Transit of Rahu-Ketu to Gemini & Sagittarius on March 7, 2019 in Vedic Astrology

Exaltation and debility of planets:

Exaltation and debilitation are special stations of planets and when we speak of the Nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu, this attains even greater significance simply because the Nodes are unique among the planets by virtue of their significations which influence humanity to such a significant degree. 

An exalted planet is at the apogee of its prowess and a debilitated one is at its lowest ebb. An exalted planet is strong and as a rule of thumb, strength is to be preferred over weakness, with notable exceptions, including those based on the station of planets in given nativities. A debilitated planet is considered fallen and is a bad fish in the pond, capable of dirtying the entire thing. 

Rahu is exalted in the sign of Gemini, while Ketu is exalted in the sign of Sagittarius. Since the Nodes of the Moon are always retrograde, they shall transit to the preceding signs from their current stations, which are Cancer and Capricorn respectively. In this manner, we see that the Nodes are now going to be exalted in their respective exaltation signs on March 7, 2019, when the transit occurs. 

The Nodes:

While Rahu indicates the desires of the human being which leads to rebirth, Ketu indicates freedom from those desires. Rahu is Bhogakaraka while Ketu is Mokshakaraka. Since Ketu indicates freedom from desire and travelling towards emancipation, it does not have planetary aspect, because these aspects are indicative of desire. This is also shown by the fact that Ketu does not have a head. We desire what we see and we look at that which we desire; in the absence of a head, the question does not arise. 

Rahu has a head, but only a head and therefore Rahu has planetary aspect being replete with the quality of desire. 

The Nodes, for this reason, are (generally) always opposite to each other in charts in the Vedic horoscope. 

The Sign of Gemini:

The sign of Gemini is the 3^rdHouse of the Kalapurusha and the natural expression of personality. It is also a part of the Kama Trikona or the trine relating to desires. Naturally, there is no surprise that Rahu is exalted here. The sign is ruled by Mercury who shall be retrograde at the time of the Nodal transit and therefore some Karmic events pertaining to desires, communications, and the expression of the self may come to pass simply for this reason. 

Ketu will be exalted in the sign of Sagittarius, ruled by Jupiter and therefore esoteric and spiritual understanding and things like abstract mathematics will grow and prosper. 

Exchange between Jupiter and Ketu:

Since Ketu is the co-lord of the sign of Scorpio where Jupiter is currently transiting, an exchange occurs between Ketu and Jupiter. Through an agreement between these two planets, Ketu will finally act from its own sign Scorpio and Jupiter will act from its own sign Sagittarius. Very Karmic events can be expected to manifest in charts depending on the life areas ruled by Scorpio and Sagittarius respectively. This is specially true till Jupiter changes Rashi owing to its own transit on March 29, 2019 and moves to Sagittarius, joining Ketu in the process. If significant events are indicated relating to Scorpio and Sagittarius in the nativity, then these may happen now in a very destine sort of way. Therefore, due to this exchange of signs, the signs of Gemini, Scorpio and Sagittarius come into focus for people, depending on what these signs rule in the given charts. To miss the exchange would be to miss the effect of the transit entirely. 

Rahu and Ketu will not truly be opposed to each other during the transit and while the exchange operates. Ketu in Scorpio will elevate the occult and research. Deep delving into things will come to the fore. Ketu can either indicate decimation of material reality or its highest flights because Ketu can raise its flag in surprising ways if Scorpio should indicate material bounty in any horoscope. If Jupiter supports this in the natal Rashi chart, then it is quite likely to happen. 

On the other hand, if these two planets should indicate a spiritual event of transformation, then that is equally likely to happen because Jupiter in Sagittarius supports it, as does Ketu in the sign of Scorpio. 

Impact of Rahu-Ketu Transit:

For the reasons stated above, Rahu in Gemini will promote aspiration and hedonism. Owing to the wealth of information in the sign of Gemini, the transit shall be marked by intellectual curiosity and growth and flights of the mind in every way conceivable. 

This can be good in material and practical terms if Rahu is otherwise well-placed both in the nativity and in the transit when reckoned from the relevant reference points. This is a complicated calculation and ought to be carried out only in specific horoscopes without too much generalization. Still, generalize we must in this article for it is not possible to examine every or even any number of placements of the planet hypothetically. 

So we can say that if Rahu is in Upachaya Bhava in the natal horoscope/ and or during this transit then it can foster materially positive results in some way or the other though in some of these places it can also promote vices. Likewise, if Rahu is well-placed from the Arudha Lagna in the natal horoscope or during the transit then also it is quite likely to transpire, if not even more so, for the Arudhas and the Bhavas therefrom are to do with the manifestation of events. The same goes for Ketu. 

