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crimsoncurrentlevel 1
ZEWeirdga
·
4 days ago
The Western interpretation of the nodes is actually quite recent. North Node in a more traditional sense was used in Arabic astrology mostly and was viewed as a very fortunate and positive influence. This coincidences with the Indian interpretation of Rahu as a magnifier, increaser and an influence which brings obsession with this or that. However, being that it is not a tangible planet it heavily depends on conjunctions, signs and sign lords among other things. There is no significant difference between the Arabic / Hellenistic view of NN. / SN. (Caput et Cauda Draconis), it is mostly a cultural thing actually. While the Arabs and Greeks viewed materialistic success and deep interest in materialism which the NN. signifies as positive, the Indians viewed it as negative and obstructive to the achievement of enlightenment and spiritual liberation. For the same reason the SN. in Arabic astrology was on par as far as its malevolence goes with Saturn, or perhaps even worse, and is described as such by Sabians as well (who were notorious for their star worship). So in my opinion it comes to to mostly cultural conditions that lead to the difference, which astrologically speaking there really isn't much difference.
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goldenapple212
OP
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4 days ago
That's great history, thanks. Although it's intriguing that the Indian interpretation of Ketu is also malefic. If Ketu is oriented away from materialism, shouldn't that be of benefit to the spiritual?
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ZEWeirdga
·
4 days ago
Yes, but everything is not black and white. The Rahu-Ketu bad thing is an oversimplification by astrologers, not by the books themselves. Ketu is viewed negatively because it portends solitude and celibacy, which is antithetical to the Hindu ideal of married life and family growth. At the same time, a spiritual aspirant would be more than happy to have a prominent Ketu in their chart. But even from a simple astrological perspective Ketu can indicate childbirth and in certain combinations guarantee it so it's not at all that gloomy. However due to its ability to separate and isolate, cause confusion and relinquishing of the material life it features a heavily negative spot in the West without basically any positive associations (until very recently thanks to Vedic astrology influence).
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blorghu
·
4 days ago
This is because of how Rahu amd Ketu came to be. https://vedicfeed.com/story-rahu-and-ketu-and-their-significance/
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level 1
anticivastrologer
·
3 days ago
ZEWeirdga
·
4 days ago
The Western interpretation of the nodes is actually quite recent. North Node in a more traditional sense was used in Arabic astrology mostly and was viewed as a very fortunate and positive influence. This coincidences with the Indian interpretation of Rahu as a magnifier, increaser and an influence which brings obsession with this or that. However, being that it is not a tangible planet it heavily depends on conjunctions, signs and sign lords among other things. There is no significant difference between the Arabic / Hellenistic view of NN. / SN. (Caput et Cauda Draconis), it is mostly a cultural thing actually. While the Arabs and Greeks viewed materialistic success and deep interest in materialism which the NN. signifies as positive, the Indians viewed it as negative and obstructive to the achievement of enlightenment and spiritual liberation. For the same reason the SN. in Arabic astrology was on par as far as its malevolence goes with Saturn, or perhaps even worse, and is described as such by Sabians as well (who were notorious for their star worship). So in my opinion it comes to to mostly cultural conditions that lead to the difference, which astrologically speaking there really isn't much difference.
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level 2
goldenapple212
OP
·
4 days ago
That's great history, thanks. Although it's intriguing that the Indian interpretation of Ketu is also malefic. If Ketu is oriented away from materialism, shouldn't that be of benefit to the spiritual?
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level 3
ZEWeirdga
·
4 days ago
Yes, but everything is not black and white. The Rahu-Ketu bad thing is an oversimplification by astrologers, not by the books themselves. Ketu is viewed negatively because it portends solitude and celibacy, which is antithetical to the Hindu ideal of married life and family growth. At the same time, a spiritual aspirant would be more than happy to have a prominent Ketu in their chart. But even from a simple astrological perspective Ketu can indicate childbirth and in certain combinations guarantee it so it's not at all that gloomy. However due to its ability to separate and isolate, cause confusion and relinquishing of the material life it features a heavily negative spot in the West without basically any positive associations (until very recently thanks to Vedic astrology influence).
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blorghu
·
4 days ago
This is because of how Rahu amd Ketu came to be. https://vedicfeed.com/story-rahu-and-ketu-and-their-significance/
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anticivastrologer
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3 days ago