Astrological Mythology The Meaning of ... - Mandhata Global

Parashara refers to seven visible and five invisible planets (BPHS Chapter
IV, Sloka 5-8, pp. 21-22). These invisible planets are named Rahu, Ketu,
Dhuma, Parivesha and Indradhanus. They are considered to be malefics or
productive of harm. This is because they externalize certain deep-rooted
faults in the individual. They produce unfortunate conditions in order to
eradicate personality weaknesses and instil the strength to face the ordeals
arising in the spiritualization process. This is based on the fact that the
individual in his incarnations accumulates many harmful influences which
have to be dissolved before a new spiritual orientation is possible. Such a
cleansing operation is neither very pleasant nor simple.
Rahu is the name given to the ascending node of the Moon. It is also known
as Ahi, which means a serpent, the Sun, the demon Vritra, a thief, a
scoundrel, or a cloud. Vritra, symbolically a serpent or dragon, is considered
to be the personification of darkness, as well as a mountain. The demon
Vritra was destroyed by Indra, the king of the gods. The serpent, as the great
power of Nature, represents the basic law of creation on which depends the
orderly progression of terrestrial existence.
Explaining the power represented by Ahi, Blavatsky relates it to the mighty
Dhyan Chohans, the collective groups of spiritual beings (SD Vol. I, P. 111).
These are the same as the angelic hosts of Christianity and the Elohim or
"Messengers" of the Jews — all of which are vehicles for the Divine or
Universal Thought and Will. They are intelligent forces which give to, and
enact in Nature her laws, while they themselves act according to laws
imposed upon them by yet higher powers.
Rahu and Ketu, the descending node, are important cosmic agencies. Their
primary function as messengers of higher powers is to destroy the asuric or
demonic tendencies within us. Rahu is described as a mountain and as
darkness because materialistic proclivities must be aroused to their fullness,
like dark mountains, before they can be destroyed. Yet Rahu is not simply
darkness; it accentuates darkness so that it must be effectively eliminated.
Rahu is considered malefic because it produces disenchantment with
material attachments and physical well-being, the most coveted aspects of
human life.
Being a shadowy planet, the effect of Rahu is felt primarily on the shadowy
counterpart of the human body, the psychological and psychic sheaths. The
concretization of the Divine Spark in the physical casement is the main
function of Saturn, which acts both to shape and to change the form. Saturn
operates primarily on the physical plane. Saturn and Rahu are similar in
many ways, but Rahu affects more one's thoughts, feelings and reactions to
things. Under adverse conditions, the reactions aroused by Rahu are