Rahu: The Agent of Change and Unpredictability

Astrology is an observational science. Particularly with Rahu, it is difficult to predict the results, as Rahu operates from a deep subconscious level, churning up our fears and desires, bringing our buried karmic baggage to the surface. Some observations of Rahu mahadasha, and how it behaves according to its placement, rashi, bhavas, etc. are noted below. PLEASE NOTE: Below are generalisations ONLY, in order to understand Rahu’s placement in your birthchart and in transit, the entire birthchart would need to be examined, as the significations could be largely colored by Rahu’s interaction with other planets.

Key Observations of Rahu's Influence

Rahu being the generic agent of change, generally its dasha will bring changes, movement, travel, unpredictable situations, and rapid changes of circumstances.

Rahu in movable signs – Aries, cancer, libra and Capricorn rasis will bring more changes than other signs. Similarly, Rahu in 1,4,7, and 10 bhavas will give more changes.

Rahu is strong in Taurus, Gemini, Virgo, Libra & Aquarius. In all other rasis, it gives weak and relatively negative results unless conjoined or aspected by a functional benefic in the horoscope.

There is much debate about this, but from personal observation, Rahu rules Aquarius. Hence it may behave as a yogakaraka for Taurus.

Rahu is not good in Jupiter’s sign but tends to give good results in Jupiter’s nakshatras, namely Punarvasu, Vishaka, and PurvaBhadrapada.

Mercury sitting in Rahu’s nakshatra can become unpredictable in its own dasha and if badly aspected or retrograde, can give bad results.

If Rahu is with a planet in the same nakshatra and the other planet is a strong benefic, then Rahu gives excellent results in its dasha whereas the other planet is unable to express itself fully in its own dasha.

Rahu gives troublesome results in the 8th and 12th house which can be drastic if afflicted by malefics and debilitated.

Rahu, although a friend of Saturn, does not tend to give good results in Capricorn where it feels constrained and becomes too “saturnine” in its effects.

Rahu and Saturn in the same house is NOT good. The Infamous “Shrapit” Yoga can be terrible if there are no benefic aspects and the conjunction is within 5 degrees.

Rahu tends to give better results after age 42 once it reaches its age of maturity. Though this can be anywhere from ages of 42 and 48 depending on the dasha.

The nakshatra lord of Rahu is perhaps more important (functionality, Shadbala and placement) than the rashi lord of Rahu. Examining the results from this lord is important to understand what Rahu will deliver. It is also necessary to examine this from the True Node calculation.

Rahu when in Saturn’s nakshatra, where Saturn is functional benefic, will give good results only after hard work and struggle.

For Aries, Cancer, Scorpio, Sagittarius & Capricorn placed Rahu – expect better results in the second half of mahadasha, others first half. Pisces relatively same.

Even though best transits of Rahu are 3,6 and 11, it can also give good results in all the Kaam trikon (3, 7 & 11) and Artha trikon bhaavas (2, 6 & 10) and bad in moksha trikona and bhagya trikona bhavas.

Rahu when transiting 9th from itself is BAD (marana karaka sthana for Rahu).

Rahu Mahadasha of 18 years will tend to fluctuate from good to bad to good with an approximate cycle of 36 months.

In terms of material achievement and experience, Rahu MD can be perhaps one of the most intense and powerful among all 9 planets and can give materialistic rise like no other planet.

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