Major Transit of Rahu and Ketu into Pisces and Virgo

Why You Should Prepare for a Dramatic Sea Change Beginning October 30

We will experience an astrological “sea change” beginning on Monday, October 30, 2023!

On this date, the mean lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu will move into new sections of the zodiac. After having transited through Aries and Libra for the past year and a half (since April 12, 2022), Rahu will be moving into sidereal Pisces, and Ketu into sidereal Virgo. They will remain in these new sections of the zodiac for about a year-and-a-half, until May 18, 2025.

Be aware that as the lunar nodes are transitioning into new signs, they are passing through the highly unstable edges between the signs from early October until the third week of November, which I discussed in a previous article.

Calculating the Positions of the Lunar Nodes

Please note that my calculations are not based on the true lunar nodes, but on the more traditional mean lunar nodes, which have always worked well for me. I do realize this is a controversial topic in astrology.

If you prefer using the true node positions, Rahu and Ketu will transit in Pisces and Virgo from November 28, 2023 until May 29, 2025, and they are on the unstable cusps between signs from mid-September until mid-December.

The Meaning of Lunar Node Transits

The entry of lunar nodes into new signs is significant because Rahu and Ketu represent the main karmic axis (focus of growth, action, and destiny) for an individual, entity, nation, or the entire world. This type of nodal shift occurs approximately every eighteen months. This shift is part of a larger approximate eighteen-year cycle marking the transit of the lunar nodes all the way around the zodiac. When we observe and follow these changing energies, we can better align with the ever-progressing dance of our karmic evolution.

Understanding the Astronomy of the Lunar Nodes

The lunar nodes are not physical planets. Instead, they are “shadow planets,” known as chaya graha in Vedic astrology. Rahu and Ketu are two astronomical points that mark the intersection of the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun) with the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. The lunar nodes are the shadows that create eclipses every six months when the New Moon or Full Moon aligns closely with Rahu or Ketu.

The north or ascending node of the Moon, known in Western astrology as Caput Draconis or the “Dragon’s Head,” is called Rahu in Vedic astrology. It marks the place where the Moon’s orbital path moves into the northern ecliptic hemisphere. The south or descending node, known in Western astrology as Cauda Draconis or the “Dragon’s Tail,” is called Ketu in Vedic astrology. It marks the point where the Moon’s orbital path enters the southern ecliptic hemisphere.

Understanding the Astrology of the Lunar Nodes

Even though the lunar nodes are not physical planets, Vedic astrology assigns them equal status to the other planets. In fact, Ketu is considered the eldest of the planets and the head of all the stars and planets. Both lunar nodes represent the churning of karma and thus are said to specifically mark our soul’s journey through time.

The lunar nodes are always placed in opposite signs and houses from each other in what is known as the “nodal axis." This is also called the “karmic axis" because it causes us to experience the polarities that stir up our lives in order to bring out our full karmic potential.

The nodes have an occult, subtle, and “shadowy” influence, which means that they exert their influence psychologically as well as tangibly. Regardless of the way in which it influences us, the natal or transiting nodal axis will reveal some of our greatest challenges and opportunities.

Rahu’s natal and transiting placements represent our evolutionary progress in the material realm. Rahu also shows our drive and opportunities. Rahu can indicate the best areas on which to focus our attention in terms of our outer goals and achievements. Ketu reveals our latent talents, the issues that need to be purified and the lessons to be learned in relation to our past karma and spiritual progress.

The Meaning of Rahu and Ketu's Recent Transit in Aries and Libra

Rahu has been transiting in Aries, and Ketu in Libra, for close to a year and a half (from April 2022 and until October 30, 2023). The tension of the Aries-Libra nodal axis is directed toward fulfilling individual needs while also having to respond to the needs and demands of others. As Aries and Libra are active and dynamic fire and air signs, the essence of the nodal transit here has been generally yang—dynamic, egocentric, ambitious, driven, extroverted, discordant, agitated, and heated.

