by Cindy Fadoir
As I continue to stretch beyond the typical planetary influences on the astrological natal chart, I find these two additional astrological considerations are not physical objects in the heaven at all. They are points in space indicating where the Moon crosses the ecliptic. That is to say, when the Moon’s monthly orbit around the earth crosses the earth’s annual orbit around the Sun (the ecliptic). Each orbital intersection is called a Node, occurring twice a year in opposite signs. Even though these points are considered Nodes of the Moon, they actually demonstrate the relationship between the Sun, Moon and Earth at the time of birth.
The Nodes move in a retrograde direction slowly through the Zodiac completing a full cycle in 18 to 19 years, or through each Zodiac sign in about 19 months. The North Node occurs when the Moon’s orbit crosses from south of the ecliptic to north of the ecliptic. When the Moon’s orbit crosses from north of the ecliptic to south of the ecliptic, the South Node occurs. The Zodiac sign and chart placement of the North Node is directly opposite that of the South Node.
There are various theories of how the Nodes influence our charts but the most common is that the North Node represents our Future Lives and the South Node represents our Past Lives. Some astrologers relate the North Node to positive, optimistic, expansive Jupiter and the South Node to negative, pessimistic, restrictive Saturn. Chinese astrology associate the North Node to a Dragon’s head taking in nourishment, striving for fulfillment and the South Node to a Dragon’s tail expelling waste, releasing and letting go; in other words, a taking in and giving out opposition. In Karmic astrology, the North Node is the path of evolution, moving toward the soul’s like purpose, and the South Node is the elimination of all that the soul has outgrown. It may also be said that the North Node represents people we are drawn to, as opposed to the South Node, which represents people we tend to avoid.
Balance between the two Nodes is a lifelong goal. It appears that the South Node represents the old patterns and prejudices that may need to be released, which are deeply ingrained, possibly too comfortable and limiting, like the easy way out. The North Node shows the potential growth, fresh outlook, even liberation from the past. It may take a lifetime to balance between the old, easy, South Node ways to the new, expansive North Node destiny.
The Zodiac sign of each Node are direct opposites. The following describe each pair of Nodes presenting what traits to grow (North) and what to let go (South).
North Node in Aries, South Node in Libra – Assertiveness and initiative result in self-sufficiency, leaving behind indecisiveness and reliance on others.
North Node in Taurus, South Node in Scorpio – Strength and relentless drive pave the path to inner security, releasing emotional pain regarding power and sexuality.
North Node in Gemini, South Node in Sagittarius – Effective listening and meaningful sharing lead to inner truth, leaving behind dogma and a need to philosophize.
North Node in Cancer, South Node in Capricorn – Caring for self and others is the path of nurture, releasing ambitious drive and need to control.
North Node in Leo, South Node in Aquarius – Strength of will and compassion result in a heart centered soul, leaving behind eccentricity, rebellion and impersonality.
North Node in Virgo, South Node in Pisces – Structure and inner confidence lead to a path of selfless service, releasing martyrdom and escapism.
North Node in Libra, South Node in Aries – Cooperation and empathy result in balanced partnerships, leaving behind competition and self-centered tendencies.
North Node in Scorpio, South Node in Taurus – Power, transformation and intimacy result in self-mastery, releasing possessiveness and materialism.
North Node in Sagittarius, South Node in Gemini – Integrity, commitment and trust lead the seeker to truth, leaving behind being superficial and too logical.
North Node in Capricorn, South Node in Cancer – Discipline and structure lead to autonomy, releasing dependency and sensitivity.
North Node in Aquarius, South Node in Leo – Empathy, community and equality pave a path to evolution, leaving behind egotism and self-centeredness.
North Node in Pisces, South Node in Virgo – Compassion and mystery lead to enlightenment, releasing perfectionism and criticalness.
Keep in mind that traits to be released are ones that we naturally fall back on or use as the easy way out. They are ancient patterns and deeply entrenched. It’s a balancing act between releasing the South Node traits and initiating the North Node traits. Achieving that balance is achieving our destiny.
Until next time, may you gaze upon the heavens and see your balanced soul in the multitude of stars.
read more about Cindy Fadoir here . . .
An version of this article will also appear in Star Nations Magazine . . .
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