Glossary
Nodes: meaning in astrology
The lunar nodes are the two points where the Moon's orbit crosses the Sun's apparent path. The North Node is called Rahu in Vedic astrology and the South Node Ketu; Jyotish treats both as grahas. Western astrology often reads the North Node as a direction of growth and the South Node as familiar habit.
The nodes move backward through the zodiac, about 18 months per sign, completing a cycle in about 18.6 years. Eclipses happen near them.
Where does "Nodes" come up on this site?
43 guides use the term. The ones that use it most:
- Chiron in Gemini: Western and Vedic readings
- Ketu in the 10th house: two-lens reading
- Ketu in the 11th house: two-lens reading
- Ketu in the 12th house: two-lens reading
- Ketu in the 1st house: two-lens reading
- Ketu in the 2nd house: two-lens reading
- Ketu in the 3rd house: two-lens reading
- Ketu in the 4th house: two-lens reading
How we calculate
Is astrology a guarantee of what will happen?
No. These calculations locate celestial bodies; astrology is a reflection and timing tradition, not evidence of guaranteed health, financial or relationship outcomes.
How are these results calculated?
Positions come from Astronomy Engine, an open-source astronomy library, and are checked against Swiss Ephemeris in our methodology tests. Western readings use the tropical zodiac; Vedic readings subtract the Lahiri ayanamsa. Terms are defined in the glossary.
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