The Lunar Nodes

The Lunar Nodes

by

Lunar Nodes

The Lunar Nodes are points in a chart and they are an interesting part to the whole story when you read a chart.

When I first started doing astrology I was not thrilled with lunar nodes as a concept as I was more interested in solar astrology being a Leo.

Over time I learned to understand the Moon’s nodes better. 

It just goes to show that not everything in astrology is interesting to everyone.

You need to find your focus as well.

The Luminaries Path Intersection

The Sun’s path is called the plane of the ecliptic.

The Moon’s path is angled at close to five degrees to the plane of the ecliptic.

The Moon crosses the plane of the ecliptic twice a month, once traveling north and once going south.

The Moon’s north node is found at the point where the Moon crosses the ecliptic moving north (NN).

The Moon’s south node is located at the point where the Moon crosses the Sun’s path moving south (SN).



Eclipses

When the Sun is near the conjunction to the nodes there is the chance of a solar eclipse or a lunar eclipse.

This occurs roughly every six months as the Sun moves halfway around the zodiac and goes from one node to the other node.

Lunar Nodal Axis

In your chart, the Moon’s nodes are an axis with the north node at one end, and the south node at the other end.

Some charts only show the north node and you can determine the South Node’s position as it is always directly opposite the north node.

Mean and True Nodes

The mean node is the average placement of the Moon’s nodes.

The Moon’s mean nodes are always retrograde as they precess through the signs in longitude.

The Moon’s true nodes can be direct, stationary or retrograde.

Lunar Nodal Speed

The Moon’s nodes precess (or move backward) at a rate of approximately 18.6 years through the whole zodiac.

At age 19, 38, 56, and 75 when the nodes return to their birth position, you will experience a nodal return.

Lunar Nodes Transit the Signs

The lunar nodes spend around eighteen months in each sign.

Planetary Nodes

All the planets (except the Sun) have north and south nodes.

For example, Pluto’s nodes are at +/- 20 degrees Cancer and Capricorn.

The planetary nodes are not exactly opposite each other in the chart.

The Meaning of the Nodes

 

The North Node

The north node is also known as the dragon’s head or Caput Draconis.

Connections to new people are shown through your north node.

Meetings, get-togethers, and rendezvous are likely to happen.

The north node is concerned with things that occur at a hub (computer routers, airports).

The north node shows your current incarnation in this life. It suggests your karmic objectives.

The north node is related to consciousness.

The north node indicates your future path and where you can grow and evolve.

The South Node

The south node is also known as the dragon’s tail or Cauda Draconis.

The south node suggests connections with people from your past.

It indicates the things that you already know. The south node shows your past incarnations – past lives.

This point is related to unconsciousness and sub-consciousness.

The south node clearly shows your past and your past lives.

It is a place where stagnation can take place.

Lunar Nodal Interpretation

The Nodal Complex

The north and south nodes are usually interpreted as an axis.

  • Note the zodiac sign polarity is it active or passive.
  • Note the two houses as a pair.
  • Note any aspects from the Moon to the nodes as they need careful consideration.
  • Note and planets that conjoin a node, and thus opposes the other node, as they are significant.
  • Note any planet that squares to the nodal axis as they will square both nodes, and this needs some consideration.

Personal Eclipse Points

In your natal chart, the nodal positions are referred to as personal eclipse points as they show where the eclipses would have been that year.

Nodal Degrees

The zodiac degree of the north and south nodes is known as your nodal degree, and any planet on that degree is vital in the nodal interpretation.

Aspects to the Nodes

If a planet aspects one node it usually also aspects the other node, except for some of the trine/sextile combination as the sextile aspect orb is only 4°and the trine is 8° degrees.

Conjunctions and Oppositions

Any planet conjunct a node will influence the nodal axis in a meaningful way.

This planet suggests that you are being pulled forward in life (north node conjunction) or by being held back by your past (south node conjunction).

Squares to the Nodal Axis

Planets square will aspect both the north and the south nodes in a square and will in a way stop either future or past dominating the life.

