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 chart more in-depth? Than 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 natal chart these nodes are max 2.5 degrees apart) actually present the same thing: the NORTH Node. The only difference is the way they have been calculated.
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 which ignores many of the minor perturbations in its orbit. To sum up: 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.
Only as side information 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 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 your fullfilment 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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5 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.