The more difficult aspects of Rahu’s placement, whether natally or in transit, are usually in the Kendra/ quadrant from the Udaya Lagna or its Trikona/ trines unless it forms Rajayoga. 

Even in the other personal places like the 12^thHouse from the Lagna, Rahu in certain charts only, can give food for thought. One has observed, that in charts otherwise not susceptible or open to occurrences of a particular kind, these transits are not particularly adverse. But if adversity is indicated in the natal horoscope, and supported by the applicable Dashas, then this transit of Rahu should be watched. 

The same principles are applicable to Ketu because Ketu materially is an even greater malefic than Rahu. Ketu denotes Shunyaand can reduce everything to zero, and to rubble. 

On the positive side, if Scorpio is materially beneficial in any horoscope, then Ketu can indicate either buying an apartment or improving one’s apartment especially of Scorpio influences the 4^thHouse of home from the Lagna or the Arudha Lagna. In the Upachaya, Ketu will bring gains and competitiveness while decimating the enemy (like Rahu) in certain cases.

In the chart of Bhagwan Shri Rama, for instance, Rahu is in the 6^thHouse from the Lagna. One should not fight with such a person even if ones thinks that one is Ravana because we all know what will happen. This is very pertinent from the Arudha Lagna and applies at least with equal force to the 3^rdHouse from the Arudha. 

Impact of Jupiter-Ketu conjunction:

On March 29, Jupiter will move into its own sign Sagittarius and will join Ketu there. This is a very spiritual combination which makes it conducive to tap into the wisdom of esoteric traditions. Materially, though it can be testing because Guru is Dhanakaraka, the significator for wealth, and its conjunction with Ketu can stress the signification. Sagittarius is the 9^thHouse of the natural zodiac and indicates religion and religious sentiment. These can occupy a position of prominence during the transit. Jupiter and Sagittarius also indicate intellectualism and specifically the law. Radical expressions of the law may also be more in evidence during the transit. 

PARADISE LOST:

We can never forget Saturn. We can never overlook Saturn, or the planet will remind us of its existence and placement. Saturn in a sign of Jupiter is not an adverse placement but when Jupiter conjoins two first-rate malefics in Dhanusha Rashi, Saturn and Ketu, the paradise of Jupiter is lost. It is the placement from the Arudha Lagna and/ or conjunction with specific Arudha Padas which will determine more precise results. 

The association of Saturn with Ketu is not considered auspicious and a battle of sorts is going on between the two. Likewise, the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn is sometimes very testing. The beneficence of Jupiter is taken by the malefic. It is for this reason that an un-conjoined Jupiter is preferred in any nativity. At times it can indicate a fight to the finish which does not have a victor and can lead to very dire consequences for both parties. So, all is not well in Sagittarius and since the Chandra Rashi is also going through the Sade-Sati of Saturn, caution and appropriate measures are strongly advised. 

It cannot also be forgotten, that while Ketu does not have planetary aspect, Rahu does and therefore aspects Sagittarius from Gemini. From its exaltation, Rahu aspects its sign of debility. Value systems and internal frameworks of morality and ethics can be severely stressed for people vulnerable to these in any way, in their own horoscopes. 

THE AIR SIGNS:

The air signs are strongly influenced by the nodal transit. Rahu is placed in Gemini and aspects Libra and Aquarius with planetary aspect. The aspect to Libra is the 9^thHouse aspect from Gemini (in reverse) and imbues the sign of Libra with the peculiar intelligence of Rahu. For people with the sign Libra dominant in the horoscope, this is something to look out for. Notable exceptions can be people working on the world stage or with a global perspective, because Rahu is in its Marana Karaka station when reckoned from Libra. 

Aquarius truly comes into its own with the 5^thHouse aspect of Rahu from Gemini (in reverse) and can people with the sign dominant start planning for the future in right earnest. Rahu in Gemini can show them the way forward, for better or for worse. As long as this planning is characterized by supreme intellect, it will tend to be positive at the mundane level for the natives of Aquarius Lagna. Some similar trends can come for Leo because Rahu is exalted in the 11^thHouse of gains, friends and income. 

THE HANGMAN’S NOOSE:

The so-called 2^ndHouse aspect of Rahu is actually its 12^thHouse aspect (in reverse). This aspect denotes secret enmity and viewed in regular direction is the Maraka (killer) aspect of Rahu. It is the hangman’s noose. This aspect falls on Cancer and people with this sign dominant should be careful of deceit and machinations during this transit especially if this is indicated in the natal charts. 

The nodal transit indicates the shifting of Karma and is therefore pertinent for that reason itself. 

Onward, 

Anurag Sharma 

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