Ketu (South Lunar Node)
केतु
the tail of the serpent, the shadow planet of moksha
Ketu is the south lunar node — the tail of the serpent and, like Rahu, a bodiless shadow graha. Where Rahu craves the world, Ketu is detachment, spirituality and moksha (liberation). Ketu is the planet of the past, of intuition, of mysticism and of sudden endings; he gives what he gives without warning and strips away what is no longer needed. A spiritual Ketu grants deep insight and liberation; a difficult Ketu brings confusion, loss and a sense of emptiness.
Ketu Beej Mantra
ॐ स्रां स्रीं स्रौं सः केतवे नमः
Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave Namah
What Ketu Signifies
When Ketu is Strong
A well-placed Ketu gives sharp intuition, spiritual depth, healing and psychic ability, detachment from ego and the material, success in research, medicine, the occult and moksha-oriented pursuits, and the wisdom that comes from non-attachment. Ketu can make a great sage, healer or scientist.
When Ketu is Weak / Afflicted
An afflicted Ketu can bring confusion about identity and direction, sudden losses, isolation and emptiness, hard-to-diagnose illnesses, and a feeling of being cut off. The path is to embrace Ketu’s call inward — spiritual practice and detachment turn its losses into liberation.
Ketu Remedies (Upay)
- ✦Worship Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Lord Bhairav; recite the Ganesh mantra and the Ketu beej mantra.
- ✦Chant the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for healing and protection from sudden, hidden ailments.
- ✦Donate multi-coloured or grey items, sesame and blankets; feed dogs and serve sadhus and the homeless.
- ✦Take up spiritual practice, meditation and detachment — Ketu rewards the inward turn.
- ✦Wear a Cat’s Eye (Lehsunia) only on careful qualified astrological advice.
Mantras & Stotras for Ketu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ketu signify in astrology?
Ketu, the south lunar node, is a shadow planet of detachment, spirituality and moksha. He governs intuition, the past, mysticism and sudden endings. A spiritual Ketu grants deep insight and liberation; a difficult Ketu brings confusion, sudden loss and a sense of emptiness.
How can I pacify a malefic Ketu?
Worship Lord Ganesha and Bhairav, chant the Ketu beej mantra "Om Sraam Sreem Sraum Sah Ketave Namah" and the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, donate multi-coloured items or sesame, feed dogs and serve sadhus, and take up meditation and spiritual practice — Ketu rewards the inward, detached path. Wear Cat’s Eye only on qualified advice.
How are Ketu and Rahu different?
Rahu and Ketu are the two lunar nodes, always exactly opposite. Rahu (the serpent’s head) is worldly desire, ambition and amplification; Ketu (the tail) is detachment, spirituality and moksha. Rahu pulls you outward into the world, Ketu inward toward liberation.
See which grahas rule your chart — get your free birth chart: