Moon's Nodes, Chiron and Asteroids

Moon's Nodes

In astrology, the Moon's Nodes are not planets in the strict astronomical sense, but rather sensitive points on the ecliptic, where the Moon crosses from north to south latitude and vice versa. The body of the "energy dragon" is the fourth-dimensional path of the Moon by declination, as she weaves her web around the earth. The nodes are commonly known as the Dragon's Head (Caput Draconisin Latin), the North Node, and Dragon's Tail (Cauda Draconis), the South Node, although in Indian Astrology they are known as Rahu and Ketu. The Dragon's Head, a "shadow planet" exalted in Gemini, is considered benefic (good), whilst the Dragon's Tail, exalted in Sagittarius, is considered malefic (evil) in influence. Their motion is normally retrograde at the rate of roughly one degree every 19 days (compare the 19 year cycle of lunation); periods of direct motion are therefore considered unfortunate.

The Dragon's Head (North Node):

Aspects to the North Node concern or affect relationships to prevailing trends, attitudes and opportunities. The Dragon's Head represents your karmic objectives in this lifetime. It points the way towards soul growth and evolution. The sign holding your Dragon's Head reveals the flavour of your karma in this lifetime, while its house placement shows the area of life in which you need to develop, or become conscious of this karma. Positive aspects to the Dragon's Head are generally favourable from the benefics (Venus and Jupiter), Sun, Moon and Mercury, whilst sextile or trine from Mars, Uranus, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto also have beneficial effects. Square and opposition from the benefics and conjunction, square and opposition from the malefics are unfortunate, according to the matters signified by house and planet afflicted.

The Dragon's Tail (South Node):

Aspects to the Dragon's Tail display the results of innate unconscious tendencies and karmic patterns as they emerge in the life. They tend to be separative and destructive. Any aspect to the South Node from any planet is unfortunate for matters to do with the house and planet activated thereby. Past life hangovers are represented by the position and aspects of the Dragon's Tail.

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Chiron

A planetoid discovered in 1977, believed to have originated from outside our solar system, Chiron travels between the orbits of Saturn and Uranus in a 49 year orbit (7x7). His emblem, the Centaur, represents holistic understanding. Chiron governs healing and relationships, but Chiron profoundly stands for the deep wounds we have brought into this life to be healed and so to enable us to heal others. "Astrologically, Chiron is a knowledge holder who transmits higher teachings either as an outer teacher (Saturn) or as an inner teacher or spirit guide (Uranus).

Embodying the archetype of "the wounded healer", Chiron stresses the importance of going within to find a cura or answer - and then sharing it with others. In his two primary subjects of education and medicine, Chiron unites the body and mind, instinct and intellect. We see his ancient teachings now emerging through the recent advent of holistic health and education." (198-9)

A detailed examination of Chiron can be found at Chiron and Friends, Zane B. Stein's exploration of this new zodiacal influence.

Asteroids

Some asteroids have been found to have astrological value, especially with relation to women's issues and the development of influences more related to the feminine side and the power of the goddess. These tiny planetoids are generally found orbiting the Sun in a belt between Mars and Jupiter comprising thousands of cosmic boulders, some as little as a few meters across and some reasonably large. However, their orbits are variable and those described in this article have been found to be useful in modern astrology.

Speculation has it that the asteroid belt is made up of the remnants of a large disintegrated planet, or it might be that these are the pieces from which a planet will one day coalesce. Science is unsure. Chiron, on the other hand, orbits much further out, between Saturn and Uranus, so is not usually called an asteroid ("starlet"), because it is not in the "belt" between Mars and Jupiter.

The names of these asteroids are based today on those of the ancient greco-roman goddesses, but not consistently using the Greek, or the Roman system. The accepted name is given first, with the corresponding name in the mythology of the other culture in brackets.

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Ceres (Demeter):

The great mother, or the principle of unconditional love. Ceres is the goddess of fertility, of the crops (we get the word "cereal" from Ceres). The myth of Ceres and her daughter Persephone explains the cyclic rhythms of nature. Ceres rules the cyclic structure of the natural world and the rhythms of womanhood and fertility, parenting and reproduction. "Astrologically, Ceres describes the ways in which we face the issues of self-worth and self-esteem, relationships to our parents and children, attachment, dependency, loss, separation, rejection, grief, sharing, work and productivity." (62)

Juno (Hera):

The divine consort, or the principle of relatedness. Juno, the wife of Jupiter (the Lord of the Gods) governs wifely relationships, the role of woman as covenanter and partner. In this way she governs such things as contracts and binding agreements, through her association with marriage. Juno's rule was overthrown by the victory of Jupiter, which introduced the custom of marriage and a patriarchial social system. Juno can be fierce and is bound by a sense of duty and social obligation. Her dark side also rules such things as divorce, and separation, infidelity and open conflict between partners. "Astrologically Juno describes the ways in which we face the issues of compatibility, receptivity to others, mutual sharing, trust, jealousy, possessiveness and power struggles." (168)

Pallas Athene (Minerva):

The warrior queen, the principle of creative intelligence and wisdom. Athene was born from the head of Zeus (Jupiter), thus being the only Olympian to have been born without a mother. Representing divine knowledge, or wisdom, she stands for feminine expression of the divine nous, or perfect understanding. She also rules the relations between fathers and daughters, and all incestuous and abusive relationships, where an imbalance of power must be righted. Pallas, the wise, female warrior, gives meaning and direction to the struggles of women to be free from the oppressive domination of the masculine forces."Astrologically Pallas Athene describes how we face the issues of learning, creativity, the arts, politics, healing, alienation from relationships, competition, and the fears of success." (99)

Vesta (Hestia):

The eternal flame, which burns forever in the hearth. As the principle of focus and commitment, Vesta was one of the most revered of the goddesses. In ancient times, she was the burning energy at the heart of life and society. Her call to purification is the rallying cry of truth. "Astrologically Vesta describes the ways in which we face the issues of personal integration, work, devotion, commitment, sacrifice, alienation from personal relationships, and a range of sexual complexes based on denial and fear of intimacy." (133)

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