Hindu Mythology about Planet Ketu

According to Hindu Mythology, it is also known as “Chayagraha” or shadowy planet. That means they possess no mass, shape or substance and are celestial points on the zodiac belt with regulated movements and orbit, and predictable influence on horoscope.

As per ancient scriptures, it is believed that Lord Vishnu fooled demons at the time of “Samudra Manthan” while distributing nectar of immortality or Amrit. Lord Vishnu served nectar to all the Gods and poison to all Demons. One Demon, named as Swarbhanu, noticed this, sat in the row of Gods and managed to get few drops of nectar. However, Moon and Sun saw this and signaled to Lord Vishnu who beheaded the demon but unfortunately by then he was immortalized.

From that point, the head of the body of demon became “Rahu” and torso became “Ketu”. The mystery planet Ketu has only body but no head. He didn’t know which direction to follow, hence decided to follow the path of spirituality. It doesn’t want the materialistic gains. It is an isolated planet, which detaches native from the world and luxurious items. It doesn’t have a brain and is directionless.

Rahu & Ketu are considered malefic as their origin is related to demons and they swallow Sun, hereby causing Solar Eclipse and Moon, causing Lunar Eclipse. Ketu is also known as Shadow planet or South node of the Moon. Rahu and Ketu are the points of ecliptic where the plane of Moon’s orbit intersects the plane of Sun’s orbit. The zodiac point where a planet crosses from south to north Latitude is called North Node and vice versa. The south node is called the descending, and the north, the ascending node.

In Western Astrology, Ketu is known as tail of Dragon. Cauda is also another name of Ketu given in western astrology. As per Western Astrology, rahu is considered as benefic whereas Ketu is malefic. Westerners don’t consider these planets while analysing birth chart to give prediction on one’s life.

Nature of Planet Ketu

Ketu doesn’t own any house or rashi in horoscope. All the houses and rashis are only ruled by the seven planets. However, few astrologers believe that nodes also own the houses and signs. Well, Ketu doesn’t own any sign, hence it represents lord of sign only. However, one must keep in mind while analysing the horoscope that these nodes are important if they are conjoined with any planet. If they are conjoined, they provide results of the planet which aspects them. It shows the lord of house. Ketu rules over Ashwini, Magha and Moola Nakshatras. However, some believe that Ketu gets exalted in Scorpio or Sagittarius and gets debilitated in Taurus or Gemini. If Ketu occupy the beneficial houses in the horoscope, then it will give the good results.

What does Ketu signify in Vedic Astrology?

Ketu indicates the maternal grandfather. Ketu doesn’t rule over any zodiac sign. According to Hinduism, Ketu indicates one born in low caste, one whose thoughts and actions are evil, who will resort to outcaste and low-born, who is dissatisfied, likes residences facing in south direction, fond of travelling, stay outside or a big jungle, finds pleasure in uttering falsehood, continues to speak untruth, one who doesn’t have the courage and look downwards while walking and talking with others. Sharp acute pain and Gas trouble are denoted by nodes. Snake catchers, Buddhists, ass, ram, wolf, camel, serpent, poisonous insects, a dark place, bug, insects, owl etc. belong to the nodes.

To enjoy life at others expense, to live in a rented house, to use others vehicles, to have an office car, to take one in adoption, danger to the offspring, pilgrimage, ill health to the native and defect to the children and defect in vision are judged from the position of nodes in the horoscope.

How does Ketu act in all 12 houses?

Let’s see below how Ketu acts for all 12 houses if it occupies the different houses in astrology:

• Ketu in First House: Marks in the face of the native, diseased, miserly, a stillborn child to the native etc. If it is connected with benefics, native will be rich and have long living children.

• Ketu in Second House: Unhealthy, worried about family, No savings, especially about children, black complexion, twice married etc. If benfics is conjoined with Ketu, it can cause a mole in the chin. Native will be lucky and will hate people and also will be hated by them.

• Ketu in Third House: Native will be good natured, rich, successful messenger, contractor and Agriculturist.

• Ketu in Fourth House: Native will possess wealth, jewellery, may marry twice, not good to mother. If it is connected with benefics, then the evil results will be mitigated. Native will hate relatives.

• Ketu in Fifth House: It is inauspicious to children, may stammer, a bad person (He may be punished by the Government). Native will be cunning. He will have hydrophobia and will be unhealthy.

• Ketu in Sixth House: Native will be courageous. Native will enjoy life with entire satisfaction. Moon conjunct with Ketu indicates losses, no savings, will be clver. Native will be liked by relatives, famous, learned and studious.

• Ketu in Seventh House: Native may marry again after losing the first wife, second wife may suffer from chronic disease, if malefics then issue at marital front. If benefics associated with Ketu then it may give one wive, good fortune, lucky wife, long living etc. Malefic may destroy the pleasure of married life.

• Ketu in Eighth House: Native may have chronic disease. He will get legacy, will enjoy at others cost, finds pleasure in the company of others wives, miserly. If conjunct with benefics, it gives long life and wealth.

• Ketu in Ninth House: It affects the longevity of your children, native will find pleasure with low class ladies and servants. Native will not be sympathetic. Native will never donate. He will get easily irritated, can argue, will talk nicely, will also talk ill about others etc.

• Ketu in Tenth House: Native will find pleasure in widow’s company. Native will live dirty places. If it is attached with benefics, it will mitigate the affliction. He will have faithful servant. He will be clever, diplomatic, brave, good at engraving, will have social success, will tour always.

• Ketu in Eleventh House: Native will have many children, be rich, courageous, have social success, spend the minimum etc.

• Ketu in Twelfth House: Native will have very few children. They will have a defective vision. He will be a sinner. He will be weak-minded, unprincipled and will suffer from loss of ancestral property and reputation.

Hence planet Ketu is very prominent in terms of Astrology. It is important planet for spirituality and Moksha.