The Meaning of Rahu and Ketu's Transit into Pisces and Virgo

Beginning on October 30, the nodal transit into Pisces-Virgo will gradually begin to focus on the tension between faith and belief, spirituality and science, and heart and mind. Pisces and Virgo are passive water and earth signs, so the crux of the nodal transit here is generally yin—universalizing, collaborative, receptive, empathetic, intuitive, creative, hypertensive, introverted, equable, restless, and cool.

In its more evolved expression, this transit may suggest that more people will seek spiritual answers to their problems, learn to prioritize essential matters, and say “no” to whatever is less important during the next eighteen months. This could specifically include placing the material world in perspective, developing more faith and compassion, and taking responsibility for making the world a better place.

Classical sources of Jyotish (Vedic Astrology), including Sage Parashara, have suggested that Ketu is the co-ruler of Pisces, and Rahu is the co-ruler of Virgo. This would mean that Rahu in Pisces and Ketu in Virgo are each in detriment (also known as exile). This occurs when a planet is positioned opposite the sign it rules. Planets in detriment tend to function in unusual and unexpected ways. In this case, Rahu and Ketu will act more unpredictably than usual.

Some of the qualities of Rahu in Pisces and Ketu in Virgo include:

• Intelligent, determined, scholarly, creative, original, innovative, intuitive, spiritual, gifted in communication, and introverted.

• Able to see the big picture and also drill down into the details.

• Passionate, witty, personable, romantic, idealistic, energetic, caring, and charismatic.

• Perfectionistic, supersensitive, restless, anxious, rebellious, eccentric, naive, stubborn, authoritarian, impulsive, compulsive, escapist, reckless, cunning, seductive, impractical, and extravagant.

Many scientists, spiritual leaders, and philosophers were born with Rahu in Pisces and Ketu in Virgo in their birth charts. For example, Nikola Tesla, Ram Dass, Carl Jung, and Nostradamus have this placement in their birth charts. This shows the brilliant and visionary quality of these positions for Rahu and Ketu. 

Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current electricity supply system.

Many authors, poets, and entertainers also have this placement of Rahu and Ketu. The birth charts of Dylan Thomas, Victor Hugo, Meryl Streep, Céline Dion, and Elizabeth Taylor all have this combination. Again, these people embody the gifted and creative nature of Rahu and Ketu in these signs. 

Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer. Referred to as the "Queen of Power Ballads", she is noted for her powerful and technically skilled vocals. Her music has incorporated genres such as pop, rock, R&B, gospel, and classical music.

The Possible Impact of Rahu and Ketu in Pisces and Virgo on the World

In Mundane Astrology, Pisces is the sign of water, as well as waterways (oceans, rivers, lakes), shipping, the Navy, crime and criminals, prisons, the unhoused, political plots and secrets, escapism, illegal drugs and addiction, pharmaceuticals, concentration camps, places of entertainment, religion and ideology, welfare, charity, and the well-being of the people (or lack thereof). Virgo has to do with science, technology, work, the armed forces, police, and medical/health matters. In their lower expression, Rahu and Ketu in Pisces and Virgo can wreak havoc in any of the areas represented by these signs. On the positive side, the lunar nodes in Pisces and Virgo can indicate technological, scientific, and medical discoveries and achievements.

Earthrise photo of the Earth taken by Apollo 8 crew member Bill Anders on December 24, 1968 while in orbit around the Moon. Apollo 8 (December 21–27, 1968) was the first crewed spacecraft to leave low Earth orbit and the first human spaceflight to reach the Moon. The crew orbited the Moon ten times without landing, and then departed safely back to Earth. This technological achievement occurred while Rahu was transiting in Pisces and Ketu in Virgo.

The Transit of Rahu in Pisces and Ketu in Virgo in the United States Birth Chart

In the United States birth chart, transiting Rahu in Pisces will occupy the fourth house, and transiting Ketu in Virgo will occupy the tenth house. This can indicate wars and major difficulties for the government and the affairs of the nation as a whole. Rahu will be transiting in the second house from the Moon in this chart as well, which can point to economic turmoil.

