The North Node and the South Node, often referred to as the lunar nodes, act as cosmic compass points guiding us through our destiny and past lives. The nodes of the moon are not planetary bodies but points formed by the Moon’s orbit around the Earth. They move in a counterclockwise direction and they are always exactly 180° apart from each other.
Think of the North Node as a celestial lighthouse illuminating the path of personal evolution. It signifies the direction in which we are called to grow, learn, and embrace new experiences to fulfill our collective destiny. Laurence Hillman and Donna Spencer in their book: Alignments: How to Live in Harmony with the Universe describe the North Node as our destination, “your end station on the track of life”.
In contrast, the South Node echoes the resonances of past lives, reflecting ingrained behaviors and patterns that shape our present realities. This nodal point serves as a gentle reminder of where we’ve been and what we need to release to move forward. The South Node has been likened to the “baggage” we board the train with on the journey. It is comfortable and familiar, it holds archetypal roles we naturally know how to act out.
The Midheaven, also referred to as the Medium Coeli or MC, holds the key to how we present ourselves to the world, our career ambitions, and our life’s direction. Depending upon the “House System” it can be the cusp of the 10th house or literally what is happening at the 12:00 part of the natal chart. The most northern point of your personal natal chart compass is the MC.
The North Node Journey
Hillman and Spencer call on the work of Carl Jung as the basis for their Node approach. Unbeknownst to many, Jung was very interested in astrology, the iChing, tarot, and other modern thinking such as quantum physics. He wanted his thinking to make sense to the general public. Rather than speak about astrology, he built on the idea of synchronicity.
When synchronicities appear, it is a sign that the psyche, the soul, the deepest part of us, is being awakened to its alignment or misalignment with the universe. This is not a random happening or a mere coincidence.
Hillman and Spencer
Jung would say that a synchronicity is a marker that indicates that the conscious mind is being given the opportunity to deal with some deep unconscious material. According to Jung the archetypes accomplish this important task.
Hillman and Spencer provide a simple blueprint for consideration when working with the Nodes. They state that, “Calling is the result of using your skills and talents to get to where your soul wants to go. The most difficult part about calling is reading the signals along the track. These signals are choice points. It is never enough to just know your calling. Along the train track, there are choice points daily. Your chart as a whole pictures strengths and weaknesses, and you can only reach your calling if you make appropriate choices along the way.”
- Each person is born for a specific purpose.
- The North Node shows us what area of life our soul came here to explore. To live a life on track in terms of reaching our destination.
- Our South Node shows us the knowledge we have accumulated over time.
- Each person will experience several lifetimes.
- Each person chose the life he or she is now living.
- A divine intelligence is beyond all things.
- Archetypal images bridge the visible and the invisible.
- Our consciousness goes beyond our ordinary five senses.
- Free will is our human responsibility.
Wherever your North Node/South Node combination falls, you must accomplish three important tasks in order to truly follow your calling. You must separate out the old learning of the South Node from the new learning of your North Node calling. You must concentrate on the new learning offered by the North Node. And you must integrate the learning from both nodes into a life that is lived consciously and creatively.
Nodes and The Soul
In her book, Astrology for the Soul, Jan Spiller offers the Nodes of the Moon as a way to explain our life lessons and to achieve the peace and fulfillment that we all desire. Her book provides detailed interpretations of its influence and practical exercises for personal growth. She notes that the Moon rules our emotional bodies – the feelings, moods, insecurity, and sense of belonging – that forms our self-image of how we see ourselves and express ourselves into the world. She considers the Moon “to be the most important planet in the chart from a karmic/past life perspective.” She believes that by studying the Nodes of the Moon we can rebalance our emotional selves which can ease internal stress and provide confidence and direction for a purpose filled life.
It is Spiller’s position that the zodiac sign is the first place to start and then consult the house placement. “The sign in which the North Node falls denotes the psychological shift that needs to occur within the personality. The house containing the North Node shows the experiences that allow the person to access this new psychological awareness.” Spiller feels they are equally important because the house position shows the place in life that the North Node lessons are learned.
She sets up each chapter of this book (1997) with the North Node in each of the Signs. She begins with an overview to offer quick reference points and then recommends: Attributes to Develop, Tendencies to Leave Behind, Achilles’ Heal/Trap to Avoid/The Bottom Line, What These People Really Want, Talents/Professions, and Healing Affirmations. She then gives each chapter sections that deal with Personality, Needs, Relationships, and a Healing Theme Song.
Many current natal chart guides reference Astrology for the Soul as one that should be in every astrologer’s library. She wrote a 2nd book called Cosmic Love (2008) and she was in the process of finishing the trilogy when she passed. Her team has continued to use her notes to finish the final book Awakening Your Soul’s Purpose: North Node Astrology through the Houses to meet the demand of followers. “While some people may be able to synthesize the information in Astrology for the Soul to piece together what it might mean to have their North Node in the first house, second house, etc., a more thorough and clear-cut explanation is necessary. Hence, Jan began her work on Awakening Your Soul’s Purpose. Before her passing, Jan asked that we complete this book for her.” It is targeted for publication in 2025.
The North Node Through the Signs
The Lunar Nodes Through the Houses
The Dragon in Your Chart: The North Node and South Node
“The Lunar Nodes Have Crossed the Pisces – Virgo Axis” Steven Forest offers the 2025-2026 positions.
The Midheaven
The Midheaven (MC) in Your Chart Defines Reputation, Status and Career Path
What the Midheaven Sign Means in Astrology and How to Find Yours
The Power of Story 