Ketu Mahadasha main sequence of experiences or "what to expect"

by Barbara Pijan Lama

• Ketu's Great Wander may manifest on any combination of the physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual planes.
  

• The scale and intensity of the wander depends very much on the characteristics of the bhukti lords.
  

• Typically, Ketu period cuts one free of one's moorings. In the beginning this is disorienting, but after a period of adjustment one may begin to feel "comfortably numb".
  

• Ketu in a dushthamsha can force confrontation with some difficult karma during the wander.
  

• In 6, Ketu may create inscrutable and often painful physical ailments.

• In 8, constant and occasionally catastrophic identity change, along with introduction to mysteries and access to information or hidden places.
  

• In 12, pilgrimage, often entering a cloister, and seeking sanctuary in meditation. If ill-disposed, potential imprisonment.

• From the onset of Ketu mahadasha, one's earthly moorings may become increasingly loose until the bhukti of Ketu's lord.

• If Ketu's lord is one of the earlier bhukti-pati such as Shukra or Surya, the wander begins earlier in the mahadasha. If the bhukti-pati is one of the later lords such as Shani or Budha, the length of the total walkabout is less but intensity of disconnectedness may be stronger. Particularly if Ketu's lord is Shani, the emphasis on austerity and lonely wandering may be very well defined.
  

• Ketu mahadasha is only seven years long.
  

• Somewhat dependent upon the native's age at the time of onset; naturally an older person is less inclined toward the hippie-backpack lifestyle of a younger students.

• However in middle age and afterward, Ketu periods tend to instigate social disconnectedness such as job loss and divorce, and can be associated with the "spacing out" behaviors of alcohol and drug use to avoid or numb emotional suffering of loneliness.

Ketu/Ketu period

• surrender

duration = 5 months

One embarks upon the Ketu bhukti with a hunger for spiritual detachment driven by a sense of surrender to  disappointment in human relationships.

he urge toward pilgrimage and wandering will reach its maximum potential now. Permeability of the aura, overall state of distraction, and fearful memories of abandonment and rejection dominate the awareness. Passive, reactive, and in despair.

One's wandering style is determined by Ketu's bhava, house-lord, drishti and other characteristics.

Ketu owns no houses and has no goals. He is a passive observer, and dramatically intuitive, but His intuition is directed to no purpose. He is present, but not involved.

• In rashis of Shukra, favors aimless relationships with other wanderers, or with those who are addicted to escapist behaviors. The native is attractive, but deeply unsettled.

• In rashi of Surya, favors groundless self-assertion and meaningless moral claims. Comical self-righteousness. Pretty much a nutcase, but wildly excited by their own proposals. Easily offended.

• In rashi of Chandra, painfully sensitive to all feelings. Due to psychic nerve pain, the native must withdraw from interaction. One may remain at home with the mother, or seek a similarly safe enclosed space. Fear of the ocean, of dying, of loss.

• In rashis of Kuja, sporadically aggressive and competitive, while appearing passive most of the time. Favors surprise attacks and brilliant insights. Requires a strong, supportive Kuja to achieve good results.

• In rashis of Guru, ambivalent about humanistic goals due an underlying despair about the human condition, but wants to "do something" about large-scale social ills. Prone to take off traveling, saying one is going to "help" - but gets distracted along the way. Accepts teaching assignments but does not fulfill them. Angry at times.

• In rashis of Shani, extremely passive and depressed. Complete apathy. May have no motivation to make choices or participate in social life. Tends to wear grey, black, and dark blue clothing. Extreme detachment may lead to enlightenment. May stop eating.

• In rashis of Budha, confused and chattery speech. Wrong analysis; proposes unsupportable claims and argues for their defense. Calculation mistakes. Unintentional incursions into the lives and conversations of others. Cannot be trusted. Does not know where the social boundaries are.

Ketu/Shukra period

duration = 14 months

Ketu's mandate for separation and spiritualized detachment from material pleasures is directly in conflict with Shukra's agenda to balance, pleasure, and luxuriate in the sensual company of human beings.

Ketu mahadasha creates an overall psychic climate of spiritual seeking and a predisposition to non-investment in material relationships.

