MOON NODES
by Carol Willis

(C) Copyright by Carol Willis, 2000.  
    All rights reserved.  No redistribution without permission.

INTRODUCTION TO THE NODES

     The Moon's nodes represent the polarity and balance 
of the spiritual and the worldly.

     The nodes, being in relation to our Earth's Moon, have
to do with the karmic consequences of our actions,
virtues/vices, thoughts and attitudes.  The nodes have much
to do with giving pointers or hints about the quality of
life we co-create on Earth.  Also taking responsibility for
creating comfort and security (Moon) of others and self,
especially in relation to the houses in which the nodes fall
in one's natal chart.

     One will tend to have the most affinity and success
with the lunar node closest to his natal Sun.  If your Sun
is exactly square to the lunar axis, then you have equal
affinity with each -- or caught in the middle, so to speak!

     My approach to the Moon Nodes takes a page from vedic
astrology and applies it to the west.  I believe the vedic
perspective on the nodes  works better than the popular
western approaches.

     Nodes very close to the angles of the chart speak of a
life of heightened karmic awareness, which is a spiritual
grace and blessing.

SOUTH NODE (KETU)

Spirituality.
Metaphysics and esotericism.
Renouncing "the world", i.e. renouncing worldliness.
Releasing or giving up things, persons, and situations 
   on the material plane, lightening the material load,
   simplifying.  This can be done voluntarily, gently, or be
   forced from apparent outer agents and circumstances,
   nevertheless it's your own soul's desire for experience.
To sacrifice or give up the lesser (worldly, obvious) for the greater
   (spiritual, metaphysical, seen with spiritual eyes).
Gifts and talents that are easily available,
   easily unfolded and expressed further.
Past life connections, old familiarity.
Intuitions regarding past, present and future karma
   (consequences of actions) -- what I call "karmic intuitions."
Discernment.
Spiritual endeavors and many other aspects of life operate easily
   in connection with the South Node.  Do not reject the
   South Node just because of possible past life connections.
   "Old souls" will fully embrace all the South Node offers.

South Node color associations:
  Ordinary:  Grey, Black  (unclear, uncertain, loss, grief)
  Disciple:  Indigo (spiritual/esoteric studies), 
             White (purity of heart), Lavender (surrender,
             refinement, high vibratory, crown chakra).
  Hierarchical:  Light Orange, Saffron Yellow (renunciation, prana),
                 Gold (spiritual success).

NORTH NODE (RAHU)

Materiality, worldliness.
Challenges, trying, efforting, struggle, tenacity, holding one's own.
Developing talents and willingness to operate in an area,
   and do this successfully.
Persistence over time, often best done by applying self, then backing off,
   then going at it again after regrouping, over and over as needed,
   having a more neutral and willing attitude about outcomes, 
   being less attached to worldly outcomes in the area of
   the NNode, but not going into pathological indifference or
   apathy about that area of life.

North Node color associations:
   Ordinary:  Red, Rust  (struggle, conflict, ego).
   Disciple:  Royal blue (impeccable action),  Emerald green
                (growth, abundance).
   Hierarchical:   Gold (victory and success).

ADVANCED

     The rulers of the moon nodes have been called "karmic
control planets" by vedic astrologer M.C.  Jain.  These
rulers are likely to change or be different from western to
vedic astrology.  Only if one's western nodes are in the
last ~23 degrees of a sign will the rulers of the nodes
remain the same in western and vedic.  Nevertheless, this
idea of "karmic control planets" is worth considering from
either western and/or vedic perspectives, for hints as to
our own responsibility in co-creating the chain of
causation.  Find the rulers of the respective nodes -- by
sign, house and aspect -- as the rulers will yield
additional clues about the nodes and all matters concerned
with them.  Consider also transits TO those node rulers, and
transits OF those node rulers.  This topic has yet to be
much explored in western astrology, and such a widespread
exploration is long overdue.  Don't miss a chance to
research this area in your own chart, as a starting point.

FOR FURTHER READING:
ASTROLOGY OF THE SEERS by David Frawley.
KARMIC CONTROL PLANETS by M.C. Jain.

Carol Willis, MA
Sunnyvale CA
August 19, 2000
revised August 20, 2000
revised March 9, 2002
cbwillis@lightlink.com
http://www.astrologynow.com/carolwillis/