Ketu (mythology)

Ketu (mythology)
Ketu (Sanskrit: केतु, IAST: ) is the descending (i.e. 'south') lunar node in Vedic, or Hindu astrology. Personified as a deity, Rahu and Ketu are considered to be the two halves of the immortal Asura (demon) Svarbhanu, who was beheaded by the god Vishnu. According to Hindu mythology, The tutelary deity of Ketu is Sri Chitragupta Ji Maharaj.
As per Vedic astrology, Rahu and Ketu have an orbital cycle of 18 years and are always 180 degrees from each other orbitally (as well as in the birth charts). This coincides with the precessional orbit of moon or the ~18-year rotational cycle of the lunar ascending and descending nodes on the earth's ecliptic plane. Ketu rules the Scorpio zodiac sign together with Mangala (traditional ruling planet).
Astronomically, Rahu and Ketu denote the points of intersection of the paths of the Sun and the Moon as they move on the celestial sphere, and do not correspond to a physical planet. Therefore, Rahu and Ketu are respectively called the north and the south lunar nodes. Eclipses occur when the Sun and the Moon are at one of these points, giving rise to the mythical understanding that the two are being swallowed by the snake. Hence, Ketu is believed to be responsible for causing the Eclipse of the Moon.
Astrology
Since Rahu and Ketu are two opposite lunar nodes, they always appear in diametrically opposite houses (Bhāva) of horoscopes.
In Hindu astrology Ketu represents karmic collections both good and bad, spirituality and supernatural influences. Ketu signifies the spiritual process of the refinement of materialisation to the spirit and is considered both malefic and benefic, as it causes sorrow and loss, and yet at the same time turns the individual to God. In other words, it causes material loss in order to force a more spiritual outlook in the person. Ketu is a karaka or indicator of intelligence, wisdom, non-attachment, fantasy, penetrating insight, derangement, and psychic abilities. Ketu is believed to bring prosperity to the devotee's family, removes the effects of snakebite and illness arising out of poisons. He grants good health, wealth and cattle to his devotees. Ketu is the lord of three nakshatras or lunar mansions: Ashvini, Magha and Mula.
Ketu is considered responsible for moksha, sannyasa, self-realization, gnana, a wavering nature, restlessness, the endocrine system and slender physique.
The people who come under the influence of Ketu can achieve great heights, most of them spiritual.
Rahu signifies attachments to the material world carried over from previous incarnations, representing our fixation on the pleasure or pain of carnal existence. Rahu may enhance qualities of other grahas or distort their expressions into exaggeration, façade, corruption, intoxication, ostentation, scientific or innovative contribution. While Ketu can diminish the external significations of a planet, or guide its expression toward an invisible, subatomic, or extrasensory quality.
Ruler of Ketu: According to the most popular astrology text Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, (BPHS) the Vishnu Avatar of Ketu is Matsya, a fish godform tasked with transporting the soul after death.
Exaltation and Debilitation: This has been a debatable point in astrology. As per BPHS Ketu is exalted in the sign of Scorpio and debilitated in Taurus, however, many astrologers have disputed this and most modern astrologers now seem to agree that Ketu is exalted in Sagittarius and debilitated in Gemini. In certain prominent Parasra lineages Ketu is co-lord of Scorpio and also enjoys is ayush (related to health and medicine) exaltation in that sign, while also adhering to the Sagittarius exaltation/ Gemini debilitation model. Ketu is said to be have “mulatrikona” (or “office”) dignity in Pisces, a sign of spiritual renunciation and ethereal expanse.
Negative Significations: While Ketu is considered malefic and has been mostly associated with negative things. Most people consider it a difficult planet as it brings lot of troubles on the material plane. It often brings a sense of complete detachment, losses, mindlessness, wandering, and confusion in one's life. Error, dissociation, spies, and infestations are also associated with Ketu.
Positive Significations: There is a much deeper side to Ketu and it has been called the most spiritual of all planets. Ketu has been considered the planet of enlightenment and liberation. As the one who has “lost his head (worldly senses)” Being a personification of renunciation (torso without a head who needs nothing). Ketu the ascetic that wants to go beyond the mundane life and achieve the final liberation.
Monastic orders, sciences, mathematics, code, electricity, and the insect world for its swarming and hive-dwelling behaviors are also associated with Ketu. As well as the purging of poisons and toxins.
Friends Planets: Ketu is a friend of Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Jupiter is neutral in friendship. Sun, Moon, and Mars are Ketu's enemies.
Astrology and navagraha worship
Jyotisha is Hindu astrology, which entails concept of Nakshatra (see also List of Natchathara temples), Navagraha (see also List of Navagraha temples and Saptarishi included in the list of Hindu deities whose dedicated temples are found at various Hindu pilgrimage sites to which Hindus take pilgrimage yatra.
See also
Navagraha
Nakshatra
Jyotisha
Saptarishi
Orbital node
References
External links
Hindu gods
Asura
Danavas
Navagraha
Planetary gods
Sun myths
Moon myths
History of astrology
Eclipses