Rahu Aspects

[Moog]

There seems to be some controversy about Rahu's aspects.

Some say that Rahu casts no aspects. Some point to Parashara apparently assigning no aspects to Rahu as the end of the matter.

I wonder how you all treat Rahu in this regard? What aspects do you use with Rahu, or do you read Rahu in association with other planets only when they are within the same sign?

[dr. farr]

I believe the Nodes act by position and placement (including conjunction and Parallel, which strictly are not, technically, aspects), and that they "cast no rays"; however, a planet being in a Nodal degree IS (I believe) affected by Nodal influences, but not (in my opinion) by geometrical (ie aspectual) relationships, since, as mentioned, the Nodes do not cast-or reflect- light.

[Moog]

But what is an aspect anyway? I doubt it's a 'beam' type thing that the planet sends in a line to another. It's probably more like a displacement in a kind of field, and the 'aspects' are where the 'ripples' hit most strongly.

[dr. farr]

Yes you could very well be correct, and I really like your field/ripples concept-however (although I certainly could be mistaken!) I consider aspects (and I am excluding conjunctions and Parallels from this group) as "beam type" relationships, based on light (or perhaps more aptly, based on "rays" in the anciently understood sense of that term) At least for me-at the present time-this is my working hypothesis (as an explanation of aspects in my own little mind)

[anoop.indirapuramghazibad]

Rahu-Ketu are two nodal points, technically, no aspect is expected. Importance of conjunction, placement, house, sign is important. I prefer this way.
But I have seen, many learned persons, they are considering aspect of Rahu/ketu too. Aspects are 5-7-9 (like Jupiter) and again some of learned persons are considering 9-7-5 aspect of Rahu and Ketu.

[dhundhun]

Rahu has full DRISTHI (aspect) on 5th, 9th and 12th.

[anoop.indirapuramghazibad]

Originally Posted by dhundhun

Rahu has full DRISTHI (aspect) on 5th, 9th and 12th.

Noted your view also. I think, 12th is because of Retro, but if we go into deep, within 7-10 days, for 3-4 days, Rahu-Ketu are direct also. So, one has to be very careful in this respect. Regarding 7th aspect (Drishti), i agree with this, because when we talk about Rahu-Ketu axis, indirectly, we agree with this.

[dr. farr]

I do think that midpoints of the Nodes (Rahu and Ketu), and also the directional connections of the midpoint of the Rahu/Ketu axis, have significant influences on planets and houses, that they connect with; I would imagine this might be considered a "kind of" aspect, however, whatever the technical term used, I am convinced of the reality and significant influence of these midpoints and especially of the directional midpoint of the Rahu/Ketu axis.

[Rajarshi]

EXTRACTS FROM

THE
BR1HAT JATAKA
OF
VARAHA MIHIRA.

" CHAPTER II.
Definitions and Elementary Principles
(Planetary)
1. To the Kalapurusha, the Sun is the soul, the
Moon is the mind, Mars is strength, Mercury is speech,
Jupiter is knowledge and health, Venus is desire, and
Saturn is sorrow. Of the planets, the Sun and the Moon
are kings, Mars is general; Mercury is the first prince,
Jupiter and Venus are counsellors and Saturn is servant.

2. Heli is the Sun ; Seetharasmi is the Moon ;
Hemna, Vit, Gna, Bodhana and Induputra (son of Moon)
are the names of Mercury; Ara, Vakra, Kruradrik,
Avaneya (son of earth) are the names of Mars ; Kona,
Manda, Suryaputra (son of the Sun) and Asita (the black
planet) are the names of Saturn.

