posted January 31, 2007 11:31 AM              

THE NODES OF THE MOON
By Maritha Pottenger

The Nodes are defined by the intersections of the Moon's orbit with the Earth's orbit. The North Node's position is based on the Moon moving into north declination (above the celestial equator) while the South Node's position is based on the Moon moving into south declination (below the celestial equator).

The two Nodes are always directly opposite one another (180 degrees apart) across the zodiac. As such, they define important polarities in our lives: present lives and past lives. Relating back to the Moon, the Nodes symbolize strong emotions. They are keys particularly to emotional residues which we have carried forward from past lifetimes. They point to ingrained patterns that we tend to repeat over and over again. Old insecurities are depicted here -- ways in which we seek safety and try to protect ourselves and others. Relationship issues are often prominent. People who "push our emotional buttons" often have Nodal connections between our horoscope and theirs. (Once integrated, the Nodes show potential sustenance and support-what "feeds" us.)

There are three major paths people take in coping with the emotional residues of the Nodes. Most of us try the first two paths before discovering the third.

Path One: Some people experience the Nodes as a seesaw: They swing from one extreme to the other. For example, with the Nodes across Aries/Libra (or 1st house/7th house), some people vacillate between being alone and being together. They get lonely, want a relationship and get involved. Once they're involved, they start to feel trapped, hemmed in and eventually leave. Then they start to get lonely again and repeat the cycle. Typically, people with each Nodal polarity have had some past lifetimes living out one extreme and other lifetimes living out the opposite extreme.

Path Two: Some people identify with one Node and "project" the other Node. That is, they are unconsciously attracted to people who will live out the qualities symbolized by that opposite Node. The problem is, if we express only one side of a polarity, the people we attract are likely to express the opposite in excess. They will overdo it! With the Aries/Libra example, if an individual identifies with the Libra end ("I want a relationship"), they may repeatedly attract "free souls" who won't commit, married people who aren't available or self-centered individuals unwilling to make the compromises necessary in a healthy relationship. One person is overdoing the Libra need to merge with another; the other person is overdoing the Aries need for self-assertion and personal freedom. Conversely, the individual who identifies only with the Aries Node wants to live life on their own terms and be independent, and keeps on attracting people who want to marry, settle down, be together and share everything (overdoing the Libra).

Path Three: People find the happy medium between the Nodal polarities. They realize that life is an "and," not an "or," and fit the drives of both Nodes into their lives. They turn potential enemies into allies by not going to either extreme. They face their inner insecurities (including those from experiences in past lifetimes) and muster the emotional courage to reach a constructive balance point. By bringing together the best of both sides, they are more effective and more emotionally poised. A positive equilibrium is reached.

Some authors interpret the Nodes as "where we've been" and "where we should be going." This can be misleading. The Nodes are primarily an opposition! The goal of any opposition is synthesis -- to turn the enemies into allies, to combine the best of both into a golden mean. Talking about one Node as your "future" and the other as your "past" encourages people to fall into polarization and projection -- exactly the problems to which the Nodes are susceptible! Both Nodes relate to past lives and polarities we are striving to balance. Both Nodes relate to the future which can be bright when we achieve a pleasing synthesis!

The ancient tradition was that the North/South Node was more like Jupiter (in the sense of being easier to handle, more subjectively comfortable) and the South Node was more like Saturn (in the sense of feeling more stressful or demanding). In my experience, that is generally true but with individual exceptions. People with the South Node in the 1st house, for example, are usually prey to self-criticism and inhibiting tendencies similar to Saturn in the 1st, and more so than people with North/South Node in the 1st. One must, however, consider all factors. (North/South Node in Capricorn, in the 10th house or conjunct Saturn will obviously carry a great deal of karmic pressure.)

Because both Nodes relate back to the Moon, either can be a point of insecurity (where we feel needy, whiny, vulnerable, infantile) or a point of emotional sustenance and support (where we've laid a good foundation, can trust, give and receive nurturing to and with other people).

Conjunctions to the Nodes

Any conjunction to a Node will, first and foremost, emphasize the polarity involved. Secondly, the nature of the planet making the conjunction becomes more tied into that polarity. Continuing with the 1st/7th (or Aries/Libra) polarity, if the Sun is making a conjunction, the polarization between Self and Other will revolve much around issues of ego, self-esteem and who gets center stage. If Saturn is making the conjunction, the push/pull of assertion versus accommodation will center on professional questions; issues of who gets to call the shots, dictator tendencies and criticism may be used to push the other person away. Power issues are significant in relationships.

posted January 31, 2007 11:33 AM              

Sun conjunct North Node: Ego and pride are tied to security needs. This person may feel safest when on stage or otherwise at the center of attention. Nurturing becomes connected with praise and admiration (both in terms of what person wants from and gives to others). Close, intimate connections are expected to stroke one's ego. Creative urges are strengthened within family contexts or close ties.

