Rahu and Ketu
This story relates to the great churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras to take out Amrita.
Lord Vishnu to preserve goodness wanted to ensure that the Amrita should not go to the Asuras. To ensure this he took the form of Mohini, a woman of enchanting beauty. Mohini so manipulated the sitting arrangement that she got to the Devtas first for the distribution of nectar. The Asura to understand this trick was Swarbhanu and he took the form of a Deva and positioned himself in between Sun and Moon.
When his term came, he also received Amrita from the disguised Lord Vishnu. However, before Swarbhanu could drink the Amrita, Sun, and Moon identified him as the Asur. Lord Vishnu severed off the head of Swarbhanu with his Sudarshan Chakra. However, some drops of Amrita had gone down, hence both the head and body became immortal. The head is Rahu and the Tail represents Ketu.
The severed head was taken by Simihika the mother of Asura Swarbhanu and she nursed it patiently. The head over a period of time got the body of the Serpent and was named Rahu. A Brahmin named Mini took the body. He brought up this body as his child. Lord Vishnu granted a serpent’s head to the body. This became Ketu and he, in the due course of time became a saintly and revered seer.
Rahu and Ketu hold a grudge against Sun and Moon for exposing them and they cause Eclipse as per some of the earlier texts of our culture.
Rahu is the significator of the following as per Uttara Kalamrita.
a) Faulty Logic
b) Harsh speech
c) Outcastes
d) an irreligious person
e) going to a foreign country
f) Uncleanliness
g) Bones
h) Abdominal ulcers
I) Falsehood
j) South western direction
k) Serpents
l) Old age
m) Maternal grandfather
n) Worship of Vana Durga
o) Writing Urdu or Persian
p) Breathing
q) Acute duodenal pain.
It is observed that a strong Rahu is good for the above-mentioned significations and weak Rahu shows just the opposite.
The effect of Rahu placement in twelve houses will vary as per the lordship and planetary placement in each horoscope. However, general indications of Rahu in different houses are given below.
When Rahu is placed in the lagna the native may have unorthodox behaviour. He/ She may not agree to set rules of society. His habit is to find his own path. This quality of his may make him successful entrepreneur or researcher.
The native may be blunt in behaviour and may also have some health-related issues.
However, such people are able to do well in their chosen lines as they are able to bring newness in their thought process.
When Rahu is placed in the second house the native may do well financially. There can also be earnings from foreign sources.
However, the native may be manipulative in speech. Because of being harsh tongued the native can make more enemies than friends.
He/ She may also have a disturbed family life.
However, positively they can earn money through speculative means.
When Rahu is placed in the third house the native should do well professionally as well as financially.
The native may be courageous and will be able to succeed in all competitions.
The native may have issues with his siblings or may have a limited number of them.
The native will travel a lot and will also gain from travel.
The native will be able to achieve name, fame and money and will also get appreciated in the society.
When Rahu is placed in the fourth house the native may eventually settle down in foreign land. This placement indicates that he may be recognised or praised only when he moves outside his birth place. However, this placement may cause unhappiness from the mother.
The native may always remain moving in life. He/ She may lack fixity of purpose or residence.
There may also be certain health-related issues.
When Rahu is placed in the fifth house the native can do well financially.
The native may get involved in love affairs with foreigners.
The native may have speculative or windfall gains.
However, this placement can also give issues or problems in having children.
The native may have many career-related changes. However, technical education or career suits the native.
The native may indulge in many affairs in his life.
When Rahu is placed in the sixth house the native may be able to do well professionally as well as financially. He/ She will be able to achieve victory in all the challenges of his life.
He/ She is a tremendous fighter and will make his mark with his relentless efforts.
The native can have disease free existence.
This placement of Rahu can give a chance for foreign travel as well as foreign settlement.
When Rahu is placed in the seventh house the native may have love marriage or may also get involved with foreigners to their faith. Normally, people who have Rahu in the seventh house completely disregards family traditions in their marriage.
However, the native may do well professionally as well as financially.
They can also get involved in evil company. Hence, they need to be careful.
Health-related issues to self or spouse is also possible.
When Rahu is placed in the eighth house the native may get indulged in tantra or black magic.
The native may also be involved in deep research.
The native will be able to do well professionally as well as financially.
However, many changes with respect to jobs may also take place.
This placement can be considered too good with respect to health and longevity.
It is important to do astrological remedies to keep oneself safe.
When Rahu is placed in the ninth house the native may gain from traveling and from foreign sources.
However, the native may have issues with his father.
This placement of Rahu can throw various challenges with respect to life as well.
The native may have issues with respect to career or finance. Health-related issues are also possible.
The native can get associated with evil companions and this can prove to be detrimental to them.
When Rahu is placed in the tenth house the native may generally have a technical profession.
There may be lots of travelling including foreign travel with connection to the job.
The native may be able to earn a good name and reputation in media or in information technology.
However, this placement of Rahu can at times cause career-related frustrations or financial constraints as well.
The native should be selective while choosing his business associates. This area can be a cause of future worry.
When Rahu is placed in the eleventh house the native may do well financially. This placement of Rahu can give immense wealth. There may be many sources of earnings as well.
The native will be able to buy good property as well as conveyance.
The native should also do well professionally.
The native will get appreciation from the kings or king like. He/ She may also enjoy an exalted or very high position in society.
When Rahu is placed in the twelfth house the native may travel far and wide and may also eventually settle in foreign land.
This placement can also indicate many affairs in life.
This placement indicates that the native may have foreign sources in his earnings. However, the native may spend his money on useless or not so necessary things.
This placement can cause dissatisfaction with respect to career or profession. Health-related issues are also possible.
What does Rahu represent in a chart? 
