The devas and asuras churned the Paarkadal to obtain amirtham that would free them from death, keeping them alive for ever. When the amirtham emerged, Lord Vishnu in the guise of Mohini was distributing the amirtham only to the devas. He was worried that the evil deeds of the asuras will increase multifold if they consumed amirtham. Realising this, one of the asuras with the help of the asura guru Sukrachariyar, took the form of a deva and consumed the nectar. Suryan and Chandran who noticed this, complained to Lord Narayana. In anger, Lord Narayana hit the asura on the head with the spoon in his hand. The head was cut off and fell on the ground. But because the asura had consumed amirtham, his head and body continued to live. The head portion of the asura attached itself to a snake body to become Rahu Bhagavan. The body portion that was thrown away fell in Pothigai mountain region. This was found and preserved by a Brahmin. The head of a snake got attached to the asura body to become Kethu.

Persons afflicted by Kethu dosham are stricken with fears of dacoity, bad habits, loss of property, loss of face, putra dosham. By praying to Kethu Bhagavan, one can be rid of the doshams. Motcham, sight, property, land, gold, vehicle, fame, wife, children, happiness, unexpected property gains are the beneficial aspects of Kethu Bhagavan.

Knowledge, business, leprosy, poisonous bites are the aspects of this planet.

The sthalam of Kethu is Keezhperumpallam, which is located 6 kms from Thiruvengaadu, enroute to Poompuhar. His wife is Chitralekha. The presiding deities are Naaganaadaswamy and his consort Ambal. He faces the North-West direction. The Adi Devatha is Chitraguptan and the Prathyathi Devatha is Brahma; his colour - multi-colours and his vahana is the eagle; the grain associated with him is khollu; the flower - red alli (lily); fabric - multi coloured cloth; gem - Vaidooriyam (cat's eye); food - rice mixed with khollu powder.

As I mentioned in my piece on Rahu in the previous issue, Rahu and Ketu are also known as Dragon’s head and Dragon’s tail. They are considered the nodes of Moon, or shadowy planets because they don’t have physical bodies. The two planets move backwards or are retrograde and give sudden and unexpected happenings in life. Their effects are modified for better or for worse depending on if they are by themselves or conjoined with other planets. Usually the effects of Rahu are considered like that of Saturn and Ketu like that of Mars, although some astrologers also think that Kethu is like Mercury and gives only half the results if by itself in any house.

Following are the effects of Kethu in various houses in the Horoscope. This is basic information and all planets are affected by degree, conjuctions, aspects on them, placement among other things.

Kethu in the First House: The person has a sharp intelligence but if Jupiter or Mercury doesn’t aspect the planet, the full potential of the person may not be fulfilled. It gives restlessness, discontentment and in spite of hard work, struggles continue financially. In Capricorn, Scorpio, Aries and Aquarius when the position will be less detrimental, Kethu tends to create many problems. It affects conjugal happiness also. A person with this placement is often exploited by others.
Kethu in second House: It gives financial ups and downs, health troubles in the throat and dental region, obstructs education and makes the person inclined to use foul language when angry... Family tensions will abound. If Kethu is strong and well placed then there will be opposite results and many financial gains.
Kethu in the third house: This placement makes the person strong and intelligent, with a lot of mental and physical toughness, but also mental stress due to disputes that occur from time to time. It gives success and long life but the upper part of body especially the arms may be prone to injury.
Kethu in the fourth House: Unless Kethu is well placed, it can give losses through real estate, affect mother’s health adversely. It affects studies and causes family tension and breaks in education.
Kethu in the fifth house: This will give loss of first pregnancy to a woman unless husband’s horoscope is strong. Even then it will give a difficult pregnancy or difficult delivery. It makes one prone to stomach troubles also if badly placed, and affects relationships with children.
Kethu in the sixth house: This gives strength, determination, name and fame. A person with this placement can overcome any adversity or opposition. It does predispose the person to piles and fistula or other private organ infection and affects eye sight adversely. Early childhood is usually not happy.
Kethu in the seventh house: This gives danger from water and gives attachment to a partner not accepted by family. It can also give hernia or other intestinal infections. Stomach area is weak. It gives mental worry, losses from theft, but Kethu in Scorpio in the seventh will be beneficial.
Kethu in the eight house: Unless in one of its benefic signs, this position affects longevity adversely. It gives financial losses, quarrels and opposition from loved ones. If Kethu is well placed in Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Virgo and Scorpio it will give gains. Ailments in the area ruled by the sign Kethu is in, in the eighth house will occur. There will a be a tendency to have extra marital flings. It also makes a person accident prone.
Kethu in the ninth house: Gives troubles to father and paternal relations, but gains from foreigners. Affects family ties adversely especially with male siblings. If joined with a benefic the negative effects will lessen.
Kethu in the tenth house: This gives popularity, brilliance and stamina. The person will always overcome his/her ill wishers and will travel far and wide.
Kethu in the eleventh: This gives financial gains but affects progeny adversely. Number of children may also be limited.
Kethu in the twelfth house: This is an adverse location for finances. Conjugal happiness is impaired.