The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - August 2012
Two of the most intriguing and mysterious parts of a horoscope are the nodes of the Moon. A node is defined as a dilemma or complication. As such it becomes a point of concentration as we attempt to resolve the difficulty. Astronomically, a node is a point at which a planet intersects the orbit of the Sun, called the ecliptic. The nodes of the Moon are the points at which the earth’s Moon intersects that plane. The point where the Moon is transiting to the north of the ecliptic is called the north node. If it passes to the south of that plane it is the south node. The nodes are always at the same degree of opposite signs.
Astrologers in Chaldea, China, the Middle East and India as well as Western Europe and the United States have used the Moon’s nodes. At one time the nodes were referred to as a dragon. The north node is the head of the dragon and the south node is its tail. The Latin terms for the dragon’s head and tail are Caput Draconis (head) and Cauda Draconis (tail). Cauda means something broken or sorrowful as a result of mistakes or ignorance.
Interpretation of the nodes has varied from culture to culture and century to century. In the Middle Ages astrologers referred to the dragon’s head as where we ingest new experiences and information. The dragon’s tail is where we release that which we no longer need. The Vedic astrologers of India put a more sinister spin on the nodes. They claim that the south node represents our worst karma, where we acted with ignorance or inflicted the most pain on others. However, if we work to resolve that karma, the south node indicates a rapid path to enlightenment. The north node suggests where positive opportunities and personal recognition can accrue for us this lifetime. However, in the Indian culture this could lead to support for the ego, less time spent in spiritual pursuit, and ultimately we’re stuck in the material plane.
A more contemporary interpretation of the nodes suggests that they represent an evolutionary direction. The south node indicates where we have been in past lives and the qualities and characteristics we developed at those times. We can return to those activities if we choose to, but if that’s all we do we are stagnating in this lifetime. The place to grow in order to evolve is represented by the north node.
It takes the nodes about 18 years to pass through all the signs of the zodiac at about 18 months per sign. One curious thing about the nodes is that most of the time they transit retrograde. On the 30th of this month they are leaving Sagittarius (north) and Gemini (south), which they entered November 2010 and are entering Scorpio (north) and Taurus (south) where they remain until February 2014.
What may be more important than the sign the nodes are transiting, however, is the houses that they are passing through in an individual horoscope. Find the houses in your chart where the late degrees of Scorpio and Taurus are located. These are the areas of your life that will be impacted by the transiting nodes. The house that the north node is transiting indicates where positive opportunities, recognition personal growth can take place over the next year and a half. The south node occupies the area that suggests where loss may take place, where we may feel alone or alienated and where we need to let go of what is preventing us from moving forward in some way. The nodes are always more powerful if they conjunct a natal planet, especially the Sun or Moon, or if they are conjunct the first-seventh or fourth-tenth house axes.
We might also assume that the north node in Scorpio will prevent more opportunities for each of us to find greater depth of meaning in our lives, especially through intimate relationship. Because Scorpio is the sign of collective financial resources, this could also imply that ways out of the global financial meltdown, that we have been experiencing since 2008 can find beneficial resolution. At the same time, however, we should look at our earning and spending patterns, eliminating those behaviors and possessions which merely keep us attached to material plane gratification. This can often prevent either awareness of more elevated planes of consciousness as well as our ability to access them.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This could be a relatively harmonious month for you. The first three weeks have the potential to produce fulfillment in your social life as well as gradual movement toward achieving goals. Challenges may come the last week of the month as passions could run strong. Growth comes from allowing the emotions to run through you rather than acting them out. In surrender can come transcendence.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Home and family life are in high priority for you this month. In early month things seem stable and loving. Later things could get contentious. The key is in not trying to control others. Similarly make sure that others know what your needs are in your interaction with them. If others can’t meet you in a deep and meaningful way, it may be best to let them go or minimize contact.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: An interesting month ahead for you. This is a time of social harmony as well as dynamic interaction and adventures with friends. Creative expression is also furthered, and in a variety of ways as you will often feel inspired to pursue new outlets.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: The full Moon in Aquarius on the 1st and the new Moon in Leo on the 17th highlight this as a month to be more defined about who you are. This is also a time to be more expressive in sharing yourself with others. Practically, this is a good time to contemplate long-range financial needs and goals.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: A series of transits this month could serve to provide creative inspiration in early month, recognition based on productivity in mid-month physical opportunities in mid to late month. Growth for you this month comes from paying attention to the details of your life. The energy is great, but being selective in their expression is the key.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: One of the qualities of Virgo that is not usually noted is its ability to be self-contained. This can manifest by being socially modest. This month that trait can prove beneficial because time alone is supported. Time alone can, in turn, lead to meaningful psychological insights and feelings of spiritual transcendence.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: The first three weeks of the month the transits support you being direct, self-affirming and physically active. Growth comes from not waiting for others to initiate activities or for them to validate what you want to do. Just do it.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: This is a good time to have meaningful conversations with relatives and close friends. The discussions may become passionate, so remaining centered and patient is a good strategy to get as much out of the situation as you can. Since some of the content may be about religion or philosophy remember that everyone, including you, gets to have an opinion.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: Creativity is highlighted for you this month. This could be in an artistic medium or it could be in your social life. Both writing and crafts are supported artistically. Socially, this is a good time to expand your circle of friends and acquaintances.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: Social energy is abundant and harmonious for you this month. This could be with a primary partner, deepening the emotional bond. You could also work to deepen the connection with good friends. Being open with colleagues about conditions at work could lead to a comfortable resolution of issues.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: The full Moon in Aquarius on August 1 sets the tone for the month. The key is to be more emotionally self-aware and expressive. Sharing your feelings in ways that others can acknowledge and accept, provides the support you may need to break out of any tendencies to be detached or emotionally unavailable.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Your sensitivity this month is extremely powerful. This is in terms of both your personal responses to others as well as having clear insights into people. Your social life should flow harmoniously at this time enabling you to feel very seen as well as satisfied in a variety of social activities.