Nodes, Moon’s

Definition

The Moon’s Nodes are the two points where the Moon’s orbit crosses the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun around Earth. The ascending crossing is the North Node, traditionally called the Dragon’s Head; the descending crossing is the South Node, or Dragon’s Tail. They are calculated points rather than physical bodies and always occupy opposite zodiac signs and houses. Charts may use either the mean nodes or the slightly fluctuating true nodes.

Astrological Meaning

In traditional astrology, the North Node was generally associated with increase, amplification, or intake, while the South Node suggested decrease, release, or separation. These effects were interpreted through the condition of nearby planets and the surrounding chart rather than treated as independent forces. Many modern astrologers also read the nodal axis as a developmental theme: the South Node can describe familiar patterns or established capacities, while the North Node points toward qualities that may require greater engagement. Neither node is inherently a promise of success or misfortune. Sign, house, ruler, aspects, and conjunctions all modify the interpretation.

Why It Matters

The nodes are central to eclipse interpretation because solar and lunar eclipses occur when a lunation forms near the nodal axis. In a natal chart, they can highlight a recurring polarity between two areas of experience. In transits, the moving nodes may emphasize planets or angles they contact; in synastry, one person’s nodes contacting another person’s planets can indicate a meaningful point of connection, though the wider relationship chart remains essential.

Related Encyclopedia Entries

• North Node
• South Node
• Eclipses
• Ecliptic
• Natal Chart
• Synastry