During the Ketu/Shukra period, Shukra's agenda can encourage the native to enter a new love relationship or re-invest in an existing marriage.However, the results may be disappointing or neutral.

One consequence Ketu/Shukra period may be that the chosen human partner can manifest the Ketu-ish psychological imbalance. Perhaps the love partner or business partner is longing to bond with someone else, not the native. Generally this dilemma is not discussed within the partnership. The couple flip-flops around in a state of disclarity unable to set goals, plan their future, or be concrete about anything more complex than their next meal.

he best relationships during Ketu period are spiritualized friendships without sexual implications, and direct meditative bonds with one's ishta-devata. Human bonds seem too heavy and easy sensuality quickly develops too much "baggage".Ketu likes to 'travel light.'

• If Ketu and Shukra are well-balanced in radix and navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supplements the quest for luxury and pleasure.

• If the radix Ketu/Shukra angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and attraction to Other.

Ketu/Surya period

duration = 6 months

Via the "snowplow" action of Shri Ganesha, Ketu pushes away all obstacles on the spiritual path. Surya is divine intelligence seeking expression in the human being.

Barring an unfortunate 6/12 angle, Ketu and Surya can cooperate. Ketu clears the path for pilgrimage, and Surya supplies the ego entitlement to travel that path. The native remains inward-focused, but with a surprisingly self-righteous outer expression. Often a time of high adventure.

• If Ketu and Surya are well-balanced in radix and navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supplements the quest for certain truth.

• If the radix Ketu/Surya angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and asserted moral principle.

Ketu/Chandra period

duration = 8 months

Retreat to safety and a secure routine. In Ketu/Chandra, the native seeks shelter from sudden changes and insecurity along the pilgrim's path.

A time of quiet retreat, ideally near the ocean. Emotional relationships are psychically sensitive and care-taking. Emphasis on food and nurturing, caring for and serving others, staying close to home.

• If Ketu and Chandra are well-balanced in radix andd navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supplements the quest for shelter and nurturing.

• If the radix Ketu/Chandra angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and the demands of core family/love relationships.

Ketu/Mangala period

duration = 4 months

A sudden burst of competitive energy from Mangala changes Ketu's passive mood. Intolerance toward those not committed to the austerities of the path.

Separations and splits from those with whom one can no longer travel (whether the traveling is a physical pilgrimage or one's path leads through more fixed life environments like school, home, and work).

Separations are easy, due to Ketu's fundamental detachment. Rejection of those who are not committed to the rigors of the path. Strict military style of spiritual discipline. Goal-oriented and intolerant of weakness.

• If Ketu and Mangala are well-balanced in radix and navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supports the desire for a spiritual "win".

• If the radix Ketu/Mangala angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and competitive instinct.

Ketu/Rahu period

duration = 12 months

Strange and sudden attractions and rejections. A passive, inexpressible desire to possess the unattainable yet profoundly familiar Other. Deep subconscious recognition that this Other is the One. Anticipation of wholeness, but no communion is possible.

The native and one's object remain interactive in the same local environment, yet the couple cannot mate. Ketu looks longingly at Rahu, but Rahu looks passionately at Mt. Meru, where He wishes to sneak in to the party of the gods. Rahu has no interest in Ketu.

One can see the Beloved, one's Other Half, yet One is not recognized. Like Ketu, one lacks the status prestige that Rahu is seeking. Exhilaration, frustration, obsession, and certainty that the Other has now been found. Yet the bond with this miraculously discovered Other cannot be consummated. Unrequited love.

• Ketu and Rahu are always well-balanced in radix and navamsha. Psychic sensitivity always complements and supports obsessive-compulsive desire. Rahu and Ketu are crazy-making!

Ketu/Guru period

duration = 11 months

From a detached and neutral perspective, knowing that the Other is present yet connection and wholeness is delayed, one sallies forth into further adventure. The spiritual path is energized by Guru's wisdom teachings.

One develops a philosophical openness to divine guidance. Higher powers may provide perhaps a different path than one might have presumed for oneself. A cheerful optimism, grounded in neutrality and passive observation.

