The Nodal Axis

The nodal axis is very important, and something I am really just beginning to understand and comfortably assimilate into my astrological practice. My first more in-depth reading was a few years ago, when I purchased Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller. I am a North Node Taurus and much of what she wrote was accurate. Somehow, as fascinated as I was, I didn't really explore it more. I guess we're ready when we're ready. Let's look at what some others have to say before I get into my experience:

From Astro.com:
"They seem to have a profoundly metaphysical meaning, since it is on these points that the Sun, Moon and Earth are in alignment, so they are the meeting place, symbolically, of spirit, soul and matter, both collectively and individually. Another important point about the nodal axis is that it is moving in the opposite direction to the Sun and all the other planets. As the angles and all the planets move forward or anti-clockwise around our charts, they describe how we engage with and relate to the world around us. The Ascendant/Descendant axis and the MC/IC axis are doors into the world, describing our struggle to extract ourselves from the parental matrix, to put down our own roots and find our own place in the world, and to define ourselves through partnerships. In contrast, the nodal axis moves backward or clockwise around our charts. It is not so tied up with the dramas of life. Rather, it seems to function as a doorway into other dimensions, where we can sometimes glimpse or sense our soul's purpose and pattern, our entelechy, the deeper purpose and function of our existence. And this can be very different from the more conscious or worldly goals we set for ourselves."

From MauriceFernandez.com:
"The Nodal Axis of the Moon not only describes our identity and attachments, but also our growth processes and evolution occurring on an identity level. The South Node captures the identity we bring with us into this world from past life experiences: how we personally perceive existence and go about it. In other words, the South Node tells of our general approach to life based on where we are coming from and what we have experienced. This can include great achievements or conversely traumatic experiences. The North Node describes themes that we need to learn about and incorporate into our existing identity so that we can resolve issues we are coming with, or else expand on existing foundations.
...
It seems, however, that when the Nodes are studied a common misconception about them keeps reappearing. This misconception is specific to the understanding and use of the South Node, which is often perceived as something one must evolve away from, or even worse, a debilitating influence. Personal research shows that what happens in reality may be different: the South Node is a highly important factor that stimulates new development and growth just as much as the North Node does.
...
The main principle to understand and incorporate is that regardless of where one is at when beginning the current incarnation, one must eventually balance the Nodal extremes. Until this is completed, internal polarization is bound to cause crisis and mismanagement in one’s life. It may be worth using the Nodal Axis as an axis and adopting a more holistic approach that sees both Nodes as equally relevant. Our past described in the South Node cannot be dismissed—it is an integral part of our future as well."

From CafeAstrology.com:
"The theory behind the Nodes of the Moon (the North Node and South Node) suggests that we all come into this world with some underdeveloped and overdeveloped aspects of our character. The Nodes of the Moon point us to these specific qualities: the South Node suggests our overdeveloped character traits that are easy for us to fall back on, but that may undermine our lives if we hold on to these traits for security; while the North Node suggests the qualities that we need to develop in order to find inner balance.
...
The Nodes of the Moon suggest personal karmic imbalance. Thus, consciously working on these "life lessons" can bring us to increased happiness and fulfillment. If we over-emphasize and fall back on the qualities of our South Node, at the expense of developing our North Node, we may have a difficult time feeling personally successful.

Whether or not we consciously work on these lessons, events in our lives are likely to force us to confront them. In my experience, people often begin to confront and work on their North Node lessons in their thirties, whether or not they are aware of the issues through Astrology. Before this stage of our lives, we may be somewhat blind to our South Node tendencies.
...
Fear is associated with South Node issues. The South Node position is very often a point of great insecurity. We very much want what is represented by the South Node position, whether that is order in our lives (South Node in Virgo/6th house) or satisfaction in partnerships (South Node in Libra/7th house). However, the only way we can feel successful in these areas is through working on the qualities of the opposite sign (North Node position). We may resist doing this quite fervently, especially in the first 30 years of our lives, partly because we cannot see that letting go of some of our obsessions, and working on the polarity, will bring satisfaction to the South Node areas. Thus, the North Node represents a point of challenge and growth. One feels somewhat awkward and uncertain in the areas represented by the North Node (its sign and house). The North Node can also be considered a point of inflow. We need help with our North Node issues, and we often meet people who will help us confront these issues."

That's a lot to digest! To summarize, the gist of the nodal axis, in my opinion, is balance.  The South Node is over-developed and the North Node is under-developed, so we must challenge ourselves to incorporate North Node in our lives. South Node is not to be abandoned totally, or looked at something inherently malefic. The lesson is found in integrating qualities of both, which is a more holistic view of life, and one that I ascribe to.

Some associations for South Node include: past/inherent karma, the past, childhood, regression, old habits and comforts, over-development. North Node: karmic mission, progression, growth, challenge, future, under-development. Transits are typically interpreted as conjunct, which makes sense for an axis. Some issue or person, which the transiting planet represents, is brought to awareness in accordance with the node it is aspecting. For example, Venus conjunct South Node could be the end of a relationship and it depends on the native as to whether this is a "loss" or the resolution of the relationship and an opportunity to begin anew. No matter what happens in life, it is my firm belief that anything can be used as an opportunity for growth.

I am trying to think of how to interpret the square to the nodal axis, as it aspects both the North and South node. Speaking of which, I have natal Jupiter square nodal axis within 2 degrees. Planets aspecting the nodal axis in a natal chart need to be factored in. Jupiter is all about expansion, so issues of faith, overconfidence, overextension, and boundaries need to be considered in achieving balance.

I imagine the South Node as a wellspring of energy, a gift inherited in this life (time). The North Node is a potentiality reservoir, that when activated, achieves a harmony that facilitates growth. What would be the purpose of balancing the axis? Surely not for the sake of balance itself! The energy from the South Node needs to be pushed or directed towards the North Node, so that the potentiality is actualized instead of merely circulating in the South.

Being conscious of the need to assimilate the North Node, when any transit aspects the axis, we can seize the opportunity to further advance. When Venus conjuncts my South Node this Halloween, karmic issues surrounding my values, finances, creativity, and relationships will be presented. Values are at the core of this axis, and my South Node being in Scorpio: crisis, intensity, spiritual plane, merging/dependency, transformation. North Node: stability, steady growth, material plane, independence, perseverance.

Something I've realized in interpreting astrology for myself, is that I need to be "harsher". To be as brutally honest with myself as possible, not shying away from things I easily turn a blind eye to. I think I have a tendency to view life as a roller coaster ride, a series of intense moments. For the last 10 years, I can honestly say I've dealt with crises of increasing intensity. Basically, there is a focus on the spiritual world and negligence of the material. The question is: how can I use my spiritual attunement/intense desires to create or build something tangible with real (monetary) value? How can I develop my own self-worth to work towards securing peace, instead of depending on, or expecting others to constantly rescue me from crises (my own negligence)?

The answer is in my chart. From here on out, I'm going to use the nodal axis as the nucleus or prime point to which the rest of the chart supports. As stated on Astro.com: "Rather, it seems to function as a doorway into other dimensions, where we can sometimes glimpse or sense our soul's purpose and pattern, our entelechy, the deeper purpose and function of our existence. And this can be very different from the more conscious or worldly goals we set for ourselves." OK, enough for today! Let's explore the various axes another time.