THE NODES

Nodes are the intersections of orbits. When astrologers refer to the nodes, they usually mean the Moons nodes. There are nodes for all the planets, but they are heliocentric (viewed from the perspective of the Sun), whereas the Moons nodes are geocentric (viewed from the perspective of Earth). Thats because the Moon orbits the earth, not the Sun. The Moons nodes are the intersection of the Earths orbit around the Sun and the Moons orbit around the Earth. There is a north (or ascending) node, where the Moon crosses the orbit intersection as it heads north, and a south (or descending) node, where the Moon crosses the orbit intersection as it heads south. These two points are by definition exactly opposite one another, in the same degree and minute of opposite signs, forming an axis and a polarity. They are in perfect opposition; sometimes they form the only opposition in a chart. Oppositions by nature indicate potential conflict, but also show complementing energies, a balancing out. Oppositions have to do with awareness we gain by our interactions with others, and the Moons Nodes are often indicators of connections we make. In Person-Centered Astrology (1976 CSA Press, p. 245), Dane Rudhyar points out: The nodes constitute an axis; that is to say, the north or south node of planets and likewise of the Moon are never to be considered alone. The habit so many astrologers have of marking and considering only the Moons north node in a chart does not make any sense. Both nodes form an unbreakable pair, just as do the Ascendant and Descendant or Zenith and Nadir. The Moons nodes are sensitive points in a chart even though there is nothing physically occupying these points. They have to do with Eclipses, which are the most powerful New and Full Moons. Eclipses occur when the Sun, Moon and Earth line up with one another within 19of the intersections of their orbits, namely the nodes. Of course, this is as observed from Earth (although you would be subject to and able to observe a Lunar Eclipse if you happened to be on the Moon). The ordinary direction for the nodes is Retrograde, meaning in the direction opposite from the ordinary movement of the planets. They can be measured in their exact motion, where they reverse direction themselves (their direct motion being like Retrograde is for the planets). This method yields what is known as the true nodes. Or their motion can be averaged out and viewed as a steady backward motion, which is known as the mean nodes. Some ephemerides list the nodes one way, while others list them the other way. There is no hard and fast convention. I used to be a true node proponent, believing them to be true, until I heard Gary Christian make a good case for the mean node which led me to say: So - the true node isnt true and the mean node isnt mean. Now I use whatever

my computer programs and ephemerides have available and I dont worry too much about it since theyre not usually too different. Every once in a while, they could be in different signs or land in different houses, so when theyre on the border, read them with that in mind. The nodes take about 18-1/2 years to circle the zodiac. You can have a nodal return, as well as a nodal opposition halfway through the cycle. Both these aspects mark important times for the areas of life indicated by their houses positions and the traits shown by their signs. Rudhyar looks at the north node as a place of intake and the south node as a place of release or evacuation (Op. Cit., p. 268-9): The north node refers to whatever builds the personality, bringing to it new material. This material should not only be absorbed but metabolized The south node refers to any material whatsoever (physical, emotional-psychic, mental) which the organism no longer needs, whether it be that the substance cannot be used and is in a decaying or poisonous condition, or that it is the positive and creative expression of the natural function of the body-mind organism. Marc Jones has spoken of the nodal line as the axis of fate. It refers to two basic approaches to existence, both of which should be included in the harmonious life of man. [The north node position] indicates where the positive focus of conscious existence should be established the south node should not be thought of always or entirely as a negative factor, [a place of] self-undoing destiny may be accomplished symbolically where the south node is placed in ones birth chart. Something greater than oneself may be fulfilled there ones basic function in society or in the universe. And such a fulfillment indeed may mean paying little attention to ones individual personality. The nodes are sometimes called the Dragons Head (north node, or Rahu in Vedic astrology) and the Dragons Tail (south node, or Ketu in Vedic astrology). A.T. Mann says in The Round Art, The Indians liken the nodes to a great dragon which entwines the ecliptic. Rudhyar (Op. Cit., p. 266) alludes to the eclipse connection with the nodes: The celestial Dragon was thought to swallow the eclipsed body. I think of fighting a dragon, where to conquer it you must fight it at the head, which has the danger of the fiery breath, all the while watching out for its tail, which can whip around and knock you off your feet. The north node represents what is difficult for us but which brings about great growth, while the south node represents what comes easily but can be a trap and does not promote growth. The south node can be the dragons tail that trips us, while the dragons fiery breath shows the difficulty of approaching the area of growth. The glyphs for the nodes depict semi-circles with the terminals bounded by small circles. The north nodes glyph has the semi-circle rising above the small circles while the glyph for the south node has the semi-circle inverted with the small circles at the top. I have

