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Rahu & Ketu, “shadow planets”, will change Zodiac sign locations on Sept. 22, 2020 in N. America (same day as the Equinox). It occurs on Sept. 23 in India.

 

 

“There is another important transit, one that place once in 18 months. This is the transit of the shadow planets. In Vedic Astrology, these planets are called Rahu and Ketu. In the mythology of Vedic Astrology, they are snakes that create a significant impact in the lives of people.” — Dr. Pillai

 

If something were about to cast a shadow into some areas of your life, wouldn’t you like to know about it and to know what to do to keep those areas bright?

Rahu & Ketu Change Zodiac Signs in 2020

The two “shadow planets” Rahu and Ketu are going to change their Zodiac sign locations on September 22, 2020 in North America (same day as the Equinox). The transit will occur on September 23, 2020 in India.

During their 2020 transit, Rahu will be moving into Taurus, and Ketu will be moving into Scorpio.

Rahu & Ketu in Science

Unlike the “bright planets” which can be viewed with the human eye or through a telescope, Rahu and Ketu do not have a visible form. They are calculated “points in space”, also called “nodes”. They are points of ecliptic where the plane of the Moon’s orbit intersects the planes of the Sun’s orbit.

In Vedic astrology, the “northernmost” point or ascending node is called Rahu, and the “southernmost” point or descending node is called Ketu.

 

Image credit: http://content.esotericteaching.org/jyotish/images/nodes.jpg

 

Even though Rahu and Ketu are energetic vortexes or “imaginary” points, they have regulated movement. When a transit of the Sun and the Moon is close to these nodes, either a Solar Eclipse or a Lunar Eclipse can occur.

The only “visible” phenomena of Rahu and Ketu are the eclipses in which “shadows” obscure the Sun or the Moon. This is why they are sometimes called “Chayagrahas” or “Shadowy Planets”.

Astronomers and astrologers have known about them for centuries, and this knowledge is how in ancient times they could predict eclipses in advance.

Rahu & Ketu in Mytho-Therapy

The energetic points in space associated with Rahu and Ketu are each ruled by an archetype called Rahu and Ketu. This is a mytho-therapy story associated with these archetypes:

A clever demon heard there would be a party in heaven where the nectar of immortality would be served. He was not invited to the party. However, he had the “out of the box idea” that he wanted to drink the amrita, nectar of immortality, that came from the churning of the Milky Ocean.

He disguised himself as a god and “crashed the party.” He got over to where the drink was being served.

The Sun and the Moon guessed his identity, and they alerted Vishnu. Vishnu threw his Sudarshana (discus) weapon at the demon, and this sliced the demon in half.

But, it was too late. The demon had already begun to drink, and he had already swallowed the nectar. He was now immortal.

So he was now given a job to become the ruler of two vortexes in space. The head of the demon is known as Rahu, and the tail is known as Ketu.

Both Rahu and Ketu are considered “tricky” energies, and this understandable since they started out with a demon form. They are often a bit mysterious. Some astrologers give a rule of thumb: Rahu functions a bit like Saturn, and Ketu functions a bit like Mars.

Rahu Can Bring About Unexpected Change

Rahu is moving into the Earth sign of Taurus, symbolized by a bull, an animal with four feet firmly on the ground. Here Rahu can trigger some focus on self-reliance and self-sufficiency. He can cause us to examine places in our life where we need to become more “grounded”.

Rahu has the head of a snake, and the body of man. As the “upper” portion of the demon cut in half, he does not have a stomach, and thus Rahu is never satiated. This means for some people with an afflicted Rahu, his influence can create unending appetite or even addictive tendencies.

Some snakes have a poisonous bite, and Rahu is capable of destroying. He is can trigger a “fall” in position such as losing a job or a fall into depression.

With Rahu’s influence, we may find ourselves shedding some old patterns and becoming more open to new ideas, including in the area of money matters while he is in Taurus. Rahu may make us more aware of any dissatisfaction we feel around money. This restlessness can motivate us to become receptive to more progressive or innovative ideas.

