Ketu Transit in Chitra

Chitra belongs to Mars, and Ketu behaves like Mars, so the lord of the star is kin. Tvashtar, the Vishvakarma of the gods, is its deity, and a bright jewel its symbol. The first two padas lie in Virgo, owned by Mercury, an enemy, and the last two in Libra, owned by Venus, who is neutral.

Ketu moves backward, entering Chitra in Libra at the fourth pada and leaving from the first pada in Virgo after around seven months. A direct spell of the true node can divide the stay into two visits. Rahu stands in Ashwini at the same time and moves back into Revati for the second half.

Chitra makes forms, buildings, ornaments and the beautiful surface of a thing, and Ketu sees through the surface to how a thing is made. Design skill from an earlier time returns without effort. A partnership built on appearance is tested in the Libra padas, and in the Virgo padas the gut and the skin need care.

In Libra, Leo, Taurus and Sagittarius Moons receive Ketu in the third, sixth and eleventh, the houses Phaladeepika names favourable. Libra Moons carry Ketu on the lagna and Rahu in the seventh, and Aries Moons the reverse. When Ketu reaches Virgo the favourable houses pass to Cancer, Aries and Scorpio Moons, with Virgo and Pisces Moons on the axis. The lagna is counted the same way.

What a person values in a thing, beyond its glitter, becomes clear.

The remedy is Ganesha and Om Kem Ketave Namah, and honouring any craftsman, since Tvashtar is their patron. Ketu's dana is a blanket, sesame or food for dogs on Tuesday. Build something plain and well made during the stay, and let it go unseen.