The Lunar Nodes are often described as points of destiny, but in Contemporary Mystical Astrology, we understand them as a dynamic process of tension and expansion. Rather than viewing the North Node (Rahu) as an aspirational goal and the South Node (Ketu) as something to be left behind, we see them as opposing forces that generate the necessary friction for creativity, movement, and evolution.

What Are the Lunar Nodes?

The Lunar Nodes are not physical bodies but mathematical points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic (the apparent path of the Sun). Their movement marks cycles of growth, transformation, and the unfolding of a person’s relationship with time and experience. Unlike planets, the Nodes move in retrograde motion most of the time, reinforcing their role as forces that weave past experiences into present and future development.

A Process of Eternal Tension

Traditional astrology often frames the North Node as something to be embraced and the South Node as something to be abandoned. However, in Contemporary Mystical Astrology, we understand that these two points exist in constant opposition, generating the tension that fuels evolution. The North Node represents areas where expansion occurs, while the South Node embodies instincts and patterns already internalized. Rather than seeking integration, life unfolds through the ongoing challenge of navigating this polarity.

For example, someone with the South Node in Aries and North Node in Libra does not need to abandon their independence (Aries) but rather exist within the creative tension of self-assertion and relational harmony (Libra), continuously shifting between both forces without fully resolving them.

Interpreting the Nodes in the Natal Chart

Each Node’s placement by sign and house suggests how an individual engages with personal development:

• The North Node suggests a field of exploration where one is drawn toward experiences that challenge comfort zones.
• The South Node indicates ingrained tendencies that form the foundation of a person’s instinctive responses.

The tension between these two points is never resolved but remains an active force of movement and creation.

For example:

• North Node in the 10th House (Public Life) / South Node in the 4th House (Roots) → The pull between external achievement and internal security creates the momentum for evolution.
• North Node in Pisces (Spiritual Surrender) / South Node in Virgo (Precision and Control) → The tension between intuition and structure fuels creative and spiritual growth.

The Lunar Nodes in Transits and Progressions

Because the Nodes move in cycles of approximately 18.6 years, their transits signal significant periods of realignment. When the transiting North Node crosses a planet or house cusp in the natal chart, it can indicate opportunities for expansion in that area. Likewise, the transiting South Node brings an opportunity to confront past conditioning that may need to be reassessed.

In progressions, the Nodes offer insight into long-term evolution, showing how a person navigates the continuous tension between stability (South Node) and the unknown (North Node) over time.