Lunar Nodes

• Publisher: The Wessex Astrologer Ltd
• Year: 2001
• ISBN:
  9781902405841

The most comprehensive book to date on the use and understanding of the Lunar Nodes in Vedic astrology. The author is a widely known and immensely respected teacher with students all over the world. She has used her experience of working with the nodal axis to show how, by sign and placement, they affect every level of our spiritual existence. Students of astrology, yoga and ayurveda will find this book particularly helpful.

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PAST LIVES AND SOUL LESSONS

The nakshatras are the guardians of the soul through its various journeys in different lives - as stars in the sky they remain passive observers. The nakshatra zodiac is the most ancient way of looking at astrology. When the nodal axis activates the nakshatras our karmic inheritances are brought to light and issues buried deep within our psyche are reflected in the mind. The nakshatras give you the final answer in unlocking your nodal axis.

There are 27 nakshatras, which being an uneven number means they do not fall easily into opposing pairs. For instance, when Rahu is in Ashwini, Ketu can be in either Chitra or Swati, which gives 54 possible axis polarities. Neither do the nakshatras fit neatly into signs: Vishakha is from 26°40 Libra to 3°20 Scorpio so there will be some crossover. The signs indicate the basic issues that are being dealt with, while the nakshatras show the deeper pattern. Ketu’s attachment to past life baggage needs the impetus of Rahu to move on – and it needs to recognise that Rahu is honouring its own part of the karmic bargain by concentrating on opposing needs. What was left undone in the past become the desires of today. Understanding the nodal influence through the nakshatras allows us to reconcile our emotional crises and find happiness.

Rahu in Ashwini (0°00 to 13°20 Aries) and Ketu in Chitra (0°00 to 6°40 Libra) or Swati (6°40 to 13°20 Libra)

The Aries/Libra axis will always involve relationship issues in some form or another. Aries desires independence, while Libra wants partnership and togetherness. Depending on where the nodal axis falls, these needs will be either nurtured or antagonised, and there are different lessons in each.

Ashwini is named after the Ashwins, the twin sons of the Sun God. The Sun represents the parent, the root, the absolute. The Ashwins are the harbingers of dawn, so they can be seen as the link between the darkness and the light. Dawn brings the special energy of a new tomorrow which still has a connection to what has gone before – but Rahu placed here causes us to feel only the present as the dominant force. Rahu in Ashwini can live totally in the present, happy to indulge itself in the matters of today, but will ultimately find satisfaction through acknowledging its past. In India we believe that past lives fashion our future, and this philosophy is strongly indicated in the first nakshatra. Ketu is the ruler of Ashwini and so it is Rahu’s invisible half. The independence and restlessness typical of Rahu in Ashwini is the search for the secret personality, the hidden potential. The divine link of the Sun, Rahu and Ketu to the first nakshatra indicates that there is an important evolutionary process in operation here. However, it may create much confusion and pain until you learn to direct the search into the proper channels.

The conflict between Ashwini and Chitra

Chitra means a reflection or a beautiful picture and thus it reflects the potential of the soul. The symbol of Chitra is a pearl, and pearls are found in hard shells. Until the shell is broken, the true lustre can not emerge. Nature takes a very long time to create a pearl, and translated to human terms it means there may be many lifetimes before the pearl within a person can appear. Breaking the shell is a difficult process and usually means that an individual must make immense changes before their true personality can shine through.

Ketu in Chitra teaches us to control our passions and direct them towards a more divine goal. In a past life you learnt to express your spiritual core by breaking away from the traditions and restrictions imposed by society. Ketu gave you the courage to begin your search for self-realisation.

The Ashwini Chitra axis can be complicated. Rahu in Ashwini denies its spiritual link and Ketu in Chitra denies its material link, which can lead to emotional dissatisfaction. The resolution to this lies with Rahu - especially as Ketu rules Ashwini and Rahu is in Ashwini. The conflict of Ashwini Chitra is about understanding the other - trying to encompass what feels uncomfortable – and once the fear of losing our own identity is seen as unfounded, we are on the way to resolving karmic disharmony.

