Ketu

Ketu is a phantom planet, the southern lunar node, the tail of the demon

See also: Rahu and Ketu: the lunar nodes

The chief characteristics of Ketu: enigmatic, sly, secretive, intriguing; a warlike and spiritual planet, the karaka of moksha.

Karakatvas: Moksha, salvation, spiritual liberation, religion, astrology, occultism, philosophy, detachment, imprisonment, arrest, life abroad, tall stature, a sickly thinness, the eyes, an inveterate smoker, malicious and venomous speech, fastidiousness, ill intent, marital infidelity, coitus, greed, bankruptcy, a person who has fallen low, an offender, plots, intrigues, fines, punishments, madness, the abduction of people, suicide, sudden death, murders and murderers, governments, fires and burns, wounds, spots on the skin, leprosy, poisonous bites, illnesses caused by worms, a medical worker, the grandfather on the mother’s side, the grandmother on the father’s side, a smoky tint, dreams, evil spirits, worms.

Significations: spirituality; the significations of the ruler of the sign of Ketu.

Gender: hermaphrodite

Direction: north-west

Stones: cat’s eye, lapis lazuli, beryl

Deity: Ganapati, Bhairava

Bija mantra: Om stram strim strom se ketave namah (17000 times in 40 days)

Objects of donation: sesame, sugar, musk, saffron, gold, lead, a blanket of black or white colour, satnaja, food for a black-and-white dog (to be donated on Sunday morning.)

Outward signs: tall, easily excitable.

Parts of the body: the abdomen.

Illnesses connected with Ketu: enlargement of the spleen, cataract, fever, a burning sensation in the body, diseases of the feet, hydrocele, cuts, wounds, scabies, abscesses, skin diseases, leprosy, problems with the lungs, pains in the body, stomach pain, poisoning by chemical substances, suicidal inclinations, illnesses that are hard to diagnose, epidemics, ailments from unknown causes.

Kinds of activity and professions connected with Ketu: the leather industry, slaughterhouses, corpses, skeletons, bones, funeral ceremonies, sewerage, refuse collection, foul-smelling and dirty places, medicinal preparations, medical workers, preachers, the occult sciences, philosophy, intrigues.

In the words of Satyacharya, Ketu is responsible for the same professions as Mars.

Ketu in the houses of the horoscope

Ketu in the 1st house: often ill, thinks strangely, worries about the family, complains of ailments caused by an imbalance of Vata dosha in the body. Heightened excitability, an inclination to wander. If favourable aspects are present, the person lives more or less happily, is wary of ill-intentioned people, and has good outward but not inner characteristics; this position also indicates tall stature, mental anxieties, energy, courage, an inclination to theft and poor digestion… more >>

Ketu in the 2nd house: looks gloomy, suffers from defects of speech, speaks abominably and uses a great deal of foul language. Greedy, quickly loses his temper, prone to conflict, but knows how to flatter. This position may cut short one’s education and does not give prosperity. There is a probability of the confiscation of property by the state. Ketu in a favourable sign promises a happy and comfortable life… more >>

Ketu in the 3rd house: wealth, strength, fame, a long life, family happiness, health, victory over enemies, trouble with a brother. Quarrelsome, thinks a great deal and worries over trifles. The weak parts of the body are the arms and shoulders… more >>

Ketu in the 4th house: disappointments and failures, the loss of real estate and of means of transport, living abroad supported by other people (possibly as an adopted son), little happiness from the mother, an absence of property. Placement in suitable signs foretells good relations with relatives and residence in another country… more >>

Ketu in the 5th house: a changeable mind, vicious thoughts, an immoral nature, constant inner torments and anxieties. Holds a good post. Prone to diseases of the stomach, complains of an imbalance of Vata dosha. Separation from children or childlessness… more >>

Ketu in the 6th house: noble aspirations, a firm will, success in undertakings, good fortune, power, renown, popularity, material goods, the attainment of one’s goals. Has many enemies but defeats them; bad relations with the uncle on the mother’s side. A strong immune system and good health, developed intuition and occult abilities… more >>

Ketu in the 7th house: this placement has a negative effect on family life. The person keeps company with bad women, is subjected to humiliations, does not enjoy respect, is dissolute and mentally deficient. Diseases of the genitourinary system, the loss of potency, the illness or death of the spouse, divorce, a blunt and caustic wife. Has a weakness for games of chance. Positive results for a Lagna in Scorpio… more >>

Ketu in the 8th house: shaky health, partnership with unreliable or unprincipled people, failures on every front, the loss of friends, disappointments, quarrels, accidents, injuries, diseases of the intimate parts of the body, a short length of life. A fascination with mysticism and occultism. Placement in Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo or Scorpio gives extremely favourable effects, making the person skilful and very popular… more >>

