Dragon's Tails North and South!

I'm sure you've noticed those funny little symbols in your chart - the
North Node looks almost like the sign for Leo, and the South Node
is the same symbol drawn upside down - and they are always
exactly opposite each other. So why are they there, and what do they
mean? Well, if you are willing to look beyond identifying character
traits and talents in studying your chart, and enter the realm of
karma, soul development, and the possibility of past lives - you will
surely benefit by looking closely at your Nodes! Click Here for a scientific
explanation. If your chart shows only the North Node, just remember that the South Node
is directly opposite. For a Fascinating article that explains the Nodes and Planets in
relationship to the Human Chakras - Click Here! - by Radu Moisoiu

The North-South Node polarity is like a magnet pulling you in opposite

directions, a dynamic attraction and repulsion. As if you didn't already
have enough oppositions, squares and other conflicting energy in your
chart - the Nodes add karmic lessons to the tangled planetary web - but
these are quite easily unraveled because the answer to the karmic residue
of the South Node is in the promise of the North Node. It's a simple
concept, but not necessarily simple to understand as it applies to your life. I
call it a "push-me, pull-you" effect. You are drawn to personal growth and
change in this lifetime by the North Node, and pulled back in time to past-
life energy by the South Node.

The South Node - "Been There, Done That"

The South Node is telling you what you're leaving behind. This is a clue to
patterns of existence so deeply ingrained in your personality by past
experience that you don't need to go there anymore - except to eliminate
excess baggage. Stemming from many lifetimes, the South Node behavior
has been overdone somehow. You may have developed bad habits through
repetition, and are still carrying outworn personality patterns. These are
indicated by the House (realm of life) and Sign (way of expression) in
which you find the South Node. You will undoubtedly meet up with people
who represent bits and pieces of this energy, and with whom you will
ultimately have a falling out as you grow in consciousness.

To define your particular bad habits, identify all that is negative about the
Sign in which your South Node falls and apply it to the realm of life
indicated by the House placement. These are traits you will hopefully be
learning to let go of in this life - one way or another. Click Here for a
quicky guideline. For greater insight, take time to study the signs and
houses, and remember to look a bit deeper within.

My South Node, for example, is in the 4th house in Taurus. I have done the home and
family and nurturing routine many many times before. I have taken care of people's needs
time and time again. I know how to do it - very well. It's second nature to me. I have
absolutely no fear of lack. The negative manifestation of this energy in my life has been a
stubborn insistence on providing for the basic necessities of life. I mother to excess. I feel
worthless unless I am providing. I know there is much more to this that perhaps I am still
learning - selfishness, bullying, shutting myself in.... how can I get past this?
The North Node - New Horizons

The North Node brings you opportunities to connect with others who can
lead you out of your own particular South Node darkness and drudgery,
and into the light of a new horizon. Look to the house and sign position of
the North Node for new ways of being, potential friends and allies, talents
yet unrealized, and heart and soul opening experiences. You will
undoubtedly attract people who help fulfill or represent your North Node
potential. Be aware that you might project your dreams upon them, thus
failing to live up to your own potential and falling back into your negative
South Node habits. You can avoid this pitfall by recognizing and realizing
the potential within yourself!

For me, this all manifests in the 10th house where I am developing my self-esteem by
becoming a visible, contributing, and self respecting member of society - through the
energy of Scorpio - representing personal power, transformation, all that is deeply hidden
and filled with emotional depth and insight. I am also working on using resources to
benefit more than just my immediate family. I realize that I have attracted intense,
powerful people (Scorpio) into my life and have had to learn, sometimes the hard way,
how to be powerful within and not allow myself to get run-over taking care of everyone.

Striking a Balance

North and South Nodes represent opposing tendencies and drives. You will
feel driven in two directions - and are challenged to create harmony and
balance. You might neglect the South Node area of your life in favor of
following the North Node dream - a definite pitfall borne of boredom of
the past and resentment for continued responsibilities. We must all try to
attend to every area of our lives, and the South Node house is no exception.
In spite of our annoyance as we grow into the North Node, we need to
learn a balanced and healthy expression of both!

