Moon's Nodes
There are two nodes of the Moon, the North Node and the South Node. These areas of the chart are always in opposition (180 degrees apart). They are known as destiny’s gate or the axis of fate. These Nodes have a karmic and spiritual relevance and some say they are the meeting point between the higher powers and humanity as a whole. This is where the spiritual energies enlighten humanity with their life’s mission. It speaks about where we should be heading (North Node) and where we have come from in a life that has significant ties to this one (South Node).
The South Node has connections with our past, and we bring with us qualities that we can use in this life to help us connect with our current life’s mission. The South Node is an area or energy that we are comfortable with, as these energies are instinctively familiar.
The North Node, however, is completely new and rather unknown to us. Most of us are a little uncomfortable with the energies of our North Node (NN). However, life tends to keep pushing us towards our NN objectives. We are linked to the NN as this is what we need to learn and to develop and use as our journey continues.
It takes some courage in surrendering to our NN energies and direction in life. New areas are opened and revealed to us over time, and they are necessary traits to be acquired in order to facilitate the growth required by the soul.
The North and South Node often provide us with information so we can decipher why we have come into this life and what our purpose truly is. It is said that what happens in this life is tied to what we have experienced previously.
The North Node is known as the dragon’s head while the South Node is known as the dragon’s tail. These nodes although coming from different perspectives will aid in our quest and foster growth through life’s experience that will eventually lead us to where we are meant to go.
The North Node and South Node are defined by sign and house position. For example since they are always 180 degrees apart, if you have a NN in Pisces in the third house, you will have a SN in Virgo in the ninth house.
The house position is similar to having the ruling sign position. As a result, if, for example, you have the NN in the first house, it is like having the NN in the first sign of Aries. The SN would be in the seventh house which would be like having the SN in Libra.
Between the energies of the Nodal sign position and the Nodal house position, you will get a good idea of what life’s mission might be. Many in early life are led by the SN node tendencies as this is a comfortable place. As we mature into ourselves, we begin to develop our NN abilities and move into our destined path.
Planets & Aspects Linked to the Nodes
The planets and the aspects that link up to these two nodes should be treated in the same manner as any other planets’ energies in the Astrology chart. The aspects are also treated as any other aspects in the chart. The planetary energies tie in with the Nodes and emphasize what these energies imply.
For example, Mars tied to the South Node may indicate that in a previous life you were a fighter or someone with a vile temper or a leader who lead others through force. The North Node tied to Mars may suggest that in this life you are to pursue your objectives with vigor and use your inherent strength to accomplish what you set out to do. Mars would give you the impulse to address what the sign and house position of the North Node suggests.
When a transiting planet conjuncts the North Node, and if for example it were Uranus, this may be a time when you should follow the desire to break free from any type of restriction that has held you back and has stopped you from achieving what the North Node is suggesting. This may happen on the spur of the moment and without warning. It may push you in a direction that requires immediate decision making and the desire for something new and enterprising especially if the North Node is in the sign of Aries for example.
If Uranus were transiting your South Node, this would suggest that it is not the time to do these things and that you should weigh things out before making any commitment to change and follow a new life direction. It warns of sudden decision that might hamper you later in life. Rash decision making would not be recommended. You should take time to ponder your actions before making any moves regardless of the desire to move ahead in a new direction. You could check out the house that your North Node or South Node are in to give you further information about what area of life is involved. You could also check out which house your natal Uranus is in to add to the underlying information being provided to you through your chart.
In most cases, if you take the time suggested with the South Node (and remember the South Node has similarities to Saturn’s actions) you can make informed decisions rather than jumping, which is what Uranus would want from you.
The North Node and Uranus however, would suggest that you take that giant step and move in that intended direction in your life, as the North Node is similar in its action to Jupiter and usually provides good fortune and positive outcomes. You always need to look at the overall picture of what is happening in your chart before making any life changing decisions.
Transiting Moon's Nodes
The transiting Nodes take 19 years to move through all of the signs of the zodiac in an Astrology chart. It takes approximately 1 ½ years to move through one single sign.
As houses depict areas of life, the nodes moving through a house will define areas of life where we are gaining knowledge. We get a deeper understanding of the areas of life governed by the house position of the nodes.
Remember that there are two nodes, a North and South node, and they are always in opposition (opposite) to one another. Both houses will be affected by our nodes’ placement.
The Nodes are attached to our soul’s mission and we have come to experience life more fully in each area of life that the nodes are influencing in the birth chart. In general, we are here to serve on one level or another and although the Nodes definitely teach us valuable lessons in life, once learned and understood, we can offer up information and assistance to those that are interested in the information we have to offer which will assist them in whatever way needed.
The nodes are tied to our destiny so when we are experiencing our nodes in action, stimulated through house contact and planetary links, we have obligations to fulfill. Remember we came into this life to fulfill our life’s goals which are closely linked to the nodal positions at birth. We have to give a little of ourselves in order to complete our soul’s requirements, as we have much to offer. Our higher connection to self (from a spiritual perspective) and the earthly measures we take assist us in getting one step closer to our higher purpose. We have come to serve a purpose and to learn lessons through experience and to add to the greater whole.
We are at the controls of our experiences but often when the nodes are under hard aspect, or activated through transit, we may feel as though we are at the mercy of life’s events and life seems to have control over us. This is when we have to use our inner guidance, our spirit guides, our astrology charts or those wise individuals that walk this journey with us to work through life’s events. Many times the overall plan behind our experiences may escape us consciously, and we have to find the faith in the process that is required and recognize that there is something much bigger at work than what is obvious to us in human form.
The North Node always pointing us towards our objectives. When the North Node is transiting a point in our chart, it asks us to go deep into our lesson. It asks us to think about what we might want to do or where we might want to address change or gain through experience. The North node operates in the same fashion as Jupiter, so it offers us opportunities and provides us with good luck and generally makes us happy and more content in our life’s progress when we follow its energies.
The South Node acts in similar ways to the planet Saturn. The South Node wants us to pay attention to what can be learned through the potential rough spots that we may encounter along the way. It offers lessons and responsibilities and makes us aware of our liabilities. The South Node makes us work on these areas of life which are in focus and the energies of the planets that are being activated through this contact. Although we may have to sacrifice or let go of something, it also offers up chances for spiritual growth through these experiences and lessons that need to be well learned. This knowledge will be used as our lives progress.
Stay open to advice being offered from both nodes and use the energies of the North Node to facilitate growth in your life’s quest. Use the energies and lessons of the South Node with caution and care but recognize the importance of what is being said for your greater good. All aspects (regardless of which aspect it is) has something important to give. Leaving the door open to this understanding will allow the positive energies of all aspects to generate opportunities in our lives.