The Soul's Path and the Astrological South and North Node
by Rob Burlinson
A Western Astrological Birth chart is literally a star map of the sky when you were born, showing the positions of the various planets and the Moon. However, there are two points included in it that do not exist in the sky at all, and are not even ʻrealʼ, so why are are they there, and what do they represent?
These two hypothetical points are called the North and South Node, and they are always directly opposite each other, and so always fall in opposite signs. If you can locate the position of one in your chart (the glyph looks like a pair of headphones) then you can locate the other. For example, if your North Node is at fifteen degrees of Pisces, your South Node will be at fifteen degrees of Virgo (the astrological sign exactly opposite Pisces). They are two ends of a huge energetic see-saw. The Nodes do not originate in Western Astrology but come from Vedic (Indian) Astrology. They are to do with the relationship between the orbital paths of the Moon and Sun in the sky above us as viewed from the Earth, and where their imaginary orbital lines cross are the points of the Nodes. The symbolism of these planets tells us a lot about what the Nodes signify. The Sun represents our ʻLightʼ, our Souls journey upon the Earth in this lifetime. The Moon is an indicator of our past, our roots, where we have come from. So together they are showing us something about how we have shone our light in the past. Interestingly, the Nodes are also the only heavenly reference point to move backwards through the Zodiac e.g. If your North Node is in Pisces and someone is born after you when the Nodes next changed signs, their North Node would be in Aquarius (the preceding sign). This again echoes how they link us to our past and all we have been.
These two hypothetical points are called the North and South Node, and they are always directly opposite each other, and so always fall in opposite signs. If you can locate the position of one in your chart (the glyph looks like a pair of headphones) then you can locate the other. For example, if your North Node is at fifteen degrees of Pisces, your South Node will be at fifteen degrees of Virgo (the astrological sign exactly opposite Pisces). They are two ends of a huge energetic see-saw. The Nodes do not originate in Western Astrology but come from Vedic (Indian) Astrology. They are to do with the relationship between the orbital paths of the Moon and Sun in the sky above us as viewed from the Earth, and where their imaginary orbital lines cross are the points of the Nodes. The symbolism of these planets tells us a lot about what the Nodes signify. The Sun represents our ʻLightʼ, our Souls journey upon the Earth in this lifetime. The Moon is an indicator of our past, our roots, where we have come from. So together they are showing us something about how we have shone our light in the past. Interestingly, the Nodes are also the only heavenly reference point to move backwards through the Zodiac e.g. If your North Node is in Pisces and someone is born after you when the Nodes next changed signs, their North Node would be in Aquarius (the preceding sign). This again echoes how they link us to our past and all we have been.
North Node Symbol
The Nodes are like having helpful little sign posts in our charts. One is pointing to the future (the north node) and one to the past (the south node). The North Node says, if you come over here, and develop my qualities then your life will move forwards.
South Node Symbol
The South Node is saying, youʼve kind of done this before, and are very happy here, and may feel comfortable, but to be honest you now need to move on, but take what you have learnt with you as you travel in the other direction. In life we want to head in the direction of the North Node. As the Astrologer Elizabeth Spring says about the North Node, ʻitʼs good medicine for your soulʼ.
The Nodes offer a huge insight into what your soul has come here to learn. Many of us incarnate expressing our South Node energy strongly until we reach our thirties. This is because we are very comfortable with this energy, but if we stayed in this way of behaving, it would be like repeating a year at school. The North node placement is showing who we need to become in this lifetime, or what way of behaviour would most serve our growth on planet Earth. For example, if you have the South Node in Cancer, in the past it would suggest youʼve really developed these Cancerian qualities. So, you may find it very easy to be sensitive, feel very comfortable being at home a lot, having a family, or researching your heritage and roots and you could be very attached to childhood and your past. However, because you have the South Node here it does rather suggest youʼve done all this before, that itʼs easy territory for you but itʼs becoming a bit stagnant. This end of the see saw has become too ʻheavyʼ. So you need to develop the opposite qualities, which are indicated by Capricorn. This could mean developing yourself outside of the family home, going into the world and opening a business, focussing on your career, following your ambitions and goals, and not worrying so much about the emotional state of others.
The nodes also have a relationship to ʻpastʼ and ʻfutureʼ lives. The South Node can be telling us about who we have been and what we have done, and the North Node about what we will be and what we are becoming. Psychologically the South Node is also related to our unconscious and our instincts, whilst the North Node is about how ideally we should seek to consciously develop ourselves from the soulʼs perspective.
Ultimately this isnʼt about going from one extreme to the other. Lifetime after lifetime we are attempting to bring all the twelve Astrological energies together - to express them all, but in balance, because of course we can recognise parts of ourselves in every Astrological sign. These twelve signs, in essence, are all the possible expressions of human experience, and to be able to ʻascendʼ off the planet/graduate/reach enlightenment (however you see it) is a cosmic balancing act on an eternal stage. We need to integrate all twelve aspects of the souls energies to become truly whole (the circle of a birth chart).
The sign placement (e.g. the North Node in Capricorn and the South Node in Cancer) of the nodes of course only give part of the picture, so please take what you find with a bit of objectivity and a pinch of salt. In a birth chart other elements flesh out and deepen the picture, such as what ʻhouseʼ the node falls in (this shows you what area of life the nodes are manifesting in). Another very important element is if you have a planet or planets on or next to a Node this then highlights and deepens their meaning and significance.
If a planet is ʻsquaringʼ the nodes, this is also important. If you look at your birth chart and locate the two nodes, if there is any planet roughly ninety degrees away from them (forming a right angle) then it is squaring them. This planet is hanging in the balance, literally. It is equidistant to the Nodes and could therefore go ʻbackwardsʼ or ʻforwardsʼ in this lifetime. We are attempting to transform its energies, and need to express it in a new way. It would be worthwhile reflecting on the meaning of any such planet in your chart in a meditation, to see if you can gain any insights about how best to work with it.
The Nodes offer a huge insight into what your soul has come here to learn. Many of us incarnate expressing our South Node energy strongly until we reach our thirties. This is because we are very comfortable with this energy, but if we stayed in this way of behaving, it would be like repeating a year at school. The North node placement is showing who we need to become in this lifetime, or what way of behaviour would most serve our growth on planet Earth. For example, if you have the South Node in Cancer, in the past it would suggest youʼve really developed these Cancerian qualities. So, you may find it very easy to be sensitive, feel very comfortable being at home a lot, having a family, or researching your heritage and roots and you could be very attached to childhood and your past. However, because you have the South Node here it does rather suggest youʼve done all this before, that itʼs easy territory for you but itʼs becoming a bit stagnant. This end of the see saw has become too ʻheavyʼ. So you need to develop the opposite qualities, which are indicated by Capricorn. This could mean developing yourself outside of the family home, going into the world and opening a business, focussing on your career, following your ambitions and goals, and not worrying so much about the emotional state of others.
The nodes also have a relationship to ʻpastʼ and ʻfutureʼ lives. The South Node can be telling us about who we have been and what we have done, and the North Node about what we will be and what we are becoming. Psychologically the South Node is also related to our unconscious and our instincts, whilst the North Node is about how ideally we should seek to consciously develop ourselves from the soulʼs perspective.
Ultimately this isnʼt about going from one extreme to the other. Lifetime after lifetime we are attempting to bring all the twelve Astrological energies together - to express them all, but in balance, because of course we can recognise parts of ourselves in every Astrological sign. These twelve signs, in essence, are all the possible expressions of human experience, and to be able to ʻascendʼ off the planet/graduate/reach enlightenment (however you see it) is a cosmic balancing act on an eternal stage. We need to integrate all twelve aspects of the souls energies to become truly whole (the circle of a birth chart).
The sign placement (e.g. the North Node in Capricorn and the South Node in Cancer) of the nodes of course only give part of the picture, so please take what you find with a bit of objectivity and a pinch of salt. In a birth chart other elements flesh out and deepen the picture, such as what ʻhouseʼ the node falls in (this shows you what area of life the nodes are manifesting in). Another very important element is if you have a planet or planets on or next to a Node this then highlights and deepens their meaning and significance.