Don't forget to also look at aspects - conjunctions, oppositions, quintles,

etc. - to your nodes. These will show you how other energies can both
challenge and aid your progress! In particular, look for the rulers of the
Houses and Signs your nodes fall in. To: Astrology in a Nutshell

Some Examples and Guidelines

If you have Aries Rising, it's quite possible that the signs and houses in
which your nodes fall will match... a powerful karmic combo that is
unmistakable in your life. For example - South Node in Virgo in the 6th
house with North Node in Pisces in the 12th house has a very clear purpose
- leave behind over-perfectionism in favor of peace and spirituality!

Do you have Libra Rising? If so, your North and South Nodes will be in
mutually opposite signs and houses, making for some very interesting
polarities.... For example: with a Sagittarius North Node in 3rd house
(ruled by Gemini) and a Gemini South Node in the 9th house (ruled by
Sagittarius), you would (simply put) make fortunate contacts (North Node)
with wise, worldly, optimistic, freedom loving people (positive Sagittarius
traits) in your immediate community or among siblings and close friends
(3rd house - ruled by Gemini), and it would be wise to avoid people (South
Node) who are flighty, shallow or fickle (negative Gemini traits) in their
beliefs, education and philosophy (9th house - ruled by Sagittarius.)

A Simple Guide to Creating Node Harmony!!

Look for your North Node - the South Node directly follows

By House By Sign

*North Node in 1st House

You are learning to assert yourself in this life. You will make fortunate
contacts with others who are independent and brave.

*South Node in 7th House

You need to break away from dependence on partners and lovers.

*North Node in 2nd House

You are learning to feel safe and secure in this life. You will make fortunate
contacts with people who are stable or who contribute to your financial
security and well-being.

*South Node in 8th House

You need to break away from using your power over others, or from
engaging in extreme or dangerous activities.

*North Node in 3rd House

You are learning to be an active part of your community in this life. You
make fortunate contacts with people in your community, siblings and
people who are involved in communication and travel.

*South Node in 9th House

You need to break away from wanderlust, or from old belief systems and
philosophies.

*North Node in 4th House

You are learning to make family a priority in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts and alliances with people from your family or the past.

*South Node in 10th House

You need to break away from the need to gain social praise and recognition

*North Node in 5th House

You are learning to be creative and vital in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts with children and with people who share your
recreational or creative activities.

*South Node in 11th House

You need to break away from political or social causes, or dependence on

friends and social groups.

*North Node in 6th House

You are developing a pure, healthy, hardworking lifestyle in this life. You
will make fortunate contacts with co-workers and hard-working,
meticulous, pure-minded people.

*South Node in 12th House

You need to break away from a tendency to escape reality.

*North Node in 7th House

You are learning to make your close relationships a priority in this life. You
will make fortunate contacts with partners and people you are immediately
attracted to.

*South Node in 1st House

You need to break away from a tendency to strike out alone without the
support of others.

*North Node in 8th House

You are learning to embrace the unknown and your own power in this life.
You will make fortunate contacts with powerful, magnetic, sexual or
emotional people, or with people who create dynamic changes in your life.

*South Node in 2nd House

You need to break away from a tendency to feel lacking, and develop an
inner sense of well-being and security.

*North Node in 9th House

You are developing a personal philosophy in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts with teachers, spiritual advisors, people from foreign
lands... and animals.

*South Node in 3rd House

You need to break away from small details and over-concern with siblings
and community affairs.

*North Node in 10th House

You are developing your reputation in society in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts with people who contribute to your self-esteem and
benefit your career goals.

*South Node in 4th House

You need to break away from the chains of family, the past, painful
memories.

*North Node in 11th House

You are becoming a teamplayer and a contributing member of society in

this life. You will make fortunate contacts within social groups or with
people who are unusual, ingenious or who participate in humanitarian
efforts.

