to fulfill his wishes and desires. Because Rahu indicates expansion in the physical materialistic world Donald’s gains are manifest in physical wealth. The Sun in this chart rules the 2nd house giving more credence to the gains pertaining to wealth and money. Rahu is exalted in the sign of Taurus according to Parashara,[5] therefore, gives it great power to fulfill the indications of the 11th house, which is material gains and desires. When a planet is exalted it is in its most exalted state and has more power to produce the indications of the house it resides in.
Rahu and the Sun are in the nakshatra Mrigashira which is ruled by Mars, as shown in Figure 1. Mars is in the 2nd house of money and finance, further indicating his gains will be associated with the extremes of money. The nakshatra ruling planet of Sun and Rahu (Mars) is equally as important as the sign ruler, which is Venus, both being in Taurus.

He was born on a lunar eclipse, which complicated his life with women and emotional issues due to relationships and marriage. This is because on a lunar eclipse the Sun and Moon are in opposition and conjunct the lunar nodes. The oppositions activate relationship issues, since they are 7th from one another.

When Donald entered into Rahu’s cycle in 1999, his father died, and he ran for President of the United States. The Sun is the karaka of the father, and Sun with Rahu indicates power and leadership. Rahu indicates extremes and power. It will work as a malefic giving what is desired, but with a price to be paid. When the nodes (either Rahu or Ketu) are conjunct a planet, and the person enters the dasha/bhukti [6] of the node and the planet, such as when Donald entered into Rahu/Sun, then an extreme result will manifest. It can be problematic for the person if the planet is karaka, as the Sun is the karaka for the father.


Rahu conjunct Moon (Chandra):
The Moon is the reflective influence. The Sun sends out its radiance and the Moon reflects it back. It is receptive, and therefore represents the reflective mind giving consciousness. The Moon is the nurturing, protecting influence that a mother provides. It is the Yin or female influence, while the Sun is Yang or male.

Key Words: The mind, reflection, feminine, night, emotions, sensitivity, nurturing, security, past, past-lives, patterns of behavior, receptivity, caring for others, heredity, Mother, the public or masses, popularity, inner contentment, home, water, habits, subconscious mind.

The Moon is the karaka for the mother and the mind.

Famous people with Moon conjunct Rahu:
Pamela Anderson: Moon and Rahu in Aries in the 12th house
Tony Blair: Moon conjunct Rahu in Capricorn in the 10th house
Gloria Vanderbilt: Moon conjunct Rahu in Leo in the 5th house
Sharon Tate: Moon conjunct Rahu in Leo in the 3rd house
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: Moon conjunct Rahu in Aries in the 7th house

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Birth Chart

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ Chart

The Moon is the emotions and the mind. When it is with Rahu it indicates an obsessive compulsive mind. It will indicate a life with extremes interfering with peace of mind. The Moon and Rahu in the 7th house indicates the area of life this extreme tension will occur. The 7th house indicates the partner as in marriage or business. I see the 7th house as relationships that are contractual. The Moon rules the 10th house indicating a relationship with the partner that is connected to her career or social standing. She was a very public figure that boosted her husband’s career as the First Lady. When the 7th and 10th houses are connected the person will work in some capacity with the spouse.

Taking a deeper look, Rahu is in the nakshatra Bharani and it is ruled by Venus. Venus is in Taurus in the 8th house. The ruler of the 8th in the 8th house of death ultimately predicts the death of the husband. The Moon is in Ashwini which is ruled by Ketu, and Ketu is in the 1st house meaning the results of this planet will affect her personally.
At the time of the assassination of President Kennedy she was in the Moon/ Rahu period. They are both in the 7th house and the nakshatra dispositor of Rahu (Bharani) is Venus in the 8th house of death.

Rahu conjunct Mercury (Buddha): Generally Mercury has to do with all forms of communication: speech, writing, and publications. Mercury also rules the intellect, learning, education, wit and a sense of humor. Mercury was the messenger of the gods and could travel to the underworld, the symbolic realm of hidden secrets where ordinary mortals could not enter. In Greek mythology, Hermes (Mercury) was also a trickster and a thief. Mercury's attributes include dexterity and creative ability with the hands. Mercury is fast and relates to short quick travels. He rules youthfulness and agelessness and is the perpetual Peter Pan, androgynous like a child before puberty.

Key Words: Communications, speech, writing, commerce, sales, education, ideas, thoughts, school, analytical mind, rational mind, cognitive intelligence, sense of humor, youth, trickster, truth, telephones, television, computers, short distance travel, adaptability, childhood, aunts and uncles, neighbors, twins.

Mercury is the karaka for Aunts and Uncles, communications and intellect.

Famous People with Rahu conjunct Mercury
Errol Flynn: Mercury conjunct Rahu in Taurus in the 2nd house
Jacques Cousteau: Mercury Conjunct Rahu and Sun in Taurus in the 9th house
Yoko Ono: Mercury conjunct Rahu and Sun in Aquarius in the 6th house
Al Capone: Mercury conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 11th house
Jackie Gleason: Mercury conjunct Rahu in Capricorn in the 2nd house
Edgar Cayce: Mercury conjunct Rahu, Saturn and Venus in Aquarius in the 8th house

Edgar Cayce Birth Chart

Edgar Cayce’s Chart
Edgar Cayce is the most prolific psychic of the 20th century. He would give information in trance medium sessions. His Mercury Rahu conjunction in the 8th house gives him his psychic abilities. Mercury rules the 3rd and the 12th house. The 12th house relates to spirituality and the 3rd house is communications. With Mercury in the 8th house his spirituality and communication skills come from his psychic ability. The nakshatra both Mercury and Rahu are in is Shatabhishak, which is ruled by Rahu. This makes Rahu even more powerful in its own nakshatra. It is like a planet in its own sign of rulership.

