an e magazine from ASSAM & NAGALAND      

The lunar orbit actually exists, whereas the ecliptic is an apparent circle and if one has to superimpose astrophysics on astrology, it has to be assumed that the lunar orbit is laden with lunar dust.As the solar wind passes through this possible dust-laden belt, large part of neutral proton will alter to charged particles and nature of the solar energy approaching the Earth will get drasti cally modified. 'North node' being the last modifying factor in the solar-terrestrial electromagnetic energy relationship, it is considered to have the final say or have the highest intrinsic strength (naisargik bala).

Ketu's 'role' is less dominant and more precarious. The point of Ketu is located on the

lunar orbit in the opposite side of North node, hence not the solarwind but the magnetotail of the Earth will stream past over the point of Ketu. If electromagnetic energy streams of magnetotail gets lost in space as most of the astrophysicists postulate, 'Ketu' should not have any 'effect' on this Earth. Some astrophysicists believe that the magnetotail reverses its direction in space after crossing the lunar orbit and return back to the Earth's 'Sun facing side' (J. Piddingtot -1966). In the second case the 'Ketu' also becomes a powerful agent in controlling the quantum and quality of solar electromagnetic energy reaching the Earth's surface.

The nature of Rahu and Ketu as we have visualized satisfies most of the astrological requirements.

1. Indian astrology dictates that anything that is normal is considered as 'Subha' (beneficial- even death in proper time), and any deviation from normalcy is taken as 'Asubha' (malevolent). The Rahu and Ketu being two points in the space where solar wind and magnetotail change their normal character and get enriched in 'charged particles' thereby making them maleficient (Indian astrologers always view 'high energy' with some suspicion as evidenced by stellar classifications).

2. The Sun and all other planets (including the Moon,- by reflection) either emit electromagnetic energy, or deplete the same by their gravity. Rahu and Ketu do not have gravitational pull, nor do they generate or deplete electromagnetic energy. Till the medieval age, in Indian astrology, the Rahu was represented by 'Dhuma', and the Ketu was known as 'Sikhi' which signified comet, meteoritic shower and some little understood celestial phenomena. Absence of 'aspects' of Ketu is universally accepted, and aspects of Rahu was introduced in the medieval period. Rahu's aspect on the 2nd and 12th houses actualy means that 'the effects of Rahu' will be 'felt' through the whole quadrant (90°,on both sides 45°) where Rahu is located.

This conform to our idea that the Rahu's disturbing effects, will modify the nature of electromagnetic energy over a wide space. The celestial positions alloted to Rahu and Ketu also explain why they apparently 'move' in clockwise direction. We have dealt this subject in this detail just to show that in Indian astrology, orbit of the Moon has been given nearly equal importance as to the Moon itself.