• If Ketu and Guru are well-balanced in radix and navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supports a general optimism and the native enjoys a philosophical view.

• If *Rahu* and Guru are in trine angles, the object of desire - be it a person, a deity, a magical power, or an experience - will be obtained.

• If the radix Ketu/Guru angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and competitive instinct.

Ketu/Shani period

duration = 13 months

Optimism turns to skepticism and despair, as Shani's cold realism creates a need for disciplined effort

he native's personal sensitivities are ignored by a thoughtless, mechanized institution or program. Loss of ego involvement creates psychological invisibility. The individual identity nearly disappears. Work process is demanding, highly routinized, and since the native is not invested the outcome, results have no value for ego justification. Yet one proceeds, locked into the work process and the institutional structure (Shani).

If Shani is yogakaraka, Ketu/Shani period is a hard-labor building-block phase of social duty and responsibility. Longer term benefits from indoctrination (4/5) or leadership training (9/10) pursued now.

• If Ketu and Shani are well-balanced in radix and navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supports Shani's neutrality, dedicated hard work and following the rules

• If the radix Ketu/Shani angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and work demands.

Ketu/Budha period

duration = 12 months

Summary stage of the pilgrimage. Praise for the deep interior awareness achieved, and release of unsustainable beliefs and expectations.

Ketu is still pushing away obstacles to spiritual progress, removing attachments, and perpetuating discontent with material reality. Budha wants to think, analyze, to discuss. Budha realizes that the path of pilgrimage is ending, a One feels the urge to make a plan (Budha) for the future.

Yet Ketu the passive observer resists mental involvement with the world, and concrete discussions quickly turn into mystical musings. The only type of plan that Budha can develop is a slightly more detailed continuation of the wander -- albeit this final phase of pilgrimage is a bit more commercially engaged.

Mental restlessness and confusion. Any work undertaken for "practical" reasons is unsuitable. Good for partnership and conversation with fellow travelers; short-term travels such as visits to temples and ashrams; visits to family and friends.

Conversations, though frequent, tend toward aimless musings. Ketu's spacey intuitiveness provides an unstable foundation for Budha's mundane counting and conversational practices. No sense of direction, and a deep unhappiness from inability for form a clear, mentally precise future plan.

remendous gap between the longing for a spiritual life that is like looking into a still pool of clear water, versus the mentally busy, daily chat and chatter of modern commercial life. Often a mix of activities, none of them grounded in spiritual practice, and adolescent frustration with things being just too difficult and complicated. Not quite ready to come out of one's shell. A sibling-type relationship offers protection.

he path of pilgrimage is essentially completed by the end of Ketu/Budha period. The native has journeyed long enough. The sibling-type partnerships formed during Ketu/Budha may develop into something sweeter during the forthcoming Shukra mahadasha.

But even if the native continues alone, one is finished with the emptiness, the disconnectedness, the minimalist lifestyle, and perpetual wandering of Ketu.

Austerity shifts to acquisitiveness, and loneliness to loving daily union.

Shukra will seek luxury; marriage partnership; and knowledge of human love.

• If Ketu and Budha are well-balanced in radix and navamsha, psychic sensitivity complements and supports Budha's planning, scheduling, accounting, and communication agenda.

• If the radix Ketu/Budha angle is unfavorable, expect some tension between spiritual detachment and daily conversational interactions with others. Mental breakdown is possible.

71.

Now I will tell you about the Dasha of Ketu, who is a headless trunk (Kabandha) amongst all the Grahas.

72-77.

• If Ketu is in a Kendra, a Trikona,

• Or in Labha,

• in a benefic Rashi,

• in his exaltation, or in his own Rashi,

here will be during his Dasha

• cordial relations with the king,

• desired headship of a country, or village,

• comforts of conveyances,

• happiness from children,

• gain from foreign countries,

• happiness from wife

• And acquisition of cattle.

• If Ketu is in Sahaja,

• Ari,

• Or Labha,

here will be in his Dasha

• Acquisition of a kingdom,

• good relations with friends

• And opportunities for the acquisition of elephants.

