The North Node and South Node always reside opposite of each other in our natal charts, but in our divisional charts we may often see them conjunct. Today I’ll guide you through a deep dive in understanding of why this happens, its spiritual significance for your spiritual potential and growth in this life, and a few examples of how you may interpret these special unions in your charts.
Our natal charts are a spiritual study of that which is consumed by time on our path of soul evolution; the stars, the planets and constellations are only great indicators of time. Every single one of us is a little seed, which has its unique burns from the sun, impressions and imprints from all the past lives, and its own nutritive cycle that it needs to grow as beautifully as it. Once we understand our nature, our soil, our underground, the weather and the climate, then we know better how to grow in our own way and come into our full essence. Our natal chart shows us these natures and cycles – for we need to know what to burn, what to eat and what needs to be devoured completely so that we reach our soul’s purpose.
A tree has time indicated on it through its circles and ages. Our skin too has time, and we are movements of time. Our natal chart too shows time and a certain sense of linearity, as it seeks to guide us on our path to soul evolution. The more aware we are, the more able we may be to realize our true self and become the movement and expression of our soul – to be our soulskin. If we choose to interpret our astrology through a deeper spiritual and non-linear perspective, we reach its subtle movements and come into our soulskin. This is why as a spiritual astrologer, I interpret your natal chart too through a spiritual perspective, as the intention of my readings is your growth and inner world development.
To understand what moves beneath our skin more deeply, we may enter the divisional charts – which is where all within us that is non-linear moves. These are spiritual charts connected to our spiritual potential and growth. Of our natal chart we delineate the divisional charts, which essentially deepen us into the layers of our natal chart, and open the doors to what is beyond the lines and linearity. The divisional charts essentially show our higher consciousness or non-dual soul, and are doorways to moksha.
In ancient times the divisional charts, known as the Varga charts in Vedic astrology, were only showed to the kings, because this higher knowledge was reserved for the few. These charts are important because they show deeper aspects, the subtle energies and what’s happening as we unfold the surface layers. For example, in our D9, the Navamsa chart, we find our dharma and marriage, and it is known as our soul chart, showing special gifts and talents and the deepest desires of our soul as well as our marriage life. I’ve written about the Navamsa in depth in the Esoteric Secrets of the Navamsa.
Our higher divisional charts essentially show us the rivers of lives intertwined, the past and the future and the present, and our spiritual path and soul evolution. They are very spiritual charts, because they hold intangibles and subtle energies. As such, being spiritual and non-linear holding times across times beyond times, these charts require a spiritual interpretation.
The past and the future exist because of our concepts of time; in other words, time is what allows us to point a future and a past as a linearity or a horizontal movement. Through the realization of the present moment, we reach the timeless. When the past kisses the future into the present, we come into the present moment where all is; where the dancer becomes the dance itself, the poet the poem, and the one being kissed or kissing is now the kiss itself. This is the yoga or union, or a Buddha like neutrality state, or in Christian mysticism it is the Christ self or the heaven within the heart; which is why when Jesus was asked about heaven, he replied “there time is no longer”.
Astrologically, the South Node has threads to the past, and the North Node a pull into the future. The path from our South Node, known as Ketu in Vedic astrology, towards our North Node, known as Rahu in Vedic astrology, is known as the path of our consciousness.
In our natal charts these two will always be opposite of one another – yet they are part of one axis. So naturally, in our divisional charts, which deals with our spiritual potential and non-linearity, we may often see them conjunct. It is shows the points of completion or union we’ve reached in a particular area. It shows the kiss between the past and future, when we’ve become the kiss itself and entered into a deeper understanding on our spiritual path.
This kiss, or the present moment within which there no longer future nor past, is the moment of union and point of all creation. It is the Buddha like beingness of neutrality, it is a balance and peace. So when the nodes are conjunct in our divisional charts, the poles unite into one, showing perfect balance and the fact that the person has reached this unity in some area of their life.
For people who have more than five of these conjunctions in their higher divisional charts, it is said that they can be quite extraordinary, distinct or spiritually evolved, or have the opportunity to achieve a higher consciousness in this specific area of their life.
