Rahu is not a physical planet, it is an imaginary point in the sky. If you search for Rahu in the sky even with the sharpest of telescopes, you will not find it. But Rahu and its tail Ketu are very important in analysis in Vedic astrology. Rahu along with Ketu are shadow planets which are formed because of the movement of the Sun and Moon. They do not have their own physical significations. They give a result based on its dispositor and conjoined planet in a horoscope. Rahu is called Dragon’s head and Ketu is Dragon's tail. Periodically Rahu-Ketu will eclipse Sun and Moon.

Rahu is a mystic planet and it creates an eclipse or illusion over the planets it is associated with and the house itself. If the dispositor of Rahu is strong, then it may not harm the house significations much. Rahu with Sun and Moon are more dangerous than other planets. Sun represents our soul and Moon represents our mind. When Rahu eclipses these planets, the self, and mind respectively gets disturbed. Based on the intensity of affliction to Sun and Moon, the results will vary. When Rahu afflicts other planets, still there can be problems related to the significations of that planet.

Sages have said ‘Shanivat Rahu and Kujavat Ketu’ which means Rahu acts like Saturn and Ketu act like Mars. The reason being Saturn looks after the past Karma of the native and Rahu looks after the unfulfilled desires of one's past. We all take birth in this world to fulfill our past desires and also the Karma. Rahu in the horoscope shows the area where the native has some unfulfilled wants and desires. Based on the strength of its dispositor, it shows longing, yearning, and burning aspirations. Sometimes it goes out of control and becomes addiction, cravings, and compulsions. At this point in time, Rahu shadows the mind and the native cannot judge what is right and wrong.

Rahu is considered a malefic planet and it can create a lot of hurdles and disturbances. Rahu is a mysterious and secretive planet. Rahu can instill cunningness and deceitful nature in the native. Especially if it is with Mars, it can create criminal tendencies also. Many of the politicians and criminals will have prominent Rahu in their horoscope. But at certain places, Rahu gives abundant wealth and material possessions. If its dispositor helps, the native gets a huge name and fame. It can even give celebrity status to the native. It gives sudden events either positive or negative. It can take the person to a very big height and the intensity of downfall will also be very sharp. If you see horoscopes of many celebrities like film stars, sports personalities, politicians, and in many other fields, Rahu plays a very important role in their chart. From a materialistic perspective, Rahu posited in signs owned by Venus and Mercury gives favorable results.

Rahu and Ketu play a very vital part of our life. These two behave in a completely opposite manner. Both take one to the extreme. Rahu always tries to keep us in illusion or Maya. It always makes us cling to this material world. Love, attachments, falsehood, etc are all the byproducts of Rahu. It will create a shadow effect on the planets it conjoins. If Rahu is well placed in the birth chart, it can give unimaginable comforts. On the other hand, Ketu tries to pull us out from this material world or it removes one out of the illusion. It gives renunciation. That is the reason Ketu is called Mokshakaraka. No doubt both are heavyweight malefic Planets. But one keeps you in illusion and the other takes you out from this illusion. But again they would not do anything alone; they would do everything with the help of other planets. Both the planets show a Karmic backlog in a horoscope. It is said in scriptures that Rahu owns the house of Virgo (Kanya), Moolatrikona in Leo (Simha), exalted in Gemini (Mithuna), and debilitated in Sagittarius (Dhanus). It is also believed by many scholars that Rahu is exalted in Taurus (Vrishabha) and debilitated in Scorpio (Vrishchika).

Other Astrological Significations Rahu signifies gambling, cheating, thief, black magic, well built, explosion, dark secrets, mysticism, illegality, foreign language, conspiracy, secret acts, etc.