REDISCOVERING THE PLANETARY NODES
by Pamela Rowe, LPMAFA, FPMFAA
(This article is reproduced from April 1999. A couple of chart examples plus year ahead predictions have been excluded from the original and the September 11, 2001 USA terrorist attack has been added as a result of good observations by our internet friends).
The Lunar Nodes represent a vital key to modern chart interpretation, but these days the Planetary Nodes rarely rate a mention. U.S. Astrologer Gwen Stiefbold stimulated my interest in the planetary nodes in 1988, when I heard her lecture at the AFA Convention in Las Vegas. Gwen is a keen exponent of the planetary nodes, the influences of which she believes equal and often surpass, the influence of the planets themselves – a radical viewpoint, which I investigated in the ensuing years.
There are two sets of planetary nodes – the heliocentric north and south nodes, which are always exactly opposite and the geocentric planetary nodes, which apart from the Lunar Nodes, are rarely in opposition. The north and south geocentric nodes of Jupiter can vary by as much as a sign from opposition, the north and south nodes of Mars can vary by as much as two signs from opposition. The north and south nodes of Mercury and Venus can be conjunct, which means that interpretations based on nodal polarity are difficult.
The heliocentric planetary nodes are the points where two planetary orbits intersect, as considered from the viewpoint of the sun. The geocentric planetary nodes are points where a planet’s orbit intersects the ecliptic, as viewed from the earth. The heliocentric mean nodes move very slowly – at approximately one degree per century, which may account for the fact that they often overlooked. Their positions, as listed in the Larousse Encyclopaedias of Astrology for January 1, 1980 are as follows :-
North Nodes South Nodes
Mercury 17.59 Taurus 17.59 Scorpio
Venus 16.30 Gemini 16.30 Sagittarius
Mars 19.24 Taurus 19.24 Scorpio
Jupiter 10.15 Cancer 10.15 Capricorn
Saturn 23.30 Cancer 23.30 Capricorn
Uranus 14.01 Gemini 14.01 Sagittarius
Neptune 11.33 Leo 11.33 Aquarius
Pluto 19.54 Cancer 19.54 Capricorn
The variable positions of the ascending and descending geocentric planetary nodes are included on Solar Fire Gold astrological software.
Comparison of the heliocentric planetary nodes with the geocentric natal chart and current geocentric transits is very effective. The concept of comparing helio planet positions with the geocentric chart is not new. In “Revolutionizing Astrology with Heliocentric”, T.Patrick Davis outlines some fascinating research in this area. It is likely that heliocentric planetary node contacts in your natal chart pinpoint areas where you relate to the ‘world at large’. In particular, conjunctions and major aspects to the natal Ascendant and Midheaven reinforce fated encounters and karmic lessons.
Natal planets aspecting a planetary node or nodes are coloured by the energy of that planetary node, providing answers to questions not explained by planet interpretation. Obviously the closer the orb the more powerful the influence. Because the Mercury/Mars and Venus/Uranus nodes are close pairs, tight orbs are essential. The Saturn and Pluto node at 3½° apart are also close.
Traditionally the north node of any body represents ‘intake’ whilst the south node represents ‘release’. Because release can be more painful than intake, the south node does not flow as smoothly. As in all successful interpretation the secret of working with the planetary nodes is to ‘understand and work with the flow’.
Mercury nodes provide further insight into mental faculties and communication skills.
Venus nodes highlight relationships, extravagance and artistic talents.
Mars nodes assertive, aggressive behaviour, sporting prowess, accidents and operations.
Jupiter nodes philosophy, education, travel and luck.
Saturn nodes security, sometimes over-emphasized, ambition and hardships.
Uranus nodes clever, inventive and freedom-loving traits.
Neptune nodes artistic, theatrical and emotional sensitivity.
Pluto Nodes determination, domination and exploration.
World Events and famous people
If the theory holds water we can expect when glancing down the list of dates, when the geocentric sun is conjunct the individual heliocentric nodes, that the dates are close the pivotal past world events. Also the birthdays of famous and infamous people, who made or continue to make, an impact on the group consciousness of society. The type of impact made is described by the interpretation of the particular planetary node.
Two interesting examples are Armistice Day November 11, 1918, the news that World War I had finished, coincides with the Sun conjunct Mercury south nodes.
The D-Day invasion of Europe landings of June 6, 1944 coincides with the Sun conjunct Uranus North Nodes.
Terrorists attack Trade Towers, New York September 11, 2001, Saturn conjunct Venus and Uranus North Nodes, Uranus quincunx Saturn North Nodes, Pluto conjunct Uranus South Nodes, Venus square Mercury and Mars North Nodes, Jupiter conjunct Jupiter North Nodes (sadly we wonder whether this positive Jupiter connection is an indication that this shocking attack succeeded).
A few examples of those born with heliocentric planetary nodes conjunct their natal geocentric Sun positions are ...
