North Node Aries/South Node Libra – July 17, 2023 to January 11, 2025
The Lunar Nodes are the points where the Moon’s path crosses the ecliptic, the Sun’s path in the sky. Karmic points in astrology, the Nodes are also called the Dragon’s Head and Tail.
The nodal axis in your birth chart can help reveal your soul purpose, your destiny in this lifetime.
On July 17, 2023, the Lunar Nodes move into new zodiac signs. The North Node moves into Aries and the South Node moves into Libra where they will remain for the next 18 months, until January 11, 2025.
The Nodal Cycle takes approximately 18-19 years. The last times the Lunar Nodes were in Aries/Libra in the same combination were December 26, 2004 to June 22, 2006 and April 6, 1986 to December 2, 1987. How do events back then mirror what’s happening in your life now?
Whichever sign and house you find the North Node in, the South Node is always in the opposite sign and house. The placing of the North Node is what you’re striving for or aiming for in this lifetime. It’s your life lesson, your destiny and your major area of learning.
The South Node is where you retreat to, your comfort zone, your habitual place. In traditional astrology, it can indicate your downfall and what’s not good for you. If you believe in past lives, it’s thought that you’re stuck in your South Node destiny until you break free and stop repeating the same patterns and move on.
The Lunar Nodes & Eclipses
The Lunar Nodes are an integral part of the eclipse cycle and their meaning for you in their new star signs may already have begun in April 2023. This is when the first eclipse in the Aries/Libra eclipse cycle took place.
Eclipses are not by their nature good nor bad. Yes, they can sweep in to move things forward in life, sometimes at a fast rate and they tend to bring what’s hidden to light.
It can be hard to plan for eclipses other than recognise that they often coincide with life’s highs and lows. They symbolise a time when the pendulum of fate swings dramatically and that can be both exhilarating and scary.
Sometimes, change happens close to the eclipse date or seeds are sown and events build towards a major turning point. Ideally, you’re wise not to plan big events for eclipse dates. Instead, wait a few days and see what’s revealed as the light returns and a new landscape is revealed.
Here are the dates and degrees of the current Aries/Libra eclipse cycle:
- Solar Eclipse [29 Aries 50] – April 20 2023
- Solar Eclipse [21 Libra 08] – October 14 2023
- Lunar Eclipse [5 Libra 07] – March 25 2024
- Solar Eclipse [19 Aries 24] – April 8 2024
- Solar Eclipse [10 Libra 04] – October 2 2024
- Solar Eclipse [9 Aries 00] – March 29 2025
The New Nodal Axis – Aries/Libra
Relationships may be emphasised as the nodes move through Aries ruling the self and Libra ruling relationships. The challenge may be how to keep your own identity when you’re in relationship, either personally or professionally. Don’t lose yourself or lose sight of who you are.
Yet, the deeper learning comes from seeing and understanding yourself in relation to another. When you dive deep into love or any key partnership in your life, this holds up a mirror revealing more about you. Compromise is a necessary aspect of any partnership as is remaining true to yourself – often a fine line to walk.
Expect themes around gender equality, marriage rights, human rights and legal issues to be foreground in the coming 18 months.
The zodiac glyphs of Venus and Mars have become recognised as global symbols to indicate gender. During the recent nodal axis, Venus was the ruler of the north node in Taurus and Mars was the ruler of the south node in Scorpio.
This time around, the roles are switched as Mars rules the north node in Aries and Venus rules the south node in Libra. Therefore, what might be turned upside down in the next 18 months?
In your own relationships/partnerships, play around with the following questions: Who’s in charge? Has the balance of power shifted? Does one of you need to support the other person – has this changed recently? Is there an imbalance when it comes to love, sex or another key relationship or partnership issue? Are you fed up of being alone or doing everything on your own and want to be in a relationship?
What’s noticeable is that nearly all the eclipses in the Aries/Libra eclipse cycle are Solar or New Moon eclipses. Therefore, the theme of independence or finding yourself in or out of love may ring true over the next year and a half. Following your own path, whether in a relationship or not, could become a major theme. Also, fighting for your rights or the underdog.
Notice who comes into your life over the next 18 months. Life isn’t meant to be lived entirely alone. It’s the people you meet and the connections you build that often determine the course of your life.
If you don’t open yourself up to love, you may never experience grief and loss on a deep level. Yet, surely a positive reason to be alive on this planet is to fully experience the joys of love, whether with a partner, child, parent, pet, sibling, friend, etc.
To love is to open yourself up to the potential of loss, but how wonderful to be able to say yes to love and live a love-filled life.
What does the new Lunar Node cycle mean for you?
Here’s a quick guide to the Lunar Nodes in Aries/Libra in relation to your Sun sign. Read your Ascendant sign too, if you know it.
Aries:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 1st house ruling your physical body, your image and profile, your personal goals and ambitions. This is about learning to put yourself and your needs first, enjoying a relationship without losing your identity within it.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode may be to rely on a partner to make decisions, either in your personal or professional life. Yet, your destiny lies in focusing on what you want in life and developing a strong sense of personal identity.