3. Jeeva, Angirasa, Suraguru (the preceptor of the
Devas), Vachasampati, Ijya are the names of Jupiter ;
Sukra, Bhrigu, Bhrigusuta, Sita (the white planet),
Asphujit, are the names of Venus; Tama (darkness),
Agu and Asura are the names of Rahu (the Moon's
ascending node) ; Sikhi is the name of Ketu (the Moon's
descending node). Terms synonymous with the above
should also be accepted (as the names of the several
planets "

EXTRACTS FROM

Kalyana Varmas Saravali
"Birth of Horasastra
2-4. Varaha Mihira in his Horasastra, i.e. Brhat Jataka, stated briefly the essence of the teachings
of the learned sages viz. ten divisions of the Zodiacal Sign, Raja Yogas, longevity, effects of
planetary periods etc. This could not be done elaborately by him and hence I am conveying in
this work such useful essence, as called out from Yavanas etc., rejecting other un-useful
portions, which may be appended to the said Brihat Jataka.
5. I, Kalyana Varma, whose fame on account of patronizing Gods and administering villages and
cities is brilliant, like that of a female swan in the cage of the universe, who is the king of
Vyagrapada region, present this Saravali, an astrological treatise, with a chaste heart.
6. Saravali is a river with chilly water, which has taken its birth in the mountain called Kalyana
Varma, to ward off the thirst for astrology of those interested.

Chapter 4
Planetary Characters
1-2. Kalapurushas Soul etc. and their Use. The Sun is the soul of the Zodiac personified, the
Moon mind, Mars strength, Mercury speech (voice), Jupiter intelligence, Venus comforts,
Rahu ego and Saturn grief. If at birth planets indicative of soul etc. are strong, these
significations will equally be strong. If these planets are weak, the effects are only meagre.
But in the case of Saturn it is different.

8. Planetary Directions.
The Sun, Venus, Mars, Rahu, Saturn, the Moon, Mercury and Jupiter are, respectively, the Lords of the directions commencing from the East.

32-33. Planetary Aspects. Planets lend aspect on the 3rd and 10th, half aspect on the 4th and 8th,
aspect on 5th and 9th and full aspect on the 7th from their positions. Saturn has special full
aspect on the 3rd and 10th, Jupiter on the 5th and the 9th and Mars on the 4th and 8th. All
planets aspect the 7th fully."

[Rajarshi]

Dear Members,

Rahu's aspect has not been mentioned in above two classical books of Vedic astrology.

Varaha Mihira mentioned Rahu as ascending node.

Saravali has given special aspects of Jupiter, Saturn & Mars but did not mention any special aspect/ aspect of Rahu, though Saravali has recognised Rahu as 'Ego" and included in "Planetary characters'.

Brihat Parasari Hora Sastra has not mentioned about aspect of Rahu.


Regards

Rajarshi

[Moog]

Great replies, thanks

[poyi]

Just to share some information from reading. Regarding to the Aspects to Nodes, according to

Karmic Astrology: The Moon's Nodes and Reincarnation, by Martin Schulman

"The desirability of one Node over the other is not a constant. Until such time as the South node has performed at its highest possible level, the individual will find less reward in the North Node than he expects.

Since the South Node symbolizes a culmination of behavioral characteristics from many lifetimes, it would only be by bringing such behavior through a progressive evolution that the individual would be ready to benefit from his North Node."

"If he puts the cart before the horse, he is too liable to approach his North Node in its most negative sense; but if he strives to overcome the ways in which his South Node is holding him back, then he will find Divine Guidance in the surprise blessings his North Node yields."

In this book, it had described planet conjunction to SN is Karmic lessons taking more than one lifetime to learn. This conjunction aspect will remind this individual the purposes of this SN and are to be lived again in a mandatory condition. While the conjunction to NN is asking this individual to leave his past behind, instead new karmic lesson to be learned began in this current life.

Conjunction to both nodes, powerful conflict which may not be postponed beyond the present life.

This book also talked about mutual reception, squares and trines to nodes.

[dr. farr]

One thing I certainly accept is that a PLANET can ASPECT a Node!! I do believe that planetary aspects TO Nodes are operative and can influence the way the Nodal influence, so aspected, expresses itself.

[dhundhun]

Refer to this link. This may answer several questions related to Vedic aspects, which you may have.
http://www.barbarapijan.com/bpa/Amsha/drishti_graha.htm