Lessons of Ketu dasha

In Vedic astrology Ketu is called the moksha karaka or significator of liberation. Being the polar opposite of it's worldy ambitious counter part, Rahu, Ketu's nature is that of a detached, simple renunciate. Ketu is motivated toward quiet and solitude, not materialistic gains. Ketu dashas, therefore, often result in breaks in employment, which may simply manifest as a time for an extended vacation, or a sabbatical. However, Ketu dashas can also be a time of unexpected material losses, where circumstances force us to take time for reflection and introspection. The lesson that Ketu teaches is to return to what is most important - our internal peace of mind. The breaks in our life that Ketu dashas bring, often result in the integration of a more balanced lifestyle, where unnecessary complications and attachments fall away. However, it can also be a confusing process to get there. Ketu dashas can bring disillusionment with the material world and a lack of motivation. At the same time, Ketu can increase our spiritual longing, which can lead to addictions for someone without a spiritual discipline. So, while Ketu is the moksha karaka and Ketu dashas can represent a big step toward spiritual liberation, it can also be a confusing time that requires introspection to sort it all out.

Natal Chart This chart is of a man who recently lost his job at the beginning of his Ketu sub dasha within his Sun dasha. He had worked as a college art professor for the last couple years and was suddenly fired, for no apparent reason. Ketu is in the 11th house representing organizations and institutions, and unaspected by any planets. Because Rahu and Ketu do not rule any houses the placement and condition of its ruler becomes even more important for understanding the effects of their dasha. Ketu is ruled by the Sun who is the 11th lord in the 10th house with the 10th lord, the Moon. The Sun's position is strongly placed in the 10th house, which certainly helped him secure his job as a professor during the Sun dasha. However, the Sun and Ketu are bitter enemies which indicates the tension that Ketu's sub dasha represents.

Transits May 25 2007 In the transit chart of the day he was fired, May 25, 2007, you'll notice that he is in the middle of his sadi saati period, or Saturn's transit over the Moon. In fact, Saturn is exactly conjunct the Moon, the 10th lord. This may appear to be the primary cause of his loss of the job. However, it is a common mistake to make transits the primary cause of events. In Vedic astrology they are secondary to the dashas. If it had been a Saturn or Moon dasha then this would be extremely significant. I interpret Saturn's transit (and in fact the double transit of Jupiter and Saturn) as indicating the focus and challenges in the area of career, but not the primary cause of the loss of his job. This is because it's the transit of the dasha lords and the transits to the dasha lords that should be looked at as the primary contributing influences by transit. He was in the Sun-Ketu-Sun dasha, with the Sun transiting through the 8th house of sudden change, and Ketu transiting throught the 11th house. These are the primary causes for the break in connection with the institution in my opinion. The Sun being the 11th lord, and Ketu in the 11th house both natally and by transit, indicates that an institution is involved. In addition, the Sun is the significator of organizations and institutions. This sudden loss of his job began a period of introspection that he expected would be a major theme of his summer. His Ketu sub dasha lasts through August 29th.

Source: Vedic Astrology Archives