North Node--Map of the Soul

I attempted to read two of Jan Spiller's books on the moon nodes and the thickness of the books deterred me.  However, I was able to look up the north nodes of my family members and my own.  As important as these nodes are, I spend little time on the nodes when I'm reading a chart.  However, I like the idea that the nodes provide a map for our destiny or who our souls chose for us to become in this lifetime.  While the South Node deals with past lives and experience we bring into this life, the North Node provides a mystery as we enter the unknown zone.  We feel more comfortable with South Node activities even if they no longer serve us in this life.  Most of us shy away from the unknown and feel awkward trying out new energies, but in order to succeed on our life path for this time around, we need to venture into the North Node zone.

I've never ventured into a country where I don't speak the language.  It's not that I'm not intrigued by foreign cultures and languages because I am, but as a Cancerian with my Mercury in Cancer, I don't like placing myself in situations outside of my comfort zone.  Oddly, in this life my North Node falls in Cancer and learning self-nurturing and relating to others on an intimate level or even a familial level has caused me to feel like I've ventured into a land where I don't know the language.  Having lived many Capricorn lifetimes where I was either a member of a monastery, a cloistered nun or a business leader, I'm not used to relating to others on an emotional level, or so says my North Node.

Someone with an Aries North Node needs to learn how to speak their truth and become their own authority.  They need to stop playing the diplomat (Libra South Node) and stop trying to please others at their own expense.  Someone with a Sagittarius North Node needs to expand beyond a village mentality and encompass the whole wide world.  They move away from taking care of the details to envisioning the bigger picture.  However, the South Node contains many gifts and talents that we polished over many lifetimes.  And for many people, the North Node will feel like going back to college and starting from scratch with an unfamiliar subject.

When I came up with the idea for this post I heard Diana Ross in my thoughts singing that sad song with the lyrics, "Do you know where you're going to?"  With the North Node, our souls know where we're going, but our consciousness clings to the past.  Another description I come up with is graduating from high school and then venturing into the world of adults where we must learn new skills quickly so we can survive in a world of paying rent, and working paycheck to paycheck.  Sure, we feel frightened at first, but then we get the hang of it.  We must make a conscious effort to groove with our North Node and it's the same for everyone.

Despite the thickness of Jan Spiller's books, I recommend giving them a read so you can familiarize yourself with the lessons of your North Node.  These nodes affect every area of our lives from relationships, career, and health.  The more conscious we become the more the North Node calls to us and I wonder what Joseph Campbell would say about the destiny and quest of the North Node because it many ways embarking on the path of your North Node resembles a hero's journey.  You find your bliss and your purpose once you muster up the courage to walk the path where your North Node leads you.

If you're unfamiliar with the nodes, the North Node resembles an upside down horseshoe with the mouth of the shoe facing downward.  The South Node facing upwards.  I actually keep confusing the symbols for the nodes. They drive me crazy.  Look for the nodes in your natal chart and you will see that they appear in opposite houses and signs.  So if your South Node falls in Capricorn then your North Node is in Cancer at the same degree. Jan Spiller recommends reading the North Node and the North Node for the house that your North Node falls in.  So if you have a Sagittarius North Node in the 12th House, you would also read the North Node for Pisces. Spiller gives equal weight to both North Nodes (the house and the node itself), which just seems like a lot of work for the astrologer.

Here's Your Treasure Map

North Node in Aries--Lesson in this life is to speak up for yourself, become your own authority and have a life independent from family or a partner.  For success embody the strengths of an Aries Sun Sign.  Create balance in your life by honoring yourself first and then taking care of others (no self-sacrificing).

North Node in Taurus--Chill out and smell the roses.  Stop looking over your shoulder and entertaining paranoid thoughts about others.  In this life you learn to trust others, but also use your South Node Scorpio talents for discernment.

North Node in Gemini--In this life you can play more and philosophize less.  No one expects you to act the role of the university professor and your travels will take you closer to home, even if the whole world is on your radar.  Write a book or work as a community radio announcer and get to know your next door neighbors.

North Node in Cancer--Express your emotions and feelings to family members, friends, and partners, but first get in touch with your feelings. Put relationships first before career and refrain from bossing others around like a Mother Superior. Nurturing self and others opens the door to a fulfilling life where the biggest goal revolves around opening the heart chakra.  This is a chicken or un-chicken (for vegans) soup North Node.

North Node in Leo--Audition for the center stage role of your life. You are royalty in drag and you shine when you show up in the spotlight. After too many lives appearing as the detached humanitarian with a cause, your greatest cause in this life is basking in the sunlight and never apologizing for proclaiming yourself as numero uno.

North Node in Virgo--You fell onto the earth straight from the starry cosmos. While you feel like floating through your life in a velvet fog, it's time to ditch the rose-colored Piscean glasses and serve humankind in some way.  With your intuitive gifts you would make an excellent massage therapist or energy healer.  You could also work with animals or get your hands dirty tilling the soil and growing food for your community.  The key word here is service.

North Node in Libra--Ditch the boxing gloves and put away that warrior attitude.  The battle has ended and now you must speak the words of a diplomat. Self-interests won't serve you and your mission now is to balance the scales in partnerships and intimate relationships.

North Node in Scorpio--Stop rolling in the clover. The days of smelling roses has ended and the descent into the underworld can unearth treasures as you embark on the shamanic journey. Stare at taboos with your unflinching gaze, Scorpio North Node, as you explore sexuality, death and rebirth. You came to transform the planet while taking it through the Dark Night of the Soul to a peaceful paradise that awaits on the other side of Truth.

North Node in Sagittarius--Thinking small and paying attention to details won't serve you now.  Expand, expand, expand, your mind and your place of operation. Philosophize and send your arrows straight up into the cosmos.  Long distance exploration, networking with foreigners and teaching in a higher education setting call to you now.  Share your wisdom through teaching.

North Node in Capricorn--Remember that song, "Climb Every Mountain"? Well, your climb might feel lonely, but can you deny the view from the mountaintop? Join a monastery or nunnery, go on a pilgrimage, or run a corporation.  As you embark on this lonely road you learn the true lessons of leadership or maybe in your mountain cave you kiss the hem of God's robe.

North Node in Aquarius--Get over your ego already and take up a cause for the betterment of humanity or the earth's other inhabitants.  Moving away from the Leonine spotlight, you now lead the people through a dusty desert of humanitarian causes.  Think Martin Luther King, Jr., think Gandhi, Mother Theresa or Cesar Chavez. Follow their leads and you find your destiny.

North Node in Pisces--Transcend, transcend, transcend and stop sacrificing yourself on the altar of compassion and martyrdom. You have served the planet lifetime after lifetime, always giving and never receiving. Now sit in meditation and choose your favorite mantra.

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