Sun conjunct South Node: A degree of insecurity is likely. This individual may fear the limelight -- or have problems ever getting off the stage. Negative feedback is likely to be extra tough on this person. They may feel creatively blocked or have fears or phobias connected to children, childbearing, love affairs, romance, men, leadership, etc. They can gain sustenance through expressing themselves and receiving positive regard.

Moon conjunct North Node: The need for home, family and emotional security is extra strong. Issues revolving around dependency and nurturing are highlighted. The mother figure (and the nurturing role) have a strong impact on this person's sense of safety. Food may be their security blanket. They're vulnerable to the moods of people in their environment. They may strive to protect themselves or others, and are working on the balance between the two.

Moon conjunct South Node: Emotional vulnerability is accented in this person. They may be too protective, overly needy, very susceptible to the emotions of a mother figure or other family members. They may feel lacking in unconditional love. They may fear family, dependency, parenthood, roots or emotional connections. They find more safety and sustenance by establishing strong ties, getting and giving trust to others.

posted January 31, 2007 11:36 AM              

Venus conjunct North Node: Love or money is connected to security needs. This individual may hang on to relationships or cling to possessions. They may turn their partner or bank account into their security blanket. They may find safety through involvement with beauty, counseling or peer relationships. They may nurture or be nurtured in partnerships.

Venus conjunct South Node: This person may be fearful about relationships or financial matters. They could feel unloved, poor or blocked in regards to pleasure. They might overdo or underdo (or swing between those extremes) material indulgence and sensuality. Learning to protect and be protected within interpersonal exchanges is key for this individual.

Mars conjunct North Node: This person's safety is tied to action and independence. They reassure themselves by seeking the liberty to do their own thing. They may be a pioneer in emotional matters. Ambivalence between freedom and closeness is likely. Learning to balance personal desires and caretaking duties and create their own personal emotional foundation is key.

Mars conjunct South Node: This individual may be fearful or phobic about ever taking the initiative. They could be overly self-critical. Issues are possible surrounding health (especially relating to repression), violence or assertiveness. They may go to extremes (too much or too little) in regards to personal action or physicality. Learning how to care for themselves and others is key.

Jupiter conjunct North Node: Faith becomes tied to this individual's emotional security. Their beliefs and values will either provide a firm foundation or add to their insecurity and anxiety. They may feel safest when doing something bigger and better or when wheeling and dealing. They could feel torn between establishing roots and having adventure in their lives. Spirituality can be a source of emotional strength.

Jupiter Conjunct South Node: This person has a karmic lesson to learn regarding faith, trust, beliefs and values. They may have too much faith or too little, or put trust in the wrong place (areas of life that are not infinite) or the wrong people. They could feel phobic or fearful about travel, foreigners, religion, education or expansion and growth. Learning to extend unconditional love, to trust in God, nature and the parts of life that are infinite is key for them.

posted January 31, 2007 11:37 AM              

Saturn conjunct South Node: This individual faces a karmic challenge surrounding power, authority and control; this is often connected to a father figure or other intimate authority. They may be dictatorial and overbearing, or fearful of taking charge. They might be insecure regarding their profession or contribution to society. Learning to trust their own strength and to take appropriate responsibility is key to their development.

Uranus conjunct North Node: This person probably feels most secure when they're involved with transpersonal issues or when they can do their own thing. They could be inventive in regards to emotional matters and their close, caring connections. Unusual associations are quite possible for them. They might nurture humanity or turn their friends into family. They can be quite emotionally tolerant.

Uranus conjunct South Node: This individual is likely to feel threatened in regards to their own originality or individuality. They may squelch their rebellious urges or overdo them. They experience a push and pull between dependency and independence, between home and the wider world or between family and friends. Learning to have emotional ties without possessiveness and to make open-ended commitments is key to this person's development.

Neptune conjunct North Node: This person reassures themselves through contact with nature, beauty and other inspirational pursuits. Spiritual connections can be a source of security for them. They may overidealize others in their relationships, or expect too much in nurturing contexts. They feel safest in their own imagination and transcendent talents. They want a magical home life.

