Rahu Ketu.. Serpentine Lords of Irony/Paradox

CONCEPT 05: Discontinuity & Continuity

2011-09-30T00:38:00.002+05:30

Rahu embodies Hardcore Discontinuity in apparent Continuity. What appears consistent will suddenly exhibit RUPTURE/ break/ Flight/ deviation. And which gives birth to fascinating mutation/ deviation. The goal of Rahu is to break traditions, continuity and inertia.
Ketu involves Hardcore Continuity in apparent Discontinuity. What appears inconsistent will gradually reveal RETURN/ repetition/ cyclicity/ confirmation. And which gives birth to fascinating continuity, inheritance. The goal of Ketu is maintain methods, traditions, and inertia

to be continued/ expanded..

CONCEPT 04: Objectivity & Subjectivity

2011-09-30T00:27:00.000+05:30

For Rahu people Objective viewpoint works best. Crystal clear, rational, functionally, structurally, OBJECTIVELY defined approach always works best. Linear, straight cut, to the point, cutting to the chase works BEST. For Ketu people Subjective viewpoint works best. Emotional, visceral, phsyical, realistic, SUBJECTIVELY experienced process approach always works best. Haphazard, round about, meandering, gradual, spiralling, nebular approach works best.

to be continued/ elaborated/ expanded...

CONCEPT 03: Buildup/ Breakdown

2010-12-13T22:54:00.017+05:30

Rahu represents the AMPLIFYING power of our DESIRES & AMBITIONS. Rahu's like a magnet and enables thoughts to become things. Rahu transforms CONCEPTS into FORM/ STRUCTURE. If negative Rahu brings Chaos/ Instability/ Dispersion, if positive Rahu brings Structure/ Order/ Organisation. Ketu represents the PURGING power of our FEARS & INSECURITIES. Ketu's like a black hole and enables us to negate obstacles. Ketu enables BREAKDOWN of Pending Karmic OBSTACLES. If negative Ketu gives Stagnation/ Stuckness/ Constriction, if positive Ketu brings Flow/ Movement/ Circulation.
The challenge of Rahu is to build STRUCTURE out of TURBULENCE. It represents the Feng Shui cycle of WOOD-FIRE-EARTH. It enables ANABOLIC BUILDUP. From the Turbulence around RAHU has to use CRYSTALLIZE FORM and create a SOLID Mountain. For this Rahu needs CONSISTENT amplification, magnification to gradually BUILDUP into CONCRETENESS.
The challenge of Ketu is to create FLOW out of STAGNATION. It represents Feng Shui cycle of MOUNTAIN-METAL-WATER. It involves CATABOLIC BREAKDOWN. From the Stagnation around, Ketu has to BREAKDOWN and create a FLOWING River. For this Ketu needs CONSISTENT purgation, purification for mountains of obstacles to gradually MELTDOWN into FREE FLOW.

Rahu is independent, and a POWERFUL LEADER. Rahu represents the TRIUMPH of MIND/ PERSONAE/ WILL over EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT. RAHU represents ORIGINAL/REVOLUTIONARY approach to familiar grounds. Ketu is interactive and is a FREE FLOWING AGENT. Ketu represents ADAPTATION/ RECONFIGURATION to EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT. KETU represents UNIVERSAL/HOLISTIC approach to unfamiliar/ new occurences.

CONCEPT 02: Rahu Ketu Process

2010-10-14T18:01:00.009+05:30

For Rahu the process begins with a single seed of clarity/ focus. Then gradually through application of willpower/ FOCUS and amplified by DESIRE, Rahu creates a structure, an organisation. A TOWER of POWER. Rahu represents triumph of willpower/individuality over external environment. Rahu has to CONSCIOUSLY focus and create a chain reaction of objectivity and willpower.

For Ketu the process begins with some sacrifice/ surrender. Then gradually by application of breakdown/ deconstruction, and catalysed by SURRENDER, Ketu creates a stream of universal flow. A river, a FLOWING STREAM. Ketu represents surrender/ yielding of Personal EGO to the external environment. Ketu has to BLINDLY surrender to the universal chain reactions of causality.