On March 16th 1886, Cayce had his first vision. Two years later he was pronounced dead from drowning, but recovered. He was in a Venus/Mercury period when he had his first vision. Both planets are in the 8th house and the nakshatra dispositor of Venus is Purva Bhadrapada ruled by Saturn. All these planets, Venus, Saturn, Mercury, and Rahu are in the 8th house. Rahu actually intensifies all these planets, giving him his amazing psychic abilities.

But the 8th house is also the house of difficulty and death. He was in a Venus/Ketu period during the time of his near death experience with drowning. Venus is in the 8th house and Ketu is in the 2nd house, a maraka[7] house, indicating possible death. But most importantly, Ketu is in Purva Phalguni ruled by Venus, and Venus is again in the 8th house, and it is in Aquarius ruled by Saturn. Venus’ nakshatra is ruled by Saturn, ruler of the 8th house in the 8th house, and it is in Purva Bhadrapada ruled by Saturn. All these planets in the 8th house are intensified in the 8th house of death and psychic ability. When he died January 3rd 1945, he had just entered into Saturn’s maha dasha.


Rahu conjunct Venus (Sukra): Venus is the principle of attraction and therefore rules relationships. Relationships result in procreation and Venus is creative energy and passion. This not only relates to children but to all forms of the creative arts. It rules the senses and the pleasures of the physical body, which also include taste, music, touch, luxuries and aesthetic beauty. Venus refers to a person’s wealth and to their comforts in life.

Key Words: The feminine spirit, beauty, grace, charm, refinement, luxuries, wealth, sensuality, vanity, charisma, glamour, good taste, sexual attraction, elegance, comforts, conveyances, arts, music, theater, love, affections, pleasure of the senses, sugar, flowers, the wife in a male’s chart.

Venus is the karaka of relationships, luxuries, and the wife in a man’s chart.

Famous people with Venus conjunct Rahu
Burt Reynolds: Venus conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 8th house
Sigmund Freud: Venus conjunct Rahu in Aries in the 7th house
Merv Griffin: Venus conjunct Rahu and Mercury and Mars in Cancer in the 2nd house
Catherine Oxenberg: Venus conjunct Rahu in Leo in the 3rd house
Ted Kennedy: Venus Conjunct Rahu in Pisces in the 4th house
Elvis Presley: Venus conjunct Rahu in Capricorn in the 3rd house

Elvis Presley Birth Chart

Elvis Presley’s Chart
Rahu and Venus together represent extremes in the area of beauty, wealth and luxuries. Venus and Rahu in the sign of Capricorn represent leadership and business affairs. Venus and Rahu are in the 3rd house, indicating extreme talent in communication skills. It is the house of siblings. Elvis had a twin brother who died at birth. Venus rules the 7th and 12th houses, indicating extremes in loss in the area of the 3rd house. The 7th house is a difficult house being a maraka house. The 12th house indicates loss. The sign dispositor of Venus and Rahu is Saturn, placed in the 4th house. He was a very private person. The fame and notoriety forced him further inward. He spent a lot of time alone at home. He was very close to his mother, but in a very obsessive way, since Saturn is the dispositor of Venus and Rahu.

Venus and Saturn are in the nakshatra Uttara Ashadha, which is ruled by the Sun. The Sun is in the 2nd house, representing his powerful voice that made him a legend, and gave him the title the King. The 2nd house is the voice and wealth, in which the Venus and Rahu would predict the extremes produced from these houses.

On the day of his death, August 16, 1977, he was in a Saturn/Moon period, with both in the 4th house which is considered the house of the end of life. Saturn is the sign dispositor of Rahu and Venus, and the Moon is in Shatabhishak ruled by Rahu. This connects the Venus and Rahu in the 3rd house; the 3rd house is also a house of death, being the 8th from the 8th house, using bhavat bhavam.[8]


Rahu conjunct Mars (Mangala): Mars is the commander-in-chief. He is the planet of war. Mars rules the blood and the circulation of life force in the body. Mars’ nature is fiery and if provoked, he will fight. Mars deals with issues of anger but is also the planet of ambition and zest for life. It brings out suppressed energies or inner turmoil. Mars is very impulsive, aggressive and impatient; it represents accidents, surgery, wars, and volcanic eruptions, with courage and fearlessness as its positive side.

Key Words: Energy, action, passions, fire, blood, sexual vitality, male influence, muscles, athletics, courage, strength, determination, motivation, self-righteousness, selfishness, anger, violence, aggression, injury, accidents, enemies, war, can inflict death, conflict, military, police, criminals, science, machines, weapons, guns, knives, property and real-estate, brothers.

Mars is the karaka, for brothers (siblings), intelligence and real estate.

Famous people with Mars conjunct Rahu
John Adams: Mars conjunct Rahu in Virgo in the 1st house
Clint Eastwood: Mars conjunct Rahu in Aries in the 7th house
Harry Houdini: Mars conjunct Rahu in Aries in the 3rd house
Joan Crawford: Mars conjunct Rahu in Virgo in the 12th house
Carolyn Myss: Mars conjunct Rahu in Capricorn in the 3rd house
Jerry Seinfeld: Mars conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 9th house
Albert Einstein: Mars conjunct Rahu in Capricorn in the 8th house

Albert Einstein Birth Chart

Albert Einstein’s Chart
Mars and Rahu occupy the 8th house, intensifying the qualities of the 8th house. Mars is exalted in Capricorn giving it even more intensity.[9] The 8th house indicates deep profound thoughts and research. Mars is the planet of intelligence, so together with Rahu in the thought provoking 8th house we have a brilliant mind who uncovers answers to the Universe.