not read anything about these glyphs but I thought about them and I believe their origin may be depicting the travel of the Moon above and below the orbit intersection that the nodal axis represents. The Moon crosses the intersection heading north at the north node, thus its glyph depicts the semi-circular orbit above the two circles that represent the nodes themselves. At the south node, the Moon crosses the intersection heading south or going below so the semi-circular path is below the circles of the nodes. An easy way to remember them is to think of a toy beetle car or an actual beetle when the hump is up and the feet or wheels are down, it can go places. Thats the north node, showing that you want to go there. When the feet or wheels are up in the air and the hump back is on the ground, its stuck and going nowhere thats like the south node. In The Astrologers Node Book by Donna Van Toen (1981 Samuel Wiser, York Beach, Maine), a very good book by the way, the author pokes holes in the popular theory that the north node represents good luck and the south node is a sort of perpetual jinx. To me, the north node is a point of growth, a point of untapped potential. This potential is invariably very positive, yet the north node is seldom what youd instantly recognize as an area where fate smiles on you. Good luck implies having things come easily to you. This isnt usually the case with the north node. To get at this potential you have to work darned hard. If you do this you may eventually discover yourself having very nice things happen to you. But its not merely luck -- youve worked to earn them, whether consciously or unconsciously. In contrast to the north node, the south node represents a point of stagnation. Here we find the potentials that keep you from growing. This is where you do what comes naturally, where you take the line of least resistance. Now the qualities the south node represents may not actually be vices, but chances are that youve over-exploited them at the expense of your north node potentials. [p. 14] Another good book on the nodes is Karmic Astrology: The Moons Nodes and Reincarnation by Martin Schulman (1975, Samuel Weiser), which focuses a lot on the reincarnation aspects of the nodes. The theory is that the south node shows where we are coming from in a past life and the north node shows where we are heading in this lifetime. Thus the nodal axis represents a sort of spiritual directional indicator, with the north node acting like a homing device. I often think of the south node as a springboard to the north node rather than a trap, with the south nodes sign and house positions representing, respectively, qualities and circumstances to use what comes easily to help you get to what is more difficult. The nodes are often strongly configured between two partners charts in synastry. Again if you go the reincarnation route, the idea is that conjunctions to the south node of one

partner by planets of the other partner show past life connections. Even without a past life connection, interaspects involving the nodes may indicate how one person can stimulate the growth or inhibit the growth of the other person, or how one person may assist the other in his/her spiritual direction. Whether or not you accept the reincarnation theory, the nodes can certainly represent connections to other people. The Uranian school of astrology is big on this interpretation of the nodes. In his lecture to the ASC, Uranian Astrology for the Complete Idiot, Bruce Scofield said the nodes represent our contacts with a greater world, friends, family, and community. A.T. Mann concurs, Since the nodes indicate the collective movement of the Moon through long periods of time, it is most reasonable to relate them to associations, adaptability to groups including the family and to societies of individuals with common aims. Personifications of the nodes are societies, groupies, compulsive joiners, those who encourage group or family coherence, and organizers. [The Round Art, p. 97] In my notes for a 1983 research project (headed by Alphee Lavoie, I think) to study transits to the natal nodes, I found the following comment by RHR (I think that referred to fellow student Richard Roess): Planets conjuncting the north node may be noticed to bring new people, new situations or changes into ones life. I believe it was in a lecture to the ASC called South Node Dialogs, by Monica Hable Dimino that we discussed how people born about 9-10 years apart have their nodes opposite one anothers, Person As north node is at the south node of Person B and vice versa. This is almost like two negative poles of a pair of magnets repulsing one another. You might think that there would be a balancing between them, but instead it seems like even if there is an attraction, there is a simultaneous withdrawal from each other, and probably the relationship will not work out in the long run. The signs of the nodes show behaviors that either come with some difficulty but are growth-producing (north node) or those that come easily but might be a trap (south node). Generally, we list these according to the sign placement of the north node, with the south nodes position in the opposite sign being implied. Rudhyar (Op. Cit., p. 270) likens the north nodes sign to the type of food most fruitful in building ones personality, provided it is chewed well, while the south nodes sign warns against automatic (unconscious) use of the negative implication of the sign. Monica Hable Dimino says that because the nodes motion is opposite the direction of the planets, she looks at them as being a balancing structure. Were so comfortable doing our south nodes that its hard to do our north nodes. Were always doing our south nodes, especially when were under stress or cornered. She sees the south node as a gift we

