Importance of Nodal Return
Importance of Nodal Return
Normally, so much importance is given to Saturn Return that we tend to neglect or ignore other planetary which are almost equally important. Although, Saturn Return will always remain the Boss of all planetary returns but it is important to see the results we can expect at other planetary returns especially the ones with longer orbit. So, this article will be on Nodal Return and next may be on Jupiter Return. Let's break it in following points -
Planetary Returns.
Rahu/Ketu or Nodal Transits.
Nodal Return.
Houses Involved.
Signs Involved.
Nakshatras Involved.
Planets Involved.
Semi-Nodal Return.
Conclusion.
Planetary Returns - So just for the introduction part, when we are born, every planet is at a particular position. Like, if someone takes birth today then Sun is in Aries, Moon & Saturn are in Sagittarius, Mars & Ketu are in Capricorn, Mercury is in Pisces, Jupiter is in Libra, Venus is in Taurus and Rahu is in Cancer. So, planetary returns are when during transits these planets come into exact same position again in future. We can say that after coming into same position, planet gets energized again for next rotation of the zodiac. Hence, the time period which energizes the planet becomes important. As always, planet with the longer transit duration will have more impact during their returns. So, Saturn Return is most important as it happens after 30 years and lasts for 2.5 years. Rahu/Ketu return or Nodal Return is next which happens after 18 years and lasts for 1.5 years. Jupiter Return happens after 12 years and lasts for 13 months. Mars returns after 2 years and stays in a sign for 45 days unless it is retrograde when it stays for 6 months in same sign. Other planetary returns have lesser importance on their own as they happen every year but they will gain importance if they are happening with major planetary return. Like, if a person is already going through Saturn or Jupiter or Nodal Return then other planets' return during that year gain importance and that year or two becomes significant in person's life.
Rahu/Ketu or Nodal Transits - As Nodes transit in 1 sign for 1.5 years, it takes them about 18 years to return in the same sign where they were when the person was born. Rahu is known to explode the results of the sign it is placed in and Ketu is supposed to make us more research oriented in the sign it is placed in. As they are naturally malefic, I think it is futile discussion as to where they can give best results as wherever they are, they will bring some malefic impact on the sign or house. Also, results can be more beneficial if you are over maturity ages of Rahu (42 years) and Ketu (48 years).
Nodal Return - As Rahu-Ketu are normally seen as planets signifying our past life karma (Ketu) and present life karma (Rahu), their positions in birth chart indicates as to what things we need to embrace in this life and what things we need to let go in this life. So, when nodes return to the same positions, we get into situations in life where we can be pushed to take decision as to letting go of some things and embracing of other things. I am sure that most of people who are reading this article are above 18 years of age. So, you can walk back in memory lane and recall what all things happened during the age of 18-19, 36-37, 54-55 and so on with addition of 18 years. There must be some important events related to nodal positions in your chart during these years which makes nodal return transits important. Also, as transit is 1.5 years long, it won't matter if you are under Rahu/Ketu dasha or not. The results of nodal return will be seen. Again, as Rahu is more extrovert part of nodes, the results of the house where Rahu is placed or returning will be more visible than Ketu portion.
Houses Involved - As I have seen and as I experienced in my life, most of the results we see during nodal return are related with the houses where Rahu-Ketu are placed. Like, I have Rahu in 10th house and Ketu in 4th house. So, most of my nodal return results should be related with 4th house/10th house axis and it has been. Like, my 1st nodal return was in 1997-98. It was the time when important events related with my Father & his career (Rahu in 10th house) took place and I happened to leave my home town (Ketu in 4th house) & come to Hyderabad for the 1st time with a view to settle here. Then my 2nd nodal return took place in 2016-17, when my Career as an Astrologer suddenly saw a rise with most of clients from Foreign Lands (Rahu in 10th house) and I decided to sell-off my home at home town (Ketu in 4th house) to finally buy a flat at Hyderabad. So, we can say that process which started with 1st nodal return saw completion in 2nd nodal return. That's why I feel that most of the results of nodal return will be house based. If people had other experiences then they are free to comment.
Signs Involved - Then we will get results of the signs they are placed in. Rahu end of the node will explode the results of the sign it is returning in and Ketu end of the node may either separate us from or make us do research in the things of the sign it is returning in. Like, Rahu return in Cancer will double the Rahu energy and will make person extra emotional related with things of the house where Cancer is falling, as long as current Rahu transit lasts. Again, Ketu return in Capricorn is making people separated from following Govt Orders or Authoritative attitude on daily basis and it can also make person research with things of the house where Capricorn is falling. As we can see that even while dealing with sign-based results, houses & their significance are getting involved. That's why I feel that nodal return results are more house specific.
Nakshatras Involved - Then the intensity of results during nodal return transits can be seen based on the nakshatra & degree positions of nodes in birth chart. Like, if someone is born with Rahu in Punarvasu Nakshatra then the results of nodal return can be seen when transiting Rahu comes into or near to Punarvasu Nakshatra. In this example, person will continue to get results of nodal return even when Rahu goes into Gemini as Punarvasu starts in Gemini. All I want to say that best or most intensified results can be seen when Rahu or Ketu are in same nakshatra as their birth nakshatra.
Planets Involved - Then of course, if nodal return is taking place over another planet in the sign then that planet results will also be seen as per the nature of Rahu and Ketu and the dignity of planets. Rahu will explode results of that planet and Ketu will make us isolate or research oriented regarding that planet.
Semi-Nodal Return - And then there is something called Semi-Nodal Return. It happens in every 9 years when Rahu transits over your birth Ketu and Ketu transits over birth Rahu. Although, they say that it has almost the same energy as nodal return but I feel that semi-nodal return is more confusing time because exact opposite energies are impacting each other. Like, Rahu wants us to gravitate towards something but if it is transiting over Ketu of birth chart then it means that your birth Ketu wants to separate you from same thing. Likewise, Ketu wants us to separate from something but if it is transiting over Rahu of birth chart then it means that your birth Rahu wants you to gravitate towards same thing. Hence, this semi-nodal return can lead someone to total confusion where person may have no idea whether to do it or leave it.
Conclusion - So, this is how I see nodal return can give results in our lives. Again, the houses where they are placed are most important to experience results and in the end, we will remember Rahu end of results as it is more exhibitionist.
Hope this helps. Please post any comment or query you may have.
Thanks,
Swami Premanand Bharti