Rahu is in Shravana which is ruled by the Moon, and the Moon is in the 6th house. This indicates his prodding scientific mind, searching for answers. His Mars is in Uttara Ashadha which is ruled by the Sun. The Sun in the 10th house gave him fame and recognition particularly due to his scientific discoveries.

Saturn is the sign dispositor of Rahu and Mars. It is in the 10th house of career and social recognition which did come about later in his life. In 1922 when he won the Nobel Prize, he was in the Moon/Mars period. The Moon is in Scorpio ruled by Mars, and Mars is with Rahu in the 8th house.

Mars the planet conjunct Rahu takes on this magnification and activates the houses it rules. Mars rules the 11th and the 6th houses. These are the houses of healing. But since Mars is in the 8th house he felt he had a lot to do with the destruction of many lives. He had enormous guilt dealing with the outcome of his discovery and development of nuclear energy. He didn’t create it for destruction, but this was exactly how it was used.

He died of an aortic aneurism in 1955 when he was in a Rahu/Mars period. Both these intensified planets are in the 8th house of death. There is no surprise this is the dasha that took his life.


Rahu conjunct Jupiter (Guru): Jupiter is the preceptor and teacher of the gods. He was to teach the path of righteousness and spiritual wisdom and represents God’s grace. Jupiter is expansion and growth. Whatever Jupiter aspects will grow large. This can indicate overweight conditions or a tall stature. Even an expanded organ such as the liver can cause health difficulties. Jupiter deals with the external rituals associated with religion. It is also about judgment and laws pertaining to legal advice and it rules lawyers.

Key Words: Spiritual teacher, guide, truth, faith, religion, philosophy, spirituality, grace, law, the great benefic, fortune, wealth, expansion, higher education like colleges, optimism, generosity, joy, luck, self-indulgence, excess, money, long distance travel, children, the husband in a female’s chart.

The karakas for Jupiter are children, the spouse in a woman’s chart, and wealth.

Famous People with Jupiter conjunct Rahu
Roger Daltrey: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Cancer in the 9th house
Ursula Andress: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 6th house
Jill Ireland: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 4th house
Michael Landon: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 1st house
Scott Peterson: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Sagittarius in the 2nd house
Ellen Degeneres: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Libra in the 12th house
Madonna: Jupiter conjunct Rahu in Libra in the 3rd house

Madonna's Birth Chart

Madonna’s Chart
Rahu and Jupiter are in the 3rd house which denotes great creative abilities. The sign Libra can indicate creativity, particularity with music, because Venus as ruler of Libra rules the arts, and air signs can indicate music. Venus as the sign dispositor of both Jupiter and Rahu is in the 12th house. The 12th house has connections to film and dancing. The 12th house is connected to film for the association to Neptune and Pisces, and the 12 house rules the feet indicating dancing abilities.

Jupiter rules the 8th and the 5th houses. The 5th is another house of creativity and the 8th house indicates sex and magnetism. The ruler of the 8th house is magnified with Rahu producing a very charismatic individual.

The nakshatra dispositor of Chitra is Mars. Mars is in the 9th house in Aries. This gives her a lucky rise and her passion towards her religious beliefs. She was born in an Italian Catholic family and is now studying the Kabbalah. The nakshatra Chitra denotes someone who shines and stands out in a crowd.

Mars becomes a wild card being with Ketu. It is related to the Jupiter conjunct Rahu because Mars conjunct Ketu aspects Jupiter and Rahu, and Jupiter and Rahu’s nakshatra dispositor is Mars. Jupiter and Rahu indicate expansion and huge extremes. Jupiter and Rahu magnetize the Mars conjunction to Ketu.

From 1987-1994 she was in Mars’ dasha. This was the time she rose to the top as one of the most popular performers, taking the world by a storm. She became an icon at this time. During her Mars/Ketu period in 1991-1992 she produced the provocative taboo video Truth or Dare and published the book Sex. Madonna capitalized on her shock value knowing the more shocking it was, the more she would be a public commodity. Someone with Mars and Ketu in the 9th house is not afraid to express their beliefs, no matter who it offends.


Rahu conjunct Saturn (Shani): Saturn is the furthest planet visible to the naked eye. It is therefore the slowest and darkest from our perception (outer planets excluded here) and perceived as giving darkness, delaying or slowing things down. Saturn rules old age. It is the final boundary, suggesting death and doom. As one becomes disillusioned with life, there is misery and frustration. It is the function of Saturn to strip away everything of this existence to rid one of all desires and attachments. This eventually leads to higher consciousness and final liberation from the karmic chains of the world. Saturn’s primary function is to lead the soul back to its source, to God. Characteristics of Saturn are delays, depression, restrictions, setbacks, destruction, disease and death. But Saturn also exhibits discipline, stability, and gives long lasting results.

Key Words: Discipline, order, structure, dependability, stability, concentration, endurance, longevity, separation, solitude, limitation, bondage, obstruction, delay, poverty, death, disease, oppression, pessimism, worry, doubt, fear, phobias, bad luck, old age, retardation, paralysis, depression, stunted development, deprivation, bones, skin, degenerative diseases, arthritis, fixed assets, land, property, darkness, sorrow, detachment, decay.

The karakas for Saturn are elderly people, death, and wisdom.

