Path of Purpose
Discovering Your Purpose Through the Lunar North Node
In the previous section, we explored how to discover your purpose using the Ikigai framework. Now, we will delve into another profound method of uncovering your purpose: through your natal chart, specifically by examining the Lunar North Node. The Lunar North Node, also known as the True Node, is a powerful astrological point that reveals insights into your soul’s purpose and the direction of your growth in this lifetime.
What is the Lunar North Node?
The Lunar North Node represents your soul’s path and the lessons you are meant to learn in this lifetime. It is often described as your life’s mission or karmic destiny. Unlike the Sun, Moon, or planets, the North Node is not a celestial body but a point where the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic (the Sun’s path across the sky). The North Node is always opposite the South Node, which signifies your past life experiences and the qualities you are moving away from.
The Moon Controls So Much More Than the Tides…
Your natal (birth) chart is a tremendous resource for learning about yourself. It contains a plethora of information pertaining to your attitude, personality, karmic lessons, and yes, you guessed it: your purpose! You don’t have to be an astrologer to read your birth chart. You don’t even have to fully embrace the idea that the date, time, and place of your birth determine who you are. But even a quick peek will surely dismantle your skepticism.
For our purposes, we’re going to focus specifically on your Lunar North Node.
The North Node is a significant point in an astrological chart that represents your karmic path and life purpose. It is associated with growth, challenges, and the areas of life that you are meant to explore and develop during your lifetime. The North Node represents the lessons and experiences that you are meant to embrace and learn in this lifetime. It indicates the qualities and activities that may feel unfamiliar or challenging but are essential for personal growth and fulfillment.
In contrast, the South Node represents past life experiences, inherent talents, and comfort zones. While the South Node is about what you already know and are comfortable with, the North Node points to new directions and your future path. The North Node is about what you need to develop and where you need to go.
How to find your Lunar North Node
Discovering Your Purpose Through the Lunar North Node
In the previous section, we explored how to discover your purpose using the Ikigai framework. Now, we will delve into another profound method of uncovering your purpose: through your natal chart, specifically by examining the Lunar North Node. The Lunar North Node, or the True Node, is a powerful astrological point that reveals insights into your soul’s purpose and the direction of your growth in this lifetime.
What is the Lunar North Node?
The Lunar North Node represents your soul’s path and the lessons you are meant to learn in this lifetime. It is often described as your life’s mission or karmic destiny. Unlike the Sun, Moon, or planets, the North Node is not a celestial body but a point where the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic (the Sun’s path across the sky). The North Node is always opposite the South Node, which signifies your past life experiences and the qualities you are moving away from.
How to Extract Your Purpose from Your Natal Chart
Your natal chart is a snapshot of the sky at the exact moment of your birth, providing a cosmic blueprint of your unique potential and life journey. To extract your purpose using the Lunar North Node, follow these detailed steps:
Locate Your Lunar North Node:
Instruction: Access your natal chart through a reputable astrology website, such as Astro-Seek, or use astrology apps like TimePassages or The Pattern. Generate your natal chart by entering your birth date, time, and place. Look for the horseshoe-shaped icon with the ends pointing down, which represents the North Node.
Reflection: Note the sign and house in which your North Node is located. These provide crucial information about the qualities you are meant to develop and the areas of life where your purpose unfolds.
Understand the Significance:
Instruction: Research the characteristics of the sign and house your North Node occupies. Each sign and house carries specific energies and themes. Below is a detailed guide to help you understand these attributes.
Reflection: Reflect on how these characteristics resonate with your current life experiences and aspirations. Consider how embracing these qualities can guide you towards fulfilling your purpose.
Identify Contrasts with the South Node:
Instruction: Examine the sign and house of your South Node, which represents your comfort zone and past life tendencies. The South Node is always directly opposite the North Node in your natal chart.
Reflection: Identify behaviors and attitudes associated with your South Node that may be holding you back. Recognize the need to move away from these patterns to fully embrace your North Node’s potential.
Integrate with Ikigai Insights:
Instruction: Compare the insights from your Lunar North Node with the results of your Ikigai exercise. Look for overlapping themes and complementary aspects that reinforce your purpose.
Reflection: Consider how the astrological insights can enhance your understanding of your Ikigai intersections. Use this combined knowledge to refine and clarify your purpose.
Practical Application:
Instruction: Develop practical steps to incorporate the qualities of your North Node into your daily life and long-term goals. This involves setting specific, achievable actions that align with the traits and lessons of your North Node.