This person may not move forward without significant challenges.



The Lunar Nodes in the Signs

Aries – Libra

The north node in Aries fears but should push towards, independence.

The south node in Libra falls back to the partner to find balance.

Taurus – Scorpio

The north node Taurus fears but should push towards, stability.

The south node in Scorpio falls back on reliability.

Gemini – Sagittarius

The north node in Gemini fears but should push towards communication.

The south node in Sagittarius falls back on adventure.

Cancer  –  Capricorn

The north node in Cancer fears but should push towards self-reliance.

The south node in Capricorn falls back on the tried and tested.

Leo – Aquarius

The north node in Leo fears but should push towards creativity.

The south node in Aquarius falls back on being awkward.

Virgo – Pisces

The north node in Virgo fears but should push towards, kindness.

The south node in Pisces falls back on the sympathy of others.

Libra – Aries

The north node in Libra fears but should push towards, finding a partner.

The south node in Aries falls back on attacking others.

Scorpio – Taurus

The north node in Scorpio fears but should push towards, transformation.

The south node in Taurus falls back on resisting change.

Sagittarius – Gemini

The north node in Sagittarius fears but should push towards, philosophy.

The south node in Gemini falls back on empty comments and gossip.

Capricorn – Cancer

The north node in Capricorn fears, but should push towards, setting goals in life.

The south node in Cancer falls back on withdrawing to home.,

Aquarius – Leo

The north node in Aquarius fears, but should push towards, being humble.

The south node in Leo falls back on arrogance.

Pisces – Virgo

The north node in Pisces fears, but should push towards, empathy and support.

The south node in Virgo falls back on criticism.

The Lunar Nodes in the Houses

First and Seventh houses

The north node in the first house is the quest to take a leadership role.

The south node seventh house is the quest to influence others.

Second and Eighth houses

The north node in the second house is the quest to establish personal security.

The south node in the eighth house is the quest to enable others financially.

Third and Ninth houses

The north node in the third house is the quest to know before speaking your mind.

The south node in the ninth house is the quest to realize that knowledge is already in you.

Fourth and Tenth houses

The north node in the fourth house is the quest for security in life.

The south node in the tenth house is the quest for a status-conscious family.

Fifth and Eleventh houses

The north node in the fifth house is the quest to procreate and take risks in life.

The south node in the eleventh house is the quest to find allies.

Sixth and Twelfth houses

The north node in the sixth house is the quest to have a satisfying work ethic.

The south node in the twelfth house is the quest to understand the meaning of life.

Seventh and First houses

The north node in the seventh house is the quest for a partner.

The south node in the first house is the quest for self-happiness.

Eighth and Second houses

The north node in the eighth house is the quest for deeper understanding.

The south node in the second is the quest for self-respect.

Ninth and Third houses

The north node in the ninth house is the quest for knowledge. The south node in the third house is the quest for learning.

Tenth and Fourth houses

The north node in the tenth house is the quest to do well in life. The south node in the fourth house is the quest to be supported by your family.

Eleventh and Fifth houses

The north node in the eleventh house is the quest to collaborate with others.

The south node in the fifth house is the quest to be sure about things.

Twelfth and Sixth houses

The north node in the twelfth house is the quest for understanding.

The south node in the sixth house is the quest for daily work.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Lunar Nodes

In your astrology journal and referring to your chart or the chart of a potential client do the following:

  • Determine the Moon complex.
  • Name the Lunar phase.
  • List the Lunar Nodal complex.

Extend Yourself

  • Interpret the Lunar Nodal complex and consider the signs, houses, and important aspects (conjunctions and squares) (250 words).

Moon Extras

Here are some more posts about the Moon in astrology which you may enjoy.

Eclipse Fever – Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017

Eclipse Fever – Solar Eclipse on August 21, 2017

by 

by Alison Price

Solar Eclipse

On August 21st, 2017 there will be a solar eclipse visible from many places in the North America.