*South Node in 5th House

You need to break away from an overly playful or childish attitude.

*North Node in 12th House

You are finding peace, solace and spiritual meaning in this life. You will
make fortunate contacts with those who are able to give selflessly, and with
spiritual teachers and higher spiritual powers.

*South Node in 6th House

You need to break away from obsessive, perfectionist habits

North and South Nodes - BY ZODIAC SIGN

*North Node in Aries

You are learning to strike out on your own in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts with people who are very assertive, independent and
brave.

*South Node in Libra

You need to break away from indecisiveness and dependence on others. You
need to learn to accept periods of disharmony and/or independence.

*North Node in Taurus

You are learning to provide for yourself in this life. You will make fortunate
contacts with people who are financially stable and secure, or who convey a
sense of peace and tranquility.

*South Node in Scorpio

You need to break away from mistrust of others or allowing yourself to be

controlled. You need to avoid an attraction to powerful, intense upsetting
situations.

*North Node in Gemini

You are learning to connect with others and share knowledge in this life. You
will make fortunate contacts with people who are bright, witty,
communicative and/or active in the community.

*South Node in Sagittarius

You need to break away from over-optimism and too much wanderlust.

*North Node in Cancer

You are learning to care for and nurture others in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts with people who nurture and care for you.

*South Node in Capricorn

You need to break away from strong ambitions and over-concern about your
achievements and reputation.

*North Node in Leo

You are learning to be creative, vital and organized in this life. You will
make fortunate contacts with people who are bold, brave, generous,
outgoing, playful and/or in the public eye.

*South Node in Aquarius

You need to break away from being overly-rebellious or too scientific.

*North Node in Virgo

You are learning to purify yourself and be of service in this life. You will
make fortunate contacts with hard-working, clean-living people.

*South Node in Pisces

You need to break away from being ungrounded, and from a tendency to
escape reality.

*North Node in Libra

You are learning to share equally with others in this life. You will make
fortunate contacts with people who create harmony, justice and peace, or
with potential partners.

*South Node in Aries

You need to break away from reckless, self-serving tendencies.

*North Node in Scorpio

You are learning to feel powerful and make important changes in this life.
You will make fortunate contacts with people who play a transformative role
in your life or who are powerful, magnetic and/or forceful.
*South Node in Taurus

You need to break away from selfish tendencies, pushiness and stubbornness.

*North Node in Sagittarius

You are learning to express yourself with truth, wisdom and understanding.
You will make fortunate contacts with teachers and people from foreign
lands or cultures.

*South Node in Gemini

You need to break away from talkativeness, or over-concern with small

details.

*North Node in Capricorn

You are learning to persevere in order to accomplish your goals in this life.
You will make fortunate contacts with people who are climbing the slow
ladder to success, or who have already attained a sense of achievement and
self-worth.

*South Node in Cancer

You need to break away from the bonds of your family, mother, the past and
painful memories.

*North Node in Aquarius

You are learning to embrace all people and give to society in this life. You
will make fortunate contacts with people who are eccentric, ingenious and/or
humanitarians.

*South Node in Leo

You need to break away from the need to be in control or at the center of
everything, or from an overly playful attitude.

*North Node in Pisces

You are learning compassion, understanding and spiritual transcendence in

this life. You will make fortunate contacts with people who are artistic,
highly sensitive emotionally, empathetic, spiritual and/or able to transcend
 the every-day.

*South Node in Virgo

You need to break away from over-work and over-perfectionism.

North and South Nodes - Astronomically speaking

The path the Earth takes around the Sun is known as the plane of the
Ecliptic. The Moon's path around the Earth is not exactly aligned with the
ecliptic - but inclined by about 5 degrees. As the Moon travels around the
earth, it periodically crosses paths with the ecliptic - first going North and
then heading South. These points of crossing are known as the North Node
and the South Node. These points move backwards through the Zodiac,
changing by no more than 2 or 3 degrees per month. Someone born around
the same time as you is likely to have the Nodes in the same signs, but the
house positions will probably be different.