Reflection: Create a plan to cultivate these qualities through specific actions, habits, and choices. Regularly review and adjust your plan as you grow and evolve.
Example: Understanding the Lunar North Node in Action
Case Study: North Node in Gemini (7th House)
Locating the Node: An individual with their North Node in Gemini (7th House) is encouraged to develop communication skills and seek harmony in partnerships.
Significance: Gemini energy is about curiosity, learning, and effective communication. The 7th House focuses on partnerships, relationships, and cooperation. Together, they suggest a purpose centered around learning to communicate effectively and foster meaningful relationships.
Contrast with the South Node: The South Node in Sagittarius (1st House) suggests past tendencies towards independence, bluntness, and a strong focus on personal freedom. Moving away from these tendencies involves embracing collaboration and considering others' perspectives.
Integration with Ikigai: If the Ikigai exercise highlighted themes of relationship-building and communication, these insights align with the Gemini North Node’s call for developing these skills. The individual might find fulfillment in roles that involve mediation, counseling, or any field that requires effective communication and cooperation.
Practical Application: The individual can set goals to improve their communication skills, such as taking courses in active listening or public speaking. They can also seek opportunities to work in team settings or roles that require partnership and collaboration. Regularly engaging in activities that foster relationships, like joining a community group or participating in collaborative projects, can help them align with their North Node’s purpose.
Reference Guide for Lunar North Node Placements
Use this guide to extract meaning from your Lunar North Node's sign and house placements.
North Node in the 1st House
Focus: Developing a strong sense of self and independence.
Aries: Embrace courage, take initiative, and develop leadership skills.
Taurus: Build self-worth, value stability, and cultivate patience.
Gemini: Communicate your ideas, be curious, and learn new things.
Cancer: Nurture yourself, embrace emotions, and develop intuition.
Leo: Express creativity, embrace confidence, and seek recognition.
Virgo: Focus on self-improvement, be detail-oriented, and serve others.
Libra: Balance self-interest with partnerships, seek harmony.
Scorpio: Transform self-identity, embrace intensity, and face fears.
Sagittarius: Expand horizons, seek truth, and embrace adventure.
Capricorn: Build discipline, strive for success, and take responsibility.
Aquarius: Be authentic, embrace uniqueness, and value community.
Pisces: Develop spirituality, embrace compassion, and go with the flow.
North Node in the 2nd House
Focus: Building self-worth, financial stability, and personal values.
Aries: Assertiveness in achieving material goals, valuing independence.
Taurus: Stability and comfort, practical financial planning.
Gemini: Communicating values, using intellect to achieve security.
Cancer: Emotional security, valuing home and family.
Leo: Self-expression in material pursuits, valuing creativity.
Virgo: Practical approach to resources, valuing service.
Libra: Balancing personal and partnership resources, valuing beauty.
Scorpio: Transformative approach to finances, valuing deep connections.
Sagittarius: Expanding resources through adventure, valuing freedom.
Capricorn: Building long-term security, valuing discipline.
Aquarius: Innovative approach to resources, valuing community.
Pisces: Spiritual approach to resources, valuing compassion.
North Node in the 3rd House
Focus: Developing communication skills and intellectual curiosity.
Aries: Assertive communication, taking initiative in learning.
Taurus: Practical communication, valuing steady learning.
Gemini: Embracing curiosity, developing versatility in communication.
Cancer: Nurturing communication, valuing emotional intelligence.
Leo: Creative communication, valuing self-expression.
Virgo: Analytical communication, valuing precision.
Libra: Harmonious communication, valuing relationships.
Scorpio: Intense communication, valuing deep connections.
Sagittarius: Expansive communication, valuing philosophical discussions.
Capricorn: Disciplined communication, valuing responsibility.
Aquarius: Innovative communication, valuing originality.
Pisces: Intuitive communication, valuing empathy.
North Node in the 4th House
Focus: Nurturing home, family, and inner emotional life.
Aries: Assertiveness in home life, valuing independence.
Taurus: Stability in home life, valuing comfort.
Gemini: Communicating within family, valuing intellectual home environment.
Cancer: Embracing nurturing, valuing emotional bonds.
Leo: Creative home life, valuing self-expression.
Virgo: Organized home life, valuing service to family.
Libra: Harmonious home life, valuing balance.
Scorpio: Transformative home life, valuing deep connections.
Sagittarius: Expansive home life, valuing freedom.
Capricorn: Disciplined home life, valuing responsibility.
Aquarius: Innovative home life, valuing community.
Pisces: Spiritual home life, valuing compassion.
