Nodes (North Node & South Node)

The lunar nodes — North Node (also called Dragon's Head) and South Node (Dragon's Tail) — are the two points where the Moon's orbital plane intersects the ecliptic. They are always directly opposite each other and move backward through the zodiac in an approximately 18.6-year cycle. Vettius Valens and Dorotheus of Sidon referred to the nodes using the classical Dragon's Head and Dragon's Tail terminology (Anthology, c. 175 CE; Carmen Astrologicum, c. 75 CE). In Hellenistic tradition, the North Node (Head of the Dragon) was considered benefic — increasing and amplifying whatever planet it touched; the South Node (Tail) was draining and releasing. The modern psychological reading treats the nodal axis as the primary indicator of soul development direction. The North Node describes the qualities and experiences the soul is moving toward in the current incarnation — unfamiliar territory that requires development. The South Node describes the accumulated past-life qualities — what comes naturally, may be overused, and needs to be transcended or balanced. Demetra George (Ancient Astrology in Theory and Practice, 2019) synthesizes the traditional benefic/malefic reading with the modern developmental framing. Eclipses always occur near the nodal axis, linking eclipse themes to long-term soul growth trajectories. The North Node's house and sign in the natal chart show where intentional stretching toward new experience is most rewarding.