have to give others, that it comes to us because of our destiny, and that we can learn from others about our north nodes. She uses 10 orbs, and thinks conjunctions to the south node may be more important than angular planets! Traits for the Nodes signs (normal type from my teacher, Capel McCutcheon; italics from Monica Hable Dimino).
Sign

No. AR So. LI

No. TA So. SC

No. GE So. SA

North node in this sign and South node in opposite sign needs for: independence, to develop individual personality, , to make own decisions, trouble with others, strain in relationships / cant be alone, often marry young (often spouse ends up gone a lot), need a partner, good mediators, find out what others need, strong esthetics, learning to be more autonomous; gift: bring relating skills to the rest of us attracts possessions or a possessive partner; aim is to become resourceful, practical / secretive, able to get others to spill the beans, answer a question with a question, good detectives, may be esoteric in a past life, expect others to do things for them, some-times death issues in the family, waiting for inheritance or ship to come in but may end up emptyhanded; gift: understand secrets of the world, gravitate to those with resources, good at networking [remember: big money brings big responsibilities with it] Poor judgment, restless, need for concentration, aim to become versatile, optimistic and have mental agility, benefits through relatives / ancients said this was the dignified position for the south node, reach for a singular answer, likes to get to the point fast [true for all fire signs, but especially Sag, doesnt like to listen or deal with dualities; gift: help others reach conclusions or one answer (synthesize),

Sign

No. LI So. AR

North node in this sign and South node in opposite sign too much self-love, need to learn to love others, issues of self will and personal freedom vs. need for relationships / frequently seen in first born children, pioneer, me first/only, is there anyone else in the universe?, very independent, warriors in past lives?, need to get into a mode; gift: teach independence and selfreliance/support

No. materialistic, need to overcome SC dependency on others resources / like So. TA

stability, dont like risks, create stability for others, north node in means they must face death; gift: great at grounding (destiny puts them on the edge of a cliff)

No. too much superficiality, flit from one SA thing to another, little staying power, aim So. GE

for pioneering new ideas, education, success through associations / tons of information overload, no discrimination, hard to move forward or get to the point, may have significant relationship with siblings or a lack thereof, find eventually they cant rely on their siblings; gift: ability to learn, gather information and communicate lots

No. CN So. CP

No. LE So. AQ

No. VI So. PI

writing, publishing media darling aim to become sensitive, nurturing, domestic, to make a good home life, may have selfish ambition / the boss in charge for many lifetimes, bossy, authoritarian, natural born leader, likes to run the show, out of touch with their emotional/ needs afraid to be vulnerable and need to learn to be; gift: ability to take charge, leadership egocentric or retreats from the world, grow toward executive ability, independence, leader-ship, pride, selfrespect; beware being snobbish / dont want to be personally involved, loyal to group rather than individuals, detached, needs space, doesnt want too much intimacy; gift: objectivity, astute judgments, issues unclouded, keen intellect grow toward proper use of discrimination, can be escapist or cop out / dreamer, Richard Idemon says of Pisces not me, not here, not now (denial), nothing is wrong, difficulty analyzing and criticizing, indifferent to ones body, inclined to overeat or overdo, sees everything as having a place in the universe; gift: compassion, understanding, non-judgmental, theres more than meets the eye

No. aim to be good at business, have high CP ambition, develop persistence toward So. CN

