Planets · Rahu
Rahu in astrology: the Moon's north node and how it is read
What Rahu is in Vedic astrology, why it owns no sign, and how it is read through its house and the planets with it.
In short
Rahu in astrology is the Moon's ascending (north) node, a point where the Moon's path crosses the Sun's, counted among the nine grahas (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11). It owns no sign, so it gives the results of the house it occupies and the planets it joins. In an angle linked with a trine lord it can give Raja Yoga (BPHS ch. 34 sl. 16-17).
Rahu at a glance
| Rahu | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Rahu |
| Nature | Natural malefic |
| What it is | The Moon's ascending (north) node |
| Owns | No sign in this scheme |
| Exaltation | Texts differ; Astrojar uses none |
| Aspects | 5th, 7th and 9th in Astrojar's engine (a common convention) |
| Astrojar reads it for | Foreign travel and settling abroad |
The nodes: BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11. How they give results: ch. 34 sl. 16-17.
How is Rahu read? The classical rules
- Rahu in an angle, joined or aspected by the lord of a trine Becomes a yogakaraka, a giver of Raja Yoga (BPHS ch. 34 sl. 17).
- Rahu in an angle or a trine Inclines one to perform religious rites (ch. 21 sl. 3).
One rule never decides a chart on its own: the classical method weighs the planet, the houses it owns and occupies, the planets with and aspecting it, and the running dasha together.
Questions about Rahu
Is Rahu a planet?
Not a physical body. Rahu is the Moon's ascending (north) node, a point where the Moon's path crosses the Sun's (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11). It is counted among the nine grahas.
Does Rahu own a sign?
Not in the scheme used here: the twelve signs are owned by the seven planets from the Sun to Saturn. Rahu gives the results of the house it sits in and of the house lord it joins (BPHS ch. 34 sl. 16).
Is Rahu always bad?
It is a natural malefic, but in an angle joined or aspected by a trine lord it can give Raja Yoga (BPHS ch. 34 sl. 17). Astrojar reads foreign travel and settling abroad with Rahu.
Keep learning
- Navagraha: the 9 planets in astrology What each planet signifies and rules.
- Saturn in astrology Discipline, endurance and steady work
- Ketu in astrology The Moon's south node and how it is read
- 1 to 12 houses in astrology What each house shows, and every house lord by Lagna.
- Rahu Ketu transit When Rahu and Ketu change sign, to the hour, and how it is read.
- Rahu mantra and remedies The beej mantra, japa count, day and charity for Rahu.
Sources
- BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11 (Rahu and Ketu as the nodes, and their nature).
- BPHS ch. 34 sl. 16-17 (how Rahu and Ketu give results; as yogakarakas).
- BPHS ch. 21 sl. 3.
Chapter and verse numbers follow R. Santhanam's English translation of BPHS (Ranjan Publications). About the text.
This is the traditional reading of the classical texts, given for learning and reflection. It is not a prediction for you, and not medical, legal or financial advice.
Where is Rahu in your chart?
Ask Astrojar about your own chart: your first 3 questions are free. Or get a full report made from your birth chart.