CONCEPT 01: Approach to Life

2010-10-11T20:02:00.012+05:30

Being Ketu influenced, I'm beginning this post on Rahu Ketu Approach to life, by giving links to Vic Dicara's broad Rahu overview on the topic, before i move into more narrow Ketu specifics. He has given a good overview of all nine vedic planets: Vic Dicara's astro page. , but his Rahu Ketu section is very insightful: Vic Dicara's Rahu and Vic DiCara's Ketu . After his broad overview it will help you to understand my specifics defined below better...

RAHU people have to approach a goal with WHOLEHEARTED CONVICTION. They should become OBSSESSIVELY involved. They need constant MOTIVATION in form of CHALLENGES. Till challenges become a VALIDATION for their existence. Anticipation, excitement are highly essential. They are HIGH ENERGY people who need constant excitement in life to deliver their COMPLETE potential. Negativity and Emotional Setbacks can send them Rapidly spiralling downwards.Without a sense of purpose they feel totally at LOSS. They should CONSTANTLY avoid VOID/VACCUM in their lives. They are Driven by action and pulled down by their emotions. Their emotions are twin edged swords which can take them very high or low. BIGGEST Challenge is Keep going UPWARDS.
They are Visionaries and feel JUSTIFIED in a role of POWER.
KETU people have to undertake all process by GOING WITH the FLOW. They should remain NEUTRALLY flowing. They need constant MOTIVATION in form of EXTERNAL INFLUENCES. Till the INFLUENCES are permanently internalized within. Passivity, neutrality are highly essential. They are INERTIAL/ casual people who need constant flow/ movement in life to deliver their COMPLETE potential. Overexcitement and Turbulence can send them Rapidly spiralling downwards. Without haphazard movement they feel totally constrained. They should move with the Flow. ..

RAHU people have to constantly improvise, modify, transform to stay at the the top FORM, at the CUTTING EDGE of their game. REGARDLESS of their actual physical constraint or Inertia. KETU people have to constantly review, reprocess,reorganise to keep CHAOS at tolerable, acceptable limits. REGARDLESS of the FLUX or Winds of change.

RAHU people have to START a process by taking a BROAD OVERVIEW. And THEN, move into sub classes, branches, and specifications!

KETU people have to START a process by focussing on a SMALL, NARROW area of specialisiation. And THEN only gradually move into larger areas of function/influence.

In memory of departed friends..

2008-08-14T17:50:00.006+05:30

Our friend Juthika Das departed us forever on 8th August, '08.
In memory of Juthika & dearest friend Ron who left us behind..

Our last meandering online chats
was about the magic of bygone days..
hazy crazy magical manori stays..
journeys without destination
celebrations without cause
we were rebels without a pause...

just when we're getting nostalgic
about dear departed friend, Ron..
suddenly, without a warning..
you yourself were gone..
left suddenly for your journey beyond...
leaving behind an irrevocable void..

like we were talking, my friend..
its only memories in the end..
its only memories that get left behind..
of hazy, crazy summer days,
and journeys without destination..
of celebrations without cause..
we were rebels without a pause..

a handful of precious memories
are all that get left behind..
and in that handful of precious residue
shall I forever hold you close
to mine heart.. and my fondest thoughts..

the crazy spirit of your souls..
the rapture in your smiles..
magic dust in your eyes..
of magic shores far beyond..

the residue of Ketuvean glimmer
shall remain in my own spirit vault,
eternally and hazily... ALIVE...

CONCEPT 00 : Rahu Ketu Foundation

2008-06-08T22:05:00.020+05:30

I begin the topic category Concepts with a tribute to my Late Guru Tirtha Nath Sharma. He is the Foundation of my Rahu Ketu journey/ explorations. His insight, acumen, analysis, brilliance, genius, wisdom shall forever be close to my heart until the end of my days.
I begin by enumerating some Key Foundation Concepts analysed by my Late Exalted Guru.
RAHU energies :
Rahus energy is like a supernova, hurricane, storm. It's all about obssession, consummation, desire. Rahu brings change through revolution and transformation. Rahu people need challenges and goals.They need to move with purpose, clarity, focus, power, vigour, desire to fulfill their ambitions.
KETU energies:
Ketus energy is like a swamp, bog, marsh, backwaters. Its all about surrender, letting go, release. Ketu brings change through slow, gradual rotations. Ketu people need liberty and freedom. They need to go with the flow, take meandering, wayward paths, haphazard routes to reach their destinations.