The conflict between Ashwini and Swati

Swati means sword and it symbolises a tool for self-advancement, cutting through the competition on its way to success. Swati is also the name of the wife of the Sun, so in Swati the Sun forgets its spiritual purpose and becomes involved in the pleasures and pains of relationship. For a moment it is not bothered about moksha or enlightenment. As Rahu rules Swati, Ketu’s placement here shows a past in which you struggled with the dilemma of relationships versus the trappings of success. Swati is a nakshatra connected to Artha or practical considerations and Ketu feels very uncomfortable in this environment. It tries to turn its life towards spiritualism, but material issues will always dominate.

Rahu Ketu in the Ashwini Swati axis is confusing because Ashwini is the dawn, the link from the past to the present, and Rahu Ketu are the invisible links from past to present. Rahu placed in Ashwini is ruled by Ketu and Ketu placed in Swati is ruled by Rahu - so they are placed in their opposing nakshatras, creating karmic confusion. Rahu in Ashwini is busy pursuing a false dawn while Ketu in Swati is rejecting relationships to try to justify the need for moksha. Both of them are rejecting their partners - their reasons may appear different - but the end result is the same. The answer lies in understanding each other’s issues. Ketu in Swati should understand that working through relationships is just as valid a path to moksha as a spiritual one, and Rahu in Ashwini must learn to recognise their soul partners.

To understand Rahu in Ashwini with the two nakshatra positions of Ketu, the relative position of Mars and Venus in the natal chart should be viewed. This will indicate how you can re-establish a connection of the nodes and fulfil the hidden demands of your psyche.

Rahu in Bharani (13°20 to 26°40 Aries) and Ketu in Swati (13°20 to 20°00 Libra) or Vishakha (20°00 to 26°40 Libra)

Rahu in Bharani will have Ketu placed in either Swati or Vishakha. Although Bharani is placed in Aries, the sign of Mars, it is ruled by Venus. Bharani means cherishing, supporting and nourishing, and it expresses feminine energy in its purist form. Bharani is the sensualist of the zodiac, a quality greatly enhanced by the presence of Rahu. The strong Venusian influence makes this nakshatra one of intense attraction and desire for sexual expression, but partnerships can become so extremely important that we fear a life without sensual expression. The ruling deity of Bharani is Yama, the god of death. But the ‘death’ is not purely physical. Yama allows us to detach ourselves from previous lives so that we can look ahead and sow the seed for the future. In Yoga, yama (restraint) and niyama (practice or observation) are disciplines used to channel the energies of the organs of action and perception in the right direction. Rahu in Bharani is tempted to forget about its past and revel in the present, and must learn some discipline if it is to avoid unrestrained excess. Rahu in Bharani, practising yama and niyama, has the capacity to use this power whichever way it wants.

The conflict between Bharani and Swati

Both Bharani and Swati are connected to relationships, which further highlights the Aries/Libra axis. Bharani is essentially sensuous and Swati is about marriage and commitment, but Rahu in Bharani desires relationships while Ketu in Swati rejects them. Rahu has to experience and express the sexual urges fully while Ketu really doesn’t want to get involved. The result can be a relentless pursuit of sex followed by a total rejection of intimacy and commitment.

This is a potentially confusing combination as Rahu is placed in a nakshatra ruled by Venus and in a sign that rules Ketu, and Ketu is placed in a nakshatra ruled by Rahu and a sign ruled by Venus. It can feel like any action you take leads towards another question. This nodal axis can create deep anxieties about relationships and your inability to fulfil the demands of the others. Your natural reaction to pain is to reject your partner but this experience is a very important part of the soul’s growth and its fears about relating are no longer valid. It is vital to study the positions of Mars and Venus in your chart, and also how Rahu is placed in relationship to Venus and Ketu is placed in relationship to Mars. Learn to trust your relationships. (Here I am suggesting all relationships, not just sexual or intimate ones). Swati may also use its sword-like qualities to cut off from materialism too, but you should remember that much of the conflict with both relationship and materialist issues has already been acted out in past lives.

The conflict between Bharani and Vishakha

Visha means to enter and Kha means Heaven, so Visha-kha together means to aspire to enter the gates of heaven. Ketu also aspires to its place in heaven, and as Jupiter is the planetary ruler it gives wisdom to move towards a spiritual life. Ketu in Vishakha suggests that in a past life the soul understood the knowledge of moksha, but the life was essentially human and full of material and sexual issues. Many unfulfilled desires were therefore brought into this life resulting in a sense of dissatisfaction. The soul has made a commitment to begin a deeper search but has yet to experience what it is seeking.

