The North & South Nodes of the

Moon
Indicators of karma and life purpose
Interpretations of moon nodes by sign and house
The Moon's nodes are a very important feature of a Western astrological birthchart
because they answer that question we've all asked ourselves: "Why am I here?"
The moon's nodes, or lunar nodes as they are also called, are the two points north
and south where the orbit of the moon intersects the path of the sun (the ecliptic).
The nodal axis (the North and South Node are directly opposite to one another)
appears to be related to events or people that have the quality of fatedness. The
North Node is also called the Dragon's head or Ascending Node and the South
Node is also called the Dragon's tail or Descending node. The terms Dragon's head
and Dragon's tail come from mythology. The ancient people feared eclipses. They
felt that during an eclipse the sun or moon had been seized by an angry dragon and
swallowed.
The North Node is related to the soul's intent in this lifetime and the South Node to
the soul's past. Think of the nodes as designating a path. The North Node lies at
your feet and is laid out before you. That is, it represents the path of the present
and the future, where you are headed. The North Node, by its sign and house
position, outlines what your soul came here to accomplish this lifetime so that it
might evolve. The North Node represents your soul's intentions and objectives for
this lifetime: your path to self-actualization. When transits or progressions make
contact with your North Node, it represents opportunities and lessons that assist
you in becoming conscious of needed changes in your life.
The South Node is the path behind you. By its sign and house location the South
Node represents the past, including the skills, tendencies, strengths and habits your
soul brings into this lifetime. The South Node indicates the kind of behavior that is
instinctive and automatic to you. It can also represent a place of safe retreat, but
that safety can also be your stagnation and can even represent regression if you
retreat there for too long. The South Node activities and behavior feel safe and
secure but offer no new vitality or meaning. It's the past, it's finished, your work
there is done. Too much activity associated with the South Node results in
frustration, discouragement and a sense of life lacking meaningfulness. When there
are contacts to your South Node by transits or progression, issues/things from the
past seem to resurface. The South Node also tends to relate to "Deja vu" situations.
The path of the South Node is a more comfortable path to walk than that of the
North Node: which is why sometimes we are tempted to retreat there and stay too
long. The path of the North Node can feel strange and uncomfortable to us because
it represents the unknown and unfamiliar. Maybe you have heard it said that what
we have come here to do is not what comes easiest to us. This makes perfect sense
when what we've come here to become and experience are not that we've been or
experienced before! Further, it is not easy because our ego's tend to fear the
unknown. However, if we are up to the challenge of growing (the growth
represented by the North Node) then we will feel fulfilled and joyful. When we
stay too long in retreat at the South Node, we feel a void in our lives and the sense
that something is missing. However, even though the North Node path might scare
us and seem to present incomprehensible challenges at times, when we rise up to
those challenges, we feel alive and triumphant.
Astrologically, the nodes represent the major key toward understanding our lives as
part of a continual thread. You can think of the nodes as points of "soul
magnetism." The North Node pulls you toward the future and the South Node to
the past. The ideal is to blend the two. That is, to use the skills and strengths
represented by the South Node while walking the path of the North Node. A good
way to view the South Node is as your Achilles Heel. It is one of the weakest spots
in your horoscope because it represents footsteps you've already taken. You are
meant to draw strength from what it represents in your birthchart, but you are not
meant to dwell there.
The North Node represents the path we chose to walk this life. At the very deepest
levels of our being, we all feel a sense of purpose and direction. This is the North
Node. It is that inner sense of purpose that keeps us walking despite all obstacles.
As we take up the challenge and walk the North Node path, we reap benefits and
each obstacle becomes a stepping stone to further self-growth and actualization.
The primary challenge of the North Node is to be willing to walk where we see no
footsteps before us. There's a handy way for you to know when you're on the right
path. Your energy level will soar, you will feel happier and freer. When you walk
the North Node path there's this huge YES in your experiences.
Following is a table of general information about each nodal placement. Blend the
meaning of the North Node by sign location with that of the house locations
understanding that in most cases the house location theme is most prominent. If
you'd like to read more about the North and South Node, I recommend reading Jan
Spiller's Astrology for the Soul. It's a brilliant book and provides a comprehensive
and practical accounting of each of the nodal placements.

