The lunar nodes—known as the North Node and South Node—hold the keys to your destiny and ultimate life lessons. These special points aren't actually "planets," of course. They are actually the two places on the moon's orbital path where it crosses the ecliptic. ​The North Node represents our karmic paths and the lessons we came here to learn—or the language we are learning to speak. The South Node reveals the challenges and gifts we bring in from previous lifetimes.

Many charts only show the symbol for the North Node, but you can find the position of the South Node by looking in the exact opposite sign and house. For example, if your north node is in Capricorn, your south node will be in its opposite sign of Cancer, and so on.

The South Node: Revealing Past Lives, Natural Abilities
The South Node reveals the gifts that you bring into this lifetime, your sweet spot, your comfort zone. You will be innately good in these areas of life, and may begin your early path based on your South Node leanings. While this can bring a sense of satisfaction, it is unlikely to elevate you to Blissville. There’s a sense of “been there, done that” in the field of South Node activities. And indeed you have: in many past lifetimes. The key is to use your South Node as a springboard into your North Node destiny, much like an expat living abroad will always feel most comfortable speaking her native language, even if she’s lived in her new country for many years. The South Node is your horoscope hometown, perhaps not the place you want to settle permanently, but somewhere cozy to visit when you need to feel a sense of place or belonging.

In relationships, the South Node may be like a default behavior. We may date people who fit the characteristics or qualities of our South Node's house or zodiac sign. While some people may find this anchoring, others may find it stifling to growth. Ultimately, it's up to each individual to decide. If your career takes you into North Node activities, for example, you might prefer the comfort of a South Node partner. Or, you may find that you like being with someone who brings a balance of both of the lunar nodes.

The North Node: Your Destiny That’s Calling
The North Node is the exact opposite zodiac sign of the South Node. It illuminates the terrain that’s calling your name, but climbing to the peak of this mountain is like trekking up Mt. Everest. You’ll have to lighten up your baggage and enlist a proverbial Sherpa to get you up that hill. Think of it as your learning curve or the activation of your life's mission. North Node activities require you to stretch out of your comfort zone. Once you do, you’ll be amazed by how fulfilled you feel. The sooner you align yourself with this path, the more purpose-driven your life will become. However, you will often return to your South Node as that “ace in the hole”—kind of like returning home to your roots, even after you’ve made your way in the world.

We often think that just because we’re good at something—or it comes easily to us—that it’s what we should “do” with our lives. Yet, sometimes, the easy way doesn’t feel spiritually satisfying. Maybe you’ve taken this path enough times in past lives, and you’re ready for something new.

With relationships, you can use the North Node as a beacon, stretching towards the energy or quality of the zodiac sign and/or house that it falls in. You may grow exponentially by pairing up with a partner has traits that resonate with your North Node. Simultaneously, you may find it difficult to relax and get vulnerable a relationship like this, as you may feel like you're way out of your comfort zone.

How do the nodes influence relationships?
Astrologers use the lunar nodes to determine where your destiny lies (North Node) and what you were in past lifetimes (South Node). The nodes change signs every 18.5 months approximately. People born within your same lunar node group are like your “soul tribe.” You incarnated ​together to learn the same lessons. People born 18.5-20 years before or after you may have the same North and South Nodes. You'll feel like kindred spirits, despite the decades between you.

You may also find that you have a strong connection to people born 9-10 years before or after you, as they will have the same nodal pairing, but in opposite positions. (For example, you have Capricorn North Node, they have Capricorn South Node.) This can be a powerful but polarizing pairing. You might even irritate each other at times, since you’ve both mastered what the other one has come here to learn. Ultimately, you can be the best teachers for each other, as long as you deploy patience! If you combine your natural skills, you can be unstoppable.

Note to parents-to-be: if you have a child around the age of 18-19 or 36-37, you’ll share the same nodes. And if you date, marry or join forces with someone 9-10 years older or younger than you, there’s a good chance they’ll have the opposite nodes.

The ultimate book on the nodes is Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller. A huge influence who we learned so much from, Spiller passed away July 2016. We are forever grateful for what we learned about the nodes from her writing.