True Node, Mean Node, North Node

tags: mean node, nodes, north node, true node

What’s the difference between the terms True Node, Mean Node, and North Node?

The terms True Node and Mean Node both refer to the same thing.

True and Mean are two different ways of calculating the Moon’s North Node.

The Moon’s Nodes move backwards through the Zodiac at a rate of one revolution every 18.5 years. When astronomers calculate the Mean Node, they take the nodes’ rate of motion and average it out. The resulting position is the Mean Node.

In reality, the Nodes “wobble” a bit. Once astronomers obtained instruments sensitive enough to measure this wobble, they began to plot its course and call this position the True Node. Although the Nodes move around the Zodiac in a retrograde direction, the True Node is sometimes direct. The Mean Node is always retrograde.

There are plenty of ideas about the meanings of retrograde planets, but I have not heard anything about the meaning of a direct True Node. I suspect it is not of great importance.

Which is better, Mean or True?

There is no agreement among astrologers as to which is better to use in chart analysis. There are valid arguments supporting the choice to use either one. They are never more than a few degrees away from each other, so it probably doesn’t matter much.

Comments:

1. True or Mean Node is only a relevant subject when this position is conjunct with a planet or housecusp. F.i. my North True Node is exact at Uranus and MC (5.July 1946, Utrecht-Holland, 11.02 a.m.). Do we explain the Node as in 9. or 10th House?
   
   — Peter den Haring    8 August 2005    #
2. Conjunct the MC gives it a very strong 10th house flavor, regardless of whether it is in the 9th or 10th house. (It's the same with any planet or point. If it's near a house cusp, it often expresses quite strongly as being in the following house. This is strongest for the angular houses but still relevant for other houses.)
   
   — Molly    8 August 2005    #
3. My North Node is on my descendant/South on Ascendant...Help!
   
   — Deb    29 August 2005    #
4. Deb, just read it as North Node in seventh (Libra), South in first (Aries). If you don't have Jan Spiller's book, I recommend it highly. It's a very good read on the Nodes.
   
   
   — Molly    29 August 2005    #
5. What is the significance of a North node in retrograde. Would the south be consider in retro too? My True node is a Libra/ Retro? Destined to remain alone? So far, it may very well be true. Do you recommend any books that may have the answer to a retrograde node?
   
   — b.c. walker    27 September 2005    #
6. b.c.--
   
   The nodes are almost always retrograde. It's not a big deal.
   
   Suggest you get a copy of Jan Spiller's book Astrology for the Soul and read up on your placement by sign and house. You are way off in your interpretation.
   
   — Molly    27 September 2005    #
7. Hi Molly--
   My north node is conjunct the true node. What does that mean?
   
   — Jay    8 October 2005    #
8. My boyfriends True node on his natal chart is Virgo...I was just wondering what significance that holds to his personality. Thank you.
   
   — liss    18 October 2005    #
9. Node interpretations
   
   — Molly    18 October 2005    #

10. The North Node just got in Transit passed my Sun, time to change my lifedirection, and is now going over Chiron. It has been a long time since I so pittied myself, time to lick my wounds I guess.

    
    
    — lijn    26 January 2006    #

11. My mean node (the one with a dot in the centre) is just turning retrograde whilst my true node isnt ; what does it mean? Which one should I rely on for my calculations,charts and predictions? Is it important ? What proof is there that the nodes can effect human behaviour? How do they? What do they actually represent?
    How do you calculate these and Lilith & Pars Fortune..also with the same questions above for these hypothetical points.

    
    
    — Baljit    1 February 2006    #

12. My north Node is on a cusp between pisces and Aries, what does this mean?

    
    
    — Alyson    3 June 2006    #

13. In my birthchart the True (north) Node is in Cancer 14°08’36, 7th house, retrograde. Does this node have anything to do with – or has it any significance for my relationships? My 7th house is empty and i’m seriously worried about my lovelife; wether i’m gonna have one or not. How to interpret the node?

    
    
    — Dilojan    12 July 2006    #

14. The Nodes can be in retrograde, Molly? I never knew that.

    
    
    — Venussquare    12 July 2006    #

15. Dilojan, yes it is very significant. Check out my Node interpretations for the reader’s digest version, or read Jan Spiller’s book (link provided on interpretations page) to really get into it.

    Venussquare, yes, the nodes are nearly always retrograde, rarely direct.

    
    
    — Molly    12 July 2006    #

16. Hi Molly,
    Thanks for the info about the North/South Nodes. I am very curious about a North/South Node return. These seem to be 18 to 18 1/2 yr cycles. Does this have significance for the person?
    Thanks
    Marí­a

    
    
    — Marí­a    28 August 2006    #

17. Hi Maria—Yes, they are significant. Certainly 18 years old, the age of the first node return, is a significant milestone, considered a passage into adulthood. The Nodes are about connections with other people, and the return symbolizes a cycle coming to completion and a new one beginning. Best way to really learn it is to think about what happened in your life when your Node returns happened.

    
    
    — Molly    29 August 2006    #

18. hey molly i was wondering what it would mean if my north node taurus was in the seventh house?

