True Node, Mean Node, North Node – where is the difference, and how to “read” it? I decided to write a short article about it, and perhaps this will help you to understand the Nodes in astrology better.
Are you a student of astrology, and you try to read and analyze natal charts more in-depth? Then you will for sure meet the North Node and the South Node.
However, if you look even deeper, you will notice that the North Node has two ‘nicknames’ – True Node and Mean Node. And here, things can get a little bit confusing. I will explain the difference between them.
Where is the difference between these two nodes?
Both nodes (in the natal chart, these nodes are max 2.5 degrees apart) actually present the same thing: the NORTH Node. The only difference is the way we calculate them.
The true Node is the real position of the Moon’s node at any time. Mean Node is the position of the Moon’s node according to a mathematical formula that ignores many of the minor perturbations in its orbit. To sum up: The true Node is the exact location of the Moon’s Node, while Mean Node presents the average location of the Moon’s Node at the time.
It is also good to know that Mean Node is always retrograde, while True Node may occasionally be direct.
Which one should I use in my natal chart interpretation?
Well, there is no strict rule about which one to use. However, most astrologers use the True Node since it is considered to be one’s ideal life path. A path that one should follow in order to reach fulfillment and ultimate satisfaction. It is considered to represent the skills, talents, knowledge, qualities, and attitudes one needs to develop in this lifetime in order to reach our full potential.
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7 comments
What if my true node is @ 29° ♌ and my mean node is @ 0° ♍?
Then you have to consider a bit of both signs when analysing your life path, either node you choose. When a planet or a fixed point is between two signs, the characteristics of the planet or point in both signs appears. It’s a bit more complicated.
Exactly. Also, not only degrees but minutes are important here as well.
Same here but for Taurus (True Node, 29 degrees) and Gemini (Mean Node, 0 degrees). I feel more of a Gemini nn because I want knowledge. I do not want to stay incarnated and build anything, lol.
So, The North Node and True Node are in the same House and in the same Sign, for myself that is. But the South Node is on the opposite Side of the North Node.
i have the same mean node in virgo 1deg, and true node at 29 deg leo, when i think of the true node in leo i loved to sing when growing up, but was “walked over” for my voice, and i guess thats why my mercury is also in the 12th house out of bounds, scared to let people hear me, but this is something i feel i deeply resonate with more cause it lit my soul when i think about it.
Thank you for your comment.
Having Mercury in the 12th House isn’t necessarily a bad thing at all. However, where is Venus placed in your natal chart, and in what sign? Is it in some aspect with Saturn, maybe? If so, this could explain your fear of singing and lack of confidence to sing in front of a public.