The Changing of the Lunar Nodes: What is the Invitation?
Catharine Mitchell
The Changing of the Lunar Nodes – What is the Invitation?
The Lunar Nodes – north and south – are two of the least familiar components of modern Western astrology. What are the nodes? Chani Nicholas explains (from her email post of July 27, 2026):
“The lunar nodes are the two points in space where the Moon’s orbit around Earth intersects with the ecliptic (the path that the Sun appears to trace in the sky from our perspective). And an eclipse happens whenever a New or Full Moon occurs near one of these points. So when the lunar nodes shift signs, their change-making powers surge through new areas of our lives, shutting old doors and driving us to pursue fresh goals.”
From Chani Nicholas, “The lunar nodes say: Major Change is in the air”, email post, July 27, 2026, copyright Chani Nicholas Inc.
The north and south lunar nodes are always exactly opposite each other, creating an axis. Since the Moon revolves around the Earth as the Earth revolves around the sun, twice a year this nodal axis aligns with (points to) the sun; each alignment creates the conditions for an eclipse. The Solar Eclipse in Leo is arriving on August 12, with the Lunar Eclipse in Pisces following on August 27. The eclipses intensify this nodal energy.
During their travel, the nodes change astrological signs every year and a half, connecting to new and different archetypal energy. On July 26, 2026, the north node entered Aquarius and the south node entered Leo. This is the first time the nodes have had this placement since 2007. What was happening for you and in the world at that time? It can be helpful to look back and consider this.
What does the North Node represent?
Sometimes called the head of the dragon, the North Node activates a desire within us to move toward something. Over the next year and a half, we’ll be drawn to Aquarius-type energy, such as using our outside-the-box thinking, working in innovative ways, and being drawn to aiding the collective through community organization and group problem-solving. The North Node’s placement in Aquarius is calling us to serve the greater good.
What does the South Node represent?
The South Node is tail of the dragon - that which we are letting go and leaving behind. This release can be cathartic – and it can bring us face-to-face with our personal and collective shadow. During the next year and a half, this means that Leo themes, such as self-absorbed behaviours, and putting people – especially leaders - on pedestals may be set for a shift.
If you know your own birth chart, you can see which houses the nodes are moving into. This can deepen the message to help inform and guide your own journey over the next 18 months. If you don’t know your birth chart, just knowing the signs the nodes are moving into can give you a sense of what energy may be rising – both personally and in the wider world. It’s promising to be an interesting time! And March 29th’s Full Moon in Aquarius has helped get the party started!
Full moons always have the Moon opposite the Sun. Jupiter (the planet of expansion and generosity) is currently with the Sun in Leo, magnifying the Sun’s already powerful energy. Opposite, in Aquarius, Pluto (the planet of power, mystery/the Shadow, and not-always-comfortable transformation) is sitting near the Moon. This week’s full moon created a powerful opposition, which asks us to consider both where we are called to shine and lead (Leo and Jupiter) as well encouraging us to face the fears which have kept us invisible (Pluto) and how we move beyond these to support the collective (Aquarius). Having the nodes in these signs dials the energy up to 11!
You don’t need to decide or solve anything right away; we’ve got 18 months to get to know and work with this energy. But paying attention to what is going on within and without around these themes could help to navigate and make the most of the coming months.
Catharine is an archetypal astrologer, spiritual director, and teacher.