Neptune conjunct South Node: This individual may feel phobic about beauty, imagination or their rescuing instincts. They could yearn for the unattainable dream. They tend to overdo visualization and fantasy. A savior-victim association could develop. Learning to find the common ground between human love and a love of God is key to this individual, who is very sensitive to cosmic nurturing.

Pluto conjunct North Node: This person finds security in understanding the depths of their own psyche and other people's. They may be intensely committed to establishing safe emotional foundations. They tend to hang on in relationships, sometimes for too long. Issues of safety and protection may take on life-and-death proportions. Feelings of blame and shame may be connected to nurturing. Sex could be used as a security blanket. Their protective instincts seek psychological understanding. Looking deeper into psyches (their own and others') provides security for this individual.

Pluto conjunct South Node: This position denotes karmic challenges regarding intimacy, self-mastery, addiction or compulsivity. This person might be lacking in self-control or tends toward obsession. Issues surrounding power and shared possessions are highlighted in their close associations. This person tends to learn about themselves through the mirror of other people. They develop intense emotional connections. The development of self-mastery and deep psychological insights is accentuated in their personal relationships.

posted January 31, 2007 12:26 PM              

quote:

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Mercury conjunct South Node: This person may be intellectually insecure (this can manifest itself if the individual feels stupid, has phone phobia...

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i have such a phone phobia (not of calling my friends...but to call strangers...including making calls for tech support etc)....i also am plagued with the feeling tht i am pretty dumb, from time to time.

quote:

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Mars conjunct South Node: This individual may be fearful or phobic about ever taking the initiative. They could be overly self-critical.

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posted January 31, 2007 01:14 PM              

I have Mars and Neptune conjunct my North Node (Neptune is sitting exactly on it).
And there was much truth to the interpretations.
I`m not a very active person, but

"They reassure themselves by seeking the liberty to do their own thing."
That is so me, and I`m not proud of it. Actually it`s the source of many of my intimacy-problems. I cannot give up my independence and sometimes come across as arrogant, defensive and as if I need nobody.

"Learning to balance personal desires and caretaking duties and create their own personal emotional foundation is key."
Absolutely. I`m trying and trying, but it`s hard for me to allow myself to be needed and to need others.

"Spiritual connections can be a source of security for them."
*smiling* Oh yes, that`s so true.

"They feel safest in their own imagination"
Yes, that`s also true. I feel so safe in my own imagination, that I sometimes avoid leaving this wonderful world of mine.

posted January 31, 2007 02:49 PM              

I find that these descript apply to my trtines to my NN too. I have Merc trine NN and my self-esteem and emotional security is heavily depends on my "brainpower" as too my ability to articulate my feelings. Thatw as a huge issue when I was a kid - I didn't know how to articulate how I felt and I wa always insecure. Once I learned how, it was a huge breakthrough for me. It changed everything.

posted January 31, 2007 03:15 PM              

You're definitely right; any aspect is a challenge and it depends on us how it's going to be manifested.
I read the article on Nodes, and I can pretty much find myself in every interpretation of how Nodes effect us.
Depending on the situation, lol (blame my Gemini Sun!)
I liked that ancient theory of how NN could be interpreted as having Jupiter flavour, and SN a Saturnian one.
I can very much relate to that, cause I'm far too serious for a Gemini Sun.
Fun is boring and vice-versa lol.
Anyway, though I've never been a person who looks at things black and white, somehow I feel that if I had NN instead of SN on my Sun, I'd spend much more time in a pub, then in my room (as i've been doing all my life)..

posted January 31, 2007 05:23 PM              

I'm a very reclusive type myself
(Scorpio Venus in Retrograde),
although I'm about as extroverted as can be on these messageboards.
Guess its my Sun/Midheaven.

Hope to see you around.
I know, from what I've already seen,
that you have a lot that is worth sharing.

posted January 31, 2007 06:10 PM              

Thank you so much for your reply, warm welcome and compliments.
I knew what I was saying when I said I love your soul.
My feelings are rarely wrong.

Regarding my aspects, NN falls in Sagittarius, end of the 1st house, and its ruler (Jupiter) is in Pisces 4th making square ( double trouble) to my NN and Sun/SN conjunction in Gemini.
Jupiter does make a trine with Mercury in Cancer, and sextiles Venus in Taurus but I don't know how curing that can be to my hard Sun aspects.
I'm not that experienced in interpreting things like many people know and do in here, but I'm learning.
The one thing that I like is my Sun trining Uranus; it does give me a sense of "light and positive" acceptance of changes, whether they are good or bad.
Then my Scorpio ascendant and Pluto closest to Midheaven just dont let me give up..

Once again,thank you so much HSC,
I now love your soul even more..

