The Nodes of Destiny
In astrology, we look at the Nodes of Destiny to find our soul’s karmic path in this lifetime. Sounds intense, huh? Well, the Nodes of Destiny can be. We’re talking about fate and life lessons—not just in this lifetime, but of the past as well.
The Natal Nodes of Fate/Destiny show your life's purpose (according to your natal birth chart). The North Node shows the karmic path/lesson/gifts we came here to learn and the South Node shows the karmic path/lesson/gifts we bring with us from previous lifetimes that we may fall back on.
Here’s a little background on the mythology of the Nodes of Destiny. According to Vedic astrology, the Nodes were both once part of the same demonic entity called Rakshasha. This powerful spirit wanted immortality, which wasn’t necessarily in the cards for this entity. Rakshasha wanted to be immortal and tricked Lord Visnu into letting him eat the nectar that would make him immortal. To teach Rakshasha his lesson, Lord Visnu cut him in half. All that was left of Rakshasha was his head and tail. The head was called Rahu and the tail was called Ketu. Rahu and Ketu saw how mad Lord Visnu got (obviously, he cut them in half) and agreed that their duty now was to show people their karmic responsibilities. They became very powerful after learning their lesson because they decided their karmic lesson was to teach others their karma. This is why we refer to the Nodes as the Dragon's Head and Dragon's Tail.
We look to the North Node to see what we need to bring into this life. And, the South Node to understand what we are moving away from. Now, it’s important to note that we need to compensate both nodes at the same time because we aren’t letting go, but revising the past to accommodate our present situations. However, change is hard, a sentiment we can all attest to. This is why it’s important to lean into the North Node as much as possible, so we aren’t fully living in the past (by this we mean past life) and in the now. Living in the South Node can make us feel stuck and unable to live up to our North Node’s full potential.
Currently, the transiting North Node is in Gemini and the South Node is in Sagittarius. This means that as a collective, we will be focusing on intellectual growth for the next 1.5 years (the amount of time the Nodes transit in a polarity).
To find your North Node in your birth chart, look to the True Node. The opposite sign and house placement of that is your South Node. The degrees will be the same.
NODES IN THE SIGNS
NORTH NODE IN ARIES/SOUTH NODE IN LIBRA
There's a need to be more self reliant, as there is a tendency to focus on relationships; paying off karmic debts in relationships.
NORTH NODE IN TAURUS/SOUTH NODE IN SCORPIO
Tendency to be too giving, hedonism; karma learned through money. It is suggested you are in charge of the finances, not your partner.
NORTH NODE IN GEMINI/SOUTH NODE IN SAGITTARIUS
The Nodes are exalted in this axis. Independent thinking, great communication skills, knowledge of languages; karmic debts paid off through generous efforts.
NORTH NODE IN CANCER/SOUTH NODE IN CAPRICORN
Tendency to be too ambitious, harsh; karmic debts learned through reputation as well as inheritances and parents.
NORTH NODE IN LEO/SOUTH NODE IN AQUARIUS
Artistic and creative endeavors are favorable. Tendency to be a dreamer. Pays of karmic debts in groups and social concerns.
NORTH NODE IN VIRGO/SOUTH NODE IN PISCES
Need to be more critical and assertive. Tendency to disappear into the spiritual world. Karmic debt paid through spirituality.
NORTH NODE IN LIBRA/SOUTH NODE IN ARIES
Think before you speak! Tendency to act or say things impulsively. Karmic debt paid through need for diplomacy.
NORTH NODE IN SCORPIO/SOUTH NODE IN TAURUS
Gain through inheritance or spouses. Possible addiction to drugs, alcohol, sex, drugs. Great aspect for managing the affairs of others. Karmic debt paid through money.
NORTH NODE IN SAGITTARIUS/SOUTH NODE IN GEMINI
Very talkative. Lack of focus. Generosity. Natural teacher and philosophizer. Karmic debt paid off by philosophical depth.
NORTH NODE IN CAPRICORN/SOUTH NODE IN CANCER
Love of the ethnic or personal history. Sentimentality and emotions are hard to let go of, need for discipline; karmic debt paid off from parent/parenting.
NORTH NODE IN AQUARIUS/SOUTH NODE IN LEO
Motivations/goals solely for personal fulfillment, never for fame. Idealist and humanitarian; karmic debts paid through childhood/children.
NORTH NODE IN PISCES/SOUTH NODE IN VIRGO
Lack of boundaries, perfectionism, healing abilities; karmic debts paid through analyzing and criticism.
NODES IN THE HOUSES
NORTH NODE IN THE 1ST HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 7TH HOUSE
Paying karmic debts in marriage/partnership.
NORTH NODE IN THE 2ND HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 8TH HOUSE
Paying karmic debts in monetary generosity, sex can be your undoing.
NORTH NODE IN THE 3RD HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 9TH HOUSE
Love of siblings, lack of spirituality. Ability to self educate and communicate well. The Nodes are exalted here.
NORTH NODE IN THE 4TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 10TH HOUSE
The need to focus too much on public reputation/image and career. Spend more time in spiritual practices and the home.
NORTH NODE IN THE 5TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 11TH HOUSE
Karmic debts paid through humanitarian efforts and society.
NORTH NODE IN THE 6TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 12TH HOUSE
Great for working with employees and coworkers. Strong health. Karmic debt and healing through serving and understanding others.
NORTH NODE IN THE 7TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 1ST HOUSE
Dominate partners and lacks boundaries in relationships. Insecurities around self and relationships.
NORTH NODE IN THE 8TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 2ND HOUSE
Watch out for overspending and using your sexuality to your advantage. Karmic debts paid through transforming and healing around money/self esteem/sexuality.
NORTH NODE IN THE 9TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 3RD HOUSE
Need for higher learning and travel. Interest in publishing. Issues in early educational development.
NORTH NODE IN THE 10TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 4TH HOUSE
Strong need for a career; finds more happiness at work than at home.
NORTH NODE IN THE 11TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 5TH HOUSE
Generosity to children, lovers. Creativity and happiness in helping others.
NORTH NODE IN THE 12TH HOUSE/SOUTH NODE IN THE 6TH HOUSE
Karmic debts paid through co-workers and employees. Look out for health issues/concerns.