It shows that the person is better able to manage the opposites connected to this aspect of their life where these conjunctions happen and are able to perceive the whole and reach balance. It also shows the person can excel and elevate their consciousness, and they shouldn’t be worried about this sectors of their life where the conjunctions occur, because all has naturally come into some wholeness or completion and things related to this house and sign will happen naturally for them.
Furthermore, it shows the person has done significant spiritual growth in this area of life in previous lives, and so they may now receive some rewards and good karma from it, if the rest of the charts support this as well. It shows that there is the potential of some almost Buddha-like state of neutrality and peace, of harmony, allowing and acceptance.
When the North Node joins the South Node in a higher divisional chart, it essentially creates an opportunity for moksha. As I mentioned above, the higher divisional charts are doorways to moksha, and when you fully pay off karma related to these and have balanced it out, you open the doorway to moksha.
Note on Ethics:
Before we dive into our discussion today, it is important to emphasize the importance of ethics in astrology and divisional charts. It is important for astrologers to approach the interpretation of all charts with sensitivity, non-judgment and compassion. Many of the divisional charts deal with deeply personal subjects such as a person’s spiritual life and path, and these are sacred and unique to each individual, so please stay in sensitivity, compassion and non-judgment towards your clients. Also, please remember that these divisional charts require exact time of births and they are not stand alone charts – they can only be interpreted in relation to the natal chart and any other relevant charts.
As spiritual workers we serve God. And with our clients we serve the temple of God within them; for some it may be an awakened God, for others it may be a sleeping God, but regardless, our work is to use our wisdom and guidance to show light not darkness. Our work is to illuminate the paths, and use our knowledge and wisdom to guide our clients towards their higher path and to light their own inner flames and lanterns of wisdom within them. Intend grace on others. Nurture their inner flames.
Now, let’s dive in,
Devi Parvati, Lord Shiva’s beloved asks:
O Shiva, what is your reality?
What is the wonder-filled universe?
What constitutes seed?
Who centres the universal wheel?
What is the life beyond form pervading forms?
How may we enter it fully, above space and time, names and descriptions?
Let my doubts be cleared!
Shiva replies by way of 112 sutras, each one describing a particular meditation techniques to find the ultimate reality.
Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra is a centuries old Sanskrit text, which is one of the most important yoga scriptures. In it Shiva gives the 112 ways, which can essentially lead you to attain enlightenment, also known as yoga i.e. union. There are many ways to reach union and there are ways connected to working through the breath, working with sound or light, through meditation, through the practice of looking at objects, through the feelings of ease or touch, or dealing with activities, emotions etc.
Ways such as,
“Intone a sound audibly, then less and less audibly as feeling deepens into this silent harmony.”
“Just when you have the impulse to do something, stop.”
“Stop the doors of the senses when feeling the creeping of an ant. Then.”
“When in worldly activity, keep attentive between the two breaths, and so practising, in a few days be born anew.”
“Look lovingly on some object. Do not go on to another object. Here, in this middle object the blessing.”
“Devotion frees.”
“While being caressed, sweet princess, enter the caressing as everlasting life.”
In a way, the conjunction between the North Node and the South Node is this point of kiss, or caress – where the past meets the future in the present and we deepen into that present moment of union, of gratitude, of timelessness and selflessness. The dancer becomes the dance, the poet becomes the poet, the one who is kissed or kissing becomes the kiss itself. Love is now a verb, a movement, a loving. Through this kind of Nodal union, the doorway to a higher conscious understanding reveals itself, opens, and we enter it.
A question often asked is: Does the conjunction between the North Node and South Node then mean the karma is complete in this specific house?
Well, nothing is complete and nothing is not complete.
We all come here to learn something and evolve in some way – but what it means is not to worry or focus extensively on that particular sign and house represented by the union, because its “completion” will naturally be already happening, so you may focus on the learning of the other sectors, areas or aspects of your life.
For example, if they meet in a money-oriented house, this may show that you may not be very devoted to your money in this lifetime, or perhaps you were born into wealth, so you may not be holding as much weight onto this as much as on some other area of your life, such as emotions or expression of creative talents. So essentially, whatever houses are “complete” with the unions, just don’t worry too much about it and let things flow naturally, because these will be happening naturally anyway; it’s best for your soul growth to just focus on other learning opportunities in other areas of your life, so that you feel complete and fulfilled.
