Learn - Planets - Rahu (Rahu)
Rahu is a shadow planet, the Moon’s north node, and the classical texts do not agree on its exaltation. Many authorities, and AstroPal’s chart engine, take Rahu as exalted in Gemini (Mithuna) and debilitated in Sagittarius (Dhanu). Others place its exaltation in Taurus (Vrishabha) and debilitation in Scorpio. Because Rahu has no body of its own, its strength depends mostly on the sign lord it sits with and the planets that join it.
Gemini is an airy sign of ideas, trade and communication, ruled by Mercury, Rahu’s friend. Rahu is restless and wants to explore and connect, so a sign built for curiosity gives that hunger a useful outlet. Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter, is the sign of faith and dharma, where Rahu’s worldly desire is out of place.
Open your birth chart and read Rahu through these checks in order. No single one decides it: an exalted planet in the 8th house, or a debilitated one with its debilitation cancelled, can surprise you.
From strongest to weakest: exalted, moolatrikona, own sign, a friend’s sign, a neutral sign, an enemy’s sign, debilitated. This is the first and most quoted check, but it is only one of several.
Rahu is strongest in Gemini (Mithuna), comfortable in Aquarius (Kumbha), and weakest in Sagittarius (Dhanu). A sign ruled by Mercury, Venus, Saturn is friendly ground.
A planet in a kendra (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th) or trikona (1st, 5th, 9th) can act freely. In the dusthanas (6th, 8th, 12th) it struggles to give good results for that house, though malefics often do well in the 3rd, 6th and 11th.
A planet too close to the Sun is combust (asta) and loses some of its independence.
Rahu is never combust.
Jupiter or Venus with or aspecting a planet supports it. Saturn, Mars, Rahu or Ketu with it, or a planet hemmed between malefics on both sides (papakartari), weakens it.
A planet in the same sign in the birth chart and the Navamsa is vargottama, and gains a lot of strength. A planet exalted in the birth chart but debilitated in the Navamsa delivers less than its sign promises.
Shadbala adds up six kinds of strength (position, direction, time, motion, natural strength and aspects) into one number for each planet. It is the most complete single measure, and AstroPal computes it for every chart.
Rahu gives the results of the lord of the sign it sits in. A Rahu in a sign whose lord is strong and well placed is a strong Rahu. Look at that lord before you look at anything else.
Rahu magnifies whatever it sits with. With Jupiter it can form Guru Chandal yoga; with the Sun or Moon it creates eclipse (grahan) combinations. Rahu in the 3rd, 6th, 10th or 11th house usually gives its best results.
Your own chart
The free Kundli shows which sign, house and nakshatra your Rahu sits in. Ask AstroPal and the astrologer reads its dignity, Navamsa and Shadbala for you.
There are two views. Many authorities, and AstroPal’s charts, take Rahu as exalted in Gemini (Mithuna) and debilitated in Sagittarius (Dhanu). Another common view puts its exaltation in Taurus (Vrishabha) and debilitation in Scorpio (Vrishchika).
Rahu is a node, not a body, so traditionally it owns no sign. Many astrologers give it co-rulership of Aquarius (Kumbha) alongside Saturn. In practice Rahu acts through the lord of whichever sign it sits in.
Rahu usually does best in the upachaya houses, the 3rd, 6th, 10th and 11th, where its hunger turns into effort, competition and gains.
The nine grahas
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