| Astrological
Nodes: the Secret to Life's Purpose
By
Cathy H. Burroughs
The idea that the time, place, day and month we were born provide
a psychic blue print mapping out our gifts, talents, challenges
and lessons, providing a compass to illuminate our path, as well
as a cosmic clock to determine major cycles and occurrences, is
compelling, indeed. What many do not realize is that two points
in the chart reveal our life purpose, or that which we are here
to learn on the soul level. These two little known points, the
Nodes, hold the secrets to what we are here to accomplish and
learn on the deepest level in this incarnation.
 The
Nodes come in pairs of polar opposites and originate from the
last solar eclipse prior to our birth. While only a handful of
books are written on the subject, many astrologers stress these
as the most important points in the chart. And if you know only
one thing about your chart, you'll want to know this.
The Nodes take eighteen years to make a full orbit, which may
be why we consider the eighteenth year a turning point or coming
of age. This also means that individuals born within an eighteen-month
span of each other often share the same Nodes or common life lessons
or purpose.
The South Node corresponds with our past life gifts, that which
we excel at and have mastered, but may also be our Achilles Heel
in this lifetime. It indicates the path of least resistance, and
that which we easily fall back on. When personal planets, such
as the Sun, Moon, Mercury or Venus conjoin the South Node, it
provides powerful past life issues that need to be addressed throughout
this lifetime. This may point to powerful karmic relationships,
tendencies toward compulsion, obsession or addiction. Exceptional
efforts may be required to resolve deeply held patterns. It is
not, however, what we are here to accomplish in this lifetime.
That would be the lesson of the North Node.
The North Node is the secret to our purpose in this lifetime,
and what we are here to accomplish and master. If we want to fulfill
the highest potential expression of our natal chart, and accomplish
what we are here to learn on the deepest level, we need to work
the way of the North Node.
Since this is a point in the chart, and not a planet, it is the
only place in the chart we need to activate through conscious
effort. It is not necessarily done for us, by a transit, eclipse
or progressed contact. It is important to study and activate the
area of the North Node, yet not repudiate or reject our gifts
and natural affinities of the South Node. Ultimately, it is ideal
to be able to integrate the knowledge of both for our highest
expression as human beings.
The Nodes are extremely important in relationship astrology. If
an individual's planets, ascendant, node or vertex conjoin
or touch your South Node, this almost always indicates a powerful
past life connection. For example, if a person's Venus, the
planet of love, conjoins or touches your South Node, they will
love you unconditionally and may be obsessive in their desire
to do so.
One of the most meaningful nodal contacts that I have observed
between individuals is when one's South Node conjoins the
other's North Node, and vice versa. This indicates that both
individuals have a lot to teach each other, and that one is going
where the other has been, and vice versa. Powerful North Node
contacts between two people's charts are almost always beneficial.
The North Node person generally can't do enough for the other
and propels the other person towards their life purpose.
When the transiting North and South nodes impact an individual's
chart conjoining with the Sun, Moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury or Ascendant,
the South Node contact generally indicates that during this time
many issues from previous incarnations will be brought to the
fore; when the transiting North Node conjoins a personal planet
or angle (Ascendant, Descendent, Midheaven or IC), this indicates
that the individual is coming into a 'destined' time when
their true path will be revealed, and opportunities will open
the way for their highest expression.
For your own understanding, it is extremely useful to determine
what your own South Nodes and North Nodes are, which sign and
house they are in, and how they impact the rest of your chart
through aspect. For example, if your South Node is in the sign
of Cancer, you come into this lifetime very emotional, empathic
with a childlike point of view. Your North Node would be in Capricorn
indicating that you are here to learn detachment, emotional maturity,
accountability and to place greater emphasis on accomplishment,
rather than the subjective emotional life. By house, if the South
Node is in the first house, you come into this lifetime as an
independent warrior and your lesson is the North Node in the 7th:
partnership, collaboration and compromise.
The Nodal positions in our natal charts provide profound spiritual
guidance and direction, answering the question, “What is
life's purpose?”
To
learn about your own Nodes, contact Cathy H. Burroughs. For information
on readings, spring classes or Cosmic Cruises, call: (404) 292-2000 or
email: cathyb108@aol.com.
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Astrology
