FOREWORD Rahu and Ketu, the north and south nodes of the moon, are bably the most interesting, profound and mysterious of sj, lanetary influences in Vedic astrology. As the dragon's head ant dragon's tail of western astrological thought the two nodes present powerful psychic forces beyond our personal control s+ inderstandling. They deal with the secret, hidden, eccentr itual or perverse sides of life-the higher and lower ranges sf juman activity beyond the normal scope covered by the seven jor planets. ‘The nodes are closely connected to world events and globay is-the broader streams of destiny and the collective infleney, can overwhelm our personal karma, including destructive wrences like wars or plagues. They are also key indicators yp ture social developments. For example, the mass media relates Rahu, which represents new, popular and expansive trendy, ile much of the cutting edge of science and technology; lig 1puters, relates to Ketu, which represents insight, precision an ‘king the secrets of nature. In this regard Ral and Ket hae lace in Vedic astrology similar to that of the outer planets yf ss, Neptune and Pluto in western astrology which are aly, for collective phenomenon, Raha comes from the Sanskrit root ‘rah’ meaning to hide any to what is secret, mysterious and profound of a cave. Raky ies or protects and indicates Maya, which is not only ilusion valso any magical power or captivating knowledge. Ket coms ym the root ‘ci’ meaning to highlight, appear or becons jousness or a flag.2 THE RAH KETU EXPERIENCE Prash Trivedi offers what is probably the longest, most researched and most original book on Rahu and Ketu published in modern times. He has studied the classics thoroughly and "understands the ancient symbolism of the nodes, which he explains ‘with great lucidity. But he is no mere repeater of old information. Like « research scientist who carefully examines all the data before drawing any new conclusions, he adds important new insights based tipon his own experience which expands the range of traditional meanings in order to cover moder conditions today. He has examined the role of the nodes in numerous charts, several of which are highlighted as important examples in the book, and js not simply indulging in unfounded speculation when he introduces his opinion into the text. In the Rahu-Ketu Experience, Trivedi reveals himself as one of the mest promising young writers on Vedic astrology coming out Of India today. He is also easily one of the best Indian writers on Vedic astrology in an English idiom. Though there are many good new books on Vedie astrology coming out of India recently, ‘unfortunately most are poorly written and hard to understand for westerners, Though born and raised in India, Trivedi’ style is not ‘taulitionally Indian, but quite clear and contemporary almost a if ‘rritten by an American. His mind reflects a global perspective not Bound to any limited cultural sphere. Most notably, Trivedi combines a deep spiritual view along with practical methods of ‘Chart interpretation in a remarkably balanced approach that will ‘beof interest both to nuts and bolts predictive astrologers and those for whom the spiritual and mystical side is most important. The Rahu-Ketu Experience is worthy of serious examination by all students of Vedic astrology and all those interested in the great mysteries of life, death, karma and transformation. We look forward to many more such books from the author in the comin, years. Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri ‘Author, Astrology of theScors, Yoga and Ayurvedia ek ‘resident, American Council of Vedic Astrolog) LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IMAGES “The Gods and Demons churing the Celestia Osean Lond Shiva drinking he dead poison which fame out of the churning ‘The various treasures coming out ofthe churning _Dhanvantar the Celestial Physician coming out ‘wih the pot containing Ami, the Divine Nectar ‘Vishny, in the form of Mohini, distibuing the nectar to the Gods while the Demons look on eaptvated by her charm ‘May Divine Rai bestow is Grace upon us ‘May Divine Ket bestow its Grace upon us {A Demon named Swarthany, sees through the trick nd tisguised as « God quiet sips over tothe row ofthe Gods Vishnu, coming back this original form, fu of the hen of Swarbhane Lod Brahma granting Planetary status to Rahu and Ket ‘TABLES ub. Joimin Aspects Mable 2. Minor Periods within Rahu's Majo Period Aoble 3. Minor Periods within Kets Major Period u B ae 17 18 196YANTRAS (Numerological Totems) Ieper Yarra Ral Yana sain Yor Moon Yantra Mercury Yasira SatarnYanten Ketsvantra 126 126 130 a a ey 136 ut no. Chart no.2 Chart no 3 Chart no $ Chart ps8 Chart nes Chart nos? Chart nos Chart no, 9 ‘Chart no. 10 (Chart nos TL Chart nos 12 Gurt ne 1a Chart noid Chart no 18 Chart no. 16 Chart no. 17 Chart no. 18 Chart no. 19 (Chart no. 20 Chart no. 21 (Ghat no, 22 (Chart no: 23 Chat no 24 ‘Chart no. 25 ‘Chet ne. 26 (Chart. 27 (Chart es 28 (Charo. 29 (Charen. 30 Chart no. 31 (Chart no. 32 LIST OF CHARTS 1). Keshnamuety Nivtasche Sigmand Froud Keshna BV, Raman ‘Albert Bein Edgae Cayoe [Napoleon Bonaparte HP Blavatsky ‘Adolph Hite Jim Fendese| Jian Moerison "Osho" Rajneesh Queen Vitoria Brice ee Inia Gan Vivolananda INN BS. Rao 1 Word War ‘eWorld Wat ‘Atomic Bomb dropped at Hiroshima United Sate of America Emperor Hiroto Soler Eclipse on Sumner Solstice 2001 a. 30 a4 37 38 aa 226 230 au 8 37 351 355 360, 307 368 369 a7 a7 Al the charts have been made using the Bilt Data sources uns others indi ‘a Birth Time Rectifeation has boon dane forthe charts, where accurate bth lime is unavadae. All charts te costrsted wing Lait AjeetINTRODUCTION A global vision of astrology is dawning upon us as we stand on. the brink of entering a New Age. This new astrology, which has the potential of becoming the universal religion ofthe future instead of just being an art of peeping into the future, is being birthed out of ‘the synthesis and integration of al the existing systems. Theres in ‘ruth nothing ‘new’ about this ‘new astrology’ as i i just a reds covering of the knowledge, which has existed since the beginning, Cf time and was known in its pristine purity to the ancients. ‘The present day astrology can basically be divided into two main systems Vedic and Western, Both aren a sense complimentary to each other as one takes care of the weaknesses of the other. The VedicSystem known as [yotish or Vedic Astrology however is much ‘more precise and advanced than the Western System, and is thus likely to form the core of the New Astrology. Wester astrology on the other hand has some basic anomalies like operating with the astronomically inaccurate Tropical Zodiac, but a detailed discus- sion on that isnot relevant to this book. However there is an area in Which both seem to be lacking; though ‘ignoring’ would be a better term to.use, ‘This area relates to the astrology of the Lunar Nodes. What comes fas a greater surprise is that the neglect is continuing and precious litle is being done to restore the balance! The extent of the neglect can be gauged by the fact that not a single definitive book dealing, specifically with the lunar nodes has come outas yetin either Vedic or Western astrology. Though some of the Western astrologers have penned down some oftheir thoughts and observations on the lunar Nodes, their works are in no way comprehensive as they totally ne- fleet the knowledge from other systems. In India, the home of Vedic astrology, only a few preliminary works have been published till date.