South Node

The North Node of the Moon is in Taurus (which means that the South Node is in Scorpio). 

The Nodes of the Moon are the points where the Moon, in its orbit around the Earth, crosses the ecliptic, which is the apparent path of the Sun across the sky. The spot where the Moon climbs over the ecliptic is the North Node the point where it sinks below the ecliptic is the South Node. The Nodes, which are exactly 180° apart, gradually shift backwards, spending about a year and a half in each sign and progressing through the zodiac in about 19 years. 

To ancient astrologers, the North Node (or Dragon s Head) was beneficial, allied with prosperity and luck, while the South Node (or Dragon s Tail) was Saturnian in flavor, a point of loss or adversity. Well into the 20th century, astrologers still occasionally described the South Node as evil — a distressing comment to anyone with the South Node in a prominent position. 

I admit that the South Node s reputation isn t good. Neither is it completely negative. It represents a set of talents and skills you ve already mastered. The danger lies not in using those qualities but in placing undue emphasis on them and thus distorting them. The South Node is your launching pad the North Node is your destination. 

To figure out the position of the Lunar Nodes, turn to the Appendix and look up the year of your birth. The essential fact to remember about this table is that it tells you only the position of the North Node. You have to figure out the position of the South Node, which should take about one second. 

Once you know where your North Node is, you can quickly locate your South Node because it s always in the opposite sign, exactly 180° away. To wit ... 

If Your North Node Is In... Your South Node Is In... 

The North Node and the South Node are a matched pair, equal but opposite. They inhabit opposite signs and opposite houses. (For information on the Nodes in the houses, turn to Chapter 12.)... 

The following list identifies the areas of growth and stagnation marked by the North and South Nodes of the Moon ... 

North Node in Aries/South Node in Libra You yearn to move in the Aries direction, toward assertiveness, self-sufficiency, and bold action. When you obey your impulses and act independently, you flourish. But all too often, instead of mustering up the courage you need, you give your power away to others. You may fear that if you assert yourself fully, you ll never find the relationship you want (or you ll destroy the relationship you have). On the contrary Submerging your identity in another person is a mistake. Ultimately, the more independent you are, the more contented you will be, whether you re in a relationship or not. 

Unlike the other celestial bodies I discuss in this chapter, the Nodes of the Moon don t exactly exist. They re simply the points in space where the path of the Moon crosses the ecliptic. Nonetheless, there they are in your chart The North Node and the South Node, two sensitive spots carrying a message that some astrologers consider the most vital part of your horoscope. 

Though astrologers have long debated the meaning of the Nodes, they basically agree that the North Node represents personal growth and illuminates the path to fulfillment, while the South Node symbolizes patterns established in previous lifetimes and thus represents the path of least resistance. To interpret the Nodes, consider their position by sign, by aspect, and most of all, by house. 

North Node in the ninth house/South Node in the third You tend to run around in a frenzy, gossiping and accumulating facts rather than ideas. Broaden your horizons by pursuing large ideas and philosophies. Higher education and world travel benefit you. Playing Sudoku doesn t. Don t get lost in trivial pursuits. Expand your mind. 

North Node in the eleventh house/South Node in the fifth Your tendency to focus on love affairs, personal pleasures, and children limits your development. Take a larger view. Align yourself with others in pursuit of a cause Become political and develop a social conscience. 

North Node in the twelfth house/South Node in the sixth Work comes your way and occasionally threatens to overwhelm you. Office politics sap your energy. Solitude, yoga, and the quest for spiritual transcendence strengthen you. Don t be a workaholic. And don t forget to meditate. 

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