Rahu

Signifies

obsession, ambition, foreign things, technology and illusion

Nature

a shadow planet and a malefic

Exalted

Taurus, deepest at 20°

Debilitated

Scorpio, deepest at 20°

Own signs

Aquarius

Gemstone

Hessonite (gomed)

Eighteen years of ambition and the unusual: foreign places, technology, sudden rises, and the risk of chasing illusions.

In the Vimshottari order it follows the Mars dasha and is followed by Jupiter. Your first dasha is set by the nakshatra of your Moon at birth: anyone born with the Moon in Ardra, Swati or Shatabhisha starts life in the Rahu dasha.

• Ardrastorm, hard effort and renewal through struggle
• Swatiindependence, flexibility and trade
• Shatabhishahealing, secrets and independence

• 1st house: Rahu in the 1st, Ketu in the 7th: hungry to make a name and an image; partnerships feel karmic, and you learn to stand alone.
• 2nd house: Rahu in the 2nd, Ketu in the 8th: hunger for money, food and a voice; uncanny intuition about hidden things.
• 3rd house: Rahu in the 3rd, Ketu in the 9th: fearless effort, media and courage, a famous placement for success; inherited faith is questioned.
• 4th house: Rahu in the 4th, Ketu in the 10th: restless at home, longing for land and a mother's comfort; detached from status.
• 5th house: Rahu in the 5th, Ketu in the 11th: unusual romances, speculation and a sharp, unconventional mind; little care for crowds.
• 6th house: Rahu in the 6th, Ketu in the 12th: victory over enemies, illness and rivals, one of Rahu's best houses; spiritual sleep and vivid dreams.
• 7th house: Rahu in the 7th, Ketu in the 1st: an unusual or foreign spouse and an obsession with partnership; strangely detached from yourself.
• 8th house: Rahu in the 8th, Ketu in the 2nd: occult interests, sudden events, other people's money; an odd relation to wealth and speech.
• 9th house: Rahu in the 9th, Ketu in the 3rd: unorthodox beliefs, foreign teachers and long journeys; small efforts let go.
• 10th house: Rahu in the 10th, Ketu in the 4th: burning ambition and a sudden rise in career or fame; detached from home.
• 11th house: Rahu in the 11th, Ketu in the 5th: big gains, big networks, wishes fulfilled, another of Rahu's best houses; detached from romance.
• 12th house: Rahu in the 12th, Ketu in the 6th: foreign lands, hidden expenses, spiritual seeking and vivid dreams; enemies fall away without a fight.

In the 7th house

A foreign, unusual or unconventional partner who pulls you toward your destiny: strong attraction, some confusion, a karmic bond.

In the 10th house

Rahu in the 10th burns with ambition: a sudden rise, fame through new or foreign fields, and a hunger that never quite rests.

Kaal Sarpa

All seven grahas between Rahu and Ketu: a life of strong ups and downs and a powerful drive toward one aim.

• Surya (Sun)6-year dasha
• Chandra (Moon)10-year dasha
• Mangala (Mars)7-year dasha
• Budha (Mercury)17-year dasha
• Guru (Jupiter)16-year dasha
• Shukra (Venus)20-year dasha
• Shani (Saturn)19-year dasha
• Ketu7-year dasha

• Vedic astrology: the nine grahas
• Vedic birth chart (kundali)
• The 27 nakshatras
• Kundali matching (Guna Milan)