What happens during ‘nodal return’/ Rahu transit over Rahu?

Hari Om Namo Narayana!

First of all, the best example that I can give to you of how powerful ‘Rahu’ return can be, is the case of Prince Charles. Oh wait, sorry it’s King Charles the 3rd!

Guess who has their North node transiting over their natal north node in the tenth house?
It’s the brand new king of England!

Now, let’s go deep into understanding what really happens when the North node is ‘returning’ to its natal position in the chart:

First of all, the North node ‘Rahu’ is the significator of the soul’s purpose in this lifetime.
- The nodal axis in a person’s chart shows us what patterns their soul is familiar with through past lifetimes of growth and what patterns it has manifested to master in this lifetime.
Now, as with any planet in ‘vedic’ astrology, there are natal influences that are more or less static on the native’s life.
Then there are influences as a result of transits which are based on the movement of these planets in the sky.
There are maturation ages for each planet denoting the ages approximately around which these planets mature and the native is able to better harness their energies.
‘Yogas’ being formed as a result of transits also have influence in the native’s life and so do transits of the planets through the D-9, D-10 and rest of the divisional charts.
Then there are planetary ‘returns’.
- Planetary returns are periods where a planet passes over the natal position of that same planet in the birth chart.
- Planetary ‘returns’ enhance the impact of the natal placement in the native’s life.
- These are very important time periods observing which, a lot of important predictions can be made about the native’s upcoming experiences, challenges and journey.

Think of it like this:

You have subject teachers in college and you also have HOD, Dean, Principal and Class teacher.
However, each of these people specialize in a particular subject, as part of being a teacher.
So even though they may supervise/coordinate with many different departments or teachers, when it comes to their own area of expertise i.e. their ‘own subject’, they will take a special interest in its affairs.
Something similar happens when you see a planetary return happening.
- These periods point out towards a massive reorientation and change of focus in the individual’s life path.
- Now depending on your level of mastery of that subject, this will be a pleasant or unpleasant experience.
Also, a lot will depend on the teacher as well.
- For example, Saturn return in the 6th house for a Leo ascendant will be tough because Saturn rules one malefic and one ‘maraka’ house for this ascendant.
- However, if the Saturn placement is strong and Saturn for the native’s chart is strong, then the native will go through tough lessons probably but all in all they will grow stronger from the experience as a whole.
- If Saturn placement and strength is difficult in the chart then this will most probably be a harrowing experience for the native.

Similarly when you have the North node return taking place, the ground rules will be the same.
This is also when the South node return is taking place. Most people miss that out.
1. People think that the South node is not as important but it all depends on the placement and strength in the chart.
If the South node is more strongly placed in the chart, the influences of that will be felt more.
If the North node is stronger in influences, its impact will be felt more.

All in all, the net output will be one of a reprioritization and reorientation of various life aspects for the native.

This doesn’t have to be difficult or bad or troublesome period in any way. In fact, it gets better with age.

Why?

‘Rahu’ matures at 42 and ‘Ketu’ matures at 48. Therefore as you age, you learn how to be more in harmony with these influences.

Once they mature, you are able to direct and channel their energies much better.

However early in life, especially the first time around, when this transit takes places is at 18. After that it takes place every 18 years since the nodes transit each sign counter clockwise for 1.5 years at a time.

The first time can be very chaotic especially if you have difficult placements for these nodes in your chart.

If let’s say, you have the North node in the 8th house and South node in the 2nd, the first transit of ‘Rahu’ over ‘Rahu’ can causes all sorts of upheaval in the native’s life.

Similarly, if the South node is in the first house and North node in 7th, this can be a massively transformative period for the native in which they completely let go of their old personality at least as how the world saw them. In fact with the South node in the 1st house, it will definitely cause a spiritual awakening in some way for the native. It will redefine their life path and purpose.

For example in King Charles’ example given above, the ‘Ketu’ return part happening in the 4th house points towards the loss of his mother Queen Elizabeth.
1. It materialized.
The ‘Rahu’ return part happening in the 10th house points to him succeeding to the throne.
1. Which also materialized.

There are many layers in this analysis as well and for that you have to look at different aspects of the chart such as the ‘nakshatra’ placements. This helps you truly understand what event that nodal return is pointing towards.

Hope this helps.

Hari Om Namo Narayana!