The eclipse will pass through the US from Oregon to South Carolina with the shadow of the Moon streaking across the land with the total eclipse path around 65km wide.

Even up here in Vancouver, Canada we see the Moon cover around 75% of the disc of the Sun and it will be a partial eclipse for us.

I have cleared my diary for this special day and I shall be in the park across from my apartment at the time of the eclipse which will reach totality at around 10:30 am.

You need to have found a seat by 9 am. I plan to take a coffee and a brunch picnic.

Perhaps I’ll have my sketchbook as well.

You will need special eclipse glasses and I have mine already.

I first used these for the Venus transit of the Sun way back in 2012 so they’ve been lying on my shelf waiting for another solar eclipse to come my way.

The Eclipse Path

Even though there are at least two solar Eclipses each year they often pass unnoticed over the ocean so you don’t get to see them at all. But this August the world will be watching as the shadow sweeps over the USA from Oregon to South Carolina.

Check out this handy eclipse path diagram with the compliments of NASA.

You Interpret Eclipses in 3 ways

  • The Eclipse Chart Itself – General
  • How it Contacts your Birth Chart – Personal
  • The Original Saros Chart – Collective

1 – The Eclipse Chart – General Interpretation

The actual eclipse chart itself will show you the nature of this particular eclipse. Always set your eclipse chart for the zero Aries house system if you are interpreting the eclipse itself.

Now aspects to the eclipse will come into play and with any eclipse chart you can look at:

  • Any planet conjoined this solar eclipse as it will be important.
  • Any planets opposing the solar eclipse will be important.
  • Any other aspects to the eclipse point can now be considered.

     

    2 – Contacts to your Natal chart – Personal Interpretation

When looking at the personal effect of any particular eclipse check for two main things regarding your natal chart; the house and the aspects.

Natal House

The eclipse will be at 28 Leo. Find which house in your chart the eclipse will fall and this will be where you can make a new start.

Eclipse Aspects to Your Natal Chart

For aspects use an orb of 2 degrees and see if this eclipse contacts any of your planets or points with either an opposition or a conjunction.

I don’t look at other aspects as the main feature of any eclipse is the syzygy between the Sun, Moon and the Earth.

To support this geometry you only need to consider conjunctions (solar eclipse) and opposition (lunar eclipse). Only these two aspects are of interest when working with an eclipse to your natal chart.

If there are no conjunctions or oppositions to your natal chart this particular eclipse will probably not affect you much.

Conjunctions to you own Sun will make this eclipse a part of your Solar Return chart and thus it will be in effect for one whole year for you.

If your birthday is from August 19th to 23rd of any year the energy in this eclipse will affect you for the next twelve months.

3 – The Original Saros Chart – Collective Interpretation

Every eclipse belongs to a Saros series. The original Saros chart from the first eclipse in the Saros is important to show the nature of this family of eclipses.

The original Saros chart for the eclipse on August 21st, Saros series 1 North is shown below.

Solar Eclipse Saros 1 N 3 January 1639

 

Saros 145

Below is the full display of Saros 145. The blue line is the Moon’s shadow as it slowly draws down towards the south with every eclipse in the Saros.

How Long Does an Eclipse Effect Last?

Typically astrologers say an eclipse will last until the next eclipses season or about six months when it is then wiped out by the current eclipses.

But there is a better way to measure the length of time each particular eclipse will last.

Solar Eclipse Effects in Time

Solar eclipses are in effect for one month for each minute of the eclipse. This particular eclipse is total for 2 minutes and 40 seconds so its effect will be for around two and a half months.

Lunar Eclipse Effects in Time

Note: Lunar eclipses are in effect for one day for each minute the eclipse lasts

 

Solar Eclipses in Astrology

Solar Eclipses in Astrology

by

Solar Eclipses are Cool

A Solar Eclipse happens when the Moon moves in front of the Sun. 

The Moon blocks out the light and the heat from the Sun.

Usually the birds stop tweeting as well which is a strange thing about solar eclipses.

