Rahu and Ketu do not own any signs, but they do own nakshatras, and hence are assigned

appropriate dasha periods in the Vimshottari dasha system. Rahu owns Ardra, Swati and Shatabisha and has 18 years of Vimshottari dasha. Ketu owns Ashvini, Magha and Moola nakshatras and has 7 years out of 120 years of Vinshottari dasha period. Although Rahu and Ketu have not been assigned lordship of any sign and house yet erudite astrologers like Parashar, Kalidas, Baidyanath, Mantreshwar considered some signs of much importance. Likewise, according to Parashar, Rahu is exalted in Taurus and Ketu in Scorpio. Cancer is Mooltrikona and Virgo is own sign of Rahu but for Ketu Gemini is Mooltrikona and Sagitattarius and Pisces are his own signs. In this way if Tauras is the sign of exaltation for Rahu, the 7th Scorpio is his sign of debilitation. Rahu is considered powerful to bestow fortune and success when exists in Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo and Aquarius while Ketu, inturn, is powerful in the opposite signs, ie, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricon, Aquarius and Pisces. Although Rahu considers the lumaniries Sun and Moon as his enemy, but impart successful results in their signs, Cancer and Leo. However, Kalidas considered Cancer and Leo as enemy of Rahu and Ketu. Rahu is a friend of Mercury, saturn and Ketu but Sun, Mars and Venus are his enemy and Moon and Jupiter are neutral to him. If Sun and Venus or Sun and Saturn associate together in a sign, Rahu is considered to provide adverse results. In this state Rahu spoils the good traits of his house and the native observes obstacles in the path of progress and success. The cojunction of Saturn-Rahu vitiates the horoscope with Shrapit Yoga which is responsible for tremendous difficulties in the life of the native. In general, Rahu carries the positive and beneficial tone of Jupiter and hence stands for growth and development and self help while Ketu expresses the restrictions and obstacles of Saturn and hence thought to restrict growth. In this way Rahu represents positive objectives and Ketu denotes the easy way out with little opportunity for growth. Thus Rahu signifies materialism and desires, whereas Ketu signifies spiritual tendencies and process of the refinement of materialization to spirit but obstacles in the material realm. Rahu is considered to be wile, deceitful and dishonest. After all, Rahu did succeed in tricking Vishnu in serving him immortal nectar. Therefore, Rahu is described as a liar, foul mouth and full of criticism about others. He creates psychiatric disorders and other diseases of mind, especially when conjunct with Moon. However, if well placed in ones horoscope, Rahu gives courage, prestige and fame. It can bring out extraordinary qualities in terms of supernatural in an individual. Rahus negative tendencies such as to destroy intelligence can be removed by strengthening Mercury which represents intellect. Perhaps this is the reason that Rahu is considered beneficial in Mercurys sign, Gemini and Virgo. Ketu is considered both malefic and benefic, as it causes sorrow and loss, and yet at the same time it turns the individual to God and the final liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Therefore, Ketu is an indicator of intelligence, wisdom, non-attachment, penetrating insight, derangement, and psychic abilities. Despite of such negative characteristics, we survive with the wrath of these evil planets because they are bound to affect one or more houses in our horoscopes. Rahu or Ketu bestows good success and fortunes in his period when placed in either movable (Aries), fixed (Taurus, Leo, Aquarius) or dual (Gemini, Virgo) sign in an angle (ie, 1, 4, 7, 10) or

trine (5 and 9th) places termed as benefic houses in the asterism of the lord of either benefic houses and/or associated with the lord of either benefic houses. It means that the nodes become fruitful if they occupy an angle or a trine and get associated by or aspected by their lord. It can be concluded that they are optimum beneficial in angles than in trine. Such natives get good opportunity and prosperity and become rich, active and authoritative. By the aspect of the Jupiter the nodes instill the native with philosophical and religious traits. The nodes in benefic houses give a unique setup of thinking, working and imaging and nourish the native with ingredients of creativity as well as logic and decisive power which lead to progress and success. Either of the two nodes become strongly fatal and give debt, disease or death in its period, if occupies any evil place such as 6th, 8th or 12th in association of the lord of the evil place or even any naturally benefic planet (Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus). The same bad effects are also produced when either of the two nodes in association of the lord of fatal place, ie, 2nd, 7th or 11th occupies any fatal place. The node in association of the lords of either 2nd, 7th or 11th house also become fatal even if it occupies house of fortune, ie, 5th and 9th. If one gets born in asterism Ashwini, Magha or Moola, he is most likely to suffer in Rahus period. Similarly, Ketus period may be proved bad if one borns in Aridra, Swati or Shatabhisha. It is believed that Rahus period is more effective, powerful and durable than that of the Ketu.