No. AQ So. LE

success; acquisitive, self-critical / is not a maternal sign rather its the baby, so south node here indicates the baby in the family (not necessarily literally), never feels grown up, stays dependent; gift: ability to grow and to grow beyond their years, as elderly still willing to learn self-centered, grows toward understanding unity, providing service to others; satisfaction from common goals / is a life giving sign, these people pick others up, cheerful, entertaining, have a sense of nobility or want to be noble, want the best, can be a snob, have difficulty staying uninvolved; gift: uplifting, sunshine, complimentary, keep things light

No. grow toward compassion, being artistic, PI relinquishing personal needs for others, So. VI

judgmental, picky / extremely critical, analytical and detailed, likes to have the full story, feels all areas of life can be understood and conquered (never say die), dont want to see some situations have no answers, very hardworking; gift: scientific, logical, critical

The nodes do not rule any houses generically nor do they have home houses. The nodal axis brings out the natural polarity of the pair of opposite houses and signs the nodes occupy. The houses perhaps have a greater personal significance than do the signs, since the signs are a result of a sub-generational influence, while the house placements are determined by the birth minute. Rudhyar (Op. Cit., pp. 271-2) says the north nodes house represents the type of experiences involving the greatest amount of personal exertion, but also normally producing the most valuable results in terms of adjustment to ones environment and its challenges. The south nodes house shows the types of experiences one takes for granted, the line of least resistance and least exertion, which one tends to repeat and

indulge in. It can also refer to a gift or faculty acquired in a past life or inherited from the parents, or a place where one must sacrifice oneself for the greater good. The following are more notes from the classes I took with Capel McCutcheon in regular typeface and more from Monica Dimino in italics:
North node here and South node in opposite house lacks initiative, need to develop personal power, too dependent, need to learn to rely on self / marry young, need a significant other, destiny brings a partner then takes him/her out of town; gift: cooperative, good mediators, good at consultations doesnt or cant rely on others for money, inheritance may be denied / inherited money - often karmic; deal with joint resources issues; gift: bring out the best working with others, put resources together, magick need to develop mental powers, to reason logically and analyze; blind faith, need to find practical applications for philosophies / media or religion (belief system) important; lots of contact with foreigners or in-laws, not good at local scene; gift: see the big picture, get to the point, dispense information domestic scene gives fulfillment, aim for constructive use of emotions, public life is not so important or satisfying, withdraw to inner life / not necessarily career-oriented, authoritarian, take charge type, the adult, the boss, need to get in touch with feelings; gift: be adult in all senses, suppress needs wants to stand alone, dependency on others not satisfactory, aims to be creative, self-expressive, develop own desires, will, power / forms identity through a group or a sub-class leading to a sense of well-being, may be missing individual expression; gift: know how to North node here and South node in opposite house too independent, much self-assertion in past, help others to self-worth / need to learn to consult others; gift: independent, autonomous

No. 1 So. 7

No. 7 So. 1

No. 2 So. 8

No. 8 So. 2

No. 3 So. 9

No. 9 So. 3

No. 4 So. 10

No. 10 So. 4

No. 5 So. 11

No. 11 So. 5

resources are better when shared with another; help others achieve resources to share, earning money by oneself doesnt work out too well / money is important, rather earn it themselves, need to learn to work jointly with others; gift: see fin. opptys need to develop faith and philosophies, to reach out, travel and explore, need something to believe in, bogged down in facts and logic / in touch with neighborhoods, like they never left school, stuck in high school dev. level, have local accent; gift: manage their environments, know local resources career arena brings fulfillment, may receive assistance in public career, possibly a broken home or death of a parent or change in residence / dependent on mom, seek safety, family is important, dont feel ready to be adults, tend not to have many children; gift: make mothers of us all goals are not personal, children may not be much help or be thankful, personal affections don't bring satisfaction, aim for group service, be a humanitarian / gift: teaches us to have fun

No. 6 So. 12

give energy to a group, suppresses ego for the good of all need work and service to others for integration, seclusion will not lead to happiness, concern for health / like to deal with the unseen, like to be alone, dreamer, need to un-charge, like to sleep alone, may be psychic, get info from dreams; gift: see beyond the surface, know cant control everything

