The Challenges of Rahu
Narrative of Rahu
The myth behind the shadow planet Rahu speaks of the demon Swarbhanu, who was beheaded after the churning of the Ocean of Milk, where-from the last gift that emerged was amrita, the nectar of immortality. The demons and the gods had agreed to cooperate and churn the ocean of milk in order to receive the precious gifts it possessed. They would take the gifts – but the demons engaged in subterfuge and obtained the last gift – the pot containing the nectar of immortality. The gods, outraged, called to Lord Vishnu for aid. The aid was given in the form of an enchantress who deceived the demons, all but Rahu, who took his place among the gods, was found out and subsequently beheaded. The head was known as Rahu, and later, the body was resuscitated and known as Ketu. In this way we have the story behind how eclipses come about with the action of the two non-luminary planets, Rahu and Ketu.
There is one signifcant aspect of Rahu as planet casting influence: Rahu’s influence on the mind frequently surfaces as illusion, hallucination and over-use of imagination to form reality, where balance and common-sense would test what is imaged within against a wholesome, well-serving self-discipline. As the ego is outward-seizing in nature and seeks to grasp all that it sees (note the meaning of graha is to grasp) there are uncommon challenges for who are driven by the influence of Rahu. Rahu seeks to have, to possess or to dominate in social situations, depending on what house Rahu is in. Rahu’s location the 12 bhavas (houses) determine the nature of the inner creations of the mind.