North Node and South Node. Find the karmic points in your chart and see how to navigate them.

The Lunar Nodes (North Node - South Node) in our natal chart are the points upon which our fate is written. This is our spiritual path and our soul's evolution. 

The North Node - South Node axis can show us the karmic patterns in our soul's evolution. The South Node (Ketu) is the karmic past-life patterns that follow us in this life, patterns that we have to learn how to let go of because they do not fulfil any purpose for us in this life. In our past life, we have done the work and fulfilled our purpose, that's why our soul evolved in this life. 

The North Node (Rahu) is our soul's direction and purpose that we need to fulfil in our current life for our soul to evolve. In other words, this is our Destiny. However, also our North Node doesn't come without karmic connotations.  

There is something in the North Node placement that makes us hungry and obsessed over it, that's because the North Node is represented by 'the head of the dragon without a body' - it eats but is never satisfied - the 'food' has nowhere to go. Most of the time we can compare this to a blind attempt to catch the essence of our North Node traits but we can never win, especially at younger ages. As a result, our North Node becomes our karmic lesson, something that we need to learn and cultivate until we learn the lessons and reach the fulfilment part.  

This is where it gets tricky! It may take a lifetime or several lifetimes to fulfil our North Node purpose. The good news is we do not have to worry or stress about it, our soul knows when/where/how to get there. The bad news is we stack with the karmic process of it.

We get urges and big shifts of our North Node karmic lessons when we experience our Nodal Return and our Reverse Nodal Return (or Inverse Nodal Return). Nodal Return happens when the Lunar Nodes return at the same exact spot (sign) we have our natal Lunar Nodes in. For example, if we have the North Node - South Node in the Taurus - Scorpio axis in our natal chart, we have to find when the transiting Lunar Nodes will return to these signs. The 1st Nodal Return occurs at the ages of 18-19, then around the ages of 36, 54, 72, and 90. 

On the other hand, the Nodal Reversal is when the transiting South Node meets our natal North Node, in other words when our Karmic past meets our future Destiny. This marks a significant astrological point where we learn how the old patterns really, actually and wholeheartedly do NOT serve us anymore. It is a rather intense period of ups and downs, with our world falling apart, where we see ourselves failing all the time, due to specific things we are doing and what we are fighting for, which are not meant for us. The Nodal Reversal will push us to release those past-life patterns, during that period, one way or another. 

The Nodal Reversal can feel more intense than the Nodal Return depending also on the natal placement or if the Nodes conjunct any personal planets. 

The Lunar Nodes come together as a pair and they are 180° apart, always opposing each other. Thus the Lunar Nodes are always found in opposite signs, for example, when the North Node is in Libra, the South Node is in Aries. The Lunar Nodes change signs every one year and a half. 

Let's see how the Lunar Nodes work in the signs!

Aries - Libra axis

North Node in Aries/South Node in Libra - Independence vs Relationships

The focus of your life is the self and how to be self-reliant and independent. In a past life, you were all about relationships, partnerships, and being on a 1 on 1 with another. Your relationships defined you. In this life, you feel comfortable when you are in Two, always finding yourself in relationships or striving to find your duo, also you may feel lost without your duo. You tend to stay in relationships even if they are long overdue, sometimes this means staying in toxic/co-dependent relationships.

North Node Libra/South Node in Aries - The thoughtful vs The impulsive

Focus on cooperation with others and forming loving relationships/partnerships. You tend to think about you and yourself only, instinctually your needs come first without regard for others' needs. Take care of competition, impulsivity and rushed decisions.

Taurus - Scorpio axis

North Node in Taurus/South Node in Scorpio - Stability vs Crisis

Focus on personal values and self-worth, relax and enjoy life. Giving to oneself is very important. You tend to revolve yourself around intense situations, always catering to others' needs leaving you drained. 

North Node in Scorpio/South Node in Taurus - Instincts vs Security  

Focus on instincts, and intuition, and be familiar with crisis. Learning how to deal with intimacy and partnerships. You tend to be overly reliant on security, comfort and personal possessions by accumulating material resources. Survival instincts always kick in.

Gemini - Sagittarius axis

North Node in Gemini/South Node in Sagittarius - The Rational vs The Wise

Focus on concrete facts and the use of the rational mind. Thoughts and opinions have to be proven to make sense. You tend to be an independent thinker and a very philosophical-wise mind, however, theories will always be theories if they do not rely on facts.

North Node in Sagittarius/South Node in Gemini - Bigger Picture vs Information

Focus on exploring new ideas, beliefs and philosophies, travelling and learning about other cultures, religions, and spirituality, achievements and higher education. You tend to overanalyse and seek information about everything making you lose the bigger picture. This causes inner turmoil and indecision in significant parts of your life.

Cancer - Capricorn axis   

North Node in Cancer/South Node in Capricorn - The Nurturer vs the Ambitious

Focus on being emotionally sensitive to others, and acknowledging their needs. You tend to be an overachiever and ambitious, a hard worker to the core, but also a little bit harsh and emotionally detached, some may say icy cold.

North Node in Capricorn/South Node in Cancer - Overdisciplined vs Overemotional

Focus on healthy discipline, responsibility, independence, providing for yourself, working hard to achieve the things you want, and overall taking charge of your own life. Detach from emotions that cause insecurities holding you back and not letting you move forward in life. You tend to be overly attached to the past and be nostalgic for your childhood, being taken care of and being babied. Be careful of depending on others too much.

*With this placement success may come later in life due to North Node being in Capricorn - a Saturn-ruled sign - which can delay the fulfilment of your soul's purpose. 

Leo - Aquarius axis

North Node in Leo/South Node in Aquarius - The Leader vs The Team Player

Focus on creativity, self-expression and artistic talents and be prepared to have an audience. You tend to assist the collective or fight for a greater cause, always being there for others and society, yet this finds you at odds when you draw attention to yourself.

North Node in Aquarius/South Node in Leo - Humanitarian vs Drama Queen

Focusing on creating groups, communities and networking, results in a feeling of belonging. You tend to be selfish and ego-centric at times. Be careful of urges to stand out and get what you want. Creating drama out of your romantic relationships is unavoidable, with this placement. 

Virgo - Pisces axis 

North Node in Virgo/South Node in Pisces - The Sergeant vs The Spiritualist

Focus on practicality, concrete judgement and decisiveness. Need for discipline and create routines and schedules. Watch your daily habits and health routines. You tend to lose yourself in other realms, detaching yourself from reality and the present. You are very creative and have a vivid imagination.

North Node in Pisces/South Node in Virgo - The Healer vs Hypochondriac

Focus on letting loose and going with the flow, and be familiar with imperfections, not everything has to be picture-perfect. Learning about your healing abilities and being compassionate to others is the key. Do things to spark your imagination. You tend to be a perfectionist, overthinker, and over-stress yourself by leaning too much on the details and disregarding the big picture. 

Don't hesitate to reach out to me at markouloutsiana@gmail.com if you have any questions.