Rahu in Pisces is disposited by (ruled by) combust Jupiter, which occupies the stormy Ardra nakshatra in the seventh maraka (difficult) house of foreign associates and open enemies. When Ketu enters Virgo, it will transit in conjunction with natal Saturn, indicating the potential for significant upcoming changes in the White House and with the President in the coming year.

This is further indicated because Ketu in Virgo will be transiting in the tenth house of the executive branch of the government, and will be disposited by Mercury which occupies the eighth house of economic turmoil, death, war, accidents, and transformation. Several other astrological factors reflect the same outcomes, including the United States Sade Sati in place from 2020 to 2028; the highly malefic United States Rahu mahadasha (cycle) in place from 2015 to 2033; and the metamorphic United States Pluto Return occurring from 2023 to 2025.

I looked through my database of mundane horoscopes in which significant events occurred when Rahu was in Pisces and Ketu was in Virgo. Here are a few of the events that I found:

• November 163 to June 165 AD: The beginning of the Antonine Plague which decimated the Roman Empire. Also known as the Plague of Galen, it was an epidemic introduced to the Roman Empire by soldiers from the Middle East starting in 165 AD and lasting until 180 AD.

• August 1893 to March 1895: This was during the Financial Panic of 1893-94.

• March 1912 to October 1913: The sinking of the RMS Titanic occurred in April 1912. It was the largest and most luxurious ship in the world, and was also one of the most technologically advanced. Rahu represents sudden accidents as well as technological inventions, and Pisces represents the ocean. This was also the era of the first Balkan Wars, which marked the emergence of modern military conflict and were a prelude to World War I. In many respects, these were ideological wars, which makes sense as Rahu represents conflict, and Pisces is the sign of ideology and religion.

• October 1930 to May 1932: The first year of the Great Depression.

• June 1949 to December 1950: The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953, beginning on June 25, 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea following years of hostilities between the two countries. The first Soviet Atom Bomb test occurred on August 29, 1949, which led to a dangerous new chapter of the Cold War.

• January 1968 to July 1969: A time of significant turmoil and change in the United States, including the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King. In addition, 1968 was the bloodiest year of the Vietnam War (which was an ideological war). The Hong Kong Flu pandemic also occurred this year.

• August 1986 to March 1988: Black Monday occurred in this cycle, on October 19, 1987, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell unexpectedly by 22%. This marked the start of a global stock market decline.

• March 2005 to October 2006: The bursting of the United States housing bubble began in the fourth quarter of 2005, which led to the Great Recession (Rahu was transiting in the fourth house of real estate in the United States chart, as it will be now again). Additionally, Hurricane Katrina occurred in August 2005. It was a devastating Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused 1,836 fatalities and damage estimated at between $97.4 billion to $145.5 billion. It was particularly devastating in the city of New Orleans and surrounding areas. Rahu represents catastrophes and storms, and Pisces signifies water.

These events show us that epidemics, war, political assassinations, financial turmoil (including corrections in the housing market), and natural disasters involving water and storms can be associated with Rahu and Ketu in Pisces and Virgo. Unfortunately, this transit of the lunar nodes could reflect ongoing difficulties in the United States. That said, the lunar nodes in these signs have also been associated with some encouraging events in the past, such as technological advancements.

Conclusion 

As you can see, the shift of Rahu and Ketu into Pisces and Virgo has some positive and some negative elements. As to the latter, epidemics, water-related disasters, worldwide economic problems, social and political upheaval, and war can occur when the nodes are in this position. On a more personal level, some may struggle with emotional issues, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Yet, there is also great potential for progress to be made through creative inspiration, spiritual upliftment, self-development, constructive collaboration, humanitarian action, and amazing new discoveries.

I hope that the movement of Rahu and Ketu into new signs will be beneficial for you during the next year and a half.

Please note that this and all my other forecasts are based on the sidereal zodiac used in both Vedic and Western sidereal astrology, not the tropical system used by most Western and a small number of Vedic astrologers. All the astrological charts that I work with and share are calculated according to the sidereal zodiac and Lahiri Ayanamsa.