Taurus:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 12th house ruling retreat, solitude and inner quiet. When life gets too busy or noisy, you can’t hear the call of the universe and you lose your way and your natural intuition. This is about finding a balance between work and service to others, also enjoying and appreciating time alone.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to take on too many obligations but your destiny lies in developing your spiritual path and leading a slower pace of life. This is less about the world of doing and more about spiritual surrender.
Gemini:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 11th house ruling friendship and your involvement within groups, clubs or society in general. You benefit from networking and teamwork. When you forge new alliances you can make more of a difference in what you do.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to have fun, be creative and enjoy a playful approach to life. Yet, your destiny lies in developing a strong sense of group consciousness and putting your creative talents to good use in a community setting or a social or political organisation.
Cancer:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 10th house ruling your career and vocation and where you’re heading in life. This is a powerful placing for you. It’s about finding your personal mountain to climb, creating ambitions and goals that help you make progress and move forwards.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to stay at home and keep safe within the comfort of your family. Yet, your destiny lies in fulfilling your ambitions, taking on new status and achieving your long-term goals. Also, it’s about supporting the ones you love by working hard and fulfilling your potential.
Leo:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 9th house ruling travel, higher education and your personal philosophy on life. This is about expanding your horizons and widening your vision for what you want in life rather than getting too caught up with the ideas and forgetting to embrace the experience.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to talk about what you want to do or read books endlessly. Yet, your destiny lies in finding your role within the world, moving abroad, studying for new qualifications or taking your learning to the next level.
Virgo:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 8th house ruling joint finances, the hidden mysteries of the world and taboo topics, such as sex, money, death and rebirth. You may be interested in exploring unknown realms and looking at what lies beyond the ordinary and everyday.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to hold on tight to what you have. Yet, your destiny lies in realising that money is energy and more than just a commodity. Work alongside other people to fundraise or create a trading community. Become a powerful force and help transform your own and other peoples’ lives.
Libra:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 7th house of relationships. This means the big area of learning is in your one-to-one relationships. You may experience lessons around giving and receiving or how to function effectively as one half of a couple.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to retreat into yourself when things go wrong. Yet, your destiny lies in creating a powerful union either in love or professionally. If you find yourself feeling lonely or cut off, reach out to others and create new connections in your life.
Scorpio:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 6th house ruling your work, service and health. This is about dealing with the practical aspects of life. The more efficient your routine and the more you factor in exercise and diet to create a healthy lifestyle, the smoother your life flows.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to lose yourself in spiritual pondering. Yet, your destiny lies in finding a way to serve others and recognising that your everyday skills can make a difference in the world. Be wary of an over-active imagination or dreaming your life away. Take practical steps to find meaning and purpose.
Sagittarius:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 5th house ruling your creativity, children, entertainment and love affairs. It’s your turn to have fun and find ways to express yourself and show off your unique skills and talents. You’re at your best when you’re creative for your own sake rather than helping others discover their creativity.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to disappear into the crowd or feel like an outsider. Yet, your destiny lies in declaring your heart and following your passion. For some of you, this will include having a baby, a passionate love affair or creating your masterpiece that is a vehicle for self-expression.
Capricorn:
The North Node falls in Aries in your 4th house ruling your home, family and where you come from. It’s the people closest to you who matter the most. You may be starting a family or taking a break from work to be at home.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to be outwardly ambitious. Yet, your destiny lies in creating a safe place you can call home and caring for the people you love. You may feel inclined to do this at work, bringing people together in order to create a close bond and a strong team.
Aquarius:
The North Node falls in Aries in your 3rd house ruling communication, transport, siblings, neighbours and your local community. You’re the messenger and gathering knowledge and passing on ideas becomes more urgent. You discover your voice and how to use your words to make a difference.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode is to retreat into your ivory tower and develop your ideas on your own. Yet, your destiny lies in connecting with others locally and online to share ideas and make the wheels of your chosen industry run smoother.
Pisces:
The North Node in Aries falls in your 2nd house ruling your personal money, your possessions and what you value. You can learn many lessons about money now, what it means to you, how to attract money into your life and how to make your money go further.
The South Node in Libra means that your default mode may be to rely on others for your financial well-being. Yet, your destiny lies in learning about your money mindset and realising that when it comes to cash and being rich or poor, it’s your responsibility.
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Great writeup Sally. I wonder if you have any answers or ideas to a question I have pondered but no-one else seems to have written about.
With all the other planetary cycles there is a well-trodden path of evolution. E.g. Aries explores the world, Taurus sifts those experiences to see what is valued, Gemini then starts to compare that against other experiences within its nieghbourhood etc, etc. Also a movement from individual to relational to universal.
But with the nodes going backwards through the signs … how does this help us develop? What is the path of growth? What can we learn?
Thank you 🙂 And a good question. The nodes work differently as they’re not tangible or ‘real’ like the planets are. They come into being because of the relationship between the Sun, Moon and Earth. So, it’s not a progressive learning as such. I think the learning comes from seeing the cycles of the nodes playing out in your life and learning from them – hope that makes sense.