For anyone, who is completely unaware of what Rahu and Ketu is, please check this mythological story - http://astrosaxena.com/rahuketu.  

Transit Period – Rahu will move into Cancer on 9th Sep, 2017 and will stay there till 23rd Mar, 2019. So, it is transit of almost 18 months which is a good enough time to make some events happen in our life. Again, it is never 1 planet which causes the event. So, this article must be read with other articles of transits I recently posted or will be posting soon. 

True Node Vs Mean Node – First of all, there are mainly 2 ways of calculating the transits of Rahu and Ketu. They are known as True Nodes and Mean Nodes. As per True Nodes calculations, Rahu and Ketu will change signs on 9th Sep, 2017 but as per Mean Nodes they will change signs on 18th August. I am not going into debate of which one is more correct as the difference between the two is less than 1 degree. So, follow whichever fits your understanding. If you want more info on it, then please search with “True Node Vs Mean Node” or like terms. 

Rahu’s Last Transit – Let’s 1st see how Rahu’s transit in Leo manifested in last 18 months. Leo is sign of Authority and Governance. It is Lion. Rahu blows things out of proportion. So, Rahu in Leo indicates authoritative attitude of people got blown up in last 18 months and we have witnessed that. Rise of Donald Trump and his ways of showing his Authority is perfect example of Rahu in Leo. In India also, controversial decision of Demonetization was the result of same over blown authority which present day Govt got in 2014 elections. At individual level too, we have seen rise in Creativity, Authority and Fame. From my own experience, being a Scorpio Ascendant, Rahu was in my 10th house of Career and in last 18 months, thanks to you all, my Career has reached new heights and I have been more creative in my work. Also, most of my clients are people staying outside India which I never thought in my wildest dream to happen, but it is so much Rahu in Leo in 10th house thing as Rahu represents Foreign Things. Likewise, I am sure that majority of us got results of Rahu in Leo transit. 

Eclipse Season – In a way, this transit is unique as it will coincide with Eclipse Season. We have Lunar Eclipse on 7th Aug, 2017 and then Solar Eclipse on 21st Aug, 2017. We can see that these dates are very close to Rahu-Ketu transits. In a generic way, during Lunar Eclipse we have to be careful around things represented by Moon and by the house which Moon rules with Cancer sign as those things can get eclipsed/taken away or at least we feel that those things can get eclipsed. Likewise, during Solar Eclipse we have to be careful around things represented by Sun and by the house which Sun rules with Leo sign as those things can get eclipsed/taken away or at least we feel that those things can get eclipsed. Effect of Eclipses remain 5 days before and after the actual date of Eclipses. So, be careful about Sun-Moon related things in coming month time. 

Now, Rahu, Cancer and Rahu in Cancer. 

Rahu - Rahu represents illusion, foreign lands, foreign things, Drugs, Medicines, any type of intoxication, fame, wealth, success, obsession, past-life left-over karma, movies, television, online world, cheating, imagined fears, unusual things, unique things, creativity, rule breaker. Rahu also blows things out of proportions. 

During transit, Rahu is basically that obsessive energy which makes us gravitate towards the things related to house/sign where Rahu is transiting in next 18 months. 

Cancer - Cancer is 4th sign of Zodiac Belt, hence it represents the things represented by 4th house like Mother, Mother's Care, Emotions, Taking Care of Others and Nourishment etc. Cancer is consisted of 2 and half Nakshatras namely Punarvasu, Pushyami and Ashlesha. Cancer's lord is Moon, which again represents almost same things which Cancer and 4th house represents.