When it comes to the karmic influence associated with this conjunction, it signifies a more natural flow and perhaps rewards from the completed work coming your way and throughout your life. Karma is like a river, and this river flows in its natural course; we can’t make it go backwards. So the unions of the poles usually show a certain flow has already moved as it should and come into balance, so you now enjoy the ease in these areas, and continue to pour pure waters in your river rather than mud or thorns.
The North Node and the South Node are polarities – two opposites of the same experience. This life allows us an opportunity for a deepening, and through the contrasts we experience, within and without, we are then able to understand duality a bit more deeply, and then eventually, we may be able to collapse the duality into the oneness of truth and love. The North Node, Rahu, desires; it is a desire pulling us into the wild unknowns outside of our comfort, so that we can grow and experience and learn something new. But it also attaches itself, sometimes quite obsessively, if we don’t know how to balance it.
On the other end is our South Node, Ketu, who pulls away from it all; it is the monk’s prayers, it is the intangible, the retreated and often isolated or untouchable, which may often feel like a separation or detachment. Often the North Node becomes enchanted and may fall into the maya, but then the South Node is what pulls it back to reveal it is all just an illusion. So the South Node is meant to keep us sometimes disinterested in things, or just in a more spiritual state of being, so that our North Node doesn’t become obsessed or addicted to things not good for us. This is why the path towards a higher expression of our North Node is mastering our South Node of having a strong spiritual core and ethics.
And so,
When these two conjunct and become one through an union, it shows the union of the polarities, and that the person has achieved this elevated state of spiritual understanding and higher awareness. They’ve managed to reach this balance and reach the completion and middle ground of the polarities – and the polarities have now become one. The past kissed the future in the present, and we now are in the present moment fully aware that this is the point of creation and all there is, and where all is.
Because the higher divisional charts essentially relate to our higher consciousness on some level, it is natural to see these conjunctions happen in few of the charts; but for people who have them in more than five or six, it shows the personal may be more spiritually evolved or distinct in some way, at least in these areas of life. This doesn’t mean all will be perfect for them, but it certainly shows that on a spiritual level they have the awareness and ability to reach the peace and harmony they desire.
These conjunctions often show the person may have reached some level of neutrality, or just not be neither too obsessed nor too detached from these areas of their life. It’s neither an obsession nor an isolation. It’s neither an ebb nor a flow, it’s the ocean.
The person has essentially reached a higher conscious level in this life – a higher level of seeing, perceiving, being and understanding of something. For example, if in the D30 chart, the person may have gone through so many ups and downs, whether emotional or physical, or ebbs and flows, or ice to snow to rain to sun, that they’ve seen all these various perspectives, and they’ve reached a non-judgmental balance; they’ve risen to some understanding and healing, seeing the higher perspective of it all.
So what are some of the divisional charts where these conjunctions may happen?
We usually see them in our D16, D20, D24, D27, D30, D40, D45, which are known as the higher consciousness charts because they reveal aspects of or things chosen by our higher self for our spiritual growth and soul evolution path.
Let’s go through a few of them.
The D16
The D16 is a very subtle vibration of our natal 4th house. On a mundane level it shows our relationship to or understanding of our material life, comforts and possessions; it shows our quality of life, comforts and luxuries, enjoyment and movements such as vehicles. On a deeper level this chart relates to inner contentment and potential for happiness. It shows our emotional and psychological foundations, as well as sheds light on the lessons that need to be learned and the areas that need to be improved in order to evolve spiritually.
The North Node and South Node will actually always be conjunct in the D16, because they are intricately connected to past lives and represent the divine gifts bestowed upon an individual. While this chart is associated with immovable properties and possessions, on a deeper level it actually reveals the materialistic aspects of life that an individual will engage with and the worldly possessions they may have accumulated. So essentially, this chart reflects what has been chosen for our individual self which serves as a guide for our soul’s path.
The conjunction will show profound karmic influence on a particular area of your life related to your happiness and how that may affect your material life also. If it is in the 3rd house, it relates to communication, skills, talents and gifts, and your courage in life; and if it is connected to your creativity as per sign or constellation or rulership, it may show your happiness and material wealth or comfort may come through expressing your gifts and talents and having meaningful communication with others. Or if related to your 4th house ruler or Moon, it may show that your happiness comes through your attachment to home and family, and you should prioritize emotional security and understanding.