At the commencement of the Ketu Dasha there will be

• Raja Yoga.

During the middle portion of the Dasha there will be

• possibilities of fearfulness

And in the last part there will be

• sufferings from ailments and journeys to distant places.

• If Ketu is in Dhana,

• Randhra,

• Or Vyaya,

• Or receives a Drishti from a malefic,

here will be [during His dasha]

• imprisonment,

• destruction of kinsmen and residential premises

• And anxieties,

• company of menials

• And diseases.

1-2 1/2.

• if Ketu is in a Kendra, or Trikona,

• Or, if Ketu is related to Dharma's, Karma's, or Bandhu's Lord.

Effects, like

• happiness from wife and children,

• recognition from the king,

• but mental agony,

• gain of land, village etc.

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Ketu in his own Dasha,

3-4.

• if Ketu is in his debilitation Rashi

• AND, if Ketu is in Randhra, or Vyaya along with a combust Grah.

• Heart disease,

• defamation,

• destruction of wealth and cattle,

• distress to wife and children,

• instability of mind etc.

will we be the results,

5-6.

• if Ketu is related to Dhana's, or Yuvati's Lord, or, if Ketu is in Dhana, or Yuvati.

here will be

• danger from diseases,

• great distress

• And separation from kinsmen,

Remedial measures

The remedial measure to obtain relief from the above evil effects, ishe remedial measures to obtain relief from the above evil effects are

• performance of Durga Saptashati Japa

• And Mrityunjaya Japa.

7-9 1/2.

• if Shukra is in his exaltation, in his own Rashi,

• Or, if Shukra is associated with Karma's Lord in a Kendra, or Trikona

• And there will be dawn of fortune, if in such position he is associated with Dharma's Lord also.

Effects, like

• beneficence from the king,

• good fortune,

• gain of clothes etc.,

• recovery of lost kingdom,

• comforts of conveyances etc.,

• visits to sacred shrines a

• And gain of lands and villages by the beneficence of the king,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Shukra in the Dasha of Ketu,

10-11.

• if Shukra is in a Kendra, Trikona,

• Or in the 3rd, or 11th from the Lord of the Dasha.

• Sound health,

• well-being in the family

• And gains of good food and conveyances etc.

will be the results,

12-14.

• if Shukra is in the 6th, 8th, or 12th from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• quarrels without any cause,

• loss of wealth,

• distress to cattle,

• If Shukra is in his debilitation Rashi,

• Or, if Shukra is associated with a debilitated Graha,

• Or, if Shukra is in Ari, or Randhra,

here will be

• quarrels with kinsmen,

• headaches,

• eye troubles,

• heart disease,

• loss of wealth

• And distress to cattle and wife.

15.

• if Shukra is Dhana's, or Yuvati's Lord.

Physical distress and mental agony will be caused,

The remedial measures to obtain relief from the above evil effects are

• performance of Durga Path

• And giving a tawny-coloured cow, or female buffalo in charity.

16-17.

• if Surya is in his exaltation, in his own Rashi,

• Or, if Surya is associated with, or receives a Drishti from a benefic

• in a Kendra, Trikona, or in Labha.

he effects, like

• gains of wealth,

• beneficence of the king,

• performance of pious deeds

• And fulfillment of all ambitions,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Surya in the Dasha Ketu, i

18-19 1/2.

• if Surya is associated with a malefic, or malefics in Randhra, or in Vyaya.

• Danger from the king,

• separation from parents,

• journeys to foreign lands,

• distress from thieves,

• snakes and poison,

• punishment by government,

• Antagonism with the friends,

• sorrows,

• danger from fever etc.

will be the results,

20-21.

• if Surya is in a Kendra, Trikona,

• in the 2nd, or 11th from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• physical fitness,

• gain of wealth,

• Or the birth of a son,

• success in performance of pious deeds,

• headship of a small village etc.,

22-24.

• if Surya is associated with evil Grahas in the 8th, or 12th from the Lord of the Dasha

• Obstacles in availability of food,

• fears

• And loss of wealth and cattle

will be the results, .

