Rahu (North Node of the Moon)

Rahu is one of a number of chaya grahas (shadow planets), celestial objects which affect us but cannot be seen. The shadows of Rahu, the head of the serpent and north node of the moon, and Ketu, it’s tail and south node of the moon, cause the eclipses of our luminaries, Surya (Sun) and Candra (Moon). 

What the shadow planets do is much like the luminaries, but in reverse. They illuminate the deep-rooted, hidden faults, materializing them and bringing them to the surface for us to face and, hopefully, conquer. Rahu eats his way through the shells, downward, toward the core or center of gravity, where matter is at its densest, unearthing our skeletons. These shells may have formed in this life or in previous ones, but especially previous ones. Such trials brought on by both Rahu and Ketu seem out of control to us because they are hidden in our own shadows, in our karmic depths. We are blind to them and therefore either don’t understand them and/or don’t know how to overcome the faults they “bring to light.” As with any toxin rising to the surface, Rahu’s effects should be observed as a process of detoxification. We have to let Rahu do its thing. We have to conquer our demons and get our deep-rooted issues out of our system in order to move past them. Only then will the serpent loosen it’s grip and reward us with a spiritual awakening. As much as people associate Rahu with materialism, it’s all about the spiritualization process.

This planet is the ruler of mysteries and their sudden solutions, it rules sudden and quick gains from lottery, gambling, horse racing and likewise activities and it also rules sudden losses in all such fields. It can make or destroy a person in a matter of days and months. Taking current times examples, people who are making tons of Dollars from a website or websites which they launched some time back and never knew that these websites will be huge successes and will bring them uncalculated and unthinkable profits in a matter of few years, all such people are definitely blessed by this planet called Rahu among any other planets. Such is the power and magic of this planet that it can make or break fortunes in a matter of days and months. One day you’re just an ordinary man and the very next day you come to know that you’ve won a lottery or Jackpot worth many millions and suddenly you’re a very rich guy within a day. Ever wondered what planetary influence can be responsible for such sudden and huge gains. Well it’s none other than this planet which is called the ruler of mysteries and magic and is named as Rahu.

Rahu relates to unconscious desires, ambition, pleasures, fear and uncultured behavior. It works much like Saturn and can bring unexpected losses, misfortunes, failure and frustrations in life. This planet is animalistic in nature. It awards the person with worldly comforts, unexpected success, gains, riches, power and strength.

When positioned positively in a horoscope, it gives victory over enemies and opposition too. But the problem is that there is always a sense of dissatisfaction. Rahu makes you never satisfied with your ambitions, gains, success, money and lifestyle. There is an insatiable hunger for more. It drowns the native into unconscious desires, which he is unable to comprehend but relentlessly pursues. This leads to addictions, obsessive behavior, overly ambitious nature, unrealistic expectations and fantasies. 

Basic Astrological facts about Rahu
Gender of Rahu: Feminine
Rahu is the karaka or significator of: Spiritual knowledge
Rahu as relationship signifies: Governs maternal grandparents
Planetary cabinet status of Sun: Does not have any status.
Temperament of Rahu: Erratic and unpredictable.
Element governed by Rahu: Vaayu or air element.
Primary quality or Guna of Rahu: Tamo Guna or dull and ignorant.
Caste of the Rahu: Outcaste, not fit to be a part of normal society. 
Nature of Rahu: Malefic.

Rahu rules the zodiacal Sign: Dose not have ruler-ship of any Zodiacal Sign.
Sign of exaltation of Rahu: Taurus.
Sign of debilitation of Rahu: Scorpio.
Rahu’s friends are: Venus, Mars and Saturn. 
Rahu’s enemies are: Sun and Moon. 
Rahu is neutral with: Jupiter and Mercury. 
Rahu’s Vimshottari Dasha period: Eighteen Years.
Nakshatras or Lunar mansions governed by Rahu are: Ardra Nakshatra, Swati Nakshatra and Shatabhisha Nakshatra.

Direction ruled by Rahu: Southwest
Metals governed by Rahu: Lead
Gemstone governed by Rahu: Hessonite or Gomed
Substitute gemstones governed by Rahu: Agate.
Colors ruled by Rahu: Black and gray.
Food and flavors governed by Rahu: Leftovers and inedible foods of foul taste.
Numbers as per Numerology governed by Rahu: 4, 13, 22, 31 and all those that adds up to four, are governed by it.

Positive key words for Rahu: Originality, Independence, Insight, Inspiration & Imagination. 
Negative key words for Rahu: Confusion, Deception, Illusion, Addiction & Neurosis.

Body parts, function and diseases governed by Rahu
Rahu dose not govern any body parts but will govern the body part as denoted by planet or planets with which it is in conjunction or in aspect. Rahu governs all types of epidemics, insanity, skin diseases, poisoning of all types. Rahu acts like Saturn thus all body parts and diseases governed by Saturn is also governed by Rahu.

Professions governed by Rahu
As Rahu acts like Saturn, generally he rules the profession signified by this planets, but apart from this he signifies professions related to occult arts, and magic. Rahu the Dragons Head or North Node represents foreigners, foreign countries, foreign travel, engineering and the technical trades, gambling dens, the underworld and the bad elements in the society.