Famous People with Saturn conjunct Rahu
Carnie Wilson: Saturn conjunct Rahu in Pisces in the 6th house
Ashley Judd: Saturn conjunct Rahu and Venus in Pisces in the 8th house
Judy Garland: Saturn conjunct Rahu and Jupiter in Virgo in the 4th house
Timothy McVeigh: Saturn conjunct Rahu and Venus in Pisces in the 10th house
David Copperfield: Saturn conjunct Rahu in Scorpio in the 3rd house
Lisa Marie Presley: Saturn conjunct Rahu in Pisces in the 9th house
Priscilla Presley: Saturn conjunct Rahu in Gemini in the 7th house

Priscilla Presley's Birth Chart

Priscilla Presley’s Chart
She has Saturn conjunct Rahu in the 7th house, indicating the spouse. The relationship with Elvis no doubt changed her life in a huge way. It represents fame and destiny through the spouse. Interestingly, in her daughter’s chart, Lisa Marie has the same conjunction of Saturn and Rahu, in her 9th house of the father.

In Priscilla’s chart Saturn rules the 2nd and 3rd houses. Saturn’s magnification from Rahu brought the extremes of money from the 2nd house. The 3rd house indicates creative talents, and Priscilla came through with her acting abilities, but doors opened due to her famous marriage.

Mercury is the sign dispositor of Saturn and Rahu. In the 5th house it connects her to her children and represents fame still associated with her spouse.
The nakshatra of Saturn and Rahu is Ardra, which is ruled by Rahu. This intensifies Rahu even more! Further intensifying the effect of her extreme blessing or curse she experienced through her marriage to one the most famous people of our time.

In 1977, when Priscilla was in the Saturn/Rahu period, Elvis Presley died. Once again the relevance and power of this combination predicted this unexpected shocking event.

Lisa Marie Presley Birth Chart

Lisa Marie Presley’s Chart
She has Saturn and Rahu in Pisces in the 9th house, indicating the extremes in life came from the father. Saturn rules the 8th and 7th houses. The 8th house has to do with inheritances, and she inherited most of her father’s fortune. The sign dispositor of Rahu and Saturn is Pisces. Jupiter as the ruler of Pisces is in the 2nd house. This further indicates the wealth gained from the father.

Saturn is in Uttara Bhadrapada ruled by Saturn. This is like Saturn in its own sign, strengthening the power of Saturn. Rahu is in Revati which is ruled by Mercury. Mercury in the 8th house indicates the lack of the father in her life. He died before she really got to know him. He was not a part of her life.

At the time of her father’s death, Lisa was in the Saturn/Ketu period. Natal Saturn is in the 9th house and the nakshatra dispositor is Saturn, and Saturn rules the 8th house of death. The nakshatra dispositor and sign dispositor of Ketu are both in the 8th house. Ketu is in Virgo, the sign dispositor is Mercury, and Ketu is in the nakshatra Chitra, which is ruled by Mars, so Mars is the nakshatra dispositor. Both Mercury and Mars are in the 8th house in Saturn’s sign. A major focus of the dasha/bhukti involving these two planets, Saturn and Ketu, are 8th house matters dealing with 9th house matters, therefore death of the father.

Effects of Ketu

Ketu Ketu (South Node of Moon): Ketu’s function is to cause inner turmoil so that the soul will seek the true essence of the individual. Whereas, Rahu is the material world, Ketu is the spiritual world. It is the headless serpent, implying the perception and wisdom that is a gut level knowing and that can give psychic or clairvoyant abilities. But Ketu can give a feeling of helplessness, self-doubt, and lack of confidence. Through humiliating experiences one becomes humble. Ketu is a wanderer without roots. It is a fiery force that can cause accident and injury. Above all, it is the karaka of loss that directs our attention back to the eternal reality, the self-realization of our essence with God. Rahu works on the outer material world and Ketu works on the inner spiritual world. Ketu with a planet will have a spiritualizing effect on it, directing the planetary energy to look within its essence. If Ketu is with Mars, the nature will actively seek the spiritual side of life, Martian qualities will be withdrawn, anger suppressed and channeled inwardly. Ketu with the Moon can give psychic abilities. Like Rahu, Ketu can cause mental instabilities, mass hysteria, diseases and plagues, and represent poisons like drugs and alcohol. However, both Rahu and Ketu can also be drugs or poisons that heal.

Key Words: Loss, negation, lack of confidence, self doubt, fantasies, confusion, indecision, illusions, drug addiction and alcoholism, psychic influences, fire, injury, death, spiritual insight, liberation, perception, wisdom.
  • There is an ambition for power where Ketu is positioned by house. The ambition for power comes from a strong empty feeling. The house it is in will feel like an empty void therefore, there is a need to constantly fill this void creating an obsession to refill the emptiness. This is why there can be gains and abundance for the house that Ketu is in.
  • Ketu has been said to negate the planet it is conjunct or aspects. A planet conjunct Ketu becomes magnified in an unusual way, the outcome depends on the houses the planet with Ketu rules; that is if the planet with Ketu is a friend or enemy to the chart. This depends on the Ascendant.
  • Ketu is the suction point for all incoming karma from past incarnations. This karma is processed then set forth through our life with experiences indicated by Rahu. Rahu is the future and new karmas developed during this lifetime. The controlling planets are the sign and nakshatra dispositors of Rahu and Ketu. Planets conjunct these nodes become the wild card to express this experience even more. So Ketu is the past karmas of the soul in which are put forth into action in this lifetime through Rahu. Ketu is the talents and faculties developed through past lives. Ketu deals with the inheritance of these natural abilities but the real test is to balance these abilities and not let them control us. We must reach out and develop the Rahu qualities instead of letting the karma repeat itself of the previous lifetimes. We must learn to use this power for the good of mankind instead of selfish self grandeur. Ketu is our past while Rahu is our future, and where we must develop our skills in this lifetime.
  • If Ketu is with a benefic planet the qualities of that house are empowered. If they are in the sign the planet rules, extremes of wealth are possible, especially in the maha dasha of Ketu. For example, if Ketu is in the second house with Jupiter it gives wealth. But, it gives extremes of wealth if Ketu and Jupiter are in Sagittarius or Pisces. This becomes activated when Ketu’s maha dasha begins. At the end of the seven-year Ketu cycle all the gains during this cycle can be lost.
Planets conjunct Ketu will be exaggerated in an unusual way. The exaggeration is due to a sense of lack that is overcompensated.