Preta/Pitri Pakshya...Tribute to Forgotten Yesterdays

2007-10-01T16:19:00.004+05:30

Bitched on by the luminaries Sun and Moon about Rahu drinking Amrita, in the disguise of a Deva, Lord Vishnu spent his Sudarshan Chakra flying. The Chakra severed Rahu's head from its body at the orgasmic moment of consumption of Amrita, the nectar of immortality. The traumatic separation and longing of the headless corpse's longing for its head is the essence of Ketu. Ketu seeks to reconnect us with our lost roots/ identities. Our forgotten/ separtaed other half.

PRETA PAKSHYA .... a Time to remember

The waxing lunar phase (Sukla pakshya) signified by Durga Navaratra is called Devi Pakshya. It is considered ideal for all kinds of new beginnings. The 14 day period before this, waning lunar phase (krishna pakshya) leading to Mahalaya Amabashya represents PITRI/ PRETA PAKSHYA. It is ideal for offering swardha, tarpan, memorial rituals, and tribute towards ancestors and departed near and dear ones. This 14 day Ketuvean period is the IDEAL time to remember departed souls and pay silent, symbolic tribute to them. Remember our ancestors, without whom WE WOULDNT EXIST. To remember the haunting memoirs of our forgotten yesterdays.
The word Preta (ghost/ spirit) comes from the word Prayaata (deceased/ departed/ the past). The hindi word Bhoot meaning ghosts comes from the sanskrit word Bhutam meaning the past. Pretas (ghost/ spirit), Prayaata (deceased/ departed/ the past), Bhutam (the past) is the root/ foundation for our present existence.

Hence not only during Preta/Pitri Pakshya but in the hustle bustle of our daily lives, let us always spare some silent moments in memoriam of our forgotten yesterdays, faded histories. Such a simple Ketu ritual would ensure us silent blessings from our forgotten foundations/ yesterdays.

Deconstructing Shillong...

2007-08-24T13:09:00.002+05:30

SHILLONG: Introduction
Since my earliest childhood visits with Kong Mai (my Khasi nanny), my favourite land of pine, mist, mystery, enchantment has always been Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. The enchanting magical memories of buying my first DC comics: (1stIssues of Firestorm and Steel) at Shillong. Running away from school with fellow inmates to Shillong, (100 kms from my hometown Guwahati). Those singular days of escapade consisted of early morning escape, a day of wanderlust: buying enchanting comics, cassettes, eating exotic food, and a hastened return to our hometown. Managing breathlessly somehow to reach before dusk... all in school uniform! My recent adult visits to Shillong have similarly always been for a day, in huge groups for a breathless spree of eating out, rock shows, and shopping. The one-day-frenzy in Shillong being over we returned zapped to our hometown. Somewhere the enchanted magic of 'Shillong' was missing from the Shillong visits.

Since Sonal's house is in Shillong, (Mriganka and his wife Sonal together form Desire Machine, (a collaborative for films/ art work/ installations etc), (desiremachine.net), they invited me to Shillong, I was indeed quite pleased. For this represented an opportunity to find the missing Shillong inside Shillong.

SHILLONG, Deconstruction: What I've found in subsequent visits to Shillong is there is no fixed Shillong in Shillong. As much as there is no Adim in me. The contextual shift is so enormous. The Deconstructive shift: two visits of the same place, two readings of the same book show an identity that can only be defined as difference. From the moment the book repeats iteslf, its self identity recieves an imperceptible difference. The book/place is not repeatable in it's "identity". Each reading of the book, each revisit of the place produces a simulacrum of the original. Hence Adim-2126C was visiting Shillong 3240ab.

As the Shillong I visited was the simulacrum of the original, similarly the Adim that visited Shillong was a simuacrum of the original Adim.

SHILLONG, Deconstructed: So, am I simply saying that a revisit to a charming place subtracts the charm out of it? Like the song "Never as good as the first time- Sade"? No, what I am trying to say is.. it keeps changing.. like you yourself are changing..! Its never the same.. repetition has underlying difference (like difference has an underlying sameness beneath). To see my Denconstructed images of Shillong, click here: www.reretromodern.blogspot.com

Mr. Khan

2007-08-22T12:10:00.000+05:30

The above portrait of mine was done by my friend Mr. Kareem Khan. Out of the three portraits he has done of me so far, (in his characteristic impulsiveness of sudden zest), I feel the portrait above has captured me in my elemental, (cheerful, energetic, optimistic) best.

