Ketu in Vedic Astrology

Ketu is the descending node of Chandra and ranks as ninth graha. Without a body, he stays constantly 180 degrees from Rahu, at the exact opposite. He behaves like Rahu. The nodes give back the effects of the houses and grahas they are in contact with.

Ketu therefore works by borrowing. He passes on the effects of the lord he joins or of the house where he sits. Counted among the malefics, he and Rahu make up the rank and file of the grahas' court. Like his counterpart, he escapes combustion. He also bears the name Sikhi.

Does he own a sign? Vrishchika can fall to him, only in a few period calculations; he can also have no sign at all. His exaltation remains debated. His three friends are Mangala, Shukra and Shani, and his enemies are the two luminaries.

One idea is nonetheless his alone. Shani signifies bhava 12, the house of what flows away and lets go, but for ultimate liberation, it is Ketu who signifies it. In the Vimshottari cycle, a period of 7 years is entrusted to him, tied to the nakshatras Ashwini, Magha and Mula.