D20
Known as the Vimshamsha chart, the D20 shows our spiritual inclinations, religious practices, unique spiritual journey and path, faith and philosophical nature, and devotion; it shows our potential for spiritual growth, enlightenment and moksha.
The ascendant in this chart essentially shows a person’s general approach and attitude towards spirituality, their inherent spiritual inclinations and self realization efforts. The 7th house is related to spiritual or divine partnerships, devotion, how partners may influence their spiritual path, and how the native too contributes to public dealings related to spirituality.
Jupiter’s placement in the D20 becomes very important; for example, if in the 5th house it shows spiritual blessings and spiritual gifts, talents and gifts in divination, and ability to teach and guide others on a higher dharmic path.
Venus’ placement in the D20 is really important also; for example, if she is in the 8th house it shows interest in the esoteric and sensual aspects of spirituality, and hidden blessings through spiritual practice. The 8th house here is a deeply binding house, so it shows a deeply devoted person, who is willing to enter into an intimacy with all and with life itself, dissolving the boundaries and fully merging through love and in love.
If the union between the North Node and South Node happens in someone’s D20 chart, it shows the person has deep faith and strong relationship to God. If it happens in the 7th house, the relationship they seek with a romantic and intimate partner is one that is spiritual and sacred; and it promises an entering of such bond in this lifetime. It shows a gift from God for their partner in life, a potential to unite with their true beloved, and through that union, reach an even deeper spiritual union for the path to moksha. This conjunction also shows that the native may be a very deeply devoted person, and very deeply spiritual. Their life, and many past lives, have eventually made them come closer to God.
And the closer we are to God, the quieter he becomes. We no longer have big sparkling omens or signs outside of us all the time, because he is now very close to us as we’ve deepened in trust and “graduated”. We are no longer outside of the temple of God – we are in it. And we may not even know how in his hands we truly are, because there’s a full embrace now. We may sometimes still doubt and be lost or confused, that’s natural in this life to feel, but deep within us – on that subtle higher consciousness level – the union in the D20 shows the spiritual core and self, and your ability to let go and let God, and leave it all to him to lead you.
When we are in his temple, all becomes more quitet as if you are in the center of the church. Because it’s now about listening. As we deepen in prayer we learn to listen, because realize it is about the listening. And when we listen we hear; and then we may also become a prayer with open eyes.
D40 and D45
There two relate to our material lineage (D40) and our paternal lineage (D45). The D40 relates more deeply to our spiritual potential through our material lineage and the gifts we may have been given through our mother; and the D45 relates to our spiritual growth through the paternal karma and father’s gifts.
In this way, the D40 shows our ability to choose and follow auspicious or inauspicious pathways, while the D45 may show insight on our states of existence, the waking, dreaming and deep states, and our conscious control over them.
If the ascendant of the D40 is ruled by the Sun, it may show a strong focus on authenticity, individuality, leadership abilities and self expression for our soul’s evolution. The Moon becomes very important here, and if she is in the 4th house or water sign, it shows deep intuition and love as gifts bestowed by the mother and the maternal lineage. If the conjunction of the North and South Node happen in the 3rd house, it shows your path will naturally open for you through your gifts and abilities and self expression, so there is no need to worry too much or doubt your abilities, because these are gifts you’ve earned and worked on for many lives. If it is in the sign of let’s say Libra, which is all about harmony and beauty, and Venus ruled, you have learned and excelled in how to balance all around you; and have the ability to inspire a sense of beauty in others, so that they deepen into more self love and self acceptance. These gifts of love are gifted to you in a most beautiful way by your mother.
The D45 shows the gifts from your father also, and your ability to put in the effort through conscious work on your spiritual path and navigate through the twists and turns. If the conjunction happens in the 11th house for example, it shows you may have the rewards and recognition you seek for your work and talents, so don’t worry about financial matters. If it is happening in let’s say the sign of Cancer, which rules our sacred heart and inner Christ self, it shows that your heart guides you through life, and emotional maturity is yours. You may find that your biggest contribution to life actually has to do with the way you love and accept others through non-judgment and deep compassion, and it’s like your heart is a truly humanitarian one, inclusive and all caring and all holding of all living beings, small and big, animal and people, you love deeply and this paves your path forward.
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