 

My Solar Eclipse Story

I first experienced the cooling effects of a solar eclipse when we lived in a town called Phalaborwa in the province of Limpopo in South Africa.

This place name means The Town of Two Summers as the temperature is hot in winter and hot in summer.

Phalaborwa is situated right on the Tropic of Capricorn and experiences relentless dry heat all the time.

It is a mining town and copper is the reason the settlement is there at all.

In Phalaborwa, any tree is a good tree because it is a shade tree.

In the three years we lived there is rained three times for ten minutes each time.

Dry, dry, dry.

The Eclipse Starts

It was about 2pm and a hot afternoon.

I was ready for the solar eclipse and had the special eclipse glasses for all the kids as we sat in the garden sipping lemonade.

Looking up into the clear blue sky we watched the Moon slowly creep over the face of the Sun.

But, that’s when I noticed the drop in temperature and the chill of the eclipse.

Bearing in mind that temperatures were normally 40C at midday, suddenly it became cool and dark.

Not fully night as it was a partial solar eclipse, but still enough to reduce the light to dusky levels.

Cold and gloomy the kids ran inside and were excited and anxious at the same time.

Within five minutes, the Moon had moved over the disk of the Sun and again the bright light and heat came flooding back to the afternoon.

Almost as suddenly it felt as it had never happened.

Such is the nature of a Solar eclipse.

If you get a chance to experience a solar eclipse, pay attention to all your senses and not just sight and you will have a richer eclipse experience that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

New Moon

Every month there is a New Moon which occurs in the same sign as the Sun.

Each New Moon is usually in the following sign from the last one.

When the Sun is in Libra we have the Libra New Moon.

When the Sun is in Scorpio it will be the Scorpio New Moon.

A New Moon is a time to sow seeds, begin things and start a new course of action.

A New Moon will affect all the things shown by the area of life (house) in which it occurs in your natal chart.

If you know where this is going to happen you can plan ahead.

Types of Eclipses

There are two types of eclipse, a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse.

Either type of eclipse occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth line up exactly in the sky.

For a solar eclipse the sequence is: Sun – Moon – Earth. 

For a lunar eclipse the sequence is: Sun – Earth – Moon

 

Solar Eclipse

A solar eclipse happens when the Moon moves in front of the Sun and blocks out the light.

If the Moon is close enough to the Earth that its umbra (main) shadow can reach Earth it will cast a shadow across the face of the Earth, this is known as the eclipse path.

The eclipse path is usually quite thin and can be up to 170km wide crossing the face of the Earth.

This width varies with each individual eclipse.

Only places on Earth on the eclipse path and in the full shadow of the Moon will experience totality.

 

 

Solar eclipse October 22, 2014

Annular Solar Eclipse

It depends on how close the Sun is to the node whether it is a partial, total, total annular or hybrid (a bit of both) eclipse.

When the orb between the Sun and the node is less than 9 degrees it is an annular eclipse.

If the Earth is also at perihelion the Moon can fully cover the Sun’s disk and it is a total solar eclipse.

If the Moon does not fully cover the Sun’s face then it is a partial eclipse.

The Eclipse Path

Solar eclipses can only be seen during the day when the Sun is above the horizon.

An eclipse is visible from all places where the Moon’s shadow crosses the face of the Earth.

It you are on the eclipse path you will see the eclipse.

When

An eclipse will occur at different times depending where on Earth you are and you can catch a glimpse of one if you are near the eclipse path.

The Astrology of Eclipses

All eclipses are not created equal. Some are simply more dynamic and have a greater potential within themselves than others.

Each one has to be judged on its own merits.

Astrologically eclipses are both general and personal.

It depends on the eclipse chart (see above) and your own birth chart and if and how they connect.

Therefore some eclipses have a deeper and more profound effect than others.