Ketu in the 9th house: engages in politics and charity, magnanimous, highly moral, cares for wife and children, wishes to have sons. Problems with the father, the loss of an inheritance. This placement makes a person devout but unlucky; he is not welcome in good society… more >>

Ketu in the 10th house: devout, a popular leader, brave, known even abroad. Actions of a dubious character, obstacles in carrying out noble intentions. Stomach disorders. In the signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo or Scorpio, Ketu becomes favourable and rewards the person with popularity and fearlessness… more >>

Ketu in the 11th house: possesses numerous positive qualities and talents, is fortunate, erudite, an intellectual, refined, makes a memorable impression and dresses well. Receives income from various sources and leads a righteous way of life. Money, success, entertainment, the fulfilment of desires, robust health… more >>

Ketu in the 12th house: lives in prosperity, religious, deals with his enemies, enjoys the respect of the authorities, attains Moksha. During the period of Ketu the person will travel a great deal and often change his place of residence and his profession. If Ketu is afflicted, the person transgresses the laws of morality, spends money on dubious ends and squanders his fortune. Hospitalisations, the gift of intuition, life in a spiritual community or a religious ashram… more >>

Ketu in the signs of the Zodiac

Ketu in Aries: talkative, inconstant. The loss of landed property, of livestock and of standing; poverty.

Ketu in Taurus: pilgrimages and participation in religious festivals, victory over opponents, keeping company with educated people. Lazy, sensual.

Ketu in Gemini: an intellectual, famous, the head of a company or corporation, insatiable, hot-tempered. Material comforts, an imbalance of Vata dosha.

Ketu in Cancer: financial losses, resettlement away from one’s native places, an absence of happiness, considerable spiritual progress.

Ketu in Leo: has a good understanding of art, acquires prosperity, is under the patronage of the authorities, shy, impatient. Spiritual development.

Ketu in Virgo: accidents connected with machinery, tools and fire. Anxieties, grievous losses, financial losses, problems with digestion.

Ketu in Libra: good friends, warm relations with people. Wealthy, sensual. Skin diseases.

Ketu in Scorpio: chronic failures and defeats, an unrestrained character, nimbleness, mendacity.

Ketu in Sagittarius: society receptions at home, a responsible post, association with saints, a good name that only grows stronger with time.

Ketu in Capricorn: courageous, well known, diligent. Misadventures in every sphere of life.

Ketu in Aquarius: a wanderer, loves to roam. Illnesses, danger from machinery and tools, sinking into debt, a joyless life.

Ketu in Pisces: wealth, material comfort, a move to another country is possible, achievements in study, public recognition.

Note: the characteristics given are not final. The influence of other planets, aspects, the condition of the dispositor of Ketu and its position relative to the Lagna may introduce substantial corrections.

Observations regarding Ketu

1. With Ketu placed in the 12th house under an aspect from Jupiter, the Liberation of the soul — Moksha — may be expected.
2. Ketu in the 2nd sign from Saturn gives a person a bonus for spiritual searching and attainments.
3. Ketu in conjunction with Mercury makes a person a good specialist and endows him with an analytical cast of mind.
4. A conjunction of Ketu with the Moon makes a person merciless, despotic and hungry for power.
5. Saturn together with Ketu in the 7th house provokes abscesses in the rectum.
6. a) Ketu in the Lagna gives a person great height; b) Ketu and the Sun in the Lagna — greater still; c)  Ketu and the Sun in the Lagna in a sign of long ascension (in Sagittarius, for example) — the greatest of all.
7. Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn and Pisces are favourable for Ketu.
8. With Ketu placed in the Lagna, problems with health arise. The person has to take pills constantly, although he has no really serious illnesses.
9. Ketu in the 11th house (the 6th from the 6th) troubles one with illnesses.
10. A conjunction of Ketu and Mars in the signs of Gemini or Virgo damages the spine or spoils the teeth.
11. Ketu in conjunction with Mars in the 4th or 9th house shortens the father’s life.
12. During the antardasha of a Ketu in the 6th house aspected by Saturn, health may deteriorate.
13. During the dasha of the ruler of the nakshatra in which Ketu is placed, troubles of various kinds occur.
14. Ketu in the 12th house contributes to financial achievements during its own dasha.
15. A person in whose horoscope Ketu and Venus are placed in Virgo trades in wine and may develop an alcohol dependence.
16. Married life cannot be called harmonious if in the chart Venus or the lord of the 7th house is in conjunction with Ketu or in a trine from it.
17. Ketu in the 12th house under an aspect from Jupiter gives a person the opportunity to lead a spiritual life.
18. The combination of Ketu and the Moon deprives a person of emotions.
19. A natal Moon in a nakshatra of Ketu creates a Gandamula dosha.

See also: Rahu and Ketu: the lunar nodes

based on material from the book «Vedic Astrology» by Sri Govind Swarup Agarwal