There has been a lot of debate amongst astrologers as to what signs (or the region of the zodiac) are the real domain of Rahu and Ketu (the lunar nodes). An unlikely source from Central/South America helps us solve this mystery. The Barasan People of Northwestern Amazonia recognize a polarity between Pleiades (Krittika) and Scorpio (the Anuradha part). They consider Pleiades to be the serpent’s tail and Scorpio to be the serpent’s mouth. The Quiche Maya People refer to Scorpio as a doorway to the underworld and Pleiades to be the snake’s rattle. These traditions make it clear that the serpent’s tail should be identified with Pleadies and the serpent’s mouth should be identified with the constellation of Scorpio.

The Milkyway (our galaxy) can be seen as the Great Serpent which unites these points. From this we can easily derive that Ketu (the serpent’s tail) would find its home in Pleiades (Krittika) and Rahu (the serpent’s head) would finds its home in Scorpio (Anuradha). The fact that the galactic center is very near the constellation of Scorpio and there is a visible dark rift in this region of the sky makes it the perfect abode for serpent’s head both literally and symbolically. This understanding also allows for a galactic concept for the serpent symbolism closely attached to Rahu & Ketu. The Milky Way itself becomes a serpent with two nodes (gates). The solar system definition of the nodes (Rahu & Ketu) based on Sun, Moon and Earth interplay, gets a chance to reflect on a galactic level through this association with Pleiades and Scorpio. The churning of the cosmic ocean story also gets clarity through this concept.

As far as the exact degrees are concerned I would place Ketu’s abode as 5-10 degrees of Taurus and Rahu’s abode to be 5-10 degrees of Scorpio. These degrees are calculated using the exact position of the seven stars of Pleiades within the constellation Taurus as a marker. This conclusion should be taken as an update on the discussions regarding Rahu & Ketu’s sign rulership in my Book on these Serpent Planets.

It is interesting to note that the Mayan pyramid at ChichenItza was made especially to mark the Sun’s exact zenith conjunction with the serpent’s tale (Alcyone the brightest star in Pleiades) which in our present era happens at midday of May 20 ( midnight; May 21 India time).