Goodnight and sending you my love xxx

posted February 01, 2007 11:27 AM              

Wow, thank you.
I read this last night and it made me feel so good. For some reason I was too restless to reply then (I've been so scattered lately). Thank you for seeing what is loveable in my soul. I do have some major flaws though (as many on these boards can testify), like most people, so I hope, if and when you see them, it will not send me toppling down too far from that pedestal.

I'd love to see your chart, if you feel like posting it, or posting your birthdate, time, and location. Maybe I could say a thing or two which might help you get started interpreting some of the more significant themes. I've been studying astrology for a while, but I'm no expert. I really think its one of those things, like advanced astro-physics, or something, that one has to be a certain kind of genius to do well. Interpreting an entire horoscope, seeing how all the factors inter-relate, and deciding what is truly important, is like cracking a spy code. Then, I suppose, expressing one's deeper perceptions in a way that others can understand, is another art in itself.

I wouldnt be too worried about those Jupiter squares. For one thing, difficult aspects from Jupiter are the easiest difficult aspects around. Also, the trine to Mercury and sextile to Venus (both wonderful aspects!) provide flowing channels for the dynamic square energy to release itself in very positive ways. In fact, that square may be a real blessing, in that it powers those aspects to Mercury and Venus. Also, Jupiter in Pisces is a truly beautiful thing. My ex-girlfriend has this aspect in her 10th house (career), and she works as a RNP (registered nurse practitioner), helping and healing a lot of people. Sun trine Uranus is great too. It makes you very smart and objective and accepting of differences in others. I have the conjunction (Sun/Venus/MC/Uranus - all within 3 degrees), which is more powerful, but also more compulsive (I really have be different, objective, accepting, etc.) .

That Scorpio Ascendant and Pluto Midheaven will be the source of most of your greatest obstacles and triumphs. Astrologer Isabel Hickey wrote, "No unevolved soul is born with a Scorpio Ascendant,". Some people might disagree, having considered only the outward appearances and effects of people with Scorpio Ascendants, but, I would rather argue that these trials are not given to undeveloped souls. My best friend has a Scorpio Ascendant. He battled a serious heroin addiction for a while, but now he is working and going to school and I've never seen him so wise and self-possessed. He's amazing. But, I digress.

love to you,
Stephen

posted February 01, 2007 03:02 PM              

What can I say?! You left me speechless.. Thank you so much for your time, interest, and a great explanation of some of my natal aspects.
This is the first time someone explains these things to me with knowledge, understanding and clearness.
You rightly said about Jupiter in Pisces..it's a really soul-enriching position; I also have my Moon there, so I'm quite sensible to people in need, those left out, rejected..I also feel the connection between Jupiter, Venus and Mercury (positive); when I'm on a known ground, I'm expressing my feelings very easily, and, if I can say that for myself; am very kind, polite and positive towards others.
But...there's another side which can be quite dark, but that's another story.

I wouldn't like to misuse GeminiNymph's thread on Nodes, so I'll post you my chart in the new thread, if that's ok...

Once again, thank you so much, you wonderful person, and don't worry about posting late, etc...I understand when you say that you've been scattered lately...I feel like that for a last couple of years so I know...

posted March 02, 2014 09:44 PM            

Yours; however has a Moon Trine, whereas mine has that Angular Square as a "Skipped Step."

Certainly mine has a way of popping up; always has, but I think I am learning to deal with it.

That's really what it's all about...

Use your Luminary to offset the difficult.

I am certain you are aware of this?:
http://www.philipsedgwick.com/Galactic/ZS.htm

posted March 03, 2014 08:08 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Ellynlvx:
I pulled your chart, TGem, and was looking at it, and it has distinct similarities to mine.

Yours; however has a Moon Trine, whereas mine has that Angular Square as a "Skipped Step."

Certainly mine has a way of popping up; always has, but I think I am learning to deal with it.

That's really what it's all about...

Use your Luminary to offset the difficult.

I am certain you are aware of this?:
http://www.philipsedgwick.com/Galactic/ZS.htm

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posted March 03, 2014 09:02 AM            

It can be difficult, no doubt, dealing with a Skipped Step.

posted November 30, 2015 09:20 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Sikanda:
Uranus conjunct North Node: This person probably feels most secure when they're involved with transpersonal issues or when they can do their own thing. They could be inventive in regards to emotional matters and their close, caring connections. Unusual associations are quite possible for them. They might nurture humanity or turn their friends into family. They can be quite emotionally tolerant.
--
^Yes, this is very true of me.

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DITTO