No. 12 So. 6

own health and job not so important as working to achieve improvement for others, need to integrate mystical approach to bring satisfaction / workaholic, enjoy working; gift: do for others with-out expecting rewards

Since there can be some overlap between the areas/traits associated with signs and their natural houses, here are some further themes (also from my old class notes from Capel McCutcheon): 1/7 or AR/LI potential for partnership strain or change, can be intensely involved in relationships then give them up, need to resolve self/other tension in life, good position for counseling 2/8 or TA/SC issues of self-indulgence, control of appetites and of own vs. others values/finances; need to develop respect for others rights 3/9 or GE/SA blind expectations vs. lack of faith; tension through obligations to relatives or siblings; tension through not finishing education but having to continue studies 4/10 or CN/CP early home life tension, issues of personal security vs. providing security for others, need for emotional closeness vs. drive for power, dependency as a means of control (especially with a strong , or 4th House) 5/11 or LE/AQ personal vs. impersonal creative expression, romance vs. friendship, raise children vs. serve humanity, problems with sex/courtship/children (divorce, separation from children), challenge finding permanency in love 6/12 or VI/PI issues of health vs. healing, work vs. service, may struggle to gain health, may be a job hopper and require variety When the nodes aspects planets in a chart they bring the energy/traits of the planet(s) into the issues represented by the nodal axis in its signs and houses. Here are some indications from A.T. Manns The Round Art, where he seems to focus on the contact with others angle for the nodes: Sun defining oneself through relationships, working and political associations Moon family ties, mother an important figure, important contacts with women Mercury intellectual companions, very sociable, exchange of ideas is important Venus diplomatic, engaging personality, artistic friends, popular Mars leadership, groups of men, team spirit, energetic cooperation, or dissident groups

Jupiter good connections, association with influential people, social climbing Saturn relationships with older people or father figures, loyalty, possibly anti-social Uranus many and changing contacts, unusual or unstable friendships, separations Neptune idealistic associations, spiritual unions, secret societies, unrealistic expectations Pluto powerful friends or lovers, contact with the masses, tragic loves, business concerns Ascendant sociable, extroverted, communal, dislike being alone, social conscience Midheaven destiny determined by relationships, advancement through associations, exploiting Although Mann doesnt mention Chiron, I would expect an aspect from it to the nodes would bring about associations with a wounding/healing theme or with those who are mavericks. Claude Weiss presented a helpful lecture entitled Freedom through Self-Realization/the South Node at the 1998 United Astrology Conference in Atlanta. He believes any planet in aspect to the nodal axis will indicate a dominating factor in the life, particularly conjunctions to the south node. He uses a 10 orb if the conjunction is in the same sign, 7 if in a different sign or if the aspect is a square. He believes there is some effect even if a planet is in the same sign as the south node but not in aspect to it. If multiple planets aspect the nodes, consider sign rulerships, look to the smaller orbed aspects, and give extra weight to the slower moving planets. In general, he finds that conjunctions to the south node indicate (either or both) grandiosity or depression about the matters of the planet involved. Here is a summary of his suggestions about south node aspects from the planets:
Sun dichotomy between fear and wanting to be important or special; usually a father problem, have to redevelop father image, cant use it as presented by father; want to live like a child, unrepressed by rules, or to be a king or an artist; must go through fear before you can shine in the sun; ego problem; do a task larger than yourself; women with this may have come from a male incarnation; myth: Im special Moon mother problem; feel that you did not receive what you expected/needed; needy child; want attention from others; need to get away from dependencies and be independent; men with this may have come from a female incarnation; myth: everybody loves me; nobody loves me Mercury the world is not what you thought it would be; problems with communications or siblings or at school; need to develop intellectual capacities and communication; have to accept the irrational Venus did not get enough love in childhood or has a narrow range of acceptable strokes; try to get love in life but first need to learn how to be alone; tend to cling to people or things; women with this are very seductive