Both Bharani and Vishakha have strong sexual issues. Bharani is overtly sensuous but Vishakha’s energy is not so immediately obvious. Vishakha’s animal sign is the Tiger, a powerful animal and a strong sexual symbol. This can create sensual obsessions, but as the spiritual aspect of Vishakha is connected to being on a threshold you also stand at the gateway of new possibilities.

The placement of Jupiter and Venus in your chart will show which way this conflict will be resolved. Both these gurus are there to guide you. Venus and Jupiter are spiritual teachers who can work both positively or negatively in your life - the choice is yours. The strength of Jupiter or Venus indicates whether Rahu or Ketu will dominate, but the conflict of this axis must be resolved in the material life. The obvious consumption and consumerism that both these nakshatras create can be broken by learning to express your spirituality in the everyday world. This will avoid you creating karmic debt in future lives.

Rahu in Krittika (26°40 Aries to 10°00 Taurus) and Ketu in Vishakha (26°40 Libra to 3°20 Scorpio) or Anuradha (3°20 to 10°00 Scorpio)

Rahu in Krittika will have Ketu placed in either Vishakha or Anuradha. Krittika is ruled by the Sun and Vishakha is ruled by Jupiter. Krittika is the puritan of the zodiac while Vishakha is both sensuous and spiritual. Rahu is an enemy of the Sun and has the capacity to eclipse it when placed in Krittika. This can mean a struggle with darker forces before you find the true light, but remember it is only during an eclipse that you get a glimpse of Rahu. Signs and nakshatras ruled by the Sun have the capacity to bring out that rare and divine quality of Rahu that is otherwise hidden in the world of matter. Rahu in Krittika is in its exalted sign of Taurus and can use its power for the best of purposes. It can reveal its secret nature or be a difficult inheritance. It will incubate the seed of Rahu and bring forth its potential whichever way you allow it to develop, placing the responsibility of how you are going to lead your life firmly on yourself. Rahu in Krittika is passive and can be either constructive or destructive.

The conflict between Krittika (Aries) and Vishakha (Libra)

Ketu brings all its past life experiences to the fore in Vishakha and lets you stand at the threshold of the new. Now you have the ability to make what you want from life. Vishakha’s symbol is the potter’s wheel – an energy that contrasts immense activity on the outside to a centre that remains static. Ketu in Vishakha suggests a past life that was full of noise, drama and action, yet the inner soul was silent and centred, bringing aspirations to do the right thing into this life. Ketu may try to reject the material needs of Vishkha in order to create its spiritualising influence.

As the rulers of these nakshatras are friends (Jupiter and the Sun), the conflict of Krittika and Vishakha can be minimised. Also both nakshatras have the same deity in Agni - the god of fire. Agni represents the seven flames which allow the seven levels of consciousness to operate. It is the kundalini, the latent fire that rests in the spine, and Agni is strongly connected to the self-discipline of yoga. It is the fire of the mind, the flames of aspiration and the blaze of intellect that burn away the negative sheaths so that we emerge pure. This Rahu Ketu axis can take you through an experience of fire to bring out your best qualities. If it is left uncontrolled you can burn yourself out, but if you control the energy you can awaken your kundalini fire and bring about your own transformation. The rulership of Krittika in Aries gives dominance to Rahu in this axis as both Mars and Sun are friends to each other. But Krittika is a passive nakshatra and it can allow Rahu to develop uncontrolled if you do not understand its spiritual capacity.

The conflict between Krittika (Taurus) and Vishakha (Scorpio)

Here the axis is still Rahu in Krittika ruled by the Sun and Ketu in Vishakha ruled by Jupiter, but the zodiac signs have changed to Taurus/Scorpio and with it the whole impact of Rahu Ketu. The central issue has moved from relationships to the attractions of the material world versus the desire for spiritual growth. Some combinations will prove easier to work with than others.

