Rahu into Pūrvabhādrapadā: The Scorching Star

Rahu in Pūrvabhādrapadā

Artwork: Pinterest

March 16 — November 23rd

The chāyā (shadowy) graha Rāhu, depicted as mounted on a lion, bluish-black and smoke in color, residing in the forest, the renovator and eclipser of the luminaries, enters the Vedic Lunar Mansion of Pūrva Bhādrapadā पूर्वभाद्रपदा (Pisces), the Scorching Star, on March 16th.

To understand Rāhu graha a little more, we can look to the narrative of the hero’s journey and to the life of Varāha Avatār, the third incarnation of the daśāvatār of Lord Viṣṇu (the preserver and protector), the wild boar. Varāha Dev is one of the four full Paramātmās whose story narrates how Lord Viṣṇu came to rescue Bhūdevī (Pṛthvī), Earth, and restore her to her rightful place in the universe.

Rāhu is the karaka (significator) for justice, courage, truth, self-sacrifice, renovation, risking one’s life for a cause, going against the established order, the foreigner, and the protector of the Earth. With his tusks, Varāha is said to have the ability to dig up any impurities in the heart.

Pūrva Bhādrapadā is symbolized by metamorphosis, rebirth, tapas (penance), perseverance, and the undifferentiated fire energy that has the capacity to raise our consciousness. This constellation, being one of the birth stars of Mercury, represents the chaos and turmoil of fragmentation that births the wisdom of neutrality.

The Burning Pair’s deity (Aja Ekapāda) stands on one leg and has two heads—split yet able to see in both directions. Pūrva Bhādrapadā seeks to bridge heaven and earth, possessing the power to elevate and sacrifice (Yajamana Udyamana Śakti)

Pūrvabhādrapadā initiates an alchemical process where discipline and renunciation refine raw potential into awakened wisdom. This nakṣatra does not merely demand confrontation with duality; it invites us into a dance of integration, where material ambition and spiritual transcendence find their rightful place. 

How we manage vast reservoirs of life force energy becomes the defining arc of this cycle, shaping our capacity to channel intensity into focused intention. Yet, the cultivation of inner contentment amidst this dynamic flux is equally vital.

This sacrifice channels energy that can produce and draw down spiritual blessings. Through tapasya (austerity), this energy rises to melt and dissolve the veils obscuring the hidden moon within our minds, showering us with grace.

As Rāhu enters Pūrvabhādrapadā, symbolized by a funeral pyre, we stand at the precipice of transformation, where the purifying fire of Rūdra (fierce form of Śiva) dissolves illusion. While Rāhu’s presence here may manifest through sudden and unpredictable karma-phala (fruits of action), it ultimately compels a dismantling of rigid ideologies, allowing limitation to be transmuted into higher understanding.

Artwork: Pinterst

This is a cycle of intensity, yet not one of inevitable destabilization. The presence of Rāhu here is the ascetic who must temper his fire, the revolutionary who must refine his vision. Discernment (Viveka) becomes paramount, guiding us to differentiate between the higher call of dharma and the consuming hunger for dominion—whether material, intellectual, or ideological.

Rāhu amplifies an insatiable drive for knowledge, power, and ultimate truth, compelling us to navigate the razor’s edge of profound revelation and self-mastery. Those attuned to this energy may find themselves positioned at the forefront of social reform, philosophical inquiry, or disciplined spiritual practice.

The challenge—and the opportunity—is to ensure that transformation does not become an all-consuming blaze, but rather a luminous beacon. When tempered with humility, this fire does not devour but illuminates, revealing the path to higher realization and authentic awakening.

Those running a Dasha or sub-period of Jupiter or Rāhu, or with natal planets in Pūrva Bhādrapadā, will feel this transit's transformative energy even more profoundly.

This cycle will be defined by the goals you set for yourself and what you are willing to give away.

In the planetary protection mantras, we invoke Rāhu to protect our tongue.

For those navigating the depths of this transit, I offer one-on-one Vedic Astrology readings—guiding you through its unfolding with clarity and support. You can book here:

ॐ राम राहवे नमः | ॐ वराहाय नमः

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Rāhu in Uttara Bhādrapadā: The Warrior Star

Rahu's Transit into Uttara Bhādrapadā: Unveiling the Depths of the Subconscious

Artwork from Pinterest

The shadowy graha Rāhu, depicted as mounted on a lion, bluish-black and smoke in color, residing in the forest, eclipser of the luminaries, karaka (significator) of justice, courage, and mission, often associated with rebellion, the foreigner, and protector of Earth, enters the constellation of Uttara Bhādrapadā (sidereal Pisces), the Warrior Star, on July 8th.