Famous People with Sun conjunct Ketu
Nicolas Cage: Sun conjunct Ketu in Sagittarius in the 1st house
Amelia Earhart: Sun conjunct Ketu in Cancer in the 4th house
Chandra Levy: Sun conjunct Ketu in Aries in the 10th house
Mike Love: Sun conjunct Ketu in Pisces in the 10th house
Alice Bailey: Sun conjunct Ketu in Gemini in the 12th house
Roman Polanski: Sun conjunct Ketu in Leo in the 12th house

Roman Polanski's Birth Chart

Roman Polanski’s Chart
He was an iconic movie producer. Twice in his life he was exiled from the countries he lived in. In 1939 his family had to flee Poland due to the German invasion of World War II. Then in 1977 he was exiled from the United States due to his indiscretion with minors in his lover affairs.

An event that caused great loss and pain was in August 1969, when his wife, Sharon Tate, was brutally murdered in the Charles Manson murders. These are all effects of the karmas of the 12th house.

He has Sun conjunct Ketu in Leo in the 12th house. The intensity of this combination is stressed further by the sign and nakshatra rulers. Sun and Ketu are in Leo which is the ruler of the 12th in the 12th house. Both Sun and Ketu are in Magha ruled by Ketu. This intensifies Ketu again, the ruler of the 12th in the 12th, Ketu is the karaka of loss. The 12th house is the house of foreign lands and Polanski was exiled two times in his life from the counties he lived in. This configuration brought about intense losses in his life.

The Sun indicates our ego and self esteem and with Ketu will mean the loss of these. The experiences in his life are humiliating and represent a deep sense of loss.
In 1977 when Polanski was exiled from the United States because of his scandalous affairs he was in his Ketu/Rahu period. Ketu is powerfully connected to loss. Additionally its placement in the 12th house indicates problems with foreign countries.


Famous people with Moon conjunct Ketu

Van Cliburn: Moon conjunct Ketu in Cancer in the 11th house.
Julia Child: Moon conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 5th house
Emeril Lagasse: Moon conjunct Ketu in Pisces in the 6th house.
John Paul Getty: Moon conjunct Ketu in Libra in the 11th house
Barbra Mandrell: Moon conjunct Ketu in Libra in the 11th house
Donald Trump: Moon conjunct Ketu in the 5th house
Bobby Kennedy: Moon conjunct Ketu in Capricorn in the 10th house

Bobby Kennedy's Birth Chart

Bobby Kennedy’s Chart
He has Moon conjunct Ketu in the 10th house of career, fame and recognition. The Moon in the 10th house can represent fame, particularly with a node of the Moon. The Moon is the karaka of the masses, the public and the mother. Since the Moon rules the 4th house of the mother, it indicates great loss for the mother; Rose Kennedy did loose almost all her children tragically while she was still living. The sign dispositor of Moon and Rahu is Saturn, located in the 7th house of marriage and partnerships. Saturn rules both the 10th and 11th houses connecting Booby to his older brothers in business partnerships. The 11th house represents older siblings. The nakshatra of both Moon and Ketu is Uttara Ashadha, which is ruled by the Sun. The Sun is powerfully placed in the 8th house. Therefore, his connections with his family, specifically his brothers, lead him to great loss through Ketu, and eventually death through the nakshatra dispositor the Sun in the 8th house. He never got to fulfill his political desires, for he had a greater destiny to fulfill for the world.

Donald Trump (chart displayed earlier in Sun conjunct Rahu section) has Moon and Ketu in Scorpio the 5th house. You would think as the Moon is the ruler of the chart by owning the 1st house, he would be weakened considerably by being debilitated in Scorpio and conjunct Ketu. But the Moon with Ketu gives intuitive powers, and in the 5th house gives knowingness as to when to make investments. It does form Raja Yoga, for the Moon rules an angle (kendra) and the Moon and Ketu are in a trikonal, although it was during his Moon/Ketu period in 1990 that he had the biggest losses financially. In order to stay afloat he had to juggle all his properties. The sign dispositor of Moon and Ketu is Mars, and Mars is in the 2nd house of money, but the Nakshatra dispositor produced the result being Mercury (Jyestha is ruled by Mercury), for Mercury is in the 12th house of losses in its own sign. But he was still able to succeed through this difficult time.