If a planet is ʻsquaringʼ the nodes, this is also important. If you look at your birth chart and locate the two nodes, if there is any planet roughly ninety degrees away from them (forming a right angle) then it is squaring them. This planet is hanging in the balance, literally. It is equidistant to the Nodes and could therefore go ʻbackwardsʼ or ʻforwardsʼ in this lifetime. We are attempting to transform its energies, and need to express it in a new way. It would be worthwhile reflecting on the meaning of any such planet in your chart in a meditation, to see if you can gain any insights about how best to work with it.
Nodal Polarities
Aries/Libra Polarity
This is about the balance between focussing only on your own needs versus focussing only on the needs of others. With North Node in Aries you are here to develop your individuality and make decisions for yourself. Itʼs okay to be selfish! With Libra North Node your life works best in co-operation with others, finding harmony, and thinking of others needs before your own.
Taurus/Scorpio Polarity
This is about the balance between peace, stability and tranquility versus the extremes of powerful emotions and profound transformation. North Node in Taurus individuals are here to develop their serenity and feel anchored and find the beauty in life. With North Node in Scorpio it is about discovering your passion and embracing a journey of deep transformation in this lifetime.
Gemini/Sagittarius Polarity
This is about the balance between learning, and gathering information versus finding your ʻtruthʼ and seeing a ʻbigger pictureʼ. North Node in Gemini needs new experiences, to
uncover different thoughts and views and be curious. North Node in Sagittarius is about finding your own inner wisdom and guidance and meaning in life.
Cancer/Capricorn Polarity
This is about the balance between feeling secure within the ʻfamilyʼ and expressing the emotional nature and that of being an authority in the world and creating structure. With North Node in Cancer you are here to explore the home life and your roots. For North Node in Capricorn its good to be ambitious, and become the head of a multi-conglomerate!
Leo/Aquarius Polarity
This is about the balance between expressing yourself creatively, and having fun, versus doing something for the collective and humanity. With North Node in Leo it is important to allow yourself to shine in this lifetime and to express your talents. With North Node in Aquarius its about doing something to help the collective move forwards, and bring in the new.
Virgo/Pisces Polarity
This is about the balance between being of practical use and service in life versus letting go, trusting and serving the Divine. With North Node in Virgo it is about analysing, discriminating and following your sense of duty in a very grounded way. With North Node in Pisces its about being compassionate, delving into the unconscious, finding your connection to all things, and uniting back with the Source.
Aries/Libra Polarity
This is about the balance between focussing only on your own needs versus focussing only on the needs of others. With North Node in Aries you are here to develop your individuality and make decisions for yourself. Itʼs okay to be selfish! With Libra North Node your life works best in co-operation with others, finding harmony, and thinking of others needs before your own.
Taurus/Scorpio Polarity
This is about the balance between peace, stability and tranquility versus the extremes of powerful emotions and profound transformation. North Node in Taurus individuals are here to develop their serenity and feel anchored and find the beauty in life. With North Node in Scorpio it is about discovering your passion and embracing a journey of deep transformation in this lifetime.
Gemini/Sagittarius Polarity
This is about the balance between learning, and gathering information versus finding your ʻtruthʼ and seeing a ʻbigger pictureʼ. North Node in Gemini needs new experiences, to
uncover different thoughts and views and be curious. North Node in Sagittarius is about finding your own inner wisdom and guidance and meaning in life.
Cancer/Capricorn Polarity
This is about the balance between feeling secure within the ʻfamilyʼ and expressing the emotional nature and that of being an authority in the world and creating structure. With North Node in Cancer you are here to explore the home life and your roots. For North Node in Capricorn its good to be ambitious, and become the head of a multi-conglomerate!
Leo/Aquarius Polarity
This is about the balance between expressing yourself creatively, and having fun, versus doing something for the collective and humanity. With North Node in Leo it is important to allow yourself to shine in this lifetime and to express your talents. With North Node in Aquarius its about doing something to help the collective move forwards, and bring in the new.
Virgo/Pisces Polarity
This is about the balance between being of practical use and service in life versus letting go, trusting and serving the Divine. With North Node in Virgo it is about analysing, discriminating and following your sense of duty in a very grounded way. With North Node in Pisces its about being compassionate, delving into the unconscious, finding your connection to all things, and uniting back with the Source.