Rahu's transit into Uttara Bhādrapadā, in the sidereal sign of Pisces, marks a profound journey through the realm of the unconscious. This lunar mansion, symbolized by the back of a funeral cot and a serpent of the deep, evokes a deep connection to the cycles of life and death, the fertility of both earth and sky. It is here, in the domain of Uttara Bhādrapadā, that Rahu weaves his enigmatic influence, guiding us to delve into the depths of our subconscious, to unearth hidden truths and embrace the wisdom that lies therein.

As Rahu traverses this celestial pathway, we are invited to harmonize with universal mind, to align our personal will with the greater cosmic order. This transit calls for introspection and a willingness to confront our shadows, to navigate the murky waters of our psyche with humility and self-sacrifice. It is through this process of excavation that we gain profound insights, transforming our inner landscape and fostering a deeper connection to the divine.

Uttara Bhādrapadā, ruled by the wise Saturn and situated in the realm of Jupiter, presents a dual energy, represented by the twin fishes swimming in the ocean of consciousness. This nakshatra embodies the duality of existence, the constant interplay between the spiritual and the material realms. It is the hero’s journey, marked by struggle, protection, and service, where the kshatriya spirit fights to find meaning and purpose amidst life’s challenges.

Within this nakshatra lies the wisdom of the serpent, a mystical force dwelling beneath the waters, carrying the ancient knowledge of Pisces. As Rahu enters this domain, the seeker encounters the serpent, embodying both wisdom and danger. The serpent’s bite, a metaphor for life’s trials, releases the poison of the material world, purging the toxins that hinder spiritual growth. This transformative pain is the catalyst for enlightenment, leading to moksha, the ultimate liberation.

Rahu, the asura who moves backward (heyoka energy), embodies the restless quest for knowledge and experience. In Uttara Bhādrapadā, Rahu’s influence is both malevolent and enlightening, revealing the illusions of the material world while urging us to create something meaningful from limited resources. This transit challenges us to confront our limitations, to embrace Saturn’s teachings of patience, resilience, and the practical wisdom of making the most of what we have.

As Rahu matures at 42, the struggle to balance the material and spiritual realms culminates in a profound realization. The trials faced, the poison endured, all contribute to the seeker’s journey towards enlightenment. It is through these experiences that we learn to transcend our earthly limitations, discovering the boundless potential within.

For those running a Dasha or sub-period of Rahu, or having natal planets in Uttara Bhādrapadā, the impact of this transit will be especially profound. The energies of Rahu will be strongly felt, intensifying the journey through the subconscious and magnifying the experiences of transformation and revelation. This period can bring about significant changes, urging a deeper exploration of one's inner world and a reevaluation of life's direction.

During this transit, let us remain steadfast in our spiritual pursuits, honoring the lessons of the past and preparing for the rebirth that follows the dissolution of the old. As we navigate Rahu’s passage through this mystical nakshatra, we attune to the subtle currents of our inner world, embracing the transformative power of introspection. In doing so, we open ourselves to the boundless wisdom of the cosmos, harmonizing our soul’s journey with the eternal dance of creation and dissolution.

For more personalized guidance on this long, impactful transit, know that I am here to support you and do offer one-on-one Vedic Astrology readings, which you can book here.

Varāha Dvādaśī

VARĀHA DVĀDAŚĪ

वराह द्वादशी

Image: Pinterest

On the twelfth day of the bright half of Māgha marks the festival honoring Varāha Avatār, the third incarnation of the daśāvatāra (ten) of Lord Viṣṇu, the wild boar. Varāha Dev is one of the four full Paramātmās (supreme Self) whose story narrates how Lord Viṣṇu came to rescue Bhūdevī (Pṛthvī), Earth.

Varāha’s story begins with the doorkeepers of Lord Viṣṇu’s realm, Jaya and Vijaya, who were cursed by Lord Brahmā’s four sons to take human birth and incarnate on Earth. The curse would be lifted only if the two human forms were killed by the hands of Lord Viṣṇu himself, to which they agreed.

Image: Pinterest

One of the brothers, Hiraṇyākṣa, dragged Mother Bhūmi to the bottom of the cosmic ocean to attact Lord Viṣṇu’s attention. The Lord took the form of a boar in order to slay the demon king, rescue the Earth, and restore her to her rightful place in the universe.

Lord Viṣṇu, the maintainer of this world, takes birth age after age only when the balance on Earth has been disturbed. This incarnation of Varāha Dev is associated with the graha Rāhu (north node) in Vedic astrology, who is the karaka for justice, courage, truth, self-sacrifice, risking one’s life for a cause, going against the established order, the foreigner, and the protector of the Earth.

Image: Varaha with his consort Bhudevi, copper sculpture from Tamil Nadu. c. 1600

With his tusks, Varāha is said to have the ability to dig up any impurities in the heart. We ask Rāhu to protect our tounge.

ॐ वराहाय नमः।