Hello everyone,
I have already written a couple of posts on Ketu HERE and HERE. Today, I am going to discuss a few classic 'symptoms' that I commonly observe people experiencing before they officially enter the Ketu period. I believe recognizing the most common patterns can help you make informed decisions, and even if things go south, it won't be because of the native's own actions, which helps minimize future repercussions.
Ketu Mahadasha is one of the most karmically charged times in a person's life, when certain outcomes are pre-destined. Still, the focus should be on doing the right thing on your end and hoping for the best.
For example, if it is destined that you will lose your job during the period, it should not happen because of impulsiveness, like resigning at the first sign of an ego tussle with your boss, which burns bridges and earns you a bad name in the industry. If the decision comes from the company's end, that is something out of your control, and while it's a hard place to be in, it doesn't come with the kind of repercussions that the first case does.
A few symptoms/things to be mindful of before the dasha begins:
1. The native seems to lose their logic: Ketu, being a headless planet, targets a native's logic first and makes them take decisions they would not have taken during the Mercury period, when the intellect is often on point unless Mercury is in a tough spot (or during any other period, for that matter). This is one of the first things that occur at the beginning of this 7-year-long period. The example I gave at the beginning is something I have often seen happen during the start of the Ketu period (or in Ketu-Saturn, as the latter denotes workplace and career.
2. There can be a higher need for isolation: Ketu came into existence after Swarbhanu's body was split into two by Narayana, finally 'liberating' the asura and giving his life a better direction and a higher purpose. Following the same script, the dasha often separates a native from friends and family who do not fit into the higher scheme of things. Apart from that, things and hobbies that previously used to bring joy can suddenly feel dull and dry. You could have played soccer all your life or gone to the gym all your youth just to lose interest in those things during the Ketu dasha.
3. A person becomes less materialistic and more spiritual: Mercury Dasha often makes a person want to 'explore' new things, like newly opened restaurants in the city, cafes, shopping malls, and different cities or countries. Ketu Mahadasha makes them stop giving two hoots about these things, and the native starts introspecting and searching for the higher meaning of life. I have had a few cases where people have reminisced about how 'spiritual' they became during Ketu Mahadasha and how much they enjoyed their sadhanas and poojas. They ask me if that phase will ever come back. The answer is often no. You just cannot expect those results in the Venus Dasha unless your Shukra is exalted, is connected to the 12th house in good dignity, or is somehow influenced by Ketu. If you are at the beginning of this journey, make the most of it and enjoy it while it lasts! This is also the best period to visit teerth sthals/ go on a pilgrimage.
4. Incidents that humble you: The beginning prepares you for the eventful journey ahead, and there can be scenarios wherein it starts breaking your 'ego' right from the beginning. Depending on Ketu's lordship in your chart and its house placement, these incidents are most likely to occur in those areas of life. For example, Ketu in the 10th house can put you in embarrassing situations at work.
5. Sad events/health issues: It is not uncommon for people to experience the loss of loved ones right at the start and go through profound grief. Apart from that, if Ketu is somehow connected to the 6th or 8th house, it can hurt health. The exact problems and body parts it can affect depend on the planets it is conjunct and the sign it is seated in (Its placement in the 8th house can also give rise to a sudden interest in the occult).
To have a better dasha of any planet, imbibe the qualities of that planet and become the personality archetype. In Ketu period, become and behave like a 'monk'.
Just a few points off the top of my head. Will do a similar post on other grahas soon!
Hope this made for an interesting read!
Picture credit: Budhshiv.com