Rahu and Ketu: Disrupting the Status Quo

The ever-changing sky patterns point to ever-changing dynamics in the natural world, the structure of societies, and for each individual.  Some shifts in sky patterns are more significant than others. 

Significant changes are upon us.

​A revolution’s first blush is in the sky, with a major shift of the lunar nodes known in Jyotiṣha, as Rāhu and Ketu. Let’s dive into some insights about how this change might impact us at the micro and macro level. 

This month {March 2019}, Rāhu and Ketu – the North and South Nodes of the Moon – changed constellations. Unlike say, the Moon which changes position every few days, or the Sun every month, the change of location of these slow moving nodes only takes place every 18 months.  The rarer the shift, the bigger the shift-show. 

To understand this shift, let’s look at the Astronomy and Folklore of the Nodes

The Moon's nodes are always directly opposite from one another in the sky, moving in sync. Thus, in a horoscope, which is a map of the sky, they are always directly opposite from one another. Picture 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock on a timepiece.

Rāhu and Ketu are mathematical points of the lunar orbit intersecting the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun). These two points potentiate two of the most stunning celestial events seeable: Solar and Lunar eclipses. 
 
In the first week of March 2019* Rāhu and Ketu moved from the Cancer / Capricorn position of the last 18 months to a Gemini / Sagittarius position {the 3rd and 9th signs}. Here they’ll sit for the next 18 months - Rāhu in the sign of Gemini and Ketu in the sign of Sagittarius. They last held this position 18 years ago.  

In Vedic myth, Rāhu and Ketu are known as a celestial serpent.

​Purāṇic stories (sacred lore of India) reference Rāhu and Ketu, conveying eternal themes of ambition, pursuit of a desire, purpose, addiction, insatiability, illusion, leveling the playing field, immortality, revolution, donning disguises, trickery, manipulation, social unrest, going against the grain, instability, innovation, suddenness, unforeseen consequences, mystery and disruption of the status quo, relating with foreign cultures-lands-religions, technology (especially that which disrupts the status quo), magic and slight of hand. Specific examples of these broad themes include the film industry, smart phones, A.I. (Artificial Intelligence), plastics and the expat experience. 
 
To understand how these themes will unfold at this time, we have to be able to look at this position of Rāhu and Ketu in the context of other patterns at play. Without getting into all of those details, let’s take a look at how Rāhu and Ketu in Gemini / Sagittarius can play out in these 18 months. 

Metamorphosis is Messy

​Expect revolution. This will be a time of quest for fairness and freedom, a time of metamorphosis – which is uncomfortable, scary, often comes with unexpected outcomes, and has an element of mystery and magic. It will appear that the house is coming down. In fact, the house must come down for a necessary renovation. 
 
Be it at the financial, political, social, or personal level, Rāhu and Ketu in this position are likely to bring change that is associated with innovation in some shape or form. 

The Revolution will be Technologized

​I expect to see the rise of new emerging complex technology that will usurp current paradigms.  This may cause disruption that may be extreme or dramatic, leading to skepticism and scrutiny. In the end there will be acceptance, regulation and integration. An example is artificial intelligence gaining traction and being installed into daily life – even into human physiology. Expect technological changes that are at the level of magic. Think back to the emergence of the internet, which made the seemingly impossible, possible.  

Social Shift Show

At the level of society expect an up-rise in which the underserved work to usurp the overserved, the young overtake the ways of the past. Expect unrest, discomfort, sudden changes, and disruption that leads to renewal. Ketu being in the constellation of Sagittarius is in a position of dharma {righteousness, order}, this can bring a toppling of the status quo for the pursuit of breaking free of the fetters of our current system. This will require the kind of “risk-it-all ambition” from those marginalized members of society who are ready to upend the system. 
 
Expect a resistance, and resistance to the resistance. It may get messy. This is a natural cyclical rebalancing for the sake of dharma. 
 
We will see protests, coups, questioning, doubting and toppling of long-standing institutions such as banks and local currencies. Innovative social structure breakthroughs will take place which will need regulation and integration. 
 
We may see new technology usher in a revolution of commonplace financial structures including how we use, spend, store and even think about currency.   
 
These social, political and economic changes will effect relationships between nations. 

In addition I expect to see the formation of infrastructure, technology or institutions to circumvent / manage disasters such as fires. 

Individual Transformation

Expect some change. Yes, at the individual level, this could prove a time of transformation. You may feel a quest coming on, or a drive toward change and innovation in your life, work or relationships. 

Some will seek spiritual growth or deep knowledge, others will crave a change in the household or profession. This particular time could come with a sense of rebellion or resistance. There may be a desire to be different, to innovate, to question of the norms of your life. You may start to feel right side up in an upside down world. My suggestion is, at the personal level, do not upend your life {yet}. Allow the natural thing to happen naturally. 

​Here’s an example. My two year old is getting interested in riding a bike. This shift for him will revolutionize how he moves through the world and how he perceives his own capacity. It’s coming. We can see it. Along the way he is likely to fall down a few times, to be a bit scared, to encounter limitation and then push through it. And when it comes, it will be magical, it will cause a shift in the pace of the whole family. But it can’t be rushed or forced. We aren’t giving away the stroller just yet.  
 
For individual transformation, proceed with prudence. Do not force or hurry change. Don't toss the cocoon mid-metamorphosis. 

A Bumpy Ride for Greater Good – Eventually

Rāhu and Ketu come with an element of surprise and magic. At the micro and macro level, the hot pursuit of a goal, can deliver a few unexpected results {for better or worse}.

​I do think this will be a bumpy ride, but that is a normal part of life’s cycles. Further, not all of this shift will take place within a mere 18 months, but the seeds will be sown. One day we will look back to 2019 and 2020 as being catalyst years. 

Curious How this effects you?

This may be resonating for you, or bring up specific questions. When it comes to how the Rāhu-Ketu change will play out for you personally, your individual horoscope {or your family horoscopes} must be investigated directly with time and care. You can individual reading to dive in. 

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*Technical note: Vedic Astrology utilizes what is known as the sidereal zodiac {real time / space accurate astronomical calculations} and Mean Node {as opposed to True Node} calculations.