Famous people with Mercury conjunct Ketu
Patrick Swayze: Mercury conjunct Ketu with Moon and Pluto in Cancer in the 11th house
Alice Bailey: Mercury conjunct Ketu with Sun in Gemini in the 12th house
Pope John Paul II Mercury conjunct Ketu and Venus in Aries in the 9th house
Phil Hartman: Mercury conjunct Ketu and Mars in Libra in the 10th house
Cameron Diaz: Mercury conjunct Ketu in Cancer in the 2nd house
Jon Bon Jovi: Mercury conjunct Ketu, Saturn, Mars, and Moon in Capricorn in the 5th house
Howard Dean: Mercury conjunct Ketu in Libra in the 5th house
Bobby Fischer: Mercury conjunct Ketu in Aquarius in the 8th house

Bobby Fischer's Birth Chart

Bobby Fischer’s Chart
He became the World Chess champion on September 2, 1972. He was exiled from the United States for his antagonistic behavior. After 20 years of exile he won again $3.35 million in a rematch with Boris Spassky from Russia on September 2, 1992. He has the combination of Mercury with Ketu in the 8th house. The 8th house is the most profound house for thoughts and research. There are other aspects that denote his keen intelligence, but I believe it is the Mercury conjunct Ketu in the 8th house that give him his probing mind. Mercury with Ketu indicates a deep thinking mind, and in the 8th house gives the quality of concentration coupled with research, as Einstein had Mars and Rahu in the 8th house. Mercury in an air sign gives more of a mental quality. Mercury as the planet conjunct Ketu, rules the 12th and 3rd houses. The 3rd house like the 3rd sign indicates mental ability and communication skills, for it relates to Mercury, because the 3rd sign is Gemini ruled by Mercury. The sign dispositor is Saturn. Saturn in the 11th house magnifies the results of Mercury and Ketu. The 11th house magnifies and multiplies the results of planets. The nakshatra dispositor of Mercury is Mars (Dhanishta). Mars is in the 7th house exalted. Mars is the key planet for intelligence, as the dispositor exalted in an angle will give the extreme of Mars in all its glory. It is called Ruchaka Yoga.[10] It probably had a lot to do with his antagonistic behavior.

In 1972 when he won the Championship he was in Moon/Mars period. Mars is his powerhouse and the Moon is in Mars’ sign, but the nakshatra that rules the Moon is Ketu (Ashwini); therefore the 8th house and Mercury are activated, giving depth to the thinking process.


Famous people with Venus conjunct Ketu
Marcia Clark: Venus conjunct Ketu and Mars in Cancer in the 10th house
William Randolph Price: Venus conjunct Ketu in Taurus in the 1st house
Christian Dior: Venus conjunct Ketu in Aquarius in the 5th house
Sammy Davis Jr. Venus conjunct Ketu with Jupiter in Capricorn in the 11th house
Charles de Gaulle: Venus conjunct Ketu and Mercury/Sun in Scorpio in the 3rd house
Conner Clapton: Venus conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 2nd house
Roger Daltrey: Venus conjunct Ketu in Capricorn in the 3rd house

Roger Daltrey's Birth Chart

Roger Daltrey’s Chart
Roger Daltrey, the lead singer of the Rock and Roll band The Who, has Venus conjunct Ketu in Capricorn in the 3rd house of creativity and communication skills. The Who is considered by some to be the best rock and roll band ever! Roger’s success is due to many aspects of this powerful chart, but particularly his exalted Jupiter conjunct Rahu in the 9th house. The rise of The Who began in the 1960s when he was in Rahu’s cycle. In 1964 the group changed their name from The Detours to The Who, and added Keith Moon as the drummer. He began his Rahu /Jupiter period. This catapulted them to fame and fortune.

His Venus and Ketu in the 3rd house is what gave him his creative exuberant style of entertaining on stage. In 1975 he began his acting career in the movie Tommy. He was in Rahu/Venus period. The 3rd house has indications of film and showman ship.

Venus rules the 7th and 12th houses. The sign dispositor Saturn is in the 7th house, also the nakshatra dispositor (Shravana) is the Moon. All these indications point to the 7th house. This confirms it was the group effort that made the The Who the success that it was. He has Saturn, Mars, and the Moon (with Uranus) in the 7th house. I can see each of these planets as representing each of the other three members of the group. I see the Moon as Keith Moon, because he was the most fluctuating, and it is close to planet Uranus indicating instability emotionally. He died at age 32 of a drug over dose in 1978. Besides, his last name is Moon! John Entwistle is represented by Mars, and Saturn represents Pete Townsend.

Whenever I see 3 or more planets in the 7th house I know the individual is a success through the support of others, but also they are the ones who control and run the group. They get many people to help and do work for them. The combination of Saturn, Mars, Moon, and Uranus describes the volatile relationship The Who had in their group.


Famous people with Mars conjunct Ketu
David Cassidy: Mars conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 4th house
Karen Carpenter: Mars conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 4th house
Madonna: Mars conjunct Ketu in Aries in the 9th house
Ted Bundy: Mars conjunct Ketu and the Moon, Sun and Mercury in Scorpio in the 4th house
Kurt Cobain: Mars conjunct Ketu in Libra in the 3rd house
George Gershwin: Mars conjunct Ketu in Gemini in the 8th house
Brad Pitt: Mars conjunct Ketu and Mercury, Moon, and Sun in Sagittarius in the 2nd house
Mark Spitz: Mars conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 2nd house

Mark Spitz's Birth Chart

Mark Spitz’s Chart
Mark won 7 gold medals at the 1972 Olympics. He has Mars and Ketu in Virgo in the 2nd house with Ketu. The sign Virgo denotes discipline and focus and in the 2nd house refers to his early childhood. His parents both made Mark their focus, training him in swimming since a very young child. He began breaking records as soon as he hit the water. His parents were so involved in his swimming career they moved three times to be close to better coaches. Mars becomes a driving force close to Ketu. Ketu can have the effects of Mars so together they become more intense.

The 2nd house indicates speech and eating which were extreme in both cases. He was noted for his particular eating habits, and he was not well liked for his arrogant comments. His team mates often made fun of him and called him a hypochondriac. Ultimately he made his fortune through his endorsements which is due to his success as an Olympic star. The 2nd house rules our ability to make our own money.