    
    
    — lisa    5 October 2006    #

19. Hi Molly,

    I have a question – is there any significance in the fact that two people have their opposite nodes conjunct one another? This means that my south node is conjunct the other person’s north node and vice versa. And the orb is less than one degree.

    
    
    — Aggie    6 November 2006    #

20. I have north node conjunt my boyfriend’s venus, southnode conjunt his moon, his northnode conjunct my venus and his southnode conjunct my saturn! it seems like these must be good as we are so compatible. what does it mean

    
    
    — rosalind    21 November 2006    #

21. I have read that nodes aren’t really allowed as making aspects because they are not real heavenly bodies themselves but rather by using a mathematical process to divine a line are created by the astrologers. An exception, I’ve read, is in the case like mine where there is a conjunction of the north node with a planet (perhaps more so the more significant within the chart’s context is the planet). Further, in Indian astrology, or rather numerology (under 4, Rahu, the Dragon’s head), it was mentioned that specific planets conjunct it bestow specific talents, and this included my chart ruler, Jupiter, conjunct the north node (and the sun) in the first house. But Jupiter is at about 17 degrees and 52 ‘seconds’ (?), where the true position of the north node is actually more than 60 ‘seconds’? away at 16 degrees and 47 seconds/? I wanted to know if I should count the node as being more or less than one degree away from Jupiter (the mean position of the north node is 17 degrees and 14 seconds), as I know when talking about fixed stars notice should be taken where the planet is within 60 or 30 seconds of the star, but not when it has past that small, strict orb.

    Yours Sincerely

    Philipp Cyriakus Crazy Horse von Haag

    
    
    — Philipp Cyriakus Crazy Horse von Haag    4 January 2007    #

22. Hi Phillip. Yes, I agree that the Nodes do not form aspects. They have no mass, and as such, they are said to not “cast rays,” which is an old fashioned term which basically means form aspects.

    However, planets do “cast rays” and can form aspects to the Nodes. I do use wide orbs when considering these. A one degree orb definitely counts in my book.

    
    
    — Molly    5 January 2007    #

23. My mean node is in Scorpio, and my true node is in Sagittarius! I’d like to get an understanding of my soul’s ultimate direction . . . should I read both Scorpio and Sagittarius interpretations, or find out more about the specific colorations of the Sag/Scorpio cusp? Any help would be much appreciated!

    
    
    — Mark    27 February 2007    #

24. Hi Mark— Why not read both and see what resonates for you? One may resonate more than the other, or both may offer you the perspective you need.

    
    
    — Molly    2 March 2007    #

25. Hi,

    I’m trying to find the meaning of my NN on the cusp of Virgo/Libra in 12th house. And I find it very strange because the meanings are crossed: NN in virgo in 12th house which is ruled by pisces and SN in pisces in 6th house which is ruled by virgo. How can I interpret better my nodes because my north mean node is in libra and my true north node is in virgo?
    thanks
    upov

    
    
    — sophie summer    3 March 2007    #

26. Sophie,

    This page is about what the nodes are. Interpretations are on another page. In the comments, you’ll find I have answered the question about “reversed” nodes.

    
    
    — Molly    3 March 2007    #

27. hi molly,
    i have my north node conjunct pluto in the 5th house?Can you tell me where my soul growth should be directed? 08.30 gmt leicester u.k 11th march 1961

    
    
    — jonathan    28 March 2007    #

28. I have the same question as someone above… how would I interpret someone’s north node conjunct my south and obviously vice versa? An exchange of karma/life lessons from past and present lives?

    
    
    — synastry    17 November 2007    #

29. eh, maybe. I have had this with folks, and it isn’t as powerful as a planet conjunct either node. It has been more like, “you’re doing A? Great, I’m doing B. Okay, cool. See ya.”

    
    
    — Molly    17 November 2007    #

30. Molly, this week the north node goes over my sun. Pisces Pisces. Any thoughts? As it’s gone through Pisces, I’ve been looking for signs about what I’m here to do, was expecting some grand event to happen or for a new job to fall in my lap…because of the ‘fated’ quality of nodal returns from what I’ve read. My actual nodal return was a routine work day. I noticed I could be nice and understanding with my co-workers, which was a more subtle result than I’d expected but there was a serenity to having that connection. My secret fear has been that if I’m doing something mediocre career-wise around the nodal return, that it will somehow define the next 18.5 years of my life….and yet I haven’t been scared enough to leave my job or move.

    Also, wanted to thank you for writing about the nodes…I love this part of astrology and am enjoying your site.

    
    
    — traci    19 November 2007    #

31. What about
    Pluto Retrograde conjunct the Lunar Node?

    
    
    — jo    5 December 2007    #

32. And Venus Retograde Aries?

    
    
    — jo    5 December 2007    #

33. But what does the True Node represent in a person’s chart, qualitatively?

    
    
    — Jacobus    10 December 2007    #

34. can any one explain the exact (mathematical ) relationship bet ween the True node and the North norde

    
    
    — wilson    1 January 2008    #

35. umm… maybe NASA?
    

    — Molly    1 January 2008    #

36. Sun in Scorpio in the sixth house Ascendant-Gemini and Moon in Pisces in the eleventh house. What character this combination makes?

    
    
    — Ana    26 March 2008    #