Rahu can help us pay attention to anything that feels agitated or stirred up and to seek positive transformation. For example, to counteract frustration about money, some people may want to explore Dr. Pillai’s teachings about SHREEM BRZEE sounds for prosperity more deeply or participate in free global SHREEM BRZEE chanting community calls.

A classical description of Rahu is:

“Gaping mouthed, sword, shield, trident, granting wishes, on a lion and dark colored is fixed Rahu.”

It is important to note there is a positive side to Rahu, in that he can grant wishes. It is said Rahu’s blessings flow towards those who are humble and respectful.

Sometimes a crisis is the thing that causes a further awakening and helps us grow in humility.

Challenges of Rahu can include:

  • Out of control compulsive behaviors or relapse into addictions
  • Strange effects
  • Unexpected change
  • Accidents
  • Astral or psychic disturbances
  • Misdiagnosis of illness
  • Depression or negative thinking

Positive energies from Rahu can include:

  • Creative ideas
  • Blessings of innovation and new ideas (the demon was very clever with an “out of the box” idea to get the nectar)
  • Opportunities to learn or work with cutting-edge technologies
  • Shedding old patterns similar to how a snake sheds old skin
  • Great elevations in life (and these are not always long-lasting)
  • New ideas for invention, research, scientific discoveries, etc.
  • Greater contacts or business opportunities with foreigners or travel to foreign countries
  • Unconventional progress

A simple mantra for Rahu that Dr. Pillai has shared for everyone to use is:

Om Rahave Namaha

Rahu does not rule any day of the week. Dr. Pillai associates Rahu with Monday.

 

 

Every planet is associated with an archetype that rules them. Rahu’s overlord is Goddess Durga. She is an enlightened warrior and protector. She can be a truly compassionate divine mother for those who call on her. She can help control any negative influences from Rahu.

Dr. Pillai has said chanting her Gayatri mantra for 15 minutes continuously can dispel depression, as one of her specialties is destroying negativity that is blocking joy.

Gayatri Mantra for Durga (Protector Goddess who rules Rahu)

Katyayanaya Vidh Mahe

Kanya Kumari Dhi Mahe

Tanno Durgi Prachodayat

Watch the YouTube video of Dr. Pillai doing sounds to invoke Durga

Listen to the YouTube video of Dr. Pillai’s voice doing the Gayatri Mantra for Durga 108 times

Ketu Can Activate Evolutionary Impulses

Ketu is moving into the Water sign of Scorpio, symbolized by a scorpion, a creature that often is more nocturnal. Here Ketu can open doors to the inner realms, to the “hidden energies” or the more occult side of life.

Ketu has the head of a man, and the tail of a snake. As the “lower” portion of the demon cut in half, the tail can have a flip-flop energy in whatever house and sign Ketu is in. This can create detachment as you give up on ever really having control in this area.

This dissatisfaction with the material world sometimes makes us want to do more exploration of enlightened teachings.

Ketu is sometimes called the “saintly” planet as he helps motivate us toward liberation.

A classical description of Ketu is:

“Smoky, two armed, armed with a mace, deformed limbs and seated on a vulture is fixed Ketu granting blessings.”

Challenges of Ketu can include:

  • Devastating dissatisfaction with the material world
  • Can make it harder to focus on goals or manifestations
  • Lack of self-confidence
  • Dwelling too much on the past or not accepting change
  • Fear, anxiety, nightmares

Positive energies from Ketu can include:

  • Motivation toward liberation
  • Interest in teachings about enlightenment
  • Ability to start or improve a daily meditation practice
  • Willingness to practice enlightened teachings
  • Greater detachment
  • A willingness to change and let go of identifying with strengths from our past
  • Increase in higher dreams, visions and spiritual experiences

 

A simple mantra for Ketu that Dr. Pillai has shared for everyone to use is:

Om Ketave Namaha

 Ketu does not rule any day of the week. Dr. Pillai associates Ketu with Sunday.

 

 

Ketu’s overlord is Lord Ganesha, an archetype beloved around the world.