Everyday Mr. Khan sits at Nehru Place, New Delhi selling books from his pile of literary collections. Mr. Khan is a highly temperamental person (as most artists intrinsically are). To the frequent passer byes asking about the location of the nearest ATM/ cybercafe/ Bank etc he either responds by a cold, stony, silent gaze or a hot, sour/ bitter/ acidic reply .

To those in query of a particular book/ magazine he's informative, civil, laconic. But to the rather rare queries about any literary manuscript of some worth, he suddenly comes forward in a loquacious, friendly, patronising, candidness (in fact, it might have been the starting point of our friendship too). Thereon he goes onto chat about various other books, offering random information about classics and manuscripts of a wide variation. If he then feels, that, the enquirer is of suitable merit/ fiber, he opens up to his favourite topic of art, culture and creativity. It is then, that the interaction begins to zest up, and then onwards, Mr. Khan opens one up to an alternative world of multitude doorways (somewhat similar to the internet).

What I like most about Mr. Khan's viewpoints are that they are charged, strong, electric, and inflammable. His age and experiences allows him to talk of art/ aesthetics from a viewpoint that is SIMULTANEOUSLY passionate, from the gut, visceral and yet airy, ethereal, lofty & inspirational at the same time.

In our modern world of politically- correct, sanitized, hypocritical and convenient conversation, people like Mr. Khan provide us a refreshing alternative. Since I, myself am a soul who's immersed in my own overtly opinionated world, viewpoint, of Religion, philosophy, Vedic astrology/ Rahu Ketu/ Vaastu and what not, my conversations with Mr. Khan can fall under Jean Baudrillard's classic definition of Radical Exoticism. Where, radically divergent/ different entities combine to create Synthesis/ Metastasis on another unforeseen level. Purely Rahu Ketu indeed...100%!!!

Rahu Ketu of Jean Baudrillard 01

2007-08-16T18:04:00.008+05:30

I find my favourite thinker Jean Baudrillard's theories uncannily descriptive of Rahu Ketu functionings.

In a discussion of "Ecstasy and Inertia," Baudrillard defines "Ecstacy" as the quality of things going far outside of or far beyond itself. Objects and events which are continually surpassing themselves: the beautiful as more beautiful than beautiful in fashion, the real as more real than the real in television, sex as more sexual than sex in pornography. Ecstasy is thus hyperreality taken to yet another level.

This very Ecstasy of objects in their unrivalled proliferation and expansion defines Rahu. The growing architecture of the hyperreal in providing simulated spaces: amusement parks, shopping malls, consumer fantasylands, reality shows, Game Shows... Simulated worlds which are becoming more real than reality itself!!!

Whereas, about photography Baudrillard says that the photograph instantaneously abnegates its depicted subject. The photograph is a a representation that negates the subject and instantly creates an alternative reality. Such pure negation is but the function of Ketu.

Rahu often entails an excessive amplification of worldly, material objects. In Baudrillards text "System of Objects" provides a fascinating viewpoint of this power of material objects. Their ability to transcend the meaning of their pure functionality. Such a hyper real projection of objects purely fall under the domain of Rahu. Such a world so completely is so very out of control that it surpasses all attempts to understand, conceptualize and control it.

Even Better Than the Real Thing..... Rahu.!!

2007-08-16T14:03:00.002+05:30

In this post I would like to illuminate about the mysterious aspects of Rahu. Rahu comes from the Sanskrit word 'Rah' or to hide. As to delude, divert, distract, elude, etc. Thusly, the accurate descriptions, functions of Rahu cannot be singularly fixed like the other planets. Being the mischievious child of illusions (Maya), it hides, deviates, diverts, alters the truth itself. It is extremely difficult to pin down and is most sensitive to context & aspect. Rahu morphs endlessly like the blue changeling played by Rebecca Romijin Stamos in the movie 'X Men': sometimes playful, sometimes fiery, but always unpredictable. Thats Rahu, the lord of Illusions, morphosis, synthesis, and.. hidden desires.
Rahu represents the surreal, unmanifested power of your hidden desires.. be it for an irresistible sex goddess, a glamorous sports car, a haut couture designer suit, a plush mod apartment.. you name it!! Rahu revels in churning forth an wild spectrum of irresistible forms in this world ... fashion, glamour, mass trends, mass media, advertising, page three, celebrityhood, virtual reality, plastic surgery, breast implants, a reality more real than the original.. "Even better than the real thing"- U2)!! Hyper reality, simulcara, special effects, animation, virtual worlds, gaming zones, sex changes, modern art, fetshism, cybernetics, cloning, plastics, synthetics .. are all ruled by Rahu! More closer to the ground Rahu drives mass trends, mass consumerism, driving consumers to madly possess/ own/ consume the vast spectacle of consumables available in modern malls and shopping centres....

