In the Degree of the Nodes refers to any planet or significant point that falls in the same degree of the lunar nodes in any sign. It must be the very same degree, not one higher or lower to come within one degree but actually in that same degree, regardless of the number of minutes. This shows a fated appointment or fateful event, possibly some sort of catastrophe. This indicator has been used mainly in Horary Astrology and if such a condition exists, it means the situation is out of the hands of the Querent.
The Nodes show where eclipses are occurring and eclipses are powerful New or Full Moons (lunations) associated with major events, sometimes catastrophic in proportion, especially total eclipses where the Sun and Moon are nearest the node, thus the origin of this interpretation technique. A planet in the degree of the nodes takes on the excitability of the North Node as well as some of the malefic influence of the South Node. The South Node is associated with a sacrifice or an obligation.
Highly respected astrologer Ivy Jacobson says that, “Any planet or angle in the same degree as the Nodes points to a catastrophe, casualty, fatality or tragedy in a horary or natal chart, the more far-reaching when a malefic is involved.” In The Way of Astrology, she further notes that during the year that a progressed angle lines up with a natal or progressed node, there will be some tragedy in the life. I have likewise found this to be quite a reliable prediction tool, however in my experience the term “tragic” is something of an overstatement unless there is substantial back up from other indicators that also points to a tragedy. More commonly, the unpleasant experiences in the life during these years are along the lines of accidents, health problems or surgeries, losing a job, bad credit, divorce and various “catastrophes” and regrettable situations that often occur as a result of previous poor judgment. One does get through the period but it is more difficult and longer lasting if the progressed angle comes first to the progressed node, soon followed by the angular alignment with the natal node.
The application of this technique is based on the position of the Mean Nodes, which was the method of calculating the lunar node positions up until the computer age. At that time a little bit different method of calculating the position of the lunar nodes became popular, referred to as the True Node. There is barely a difference in the two measurements, usually just a degree or so, but most everything written about the nodes and their karmic implications is based on the older method of calculation that gives their Mean position. Lunar Nodes.
I have found this technique can also be applied in Mundane Astrology, except it is the True Node that appears most predictive and informative. For example, in the New Moon chart prior to killer Hurricane Katrina, Venus was in the degree of the True Nodes, sitting in the 6th house and in the sign Virgo. The North Node was 15 Aries 37 and Venus was 15 Virgo 42. Even by aspect Venus suggested sudden “dis-ease”, falling in the house of public health and well-being, opposed by Uranus. There was a second indicator that critical developments were brewing that would affect not just public health and safety but also impacting the civil services sector and emergency relief care workers such as the Red Cross. Jupiter was in a critical degree in the 6th house, ruling all such matters.
Similarly, the eclipse charts of late 2002 featured Neptune in the degree of the True Nodes prior to such major events as the beginning of the war in Iraq and the Shuttle Columbia tragedy. In the first case, Neptune accurately suggested some confusion or deceptive qualities, and the US entered that war based upon false intelligence. In the latter case, Neptune appropriately reflecting the disintegration of the shuttle and the wispy cloud like formations in the sky as a result. The Solar Eclipse chart prior to the historical blackouts in the eastern US of 2003 featured Saturn in the degree of the Nodes.
For event charts, it is the Mean Node that should be used, the same as for nativities and horary charts. For example, in his book, Horary Astrology, Plain & Simple, Anthony Louis illustrates the event chart for the San Francisco earthquake of ‘89 in which the Ascendant fell in the degree of the Mean Nodes. Similarly, the event chart for the earthquake and tsunami in late 2004 showed the Moon to be in the degree of the Moon’s Mean Nodes.
Examples of just a few people with planets or significant points in the degree of the Mean Nodes includes Martha Stewart (Part of Fortune), George W. Bush (Uranus), Bonny Lee Bakely (Venus), Jackie Bouvier (Ascendant/Descendant).
There are always numerous indicators for any one event and this rule of the degree of the nodes should be judged alongside the rest of the factors in any kind of chart. Eclipses, Predicting World Events & Personal Transformation contains a catalog of all the coming eclipse charts through the year 2012, with commentary on each, so it’s a handy reference for studying potential world events, or to learn more about the impact of eclipses and the meaning of the lunar nodes in your natal chart.
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