the north & south node of the moon have been a huge focus for me during my near-lifelong study of astrology (i have my sun conjunct the north node 😉). the nodal axis is where the moon's orbit around the earth intersects with the sun's orbit through the ecliptic. the north node (rahu) & south node (ketu) aren't planets. they're points, so they can't make aspectual rays to other bodies (ahem, the north node can't trine anything, etc) though they can be conjunct planets (conjunctions aren't actually aspects). ☆ rahu represents increase, inflation, exaggeration. it is not what we need to "evolve into" or "explore". it is what we need to be weary of over-consuming. ketu represents decrease, deflation, release. it is not what we need to "let go of" or "forget". it is what we need to be weary of escaping into. ☆ the modern paradigm often separates the 2 as what we're evolving out of & moving into, which is very different from any ancient understandings. i do not appeal to the past as "better", but i see the modern understanding as a reflection of today's obsession with progress for progress's sake. they are an inseparable karmic cycle for us to be aware of our patterning towards. one is not good or bad. simply, rahu increases & ketu decreases. dramatically. a metaphor i heard & love is that rahu is a looks-obsessed punk rocker while ketu is an emo rocker who just wants to die lol. makes a lot of sense that way :) ☆ i have 2 tattoos incorporating rahu into them because i definitely resonate with the archetype.
recently, i’ve begun a video series on the nodes! catch all of this info and much, MUCH more in this first intro video:
and i continue on to describe the nodes of the moon in transit here!
more videos to come! let me know about your experience with the nodes.