General Effects of an Eclipse

  • This eclipse will be in a sign and the ruler(s) of the sign will have influence over the eclipse.
  • If it is an eclipse at the Moon’s north node it indicates that we are focussing on future things and drawing in people, goods and experiences to ourselves.
  • If it is at the Moon south node it suggests that we are letting go of people, stuff and emotional baggage.
  • The Sun and Moon may be conjoined a planet which inclines towards discussing the issues brought about at the eclipse and the meaning of the planet.

Personal Effects of an Eclipse

  • Whichever house the eclipse occurs in your natal chart will be the area of life that will be affected. For example in your first house your looks, seventh house your romance, partner, relationship or in your tenth house your career and goal setting.
  • If it is your birthday on the eclipse day you will feel the most effect from the eclipse.
  • If your Ascendant is on the eclipse degree the effects of this eclipse will be impressive and there may be a huge change for your life, your personality and how other see you.
  • If you have any planets in your natal chart at the eclipse degree they will be stimulated by the eclipse.

How Long an Eclipse Lasts

The actual eclipse lasts about one hour but the effects of the eclipse are usually for around six months.

If a particular eclipse connects with your chart by any of the ways mentioned above it will have an effect on you for about six months.

This depends on how close the eclipse falls to your chart planets and points (Ascendant, MC, nodes, Vertex or Part of Fortune).

There are specific timing strategies that astrologers use which can change this six-month pattern.

You would have to consult with myself or your astrologer to fully determine how each eclipse in the next year or so will affect you directly.

Eclipse Seasons

Every six months the Sun draws near one of the lunar nodes and we have eclipses.

Sometimes only two and on occasion three.

It depends on how close the Sun is to the nodes in degrees.

The closer the orb the more likely eclipse.

Solar Eclipse

Eclipses at the New Moon are always solar.

Solar eclipses impart a masculine or yang feel.

This means it is an active eclipse where you can get started on your intentions right away.

North Node Eclipse

Eclipses is at the north node suggest the future is improtant.

Your future can be supported based on intentions begun now.

South Node Eclipse

Eclipses at the south node suggest the past is important.

Your past may be influencing your present situation through memories, people or events.

Happy Birthday

If your birthday is on a solar eclipse day, you will feel that particular eclipse intensely because it forms part of your Solar Return chart whose celestial energies are in place for you for the next twelve months.

Eclipse conjunct a natal planet

Now and then an eclipse will be right on the degree of a natal planet, ascendant or MC in your chart.

Obviously, this doesn’t happen often but when it does you need to pay attention.

An astrologer can quickly tell when this will happen for you.

Starzclass

Aspiring Astrologer Activity: Solar Eclipses

In your astrology journal, and referring to the next solar eclipse, please do the following:

  • Find the exact position of the solar eclipse in degrees and minutes.
  • Note which house in your chart the solar eclipse will fall.
  • See if the solar eclipse will conjoin any of your natal planets or points.

Extend Yourself

  • Write a general interpretation for the eclipse hat can be used by everyone or in your horoscope writing. Include the sign, the node and any planetary conjunctions to the eclipse (use a 1 degree orb) (100 words).
  • Write a personal interpretation for the eclipse including the house and any conjunctions the eclipse will make to your chart (100 words).

Extend Yourself Further

  • Cast the charts for every solar eclispe that will occur this year and next year. Use the Zero Aries house stystem.
  • Write general interpretations for each upcoming eclipse. This will be useful for you as an aspiring astrologer for your forecast work (100 words per eclipse).
The Part of Fortune

The Part of Fortune

by | ,

The Part Of Fortune There are may components in a birth chart like planets, aspects, houses, signs and points. A chart point is a place in space and there is not an entity there like a planet. Chart points usually displayed are the Lunar Nodes, the Vertex and the Part...

New Moon and the Part of Fortune

New Moon and the Part of Fortune

by | , ,

New Moon When the Part of Fortune is on the ascendant it means it is New Moon. Actually it is because it is New Moon the Part of Fortune will be on the ascendant. A New Moon is potent because it is the seed moment in the Sun / Moon positions and the beginning point of...