Interpretations of the North Node by Sign and House

North Node Yours is the path of courageous independence and the establishment of
in Aries your individuation. This lifetime, too much relational dependencies or
 compromising of self lead to sorrow. You are experiencing personal
North Node
power this lifetime, and must not relinquish your individuality and
in 1st House
authority to others.
North Node Yours is the path of the builder and your goal is that of abiding inner
in Taurus peace and security that are derived from valuing the self. Seeking self-
North Node worth "out there" brings sorrow - the completeness you seek can only
in 2nd come from a meaningful relationship with your self and the natural
House world. Prove yourself to yourself.
North Node Yours is the path of information gathering and sharing. You want to
in Gemini cultivate curiosity and probe the world for more information verbally
North Node or intellectually. Learning to really listen to others can be a challenge.
in 3rd You do not fare well when you follow blindly. The more experiences
House you are open to, the better. Deal squarely with life in the here and now.
Yours is the path of thoroughly understanding your own motivations,
North Node
needs and fears and the establishment of roots in the form of home,
in Cancer
tribe and attunement to your inner self. Your focus is on the fulfillment
North Node
and nourishment of your emotional self. Engender a sense of
in 4th
belonging and nurture and validate your own as well as the feelings of
House
others.
North Node Your is the path of ego development and creative self-expression. Seek
in Leo out the stage of life where you can really roar! Delve deeply into all
North Node matters of the heart. Nurture the playful child within you and others.
in 5th Play with life and take risks - look at life as a game. Cultivate personal
House dignity and self respect: recognize the specialness of you.
North Node Yours is the path of discrimination and attention to details. Your focus
in Virgo is on practical matters, self-improvement and full development of your
North Node gifts. Duty, devotion, and discipline are important. Develop your
in 6th personal skills and be of service to others. Seek to understand the
House details and mechanics of things.
Yours is the path of commitment and partnership. Identify with others
North Node
and form equal partnerships. This is not meant to be a strictly
in Libra
independent lifetime for you - the focus is on interdependency. Go it
North Node
alone and you'll feel empty. Commitment and equality in partnerships
in 7th
is key. Discover cooperation, affinity and magic in intimate
House
relationships.
North Node Yours is the path of regeneration and transformation. You are learning
in Scorpio the power of letting go of your attachments: releasing and eliminating
North Node that which is no longer meaningful to you. You must be willing to risk
in 8th what you have to reach higher levels of attainment. Seek that which is
House deep, real, spiritual, and abiding. Cultivate passion and self-control.
North Node
Your is the path of cultivating faith, pursuing spiritual understanding
in
and trusting your intuition. You have a direct line to Spirit - learn to
Sagittarius
trust that. When you put logical analysis to work, you get trapped in
North Node
indecisiveness. Seek adventure, liberation, and Higher Understanding.
in 9th
Cultivate directness in your communication with others.
House
North Node
Yours is the path of cultivating a meaningful career and to direct your
in Capricorn
energies toward society. Do you feel a sense of purpose and destiny?
This is because you are meant to cultivate your professional ambitions
North Node
for you are forging a path toward a broader base of influence. Become
in 10th
an authority in your chosen field.
House
Yours is the path of cultivating friendships and group associations that
North Node
support your dreams and aspirations. Do not seek the approval of
in Aquarius
others - risk disapproval and be willing to speak out and share your
North Node
own unconventional visions and commit to working for the good of
in 11th
the whole. Cultivate a plan, have a specific goal and direction for you
House
life. Nurture your humanitarian impulses.
Yours is the path of ego-transcendence. You are experiencing
North Node
consciousness itself - the mind/ego observing the world. You are
in Pisces
letting go of the contents of consciousness - the worries and theories
North Node
and noise that fill the mind. Cultivate your dreams and imagination.
in 12th
Your inner world is as real and solid as the outer world. Cultivate
House
compassion and the appreciation of the perfection in imperfection.