Princess Diana with Sun conjunct the Jupiter north nodes, Lucille Ball with Sun conjunct the Neptune north nodes, Princess Grace of Monaco and Prince Charles with Sun conjunct the Mercury and Mars south nodes, Christina Onassis with Sun conjunct the Venus south nodes – and the list goes on.
Princess Diana’s natal Sun conjunct the Jupiter north node (= the golden child) and her Ascendant conjunct the Venus/Uranus south nodes (=abrupt relationship conflicts, endings, release). Planets Venus and Uranus are also in square in Diana’s natal chart. At the time of the accident that led to her death, her natal Ascendant/Descendant and consequently the Venus/Uranus nodes axis, was activated.
The nodes of Pluto and Saturn fall across the planetary Uranus opposition Neptune in Mother Teresa’s natal chart and square her Midheaven (=aesthetic, spiritual dedication and hard work for others, innovative ideas, gathering support to realize a mission to serve the weak and underprivileged).
Queen Elizabeth II has Pluto, Saturn and Lunar south nodes conjunct her natal Ascendant. The planet Pluto is also sesquiquadrate Saturn in her natal chart (=sacrifice, dedication to work and duty, emotional inhibitions and blockages). Neptune’s north node is conjunct her natal Moon (=fairy-tale public figure, disappointment through a woman). Jupiter’s north node is conjunct her natal Pluto (=great spiritual and material success).
Ex US President Bill Clinton has the Neptune north node conjunct his natal Pluto (=mystical solutions, scandal, confusing the group), plus the Mars north node conjunct his natal Moon in Taurus (=impulsive obsession for a woman). The Venus and Uranus north nodes are conjunct his natal Lunar north nodes (=international salesmanship) and the Jupiter north node is within 4° of a conjunction to his Midheaven and square his natal Venus (=career success and charisma).
A 4° orb of an accurately descriptive planetary node to an Ascendant or Midheaven gives scope for slight rectification of the given birth time.
It is interesting that the chart of the USA has the Sun conjunct the Jupiter north node (=affluence, abundance, confident leader), Mercury conjunct the Saturn north node (=serious thoughts, focus on education, research) and the natal Moon in Aquarius square the Mercury and Mars nodal axes (=energetic emotional responses, far-reaching communications, space travel).
Computer whiz Bill Gates has the Jupiter Nodes axis square his natal Moon in Aries in the 10th house, opposition Mars in 4th (=birth of new ventures, good fortune through the masses, comfortable home environment, legal and financial issues). His Ascendant is a wide conjunction to the Saturn North Node (=discipline, perseverance, the Father figure, success through acting and working alone).
Ex Australian Prime Minister John Howard has natal Venus conjunct the Saturn North Node (=love of order and structure). Uranus conjunct the Mars North Node (=determination, inflammatory or aggressive action, success through positive exercise regime) and Ascendant conjunct the Uranus North Node (=unexpected developments, initiating changes, personal inner change, variable environment).
Cosmobiologists considering the structure patterns of the helio planetary nodes, as they relate to world trends, will notice that the Venus and Uranus nodes and conjunct the midpoint of Mars/Jupiter nodes (= good fortune, successful technology and breakthroughs, artistic success).
Venus Nodes is semi-square the midpoint of Neptune/Pluto nodes (=financial transformation and speculation).
The close proximity of the Saturn and Pluto nodes means that the Saturn/Neptune node midpoint (2°31’ Leo/Aquarius) is conjunct the Pluto/Neptune node midpoint (0°43’ Leo/Aquarius). These early degrees of the fixed signs become vulnerable points for transits.
During 1998 and 1999 transiting Neptune moves through the early degrees of Aquarius, forming a conjunction to the south node midpoints and opposition to the north node midpoints.
The spate of Neptune events worldwide is apparent. The ethics of the US President and other international leaders and organizations are up for public review, controversy rates regarding the genetic engineering of food and human cloning. The physically vulnerable are even more defenceless and new repercussions of the Y2K bug surface (which later proved to be groundless confusion).
The Year Ahead transits omitted.
Pamela Rowe ©
April, 1999.
REFERENCES
- Larousse Encyclopaedias of Astrology, Brau, Weaver & Edmands. McGraw-Hill.
- Combination of Stellar Influences, Reinhold Ebertin, AFA Inc.
- American Federation of Astrologers, Inc. Bulletin Vol. 49 No. 9
- Revolutionizing Astrology with Heliocentric, T. Patrick Davis, Davis Research Reports, Florida USA
- Solar Fire Gold, Esoteric Technologies Pty.Ltd.
Chart Data
Princess Diana, July 1, 1961, 7:45 pm GMD, Sandringham, England
Mother Teresa, August 27, 1910, 2:25 pm CET, Skopje, Yugoslavia.
Queen Elizabeth II, April 21, 1926, 2:40 am GMD, London, England
Bill Gates, October 28, 1955, 10:00 pm PST, Seattle WA, USA
Bill Clinton, August 19, 1946, 8:51 am CST, Hope AR, USA
USA, July 4, 1776, 2:14 am LMT, Philadelphia PA, USA
John Howard, July 26, 1939, 3:33 am GST, Sydney Australia