Navagraha · Vedic Astrology

Ketu (South Node)

Ketu · केतु

Ketu (the south lunar node) is Rahu's opposite — the severed tail of Svarbhanu. While Rahu represents worldly desire, Ketu represents detachment, past-life mastery, and the drive toward moksha (spiritual liberation). Where Ketu sits in the birth chart shows an area of innate ability (developed over many lifetimes) but also an area of natural detachment and eventual release. Ketu is the most spiritual of all the Navagraha — when strongly placed (especially in the 12th house or conjunct benefics), it produces profound spiritual wisdom, psychic ability, and the capacity for liberation. However, Ketu also creates confusion, sudden losses, and inexplicable events in its domains — because it represents karma being released rather than accumulated. Ketu's association with Scorpio energy makes it the planet of hidden knowledge, occult sciences, and sudden endings that lead to new beginnings. In 2026, Ketu occupies Virgo for the entire year.