Krittika, now in Taurus, comes under the guidance of Venus. The Sun and Venus are enemies so Rahu in Krittika in Taurus will not be able to express itself with the same ease as it did in Aries. However Ketu in Vishakha is now in the sign of Scorpio, where it is exalted. Ketu is said to act like Mars, so although it never feels completely at home with the conservative attitude of Jupiter, its energy in this part of the axis has more harmony and less conflict. The individual feels more comfortable with their past life issues than with those of the present, and struggles with the opposing influences of Sun and Venus. Ketu in Vishakha shows a past life connection where the kundalini was being slowly awakened to begin the search for fulfilment, and the mysterious Scorpio focuses on the deep spiritual self. But Rahu in Krittika Taurus is not in its easiest placement despite its exaltation in this sign.

The conflict between Krittika and Anuradha

Anuradha means a tiny spark - it takes only a small flash of intuition or a tiny spark of consciousness to bring awareness of our connection to the divine. Anuradha unveils this hidden purity and Ketu in Anuradha indicates that it was in a past life that we opened our mind to the kundalini. Saturn’s rulership of Anuradha shows that many karmic responsibilities were paid for in the past life, and that now it is time to learn from the past life lessons, transfer the spark to Rahu in Krittika and bring out our special qualities.

Krittika is ruled by the Sun and Anuradha is ruled by Saturn, the rejected son of the Sun god, so the relationship between father and son may be important in this life. Saturn also represents democracy in contrast to the Sun’s absolute power. This nakshatra axis highlights the mental struggles between your past and present. You may feel that the path chosen in the previous life, where you learnt to give up your personal authority, was better than the present. Ketu in Anuradha may want to block the growth of Rahu in Krittika, fearing corruption by absolute power, but if the individual remains disconnected to the present, the valuable karmic lessons from the past can not be utilised. Ketu has to teach the lessons of democracy and discipline to Rahu.

Rahu in Rohini (10°00 to 23°20 Taurus) and Ketu in Anuradha (10°00 to 16°40 Scorpio) or Jyeshta (16°40 to 23°20 Scorpio)

Rahu in Rohini will have Ketu placed in either Anuradha or Jyeshta. In Sanskrit the word Rohini means red, a colour that relates to passion and sensuality. The inner core of Rohini is full of emotion, romanticism and love. They may not admit it to everyone, but those with this placement have lots of love to give and Rahu in Rohini can become a relentless search to experience love in many dimensions. They seek a partner through whom they can find the ultimate answers to life, which is of course a tall order. To avoid the restless search, Rahu in Rohini should try to experience every facet of love from a single relationship in order to learn the lessons of true love and happiness that their soul craves. Rohini is ruled by the Moon, but has the power to eclipse it. In some ways Rahu in Rohini can cause you to feel blocked on a soul level fearing change and transformation, but the value of the Moon Rahu relationship can be understood in terms of a lunar eclipse: Rahu transforms the Moon by eclipsing it, bringing the soul into a new domain where different ideas flourish and the order of life changes. On a spiritual level, Rohini transports the soul to the material realm in comfort, protecting it while it gets ready to face its earthly responsibilities.

The conflict between Rohini and Anuradha

Anuradha unveils the latent potential that has become hidden by a life centred on materialism. This potential is the ability to give divine love unconditionally. Ketu’s placement here indicates that this process was dominant in past lives, where materialism was rejected to find the spiritual ideal. Both Rohini and Anuradha seek self-realisation through love, but the axis pulls in two different ways. Rohini seeks sexual love whereas Anuradha seeks the link to divine love. Anuradha is ruled by Saturn and is placed in Scorpio - where Ketu is exalted. But the M...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Dedication page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• INTRODUCING RAHU KETU
• THE RAHU PERSONALITY - THE COMPULSION TO EXPERIENCE LIFE
• KETU - INTUITION AND ENLIGHTENMENT
• THE KARMIC AXIS
• RAHU KETU THROUGH THE SIGNS
• PAST LIVES AND SOUL LESSONS
• KARMIC EXPERIENCES - NODAL CONJUNCTIONS
• THE PLANETS AND THE NODAL NAKSHATRA
• THE YOGAS
• THE TIMING OF THE NODAL EXPERIENCE
• TRANSITS
• ECLIPSES
• HEALING YOUR NODAL CRISIS - REMEDIAL MEASURES
• CONFRONTING YOUR NODES - THE FINAL ANALYSIS
• VEDIC ASTROLOGY BASICS
• Glossary
• Index