In this blog, I am going to provide a snapshot of Rahu and the houses it is favorable and unfavorable in. This is an important topic because irrespective of your planetary strengths or weaknesses, Rahu can independently create trouble. I consider it the biggest malefic.
So what is Rahu? Rahu, and Ketu are not planets or physical bodies, but rather points in space of high concentrations of energy created during times of eclipse. Astrologically, if the Sun, Moon and Rahu are together, it is a solar eclipse, and if Moon and Ketu are opposite the Sun it is a lunar eclipse. In Western astrology, the nodes are generally not given that much importance but my research has indicated that these nodes are important bodies of energy that have significant impact on life.
To understand celestial bodies, mythology is helpful. Rahu’s journey started during the churning of the ocean – Samudra Manthan, during which, the demon Svarbhanu, disguised himself and consumed the elixir of life – Amrita, which was meant only for the Gods. The Amrita did not belong to him, he had to snatch it by entering unfamiliar territory, that of the Gods. Upon discovering what had happened, Lord Vishnu summoned his celestial disk, the Sudarshan Chakra, and slayed Svarbhanu. Having the elixir of life running in his blood, Svarbhanu could not be killed. He was separated in two but he was immortal. The head is Rahu and the body is Ketu. Just like the mythological story of Svarbhanu, Rahu and Ketu jointly represent the cycle of ambition, material achievement, disappointment and renunciation.
Rahu rules greed, theft, foreign lands, disappointments, delusions, smoke, alcohol, certain chemicals, pungent flavors, bad smells, things that are disguised or those that you cannot see, and things that don’t belong to you. On the positive side, Rahu rules, with other planets, ambition, persistence, grit, and energy. Below are some of the houses Rahu is favorable in. Remember that the statements I make are general. For an accurate picture please consult with an experienced guru who can guide you onto the right path.
The 2nd house – your immediate sources of income and your relationship with money is broadly ruled by this house. In the second house Rahu can bless you with wealth or with confidence to generate wealth. It will give you the ability to feel secure, so much so that even your family and friends will look to you for security. Rahu is happy with money. This is a favorable combination. In the top three houses, 2nd, 1st and 12th, Rahu will generally give a large head or triangular skeletal structure.
The 3rd house – this house is called the ‘Parakram Kshetra.’ This house rules how you display strength to the world. The external image that you exhibit and the persona that you put on to face the world is ruled by this house. This house also rules your younger siblings, your immediate family, your neighbors and your arms, particularly the right arm. In this house, Rahu can bless you with unending energy, entrepreneurial abilities, persistence, and the ability to repeatedly get back up after failure.
The 6th house – The 6th is the house of enemies, health, and disputes. This house rules hospitals and courts. It is also the house of interruption to routines. A strongly placed planet in this house indicates that one’s routine will not be affected. I have observed that a strong placement here can give the native a rewarding career because the native is blessed with the ability to solve life’s problems, such as disputes and illnesses, matters that create blockages to routines. Nobody wants to spend time in hospitals, courts and police stations. Blockages in life are erratic; we don’t know when they come and go. We cannot predict health problems and disputes. Hence, Rahu is particularly happy in this house because he loves managing irraticity and can bless the native with victory over obstructions. If you have Rahu in the 6th, it is given that you will have conflicts. But you will also win over them because Rahu will cast a dark shadow on your enemies’ minds and drive them insane. My recommendation to natives with such a placement is to choose careers in which conflict or competition is high, such as law and law enforcement.
The 11th house – while the 3rd house is that of your immediate surroundings, the 11th house is that of your extended circle. The 11th house rules your social circle, your friends, cousins, and other significant people with whom you conduct your mundane affairs. While the 2nd house rules how secure you feel and your immediate and resources, the 11th house rules how secure others or the outside world makes you feel. As such this is also a house of financial gains through your interactions with the outside world. This house is also that of ‘elder’ siblings. This makes sense given that your elder brother is likely to make you feel secure in life. Your elder brother has your back, and can provide you with resources required to go through life, which is unlike the 3rd house in which you have to display courage, provide support to, and be the larger one for younger siblings. The 3rd is about what you display to the world, and the 11th is about what you receive from the world.
Let me sidetrack a bit for those who know more about astrology. The 11th house is the 2nd from the 10th house. The 10th house is the Northern horizon, the realms of space that are directly above your head. It is the house of your profession, your work, public image, and your worldly achievements. It is what you do, for the most part, outside of your home and immediate surroundings. As such it is only logical that the 2nd from 10th, the 11th, is that of money earned through ‘worldly’ or external pursuits. The 11th house is a very favorable placement for Rahu. In this house Rahu has the ability to give you multiple sources of income. You have the ability to gain, and gain materially, from your work, network and connections. Keep in mind that Rahu has no friends. Given the 11th is that of your social circle, it is likely that you will have more professional acquaintances than deep friendships. Your relationships will be fleeting – they will come and go. Your approach to your social circle will be somewhat opportunistic, i.e. favoring people immediately important to your needs.
The 9th house – The 9th house – This is the house Rahu is not favorable in; it is the ‘fall’ house for Rahu. It does not achieve directional strength, or digbala in this house. My research has indicated that this is one of the worst placements anyone can have. The 9th house has ownership of the father and the paternal side. It is also referred to as the dharma sthana, or bhagya sthana, implying that this house rules the realization of one’s potential and the fulfillment of one’s destiny. The question, ‘will you do what you are born to do,’ is answered from this house. The relationship of bhagya or destiny with one’s father is also logical given that the father plays a very important role in life – the father is your first teacher from whom you inherit knowledge, resources, connections, and material wealth. The presence of a strong father can give a head start in life. A strong 9th house makes it easier to find your destiny and can bless you with resources that often come from the father’s side. If you have Rahu in the 9th, either your father will be an ordinary person with a fair share of struggle and hardship in life, or you are finding it difficult to progress in life, or both. With Rahu in the 9th, it is likely that you have faced many rejections, and you find it difficult to achieve success. You are an aimless wanderer looking for a break in life. Rejections in interviews and failed business projects are part of such a placement. This does not mean that all people with Rahu in the 9th are doomed. What I claim is not gospel. There are exceptions. But if you have this placement it is best to consult someone professional who can evaluate your horoscope in totality and guide you onto the right path.