Mars rules the 4th and 9th house indicating both the mother and father, and both parents made him their focus sacrificing everything for his success. The sign dispositor of Mars is Mercury which is placed in the 6th hose. The 6th house is the house of competition and improvement. This is a house involved with athletes. Also, whenever there is a connection between the 2nd and 6th house one becomes vested in what they eat or health matters. The nakshatra dispositor of Hasta is the Moon. The Moon in the 4th hose indicates the focus his mother had in his career.

He was in Mars/Ketu period, April 1972-September 1972. So it was this dasha/bhukti that prepared him and brought him the triumph of one of the most successful Olympic wins in history, aside from the new record breaker Michael Phelps of the 2008 Olympics.


Famous people with Jupiter conjunct Ketu
Jennifer Aniston: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 12th house
Lucille Ball: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Libra in the 11th house
Hillary R. Clinton: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Scorpio in the 6th house
Steffi Graf: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 4th house
Henry David Thoreau: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Scorpio in the 11th house
Vincent Van Gogh: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Sagittarius in the 7th house
Jerry Seinfeld: Jupiter conjunct Ketu in Gemini in the 3rd house

Jerry Seinfeld's Birth Chart

Jerry Seinfeld’s Chart
He is one of the highest paid TV comedians of our time. In terms of what constitutes what is funny in a chart I usually refer to the sign Gemini. To be funny you have to sharp and quick witted. You have to be smart to be funny, because your mind has to think quickly and be a head of everyone in a conversation. Mercury is the planet that rules the trickster in Greek mythology and rules the mental disposition. In Gemini the mind is quick and adaptable. The sign Virgo which is also ruled by Mercury produces a more dry humor. Great comedians have to have Mercury strong. Seinfeld has Jupiter in the sign Gemini in the 3rd house which is associated with the sign Gemini since Gemini is the 3rd sign. Jupiter is accentuated by Ketu in the 3rd house. The 3rd house is about communications and the arts and Jerry has a powerful skill to come across dramatically in his stage act.

Jupiter is magnified by Ketu and rules the 9th and the 12th houses. The 9th house gives him the popularity and blessings to be successful with his act. As his Mars conjunct Rahu aspects his Jupiter conjunct Ketu configuration, it becomes all the more magnified.

Mercury is the sign dispositor of Jupiter and Ketu and resides in the 1st house of the self. This gives him a youthful appearance and flexible style. Mercury is in Aries with the exalted Sun giving him drive, ambition and success. The Sun rules the 5th house of drama and creativity. You will find talented actors, artists, musicians and writers have accentuated 3rd and 5th houses.

The nakshatra dispositor of Jupiter is Mars, which rules Mrigashira. Mars is in the 9th house, with Rahu aspecting his Jupiter conjunct Ketu configuration, so it gives enormous power. The 3rd and 9th house axis is great for communications on a public level. The 3rd house also rules media and television. Ketu is in Punarvasu which is ruled by Jupiter, so it magnifies his Jupiter even more. This is a magnificently magnified Jupiter. This is the powerhouse that gifted him with his humor, communication skills and drama.

He had his rise as a stand-up comedian during his Mercury dasha. The top-rated TV series Seinfeld ran from 1989-1998. As soon as he hit his Ketu dasha the show ended. He was ready to retire while at the top. He stated he didn’t need any more money, and wanted his freedom. I am sure he traveled and had fun during this Ketu dasha.

Coincidentally, he has a perfect Lakshmi yoga[11] to produce wealth. Venus in its own sign (placed in the 2nd house), the ruler of the 9th house is aspected by the ruler of the 1st, and the ruler of the 1st is strong.


Famous people with Saturn conjunct Ketu
Ralph Waldo Emerson: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Leo in the 12th house
Athena Roussel: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Scorpio in the 2nd house
Christina Onassis: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Virgo in the 5th house
Burt Bacharach: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Scorpio in the 11th house
Doug Flutie: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Capricorn in the 6th house
Jennifer Gates: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Pisces in the 7th house
Tina Turner: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Aries in the 10th house
Paul Gauguin: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Pisces in the 8th house
Tyra Banks: Saturn conjunct Ketu in Gemini in the 1st house

Tyra Banks' Birth Chart

Tyra Banks’ Chart
Tyra quickly rose to fame as one of the top models of the 1990s. Currently she has her own talk show, and is said to be the new Oprah Winfrey for the younger generation.
Her Saturn-Ketu conjunction is in Gemini in the 1st house. The first house represents the persona of the individual and I believe this is what gives her a unique beauty. Ketu in the 1st will make someone appear mysterious with an unusual appearance. Her Saturn as ruler of the 8th and 9th houses makes her magnetic and spiritual. The ruler of the 9th house in the 1st makes one spiritual and the rulership of the 8th will indicate her search for meaning. As Saturn rules the 9th house it will give luck and fortune. Ketu gives it an unusual interesting quality.

The sign dispositor of Saturn and Ketu is Mercury. Mercury as the dispositor gives her gifts in communications and learning. Saturn in Mercury’s sign gives focus and an ability to concentrate and learn. Mercury is in the 6th house indicating her desire to help others and promote healing to the planet. Her talk show will bring awareness to the world.

The nakshatra dispositors of Saturn and Ketu are different. Ketu is in Mrigashira and Saturn is in Ardra. Ketu’s nakshatra dispositor is Mars. Mars is powerfully placed in the 11th house in its own sign of Aries. This indicates great gains and connections to very powerful people. As a model she worked with the most powerful people in her industry, working with designers Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, and Channel.