North and South Nodes of the Moon

North Node of the Moon
The north node indicates our future and where we hope to gain knowledge, experience and skills. It is the goal we inch towards,
work towards and stretch to reach. When anything from another persons chart makes strong aspects to our north node the
relationship, regardless of its nature, is really about our own enactment towards our future.

The South Node

The south node is our past, things learned, understood and now safe territory. It is our karmic legacy in terms of human abilities
and strengths. When planets from another persons chart make aspects to our south node it denotes a very strong past spent
together or empowerment to access your own past or it highlights a need to stop a moment and reflect as something has most
likely been left behind

Their North Node conjunct your sun: This relationship is planted firmly in the future and encompasses all levels of your life.
Dynamic and powerful irregardless of how long the relationship physically lasts. They remain with you, in some form, for a long
time into the future.
Their south node conjunct your sun: A dynamic partner from your past who can shed light on your inherent strengths.

Their north node conjunct your moon: They seep in and affect your emotional levels and subconscious. Anytime the north
node connects it can bring far reaching longevity to the relationship. Irregardless your emotional and inner reaches are forever
affected because of your meeting. You will never forget this person.
Their south node conjunct your moon: This feels incredibly familiar and either extremely safe and comforting or
disconcerting. Can indicate a strong, emotional bond from your past.

Their north node conjunct your mercury: Empowers your dynamic thought processes, imagination and ability to communicate
your future with others and with yourself. Usually remains at least a good friendship far into the future.
Their south node conjunct your mercury: Indicates a karmic friendship or sibling relationship in the past. Can restructure
your view of your own past and creative processes.

Their north node conjunct your Venus: Gears you towards love in some manner and can turn into a very long term union.
Love will always be the most important facet of this friendship even if that remains unspoken. Good for channeling your artistic
abilities as well.
Their south node conjunct your Venus: This was undoubtedly a lover in your past and will bring forward subconscious and
soul based memories of that. If strong future ties occur it will help you understand what course the relationship will take this
time. Often means you are learning about living thru different types of relationships with a beloved friend.

Their north node conjunct your mars: This is about relighting your drive and propulsion in terms of attaining your future. Tends
to be a dynamic, motivating and driving relationship. If you've been apathetic or lazy about moving forward this should inspire
you. not always an easy relationship but it empowers you in one way or the other.
Their south node conjunct your mars: This usually comes into play between old karmic friends and its about learning to
reorganize and/or hold back on your inner drives. It's a controlling influence and therefore not necessarily a comfortable one

Understanding the Nodes

For the longest time there was very little written about the North and South Nodes, the little horseshoe like
symbols on the natal chart. Since they aren't really planets, it's understandable why they have been kept out of
the usual astrological cookbooks. Most recently, I have watched the nodes become the crucial point in chart
interpretation and to the best of my ability will attempt to explain how I see these celestial points at work in the
natal chart.

The Nodes reflect the point where the moon crosses the earth's ecliptic (path around the sun). They are always
opposite points. So if you have a North Node in Gemini your South Node is in Sagittarius. The most commonly
held theory about the nodes is that they are karmic points in your chart, most traditionally, the South Node
being what traits you came into this life with, and the North Node being the traits you are trying to accomplish.
I like to avoid using the phrase 'past life influences' largely because I've observed most people placing too much
emphasis on them and too easily side track themselves from their current life issues.

In a certain way, the South Node shows your inherent strengths, ones that you can call up effortlessly BUT
using those strengths doesn't teach you anything new. The South Node shows your survival tools as a child
(this lifetime) and what you counted on to make it to adulthood.