It is at this very conjecture that Rahu intersects into the very interiority of our Economic system itself.. mass consumerism drives Credit facilities, credits, loans driving the most "basic" citizens into a wild roller coaster of borrowed money, instant future.. and borrowed time..

The Rahu Ketu of Image/Visuals

2007-08-10T21:09:00.004+05:30

While making the illustration of my wife above I first started by making a picture of a woman, in a valiant warrior form representing an independent strong woman. Being ruled by Ketu myself, I hexed it, myself and she started facing a horde of problems. Only when I made a full scale demonic depiction on the left did things somewhat resume to order. This was only once it happened like this.
Illustration in its Rahu Ketu aspects has two components: Rahu endorses, boosts, amplifies and often manifests the illustrated subject in some way. This is the priinciple of Creative Visualisation, manifestation discussed in all the uncountable popular bestsellers on the topic of Creative visualisation/ positive thinking etc. With Rahu, thoughts often become things.
Whilst Ketu abnegates, hexes, erases, reverses the depicted subject. Since medieval times, Ketu hexes, masks, amulets demon images are used to prevent, protect from catastrophe. The best example is of Tibetan Death masks. One keeps the image of the terrify subject consciously manifested somehow around lest it manifest into the conscious.
Finally i balanced the overtly barbarella type of illustration of Wifey above with the crone like imagery below.

Rahu... the permanent DifferAnce of Meaning..!!!

2007-08-10T19:09:00.007+05:30

Literal Meaning is never absolute. It always calls forth other meanings. Just try looking up any word in the dictionary:
it always brings other words to explain itself and other meanings.. and this goes on. Hence to attempt to find totally absolute meanings is like opening a Pandora's box...
it calls forth permanently changing meaning..!!
In my drawing above, a green seeker on the bottom right hand corner tries to find absolute and originary meaning of a word....
...but such is the play of language he ends up opening up a Pandora's box of infinite substitutions..
... a galaxy of forms, an avalanche of endless metaphors and ...an endless profusion of meanings..

...as Context ever so slightly changes.. so does the literal meaning ...
.. this is the pure Maya/illusion of Rahu..!!!

Qualities of Rahu Ketu Music: Deconstruction/ Transformation, etc

2007-08-10T18:56:00.006+05:30

Rahu Ketu influenced music is characterized by being distinctly separate from the comforts of mainstream, run of the mill fare. Some qualities of Rahu Ketu music: experimental, psychedelic, oddball, cutting edge or extremely ancient, obscure, vague, abstract, songs illustrating Transformation/ Deconstruction as techniques, quirkiness, weirdness, bizzarre, etc, etc.

The album, 'A kind of Blue'- Miles Davis, is a perfect example of Rahu music. Most songs were hardly rehearsed, and very spontaneously performed. All the musicians were technically brilliant, but they used pured form in a pathbreaking way that redefined musical style as we know it. Much of the trumpet notes are subdued, minimal, haunting, distant, sublime.

For me the following Steve Vai songs are best descriptive of Ketu deconstruction, as they define a familiar/ fixed/ predictable form at the beginning but Suddenly the tail changes, into a completely tangential path, departure, rupture.

1. Tender Surrender 2. Call it Sleep 3. Christmas time is here

Rahu Ketu music is always caharacterised by a process of form, breakdown, shifting, of contexts is illustarted in many forms of progressive jazz and experimental songs.

Rahu Ketu illustration of Sangeeta's operation

2007-08-10T17:12:00.001+05:30

My wife Sangeeta had an extremely painful wisdom tooth extraction. In the agonizing week that followed, I attempted to depict it graphically. However in the process, I found the negative drawing helped bring down the issue at hand. Rather than delude my mind with some trifling diversion I found that Ketu energies abnegates the depicted topic. It acted like a cathartic release. For Rahu governed people, positive depiction would help the healing process. For Ketu's cathartic release is of ultimate importance.