Mars difficulty using Mars in a positive way (You cannot be nice with Mars all the time.); may have been a wild child and then had to repress; motivation and self-expression problems; need to find appropriate ways to release aggression (sports, competition) Jupiter didnt get the great things expected as a child; attraction to big figures (read mythology, biographies), find ways to realize vision; become embodiment of something larger, need to do something thats not everyday; do you accept reality? need to integrate Saturn, Mercury Saturn problems with authority or power; people used their power in the wrong way during your childhood therefore its hard to accept your own power; find a profession where youre responsible for something and thereby become important, autonomous; myth Im not OK but realize others are not OK either then hopefully come to were all OK; dont become a martyr or make others one Uranus afraid to be taken in by the system; rather be an advisor or expert; fear losing freedom by belonging to a group; need to find ways to live out originality/specialness; may be abandoned or alone leading to development of independence Neptune issues relate to surrender, psychic development, religion, guilt, confusion, chaos; good to be of service, use creativity or be involved with music Pluto exposed to power games at a young age, felt powerless so trying to find own power; as you reach upper rung you may self-destruct and fall back; confronted with whats wrong with society; need to find something to put whole energy into thats more important than own ego; may have physical problems or inhibitions

Claude Weiss says that the north node is what you have to integrate to be able to live the south node a better way. He suggests developing the qualities of the planet that rules the sign opposite the rulership of a planet at the south node (e.g., if Mercury is conjunct the south node, develop Jupiter or Neptune; if the Sun is conjunct the south node, develop Uranus). Monica Hable Dimino also gave some traits for aspects, particularly conjunctions, to the south node by the planets. Here are her thoughts: Sun solar, self-centered, the big cheese, cherished child, father issues?, want to be center stage, can be egocentric Moon strong lunar nature, may be infantile, mood swings, mobile feelings, affected by others Mercury adolescent, young look, curious, talkative, questioning, impatient, mercurial, young body, know their environment Venus uses Venusian power to accomplish things, sweet, care about others, sociable Mars aggressive, assertive, feels fighting is a way of settling things Jupiter prosperous, successful, everything is OK/life is good, secure, confident, noncontroversial, gets away with things, positive, optimistic

Saturn serious, responsible, Saturnine, sense of duty, hardworking, contributors, earn what they get, easy to be an adult, never children Uranus unusual experiences, the unexpected, chaotic, surprises, unpredictable situations or outcomes, upset the status quo Neptune psychic, into mysticism, beauty, music Pluto may have suffered brutalities or Plutonian experiences, psychologically manipulative, power struggles, but may be subtle, sometimes a disarming sense of humor With nodal aspects to the transcendental planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto), Monica says these people are more in touch with transcendental themes and see the bigger scheme. Monica thinks the transiting nodes are extremely important, that the north node brings irrigation and the south node shows where things are full and need to be let go. She suggests looking back at what was happening in your life 18-1/2 years ago (a nodal cycle) and seeing what correspondences there are to circumstances now. In a lecture on transits, Jeff Jawer said something to the effect of take it in through the head with the north node, get it out through the tail with the south node. This is reminiscent of Rudhyars eating and evacuation analogy. The natal or transiting north node shows where we can bring new experiences into our lives and the natal or transiting south node shows where we can get rid of the old used-up stuff. Ray Merriman has done some good work on the nodes transits, according to Monica Dimino, although I am not familiar with it. He is a very well respected astrologer, so check him out. In preparing for this article, I looked through Derek and Julia Parkers Parkers Astrology (the predecessor to which was their Compleat Astrologer, which was like my Bible when I began astrology), and I was shocked to discover that there was no mention of the nodes, none whatsoever. When they explain how to calculate a chart and they show a finished chart, all it has are planets, no nodes. Their ephemeris has no nodes. [I believe that has been rectified in the more recent editions!] I cant conceive of not looking at these important indicators in a chart. Granted, theyre not planets, but they add a dimension to the interpretation that is sorely missing without them. Michael Lutins newest book, Sunshines: The Astrology of Being Happy, uses an ingenious technique to translate the Nodes messages into easy laymans terms, and I highly recommend it. He said in a lecture that he was asked, If you had just ten minutes to tell someone about their chart, would you include the nodes? and he replied that with only ten minutes he would speak only about the nodes. Thats how important they are. After reviewing all of the above, I bet you agree!

2006 Janet Booth, AstrologyBooth.com