North Node in the 5th House
Focus: Embracing creativity, self-expression, and joy.
Aries: Assertive creativity, valuing independence in self-expression.
Taurus: Steady creativity, valuing comfort in expression.
Gemini: Versatile creativity, valuing intellectual expression.
Cancer: Nurturing creativity, valuing emotional expression.
Leo: Embracing self-expression, valuing recognition.
Virgo: Practical creativity, valuing service through expression.
Libra: Harmonious creativity, valuing balance in expression.
Scorpio: Intense creativity, valuing deep self-expression.
Sagittarius: Expansive creativity, valuing freedom in expression.
Capricorn: Disciplined creativity, valuing responsibility in expression.
Aquarius: Innovative creativity, valuing originality in expression.
Pisces: Intuitive creativity, valuing empathy in expression.
North Node in the 6th House
Focus: Developing work ethic, health, and service to others.
Aries: Assertiveness in work, valuing independence in service.
Taurus: Steady work ethic, valuing comfort in routine.
Gemini: Versatile work ethic, valuing intellectual service.
Cancer: Nurturing work ethic, valuing emotional service.
Leo: Creative work ethic, valuing recognition in service.
Virgo: Practical work ethic, valuing precision in service.
Libra: Harmonious work ethic, valuing balance in service.
Scorpio: Intense work ethic, valuing deep service.
Sagittarius: Expansive work ethic, valuing freedom in service.
Capricorn: Disciplined work ethic, valuing responsibility in service.
Aquarius: Innovative work ethic, valuing originality in service.
Pisces: Intuitive work ethic, valuing empathy in service.
North Node in the 7th House
Focus: Developing partnerships, cooperation, and harmony in relationships.
Aries: Balancing independence with cooperation.
Taurus: Building stable, comforting relationships.
Gemini: Communicating effectively in partnerships.
Cancer: Nurturing and emotional bonds in relationships.
Leo: Expressing creativity and confidence in relationships.
Virgo: Practical and service-oriented partnerships.
Libra: Harmonious and balanced relationships.
Scorpio: Deep and transformative partnerships.
Sagittarius: Expansive and adventurous relationships.
Capricorn: Responsible and disciplined partnerships.
Aquarius: Innovative and unique relationships.
Pisces: Compassionate and spiritual partnerships.
North Node in the 8th House
Focus: Embracing transformation, shared resources, and deep connections.
Aries: Courage in facing transformation, valuing independence.
Taurus: Stability in shared resources, valuing comfort.
Gemini: Communication in deep connections, valuing intellectual transformation.
Cancer: Emotional depth, valuing nurturing transformations.
Leo: Creative transformation, valuing self-expression in depth.
Virgo: Practical transformation, valuing service in depth.
Libra: Balanced transformation, valuing harmony in deep connections.
Scorpio: Embracing deep, intense transformation.
Sagittarius: Expansive transformation, valuing freedom in depth.
Capricorn: Disciplined transformation, valuing responsibility in depth.
Aquarius: Innovative transformation, valuing originality in deep connections.
Pisces: Spiritual transformation, valuing compassion in depth.
North Node in the 9th House
Focus: Expanding horizons, seeking truth, and embracing adventure.
Aries: Courage in exploring new horizons, valuing independence.
Taurus: Stability in seeking truth, valuing comfort in adventure.
Gemini: Communicating wisdom, valuing intellectual exploration.
Cancer: Emotional exploration, valuing nurturing in adventure.
Leo: Creative exploration, valuing self-expression in seeking truth.
Virgo: Practical exploration, valuing service in seeking truth.
Libra: Harmonious exploration, valuing balance in seeking truth.
Scorpio: Deep exploration, valuing transformation in seeking truth.
Sagittarius: Embracing expansive exploration and seeking truth.
Capricorn: Disciplined exploration, valuing responsibility in seeking truth.
Aquarius: Innovative exploration, valuing originality in seeking truth.
Pisces: Spiritual exploration, valuing compassion in seeking truth.
North Node in the 10th House
Focus: Developing career, public life, and achieving long-term goals.
Aries: Courage in career, valuing independence in public life.
Taurus: Stability in career, valuing comfort in public life.
Gemini: Communicating in career, valuing intellectual achievements.
Cancer: Nurturing career, valuing emotional connections in public life.
Leo: Creative career, valuing recognition in public life.
Virgo: Practical career, valuing service in public life.
Libra: Harmonious career, valuing balance in public life.
Scorpio: Transformative career, valuing deep connections in public life.
Sagittarius: Expansive career, valuing freedom in public life.