Rahu in Cancer – So, now Rahu enters in Cancer. Rahu is known to take up the qualities of Sign it is in. Rahu is also known to blow things out of proportion. So, now in Cancer, Rahu will take up the qualities of Emotions, Nourishment and Taking Care of Others etc and then it will blow these qualities out of proportion. It simply means that in coming 1.5 years humanity is going to be highly emotional and caring towards others, which is a great sign for all of us. We need this to happen if we want to have parallel existence in this world. Normally emotions are seen as negative traits in this day and age but this is what separates us from Beasts. Even Animals have emotions. So, emotions are what separates us from Stones. So, in this transit of Rahu in Cancer, we will see a rise in emotions and care towards each other. Emotions will be blown up and directed towards the things related to house where Cancer falls in your chart. Now, it also depends on Moon’s position in birth chart as Moon is lord of Cancer. If Moon is well placed then person can keep a balance of his emotions. If Moon is not well placed, then emotions can go misdirected. Rahu is also illusion. Hence, Rahu in Cancer can bring situations when people want to take emotional advantage of someone through cheating or lies. So, be careful about getting into such situations. Cancer is also a sign of Motherhood and Rahu represents unusual/unique things. So, this is an indication that in next 18 months, we will see a rise in unique/unusual ways of Motherhood. To put it straight, Sunny Leone adopting a little girl is not an isolated event right at the beginning of this transit. As Rahu moves into Cancer and goes through its transit for 18 months, we will see more and more such stories of Adoption, Surrogacy and Test-Tube Baby birth. Next 18 months are dedicated to unusual ways of attaining Motherhood. Likewise, Cancer is sign of Taking Care of Others, hence it is very closely connected with Health Care & Medical Field, and Rahu is unique things. So, we will see some unique and creative inventions in the field of Medicines and Health Care. This is also the time when people in general will be attracted towards Motherhood. So, we can see many people blessed with children in coming 18 months. We can also be emotionally attached with our Mother more in this time. Overall, it looks like a good transit if we can keep a balance on our emotions. Rahu in Cancer causes extremes of emotions. Either it makes us so happy that we can throw a party to whole town or it can make us so sad that we may even think of ending our lives. So, the biggest challenge during this transit will be to strike the balance point of emotions, to understand where the middle point is between two extremes of emotions, reach there and then stay there. It is something which I call Buddha-Field as Buddhism is all about middle path. So, this is how Rahu in Cancer may work out for all of us. 

House Co-ruled by Rahu – Rahu co-rules Aquarius sign with Saturn. So, whichever house of your chart has Aquarius sign, things related to that house will be manifested during this transit through the house where Cancer falls in your chart. 

Rahu’s Natal Position – Rahu’s position in birth chart is very much important here. It will show the overall strength of Rahu in your chart. To know the real strength of Rahu, we need to also check the dignity of planets it is sitting with in birth chart and also the dignity of sign lord. 

Dasha – As always, someone going through Rahu Dasha will feel the full impact of transit. Others will also see the results as transit duration of 18 months is long enough to impact the human life. 

Rahu Return – Those who are born with Rahu in Cancer in birth chart will also see full results, regardless of dasha, as it is an important transit of Rahu going over Rahu. It is normally called Nodal Return. Rahu going over Ketu of Birth Chart and vice-versa is known as Semi-Nodal Return and it is as powerful as Nodal Return.

Age of Individual – Results of malefic planets largely depend on the age of person as they become mild after attaining maturity age. Rahu’s maturity age is 42 years. So, if you are over 42 or close to 40, things can be good for you. 

Planets in Cancer – Also, if you are born with planets in Cancer, you will see results of those planets too as Rahu transits over them. So, the things that planet is karaka and things related with houses that planet rules will be blown out of proportion. 

Rahu’s Aspects – Besides transiting in Cancer, Rahu will also give results of the houses where it aspects through 5th house and 9th house. From Cancer, Rahu will aspect on Scorpio and Pisces. So, wherever these 2 signs fall in your chart, will also be effected by Rahu’s transit. 

Planets Transiting through Cancer – During the same transit of Rahu in Cancer, other planets like Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars will transit through Cancer in due course. So, all these planets will impact and get impacted by Rahu in Cancer. 

Rahu transiting over Nakshatras – Last but not the least, Rahu transiting over each nakshatra will give results of that nakshatra and the house where nakshatra lord is placed in birth chart. 

Now, the main course.

Please see results of this transit from Ascendant and Moon Sign both. Predictions from Ascendant Sign will show what will actually happen and predictions from Moon Sign will show what our mind desires and how mind will react to such events. Another thing is that when Ascendant and Moon sign both point towards one event that event is bound to happen. 