Dr. Pillai has said, “Ganesha is associated with removing obstacles.  

The elephant-headed archetype is immensely powerful even today and will be there in the future because he belongs to the ‘ahistorical’ tradition.

 Ganesha is an aspect of the higher realm; he is concerned about human beings and their limitations and wants to help them.

Ganesha doesn’t care about logical understanding. He is into Siddhi, a consciousness which allows one to do miracles. He is associated with Buddhi, the highest form of intelligence. He represents a shortcut – doing something small, but achieving tremendous results.”

Dr. Pillai has done numerous free YouTube videos about Ganesha as well as several Ganesha-related courses in Pillai Center Academy.

A simple mantra for Ganesha is

Om Gum Ganeshaya Namaha

 We can ask Ganesha to help control any negative challenges from Ketu.

Rahu & Ketu Transit Especially Important for People Currently Under Their Influence

All of us are impacted by a Rahu Ketu transit. However, during this transit, Rahu and Ketu are more “activated” to work with specific people, and these people may wish to do some additional remedies.  Some of these activation conditions may apply either to us or to a family member or to a friend:

  • If Rahu or Ketu is a current major (dasa) or minor (bhukti) planet of influence

Throughout our lives, different planets take turns being our major and our minor planet of influence. This is mathematically calculated based on our birth chart. During their times of influence, the planets activate the sign and house they sit in within our birth chart as well as any signs or houses in our birth chart that they rule. If you do not know if Rahu or Ketu is either your current major or minor planet of influence, you can run a free Dasa Bhukti report at AstroVed, Dr. Pillai’s astrology site.

  • If Rahu or Ketu rule the star the Moon is in your birth chart

Stars ruled by Rahu (so if your Moon is in any of these stars, doing some remedy for Rahu Ketu transit is relevant for you):

  • Ardra (also spelled Arudra)
  • Swati
  • Shatabhisha

Stars ruled by Ketu (so if your Moon is in any of these stars, doing some remedy for Rahu Ketu transit is relevant for you):

  • Ashwini
  • Magha
  • Moola (also spelled Mula)
  • If Rahu and Ketu are moving into the signs either of them sit in your birth chart:

If Rahu is in Taurus in your birth chart and Ketu is in Scorpio in your birth chart OR if Rahu is in Scorpio in your birth chart and Ketu is in Taurus in your birth chart, this transit will have added impact for you.

The reason for this is the shadow planets are crossing signs they affect in your own birth chart, and this can increase their influence on you.

  • If you have Kala Sarpa condition in your birth chart: 

There is a 180 degree axis between Rahu and Ketu (the shadow planets). In some people’s charts, all the other Vedic planets (the bright planets) sit on one side of that axis, and they have Rahu and Ketu as “bookends” to the other planets.

This is sometimes called Kala Sarpa condition. Kala Sarpa condition is formed when all the bright planets are hemmed on one side of the axis between Rahu and Ketu. The bright planets are under some karmic “pressure” rather like a taut bow about to fly out an arrow or like a coiled spring.

 Dr. Pillai recommends people with Kala Sarpa condition do remedies for Rahu and Ketu throughout their life. Om Namasivaya is a good mantra for such people for balancing and focusing their energies productively.

Rahu and Ketu Transit, 2020: Receive Blessings

With remedies, we can receive blessings from both Rahu and Ketu.

For 2020, Pillai Center is offering various remedies for the 2020 Rahu Ketu Transit.

Rahu and Ketu always like it when we perform acts of compassion. To honor their transit, we can do an act of kindness for others such as feed a hungry person or help an elderly or a disabled person or make a donation to Dr. Pillai’s charity Tripura Foundation or any other charity of our choice.

May Rahu and Ketu’s positive blessings flow into us and empower positive changes in both our material and our spiritual lives.

 

Swamini Valli Wells is a Pillai Center Teacher and an AstroVed Astrologer who does Live Astrologer Consultations for the USD version of AstroVed, Dr. Pillai’s astrology site.  She hosts a free weekly Atomic Dreaming call open to everyone.

 

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