• distress at the commencement of the Antara Dasha

• with some mitigation at its end.

25.

• if Surya is Dhana's, or Yuvati's Lord.

here will be

• fear of premature death,

he remedial measure to obtain relief from the above evil effects and to regain comforts by the beneficence of Surya is to give a cow and gold in charity.

25-28.

• if Chandra is in her exaltation, in her own Rashi,

• in a Kendra, Trikona,

• in Labha, or in Dhana.

Effects, like

• recognition from the king,

• enthusiasm,

• well-being,

• enjoyments,

• Acquisition of a house, lands etc.,

• Abnormal gains of food, clothes, conveyances, cattle etc.,

• success in business,

• construction of reservoirs etc.

• And happiness to wife and children,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Chandra in the Dasha of Ketu,

he beneficial results will be realized fully, if Chandra is waxing.

29-30.

• if Chandra is in her debilitation Rashi,

• Or in Ari, Randhra, or Vyaya.

• Unhappiness and mental agony,

• Obstacles in ventures,

• separation from parents,

• losses in business, destruction of cattle etc.

will be caused,

31-33.

• if Chandra is in a Kendra, Trikona,

• Or in the 11th from the Lord of the Dasha

• AND if Chandra is endowed with strength.

here will be

• he acquisition of a cow, or cows,

• land, agricultural lands,

• meeting kinsmen and the achievement of success through them,

• increase in cows milk and curd,

here will be

• Auspicious results at the commencement of the Antara Dasha,

• cordial relations with the king in the middle portion of the Antara Dasha

• And danger from the king, foreign journey, or journeys to distant places at its end.

34-36.

• if Chandra is in the 6th, 8th, or 12th from the Lord of the Dasha.

• Loss of wealth,

• Anxiety,

• enmity with kinsmen

• And distress to brother,

will be the results,

there will be

• fear of premature death.

The remedial measures to obtain relief from the above effects are

• recitation of Mantras of Chandra

• And giving in charity things, connected with Chandra.

37-39.

• if Mangala is in his exaltation, in his own Rashi,

• if Mangala is associated with, or, receives a Drishti from benefics.

Effects, like

• Acquisition of land, village etc.,

• increase in wealth and cattle,

• laying out of a new garden,

• gain of wealth by the beneficence of the king,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Mangala in the Dasha of Ketu,

here will definitely be

• gain of land and enjoyment.

40.

• if Mangala is in a Kendra, Trikona,

• Or in the 3rd, or 11th from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• recognition from the king,

• great popularity and reputation

• And happiness from children and friends,

41-42.

• if Mangala is in the 8th, 12th, or 2nd from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• fear of death/disaster during a foreign journey

• , diabetes,

• unnecessary troubles,

• danger from thieves and the king

• And quarrels,

In the above circumstances amidst evil effects there will be some auspicious effects also.

43-44.

• if Mangala is Dhana's, or Yuvati's Lord.

• High fever,

• danger from poison,

• distress to wife,

• mental agony

• And fear of premature death

will be the results,

By the beneficence of Mangala there will be enjoyment and gain of property, if, as a remedial measure,

• .

45-47.

• if Rahu is in his exaltation, his own, in a friends Rashi,

• Or in a Kendra, or Trikona, or in Labha,

• Or Sahaja, or Dhana.

Effects, like

• increase of wealth and gain of wealth, grains, cattle, lands, village from a Yavana king,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Rahu in the Dasha of Ketu,

here will be

• some trouble at the commencement of the Dasha,

but all will be well later.

48-50.

• if Rahu is associated with a malefic in Randhra, or in Vyaya.

• Frequent urination,

• weakness in the body,

• cold fever,

• danger from thieves,

• intermittent fever,

• Opprobrium,

• quarrels,

• diabetes,

• pain in stomach

will be the results,

here will be

• distress and danger

The remedial measure to obtain relief from the above evil effects is

• Durga Saptashati Path.

51-54.

• if Guru is in his exaltation, in his own Rashi,

• Or is associated with Lagna's, Dharma's, or Karma's Lord

• in a Kendra, or Trikona.