Capricorn: Disciplined career, valuing responsibility in public life.
Aquarius: Innovative career, valuing originality in public life.
Pisces: Spiritual career, valuing compassion in public life.
North Node in the 11th House
Focus: Embracing community, friendships, and humanitarian goals.
Aries: Courage in community, valuing independence in friendships.
Taurus: Stability in community, valuing comfort in friendships.
Gemini: Communicating in community, valuing intellectual connections.
Cancer: Nurturing community, valuing emotional connections.
Leo: Creative community, valuing self-expression in friendships.
Virgo: Practical community, valuing service in friendships.
Libra: Harmonious community, valuing balance in friendships.
Scorpio: Transformative community, valuing deep connections.
Sagittarius: Expansive community, valuing freedom in friendships.
Capricorn: Disciplined community, valuing responsibility in friendships.
Aquarius: Embracing innovative community, valuing originality.
Pisces: Spiritual community, valuing compassion in friendships.
North Node in the 12th House
Focus: Embracing spirituality, introspection, and the subconscious.
Aries: Courage in spirituality, valuing independence in introspection.
Taurus: Stability in spirituality, valuing comfort in introspection.
Gemini: Communicating spirituality, valuing intellectual introspection.
Cancer: Nurturing spirituality, valuing emotional introspection.
Leo: Creative spirituality, valuing self-expression in introspection.
Virgo: Practical spirituality, valuing service in introspection.
Libra: Harmonious spirituality, valuing balance in introspection.
Scorpio: Transformative spirituality, valuing deep introspection.
Sagittarius: Expansive spirituality, valuing freedom in introspection.
Capricorn: Disciplined spirituality, valuing responsibility in introspection.
Aquarius: Innovative spirituality, valuing originality in introspection.
Pisces: Embracing spiritual compassion, valuing empathy in introspection.
Reflecting on the Lunar North Node Exercise
To ensure that the Lunar North Node exercise was successful and to help you deeply reflect on your journey, here are some contemplative prompts:
Alignment and Resonance
Personal Connection:
How did you feel when you first discovered the placement of your Lunar North Node? Did it resonate with your current understanding of your life purpose?
In what ways do the characteristics of your North Node sign and house align with your personal values and experiences?
Insight and Awareness:
What new insights did you gain about yourself and your life path from exploring your North Node?
How do these insights compare to what you learned from the Ikigai exercise?
Practical Application
Implementing Changes:
What specific actions can you take to incorporate the qualities of your North Node into your daily life?
Are there any habits or behaviors from your South Node that you need to release to fully embrace your North Node?
Goal Setting:
What short-term and long-term goals can you set that align with the lessons and qualities of your North Node?
How can you track your progress in developing these qualities and achieving these goals?
Emotional and Spiritual Impact
Emotional Response:
How do the characteristics and lessons of your North Node make you feel? Excited, nervous, inspired, or something else?
Are there any fears or anxieties associated with moving away from your South Node and embracing your North Node? How can you address these feelings?
Spiritual Growth:
In what ways do you feel spiritually connected to the path indicated by your North Node?
How can you incorporate spiritual practices, such as meditation or journaling, to support your journey towards your North Node?
Relationships and External Influence
Support Systems:
Who in your life can support you in your journey towards fulfilling your North Node’s potential?
How can you engage your support system to help you stay motivated and on track?
Impact on Relationships:
How might embracing your North Node’s qualities influence your relationships with others?
Are there any relationship dynamics that need to change to support your growth towards your North Node?
Continuous Reflection and Adjustment
Regular Check-ins:
How often will you revisit your North Node insights to ensure you are on the right path?
What practices will you incorporate to ensure continuous reflection and improvement in your journey?
Integration with Ikigai:
How can you integrate the insights from your Lunar North Node with the results of your Ikigai exercise?
Are there any common themes or complementary aspects that enhance your understanding of your purpose?
Post-Exercise Reflection Prompts
Immediate Actions:
What immediate actions can you take to start aligning your life with the qualities of your North Node?
Are there small, daily habits or routines you can begin that align with your North Node’s guidance?
Learning and Growth:
What new skills or knowledge do you need to develop to align more closely with your North Node?
How can you incorporate continuous learning and growth into your journey?
Feedback and Adaptation:
How will you seek feedback on your progress from trusted friends, family, or mentors?
How will you adapt your plan based on the feedback you receive and your own reflections?
Celebrating Milestones:
What milestones will you set to track your progress towards fulfilling your North Node’s purpose?
How will you celebrate these milestones to stay motivated and acknowledge your achievements?