Aries Ascendant or Aries Moon Sign – For Aries people, Rahu will transit in 4th house after ruling 11th house of Gains, Income, Elder Siblings and Desire/Purpose etc. So, this transit is fully devoted towards home, home land and mother as Aries people will feel double energy of 4th house and Cancer. There will be a natural longing to be at home or with Mother. People will feel peace of mind at home or with Mother. But as Rahu represents Foreign Things, it shows that they may be forced to stay away from home, home land and mother, which may create a deep longing to be with mother or at home, because we desire only what we don’t have. It also shows that emotions will be blown up completely Rahu are dealing with double Cancer/4th house energy. People can have home in Foreign Lands or there can be very unusual environment at home. It also shows gains from Mother, Home or Real Estate. It also shows that some events related with Elder Sibling or Mother. Overall, catching hold of emotions will be biggest challenge here. 

Taurus Ascendant or Taurus Moon Sign – For Taurus people, Rahu will be in 3rd house after ruling 10th house of Father, Career, Work and Fame with Aquarius sign. It shows that Taurus people will be emotionally gravitated towards their siblings specially younger siblings. They will be emotionally attached with them. Again, a reason can be that their sibling can be at faraway places. They will be highly emotional in their communications. During this time, they can go into Business in this time, which can be business related with Healing and Health Care. They will get fame through their Business or Communication. They can travel to foreign lands with Mother or to meet their Mother. Their Father can have health issues. Their daily work life will be serving and taking care of people. 

Gemini Ascendant or Gemini Moon Sign – For Gemini people, Rahu will be in 2nd house of Family, Wealth and Speech etc after ruling 9th house of Fortune, Faraway Lands, Different Culture and Higher Education. It shows an emotional attachment towards Family. Wealth will increase manifold and Mother can be the reason of such increase. It also shows an unusual or weird family environment. People from faraway lands and different ethnicity will increase your wealth. Utilising higher education in teaching/preaching others can result in gain of wealth. There will be long distance travels which can bring prosperity. You can travel for gaining of higher education. 

Cancer Ascendant or Cancer Moon Sign – For Cancer people, Rahu will be in 1st house of Self, Physique, and Life Path etc after ruling 8th house of Sudden Events, Occult, Mysticism, Changes and Transformations etc with Aquarius sign. Whenever Rahu transits 1st house of chart, it shows that this is the time to focus on self rather than others. Cancer people will be more about Self Development and Self Growth. This also shows some emotional issues coming up which can change the whole life path. It also shows that either they can be involved in research related activities or some big change can completely change their life path as 8th house lord is coming to 1st house. Change is inevitable here. Be receptible rather than resisting. It also shows an inheritance coming, specially from Mother. 

Leo Ascendant or Leo Moon Sign – For Leo people, Rahu will be in 12th house of Foreign Lands, Spirituality and Isolation etc after ruling 7th house of Business, Masses and Relationship etc. with Aquarius. It shows that a Foreign Travel is right on cards as 12th house and Rahu both represent foreign lands. Person’s focus will be on going to foreign lands and be in isolation. You can be emotionally attached to Spirituality and Spiritual Guru, if you have any. It also means that someone can either have business related with Foreign Lands or he will travel to foreign lands with spouse. If person is Spiritually inclined, then it can be a great time but as 12th house is also house of losses, this time can bring losses too in life. Financially too, person can be spendthrift during this time. 

Virgo Ascendant or Virgo Moon Sign – For Virgo people, Rahu will be in 11th house of Gains, Desires and Income after ruling 6th house of Daily Work Life, Disputes, and Diseases etc with Aquarius. It shows an emotional pull towards elder sibling and manifestation of desires. They will be emotionally attached towards accomplishing their desires. It shows good gains from jobs/services. It also shows the litigation may result in giving gains to person. But they should be careful about health issues and getting into conflicts. Their network circle will grow manifold and they will gain from such growth. Gains and Income can come from Healing and Health Care activities. They can also gain by activities of social welfare and humanitarian causes. 

