Planets · Ketu
Ketu in astrology: the Moon's south node and how it is read
What Ketu is in Vedic astrology, why it owns no sign, and how it is read through its house and the planets with it.
In short
Ketu in astrology is the Moon's descending (south) 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).
Ketu at a glance
| Ketu | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit name | Ketu |
| Nature | Natural malefic |
| What it is | The Moon's descending (south) 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 | Spiritual life |
The nodes: BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11. How they give results: ch. 34 sl. 16-17.
How is Ketu read? The classical rules
- Ketu 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).
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 Ketu
Is Ketu a planet?
Not a physical body. Ketu is the Moon's descending (south) node, opposite Rahu (BPHS ch. 3 sl. 11). It is counted among the nine grahas.
Does Ketu own a sign?
Not in the scheme used here. Ketu gives the results of the house it sits in and of the house lord it joins (BPHS ch. 34 sl. 16).
What does Ketu signify?
Astrojar reads spiritual life with Ketu, together with Jupiter and the 9th, 12th and 5th houses.
Keep learning
- Navagraha: the 9 planets in astrology What each planet signifies and rules.
- Rahu in astrology The Moon's north 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.
- Ketu mantra and remedies The beej mantra, japa count, day and charity for Ketu.
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).
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 Ketu 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.