THE SOUTH NODE TELLS 'HOW' WE DID IT

THE SIGN THE RULING PLANET IS IN TELLS 'WHAT' WE DID

THE NORTH NODE TELLS 'HOW' WE COULD DO IT

THE SIGN THE RULING PLANET IS IN TELLS 'WHAT' WE COULD DO TO LIVE MORE FULLY

INTERPRETING THE NODES

When looking at a person's South Node it is vital to find the planetary ruler of that Node and the Sign it is in.
For example, South Node in Aries, look for Mars in the chart; then pay particular attention to the SIGN that
Mars is in. South Node in Taurus - look for Venus in the chart; then note the SIGN that Venus is in and so on.

Now, let's look at a particular way of thinking when trying to interpret the Nodes in a natal chart. I'll start with a
South Node in Aries.

First, we note the qualities of Aries...Pioneering, Individual, Strong, Courageous. This tells us 'How' the
individual is responding to life. We know that the individual came into this life with these strengths BUT because
they are South Node functions they imply that these strengths had to be used for survival AND that the
individual was prevented from using the North Node function of (in this case) Libra (the sign opposite Aries)
with the qualities of Fairness, WE energy , Relationship, Harmony.

The next step is to look to the ruler of the South Node...Let's say it's Mars in Capricorn. You really just have to
use the Capricorn piece here since Mars and Aries imply the same warrior spirit. The South Node tells us the
'How' the individual responds to the environment. The SIGN Mars is in tells us the 'WHAT' they are hoping to
achieve. So the individual with the South Node in Aries and a Mars in Capricorn might be interpreted as saying,
'I Aggressively (the how or the South Node) Put my needs aside and grew up Quickly (Capricorn).'

This is where I ask, 'What kind of upbringing would require that an individual have the Arian strength of
courage with the need to be self motivated, responsible and mature (the traits of Mars in Capricorn)?'

POSSIBLE ANSWERS:

1. A large family that was having a hard time providing for everyone so the South Node in Aries individual (with
Mars in Capricorn) had to get out and contribute.

2. A Family where the parents were so involved with their own problems the child was forced to survive on their
own

Those are just 2 examples of the many possibilities. But in all the cases, one thing remains constant; the South
Node in Aries individual with Mars in Capricorn, learned how to survive on their own.

Let's look at how this energy changes based on the different placements of the ruling planet.

SOUTH NODE ARIES:

(remember the South Node usually points to that you old patterns you used to survive). So if the South Node is
in Aries the native must assert themselves ALONE and the sign the ruler (Mars) is in tells us WHAT they will be
doing ALONE.

This rule applies to all the nodes. If I was talking about a Taurus South node then the 'strength' might be
Steadfast-ness and the sign the Ruling planet Venus was in in the natal chart would tell me 'What' the issue was
around survival. so if the Native was a South Node in Taurus and had Venus in Aries in their Natal chart they
could easily bring steadiness to the home in a very aggressive way. (Perhaps they had to be the person
constantly confronting the family when things got out of hand.).

If using this chart for the South Node assume the course of action is in detriment to the individual. For the
North Node, assume it is what they must accomplish.

Ruling planet is in: (Sign) Then the Native seeks to achieve the Nodal function in this way:
Aries: Aggressively, independently

Taurus: Sensually, securely

Gemini: Verbally, inquisitively

Cancer: Nurturingly

Leo: Proudly

Virgo: Discriminately

Libra: Fairly

Scorpio: Secretively, Passionately

Sagittarius: Jovially

Capricorn: Maturely

Aquarius: Individualistically
Pisces: Compassionately

In all of the above examples, the individual must use their talents in a way that often serves others but rarely
serves themselves.

For the North Node you do the same process with the understanding that if they express their North Node
FIRST there is a growth that can occur. In our example, the South Node is Aries so the North Node is Libra.
Right there, we see that the individual is moving from Individuality or Me to We. These people come in
expecting to be alone and are good at it. What they must build is a sense of relationship, or an 'US'
consciousness.

As a general rule of thumb, We do the South Node to appease others and the North Node to give to ourselves.