Libra Ascendant or Libra Moon Sign – For Libra people, Rahu will be in 10th house of Career, Work or Father after ruling 5th house of Creativity, Children, Education and Happiness with Aquarius sign. It shows that Libra people will feel a natural pull towards their Parents and they will spend much time in taking care of them. It can bring a change in Career as Rahu represents unique things. They can get into a Career which is very unique in nature. They can make their career out of their hobbies, creativity and interests of 5th house and getting connected with society at large emotionally. Their work can be in the field of Teaching/Guiding or taking care of others. People can get into an emotional love relation through their work. 

Scorpio Ascendant or Scorpio Moon Sign – For Scorpions, Rahu will be in 9th house of Higher Learning, Guru, Far Distant Lands, Different Culture & Fortune etc after ruling 4th house of Home, Home Land & Mother etc with Aquarius sign. It shows that Scorpions will be emotionally gravitated towards their higher education, teaching, preaching and Gurus. They can have very unusual beliefs in this time. They will travel away from their homeland. It shows going away from parents. They will find peace of mind by going away from home. A long distance travel looks like on cards. It also shows health issues to Mother and certain losses to Father. Overall, it is a time related with higher education, travelling, teaching and preaching. If person is able to dedicate himself to these things, then it can be a great transit. 

Sagittarius Ascendant or Sagittarius Moon Sign – For Sagittarius people, Rahu will be in 8th house of Changes, Secrecy, Occult and Mysticism after ruling 3rd house of communications, interests and skills etc with Aquarius. It shows that person can be emotionally attached with marriage related benefits. He can have inheritance coming his way, especially through Mother. Person can go through an emotional transformation of sorts. He can be very much interested in secret and occult matters. He will have interest and skills developed in research related matters. He will collect lots of info about occult and mysticism. A major change related with life path can come. Person will be gravitated towards service to people. There can be health issues to younger sibling. 

Capricorn Ascendant or Capricorn Moon Sign – For Capricorn people, Rahu will be in 7th house of Relationship, Partner, Business and Other People after ruling 2nd house of Family, Wealth and Speech etc with Aquarius. It shows that you will be completely gravitated or devoted towards Relationship or Partner. It will be hard to live without a relationship in this time. At the same time, this transit can also give a business idea and you can start your own business. Emotionally connecting with other people/masses will bring peace of mind. Wealth can come from Other People and Business. There can be health issues with someone in Family. Starting a new business and connecting with people is a smart idea to deal with this transit. 

Aquarius Ascendant or Aquarius Moon Sign - For Aquarians, Rahu will be in 6th house of illnesses, disputes, conflicts and daily work life etc after ruling 1st house of Self, Life Path and Overall Health etc through Aquarius. It shows a whole life path is going into healing and health care related services and daily activities. It shows that next 18 months may be dedicated in serving and healing others. More they serve others, more they themselves will be in good health. Service can be towards Mother or Motherly ladies. It also shows that this time can be full of dealing with obstacles, conflicts and disputes, but for the time being consider it as right life path. On another note, this can be a good time for service, jobs and dedicating yourself towards social service. Need to take care of health.

Pisces Ascendant or Pisces Moon Sign – Last but certainly not the least. For Pisces people, Rahu will be in 5th house of Children, Education, Romance and Happiness etc after ruling 12th house of Foreign Lands, Isolation and Hospitals etc with Aquarius sign. This transit clearly shows someone who is emotionally inclined towards having children or getting into a love relation. This is where people will turn to adoption and other unusual ways of Motherhood. They can get into teaching and counselling related activities. As Rahu rules 12th house, foreign land or foreign things will be involved in your getting results of 5th house. A transit totally dedicated towards Children, Motherhood and taking care of other. 

Conclusion – As we can see that emotional pull is the common theme throughout this transit and our biggest challenge will be to strike an emotional balance as long as Rahu is in Cancer/ So, I will conclude with a small story of Buddha. 

As I said, Buddha used to highly emphasize on walking the middle path. In every walk of life, he used to teach his disciples to avoid the extreme behaviour and follow the middle path. One day, a disciple asked that you emphasize so much on middle path that now it has become extreme of following the middle path. What you can say about it now?

Buddha replied, I can allow only one extreme and that is extreme of following middle path. 

So, somewhere we have to strike the middle path in exhibiting our emotions during this transit of Rahu in Cancer.