Effects, like

• increase in wealth and grains,

• beneficence of the king,

• enthusiasm,

• gain of conveyances etc.,

• celebration, like birth of a son at home,

• performance of pious deeds,

• Yagyas,

• conquest of the enemy

• And enjoyments,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Guru in the Dasha of Ketu,

55-56.

• if Guru is in his debilitation Rashi,

• Or in Ari, Randhra, or Vyaya.

• Danger from thieves,

• snakes and wounds,

• destruction of wealth,

• separation from wife and children,

• physical distress etc.

will be the results,

• though some good effects may be felt

At the commencement of the Antara Dasha,

• here will be only adverse results later.

57-58 1/2.

• if Guru is associated with a benefic in a Kendra, Trikona,

• in the 3rd, or 11th from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• gains of many varieties of garments, ornaments by the beneficence of the king,

• foreign journeys,

• taking care of kinsmen,

• Availability of decent food,

59-60

• if Guru is Dhana's, or Yuvati's Lord.

• Fear of premature death will be caused,

The remedial measures to obtain relief from the above evil effects are

• Mrityunjaya Japa

• And recitation of Shiva Sahasranama.

61-62 1/2.

• if Shani is deprived of strength and dignity.

Effects, like

• distress to oneself and one's kinsmen,

• Agony,

• increase in cattle wealth,

• loss of wealth, as a result of imposition of fines by government,

• resignation from the existing post,

• journeys to foreign lands

• And danger of thieves during travelling,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Shani in the Dasha of Ketu,

here will be

• loss of wealth and lethargy,

63-65.

• if Shani is in a Trikona in Meena, in Thula, in his own Rashi,

• Or, if Shani is in an auspicious Navamsha,

• Or is associated with a benefic in a Kendra, Trikona, or in Sahaja.

• (Translators note: According to Brihat Jataka, Shani in Tula, Meena, Dhanau, Makara and Kumbha in Lagna gives Raja Yoga).

• Success in all ventures,

• happiness from the employer,

• comforts during journeys,

• increase in happiness and property in ones own village,

• Audience with the king etc.

will be the results,

67-68.

• if Shani is associated with a malefic, in the 6th, 8th, or 12th from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• physical distress,

• Agony,

• Obstacles in ventures,

• lethargy,

• defamation,

• death of parents,

• Fear of premature death

may be expected

The remedial measures to obtain relief from the above evil effects

• performance of Havan with sesame seeds ("Til")

• And giving a black cow and female buffalo in charity.

69-71.

• if Budha is in a Kendra,

• Or Trikona,

• Or, if Budha is in his exaltation,

• Or in his own Rashi.

Effects, like

• Acquisition of a kingdom,

• enjoyments,

• charities,

• gain of wealth and land,

• birth of a son,

• celebration of religious functions and functions, like marriage suddenly,

• well-being in the family,

• gain of clothes, ornaments etc.,

will be derived in the Antara Dasha of Budha in the Dasha of Ketu,

72.

• if Budha is associated with Dharma's, or Karma's Lord.

here will be

• Association with men of learning,

• dawn of fortune

• And listening to religious discourses,

73-74 1/2.

• if Budha is associated with Sani, Mangala,

• Or Rahu in Ari, Randhra, or Vyaya.

• Antagonism with government officials,

• residing in other people's houses,

• destruction of wealth, clothes, conveyances and cattle

will be the results,

here will be

• some beneficial effects at the commencement of the Dasha,

• still better results in the middle,

• but inauspicious at the end.

75-76.

• if Budha is in a Kendra, Trikona,

• Or in the 11th from the Lord of the Dasha.

here will be

• good health, happiness from one's son,

• Opulence and glory,

• Availability of good food and clothes

• And abnormal profits in business,

77-79

• Distress, unhappiness and troubles to wife and children

• And danger from the king

may be expected at the commencement of the Antara Dasha,

here will, however, be

• visits to sacred places

in the middle of the Dasha.

• if Budha is Dhana's,

• Or Yuvati's Lord.

• Fear of premature death

will be caused,

The remedial measure to obtain relief from the above evil effects is

• recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama