Rahu-Ketu Axis and Health Problems

From time immemorial the effect of Rahu and Ketu has been known to man whenever the Moon or the Sun comes in conjunction with these shadowy planets. He has known that this conjunction known commonly as eclipse has an effect on digestion and pregnancy. A pregnant woman was forbidden from seeing an eclipse. All were supposed to fast until the eclipse ended.

Apart from these effects of Rahu and Ketu, the ancient Rishis have also attributed many diseases to these shadowy planets. For instance, Rahu produces phobias, stammering, chronic diseases like leprosy and tumors, serpent bites, abortions, child deaths, etc., and to Ketu are attributed low blood pressure, accidents, phobias, worms, skin diseases, etc.

Though the individual effects of these planets have been studied by various authors of the past and present, no exhaustive study of the effects on the health of this axis in the natal chart has been made. This prompted me to collect horoscopes for such a study. I have studied the effects in all the 12 houses and I have also noted the findings of ancient Rishis and astrological seers of the past and present and I present this paper for the benefit of readers. The study is by no means exhaustive though I have made a sincere effort to focus the effect on as many aspects as possible.

Before touching on the effects on health it is necessary to study the mental make-up of the person and other environmental conditions that may affect health. Natives with this combination will have a peculiar nature and it will not be possible to easily gauge the person. One may suffer from an inferiority complex, fear of being neglected by near and dear ones and society; he also suffers some deformity, maybe to a minor degree. One will have secret aspirations leading to frustration. With such a complex psyche, melancholia, depression, peptic ulcers, and even hysteria can develop in one. As this axis falls in the 1st and the 7th, the person is very passionate and suffers due to lack of sexual gratification. One may be difficult to get along with because one is a silent-and-difficult-to-please type. If there is a full Kalasarpa Yoga in these houses, it becomes a very unfortunate condition and such people die in dire circumstances.

The native of such a combination is a victim of circumstances leading to pecuniary troubles and involvement in accidents and maybe bedridden for a long time. One may have stammering and suffer due to one’s foul tongue and quick temper. One develops blood pressure and is disliked by his family members. At the age of 12 years, he suffers from pox (chickenpox or measles) which leaves bad scars.

One will have an inferiority complex with regard to his sexual ability and is often cold and clammy to touch. One suffers from high fevers and aches which mostly remain undiagnosed. One has to spend a lot of health and as well as on one’s dependents. This further causes nervous disorders and ultimately nervous breakdown. The effects are mitigated if there is an aspect of Jupiter to this axis, either on Rahu or Ketu. If there is complete Kalasarpa Yoga operating in these houses one ends up in an asyslum.

Those with this combination are often misunderstood by their own kith and kin and are accused of ulterior motives. One does care for one’s health but is highly susceptible to criticism and suffers from blood pressure. One’s own kith and-kin will cause trouble and even the father may disown such a person. One is fond of wandering and suffers often due to breakdown of vehicles as one owns rickety vehicles. One poses themselves as rich and powerful. If full Kalasarpa Yoga yoga operates, the end is sudden.

One with such a combination will suffer frequently from cough and cold and fever due to frequent tours and exhaustion. One also suffers much due to not taking advantage of circumstances and thus suffers mentally. One is quixotic in temperament; blowing hot and cold and succumbing ultimately to pressure. This trait makes one unpopular. One usually suffers from chronic diseases and fevers. I have found many with such a combination addicted to heavy smoking and developing bronchitis. If full Kalasarpa Yoga operates in these houses, they may die in poverty away from home.

• Rahu-Ketu in 5-11 Houses

One with this combination is quick in temper and often regrets one’s actions; this causes frequent bouts of high blood pressure. One suffers from phobias worrying too much about one’s health, which in turn causes a peptic ulcer, hyperacidity, indigestion, etc. One is peptic in temperament meaning one is angry and intolerable when hungry and after heavy meals, become docile. One is generous but one’s quick temper spoils everything. One may be hair-splitting and a difficult mate. Generally, the native suffers from gastric trouble, indigestion, dysentery, etc. One is nevertheless lucky in many walks of life. Rahu in the 5th causes worries dye to frequent abortions. Such a person has “a few children or may even be issueless. One tries to uplift oneself spiritually but often fails in one’s spiritual aspirations. If Kalasarpa Yoga is complete, one becomes destitute. Usually, death is peaceful.

One enjoys good health but is very particular as to what one should eat. Though keeping good health one will have a phobia of bad health. One suffers from frequent headaches, especially migraine, eye and ear disease. One also suffers from mictural troubles. Success comes easily but there will always be opposition. Though bold, one often succumbs to threats. One becomes highly corrupt and suffers consequently. If full Kalasarpa Yoga prevails, one often ends up with quarrels and separation from family.

• Rahu-Ketu in 7-1 Houses

Though this is the opposite of the first combination it does not mean that the effects will also be the opposite.

A native of such a horoscope is a wanderer. Superficial in one’s work and careless, one often revolts against authorities. One is easy going and does not care much even for one’s own welfare. One, however, takes extra care of one’s health, but often gets into minor accidents and suffers broken bones. One is quixotic in temperament and difficult to get on with and makes a bad boss and bad subordinate. One suffers much in the services of others. If complete Kalasarpa Yoga is present, one is prone to bad accidents and may end up in a rehabilitation home.

One with such a combination suffers from frequent attacks of abdominal diseases. One is always sad and often pedantic in outlook. One suffers mainly from the want of money and tact. There will be constant friction at home causing unhappiness. Such a native may even take to debauchery and suffer from the venereal disease. If incomplete Kalasarpa Yoga, one suffers from heart disease and diseases of the aorta and becomes an invalid for life.

A native of this combination often puts up a false appearance. One is found to be religious outwardly but at heart shuns own religion. One may suffer Guru-dvesha or even a curse of the Guru. One’s brothers and sisters are inimical to one; one often causes mental injuries to others by one’s rash action and then suffers mentally; one is prone to epidemic disease like cholera, plague, etc as also high blood pressure and paralysis. One becomes an invalid for life if there is complete Kalasarpa Yoga.

A native of such a combination generally prospers outside one’s country but is always on the move. One suffers from indigestion and cannot enjoy a good meal. One is often subject to epileptic fits. One’s fault being mainly a suspicious nature, one suffers a loss of friends. One may be attacked by burglars and suffer broken bones. One suffers from exhaustion. With complete Kalasarpa Yoga, there is a danger of heart failure. It may be sudden or chronic due to congestive failure.

There will be a disease in the legs and hands, mostly fungal; such a native is often dirty inhabits and does not care much for personal cleanliness. One suffers from frequent headaches and indigestion and is prone to diarrhoea and dysentery. One worries much from small losses and generally is very stingy and suffers, therefore. Though having means to enjoy, one does not enjoy life. One is lazy and if complete Kalasarpa Yoga is present, ends up in jail.

Such a combination often uproots one from the hearth and home in quest of opportunities. One may shine in many fields but is often unreliable and makes more enemies than friends. One suffers from boils, ulcers, and diabetes. Though active, one’s activity has to be adjusted according to health. Usually a chronic sufferer, one maintains a cheerful outlook on life.”One suffers from insect bites, malaria or filaria in some cases. If complete Kalasarpa Yoga is present, he suffers from liver diseases due to drinking and dies after much suffering.

The effects of the Rahu-Ketu axis described here are not exhaustive. Individually Rahu and Ketu cause certain diseases in certain houses. The susceptible age for the effect of the Rahu- Ketu axis is worked out on case histories and it cannot be treated as infallible. The age mentioned is only sensitive to the effects, but actual suffering may be mitigated or nullified if there is an aspect of Jupiter on Rahu, Ketu or the Ascendant. Though articles on Kalasarpa Yoga Yoga have appeared in these pages, I have mentioned this Yoga only in relation to diseases and death.