Now in the media business she works with Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres. She is a power to be reckoned with for future generations. Rahu is the nakshatra dispositor of Saturn. Saturn is aspected by its dispositor. This is a powerful Saturn that will give a feel of a magnetized Rahu. It is in the 7th house which can cause difficulty in marriage. So far she has not gotten married and is not interested. Trya’s Saturn and Ketu in the first house makes her unique and unusual. She could not have attained her success without it. Interestingly, she was in the Ketu dasha from 1994-2001 when she had her rise to fame as a super model. Ketu gave her rise and success, particularly because it magnified her powerful Saturn.

Rahu and Ketu are our karmic destiny, as explored in these examples. Through understanding them we will discover our own destiny, and ultimately the karmas of our world.


ENDNOTES
1. The Vimshottari Dahsa System is the predictive tool used by Vedic astrologers to predict the cycles with in an individual’s life. It is based on the placement of the Moon. There are 27 nakshatras within the 360 degree zodiac; their divisions are 13 degrees and 20 minutes (see Figure 1, Nakshatra Table, from my book). The ruling planet of the nakshatra of the natal Moon is the dasha that will begin your entire life cycle. This sets the beginning of the pattern that the later dashas (planetary cycles) will follow. This pattern is in a sequential order: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury. For example if your natal Moon is in nakshatra Purva Phalguni, then you will begin life in the Venus dasha because Venus rules Purva Phalguni. The next dasha after the allotted time of Venus is completed will be the next planet that comes after Venus in this sequential order, which would be the Sun dasha, then the Moon and so on. Each dasha has an allotted time. Venus is 20 years and the Sun is 6 years. When you add up all the allotted time frames for each planetary cycle, it equals 120 years.

Each nakshatra is also ruled by a planet. When determining the results of a dasha, the planet ruling the dasha will give the results of the house it is in and the houses it rules, but the overall effects of that dasha will be revealed by the nakshatra and its ruling planet of that nakshatra dasha period. For example: If you are in Jupiter’s dasha and natal Jupiter is in nakshatra Magha, you will look to the ruling planet of Magha, which is Ketu. The house in which Ketu is placed will give the overall effects of this dasha. If Ketu is in the 12th house the dasha will begin with great losses (12th house).

2. The dashas are further divided into subcycles. The next level down is called the bhukti. The mathematical equation used to break down the dashas can be referenced in my book. The subcycles are cycles within cycles, and break up the events within the long grand cycles. These subcycles follow the same sequential order as the maha dasha. They have an allotted time frame too, determined by the length of time of the grand cycle’s time allotment. Figure 2 indicates the duration of each subcycle. The grand cycle of Venus is 20 years but the subcycles break up the effects within this 20 year duration. The onset of any cycle will have the same subcycle as the maha dasha to begin with. The beginning subcycle of Venus will be Venus, Venus/Venus. Since Venus is the longest grand cycle, the subcycle Venus will be the longest subcycle because Venus is allotted the longest time frame. The Venus/Venus subcycle will be 3 years and 4 months in duration, the longest of all the cycles and subcycles. The following subcycle will be Venus/Sun. Because the Sun’s grand cycle lasts 6 years, the subcycle within the Venus’ grand cycle duration is 1 year 0 months and 0 years. Note that the order of the subcycles follows the same sequential order the dashas always follow: Ketu, Venus, Sun, Moon, Mars, Rahu, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury.
The bhukti will reveal the exact events of that time frame. For reference within this article you will see when an individual is in a maha dasha and bhukti subcycle. The results in a life will be determined by where the dasha ruler is in the chart by house, house rulership, house location of sign dispositor, and nakshatra dispositor. Sign dispositors are the planets that rule a sign. If Mars is in Virgo then the dispositor of Mars is Mercury, because Mercury rules Virgo. The nakshatra dispositor is the ruling planet of the nakshatra. If Jupiter is in the nakshatra Magha then Ketu is the nakshatra dispositor because Ketu rules Magha. So Ketu is the nakshatra dispositor of Jupiter. Synthesizing all these variables is the art of prediction with Vedic astrology.

3. Trikona houses are 1, 5 and 9. Kendras are the angles, 1, 4, 7, and 10. The trikona houses are the most auspicious or lucky and the kendras are the most powerful in producing results. So this combination of luck and power produce excellent results. This combination of trikona and kendra constitutes what we call Raja yoga. Raja means King, therefore, kingly yogas.

4. All chart data and biographical details are from Astrodatabank.

5. Brihat Parashara Hora Sastra by Maharishi Parashara is the main text used by Vedic astrologers, and the basis of Jyotish.

6. The shorthand for the dasha/bhukti is read with the slash. Rahu/Sun is understood as Rahu maha dasha and Sun bhukti.

7. Maraka means killer. The maraka houses are houses 2 and 7 because they are both 12 houses from the houses that indicate the length of life in a chart. Houses 3 and 8 are referenced as the houses of length of life, therefore the 12th house from theses represents the loss of life, houses 2 and 7.

8. Bhavat Bhavam means from house to house and is another word for the derivative house system. But in particular any house repeated in numerical order will give more of the effects the previous house indicates, such as the 3rd from the 3rd is the 5th house dealing with writing. The 8th from the 8th is the 3rd house another house that has 8th house qualities.

9. The exaltations of planets are the same as in Western astrology.

10. Ruchaka Yoga is when Mars is in its own sign of rulership or exalted and is an angular (kendra) house, 1, 4, 7 or 10.

11. Lakshmi Yoga is a combination of planets that will produce GREAT wealth in an individual’s life. What constitutes a Lakshmi Yoga is Venus must be in its sign of rulership (Taurus or Libra) and the ruler of the 1st and the 9th houses is very strong by being in its own sign of rulership, exalted or in a kendra or trikonal house and when the ruler of the 1st is connected by aspect to the ruler of the 9th house this is a powerful Lakshmi Yoga.