Introduction

Back in January of this year, the south lunar node shifted from Libra into Virgo, and the north node moved from Aries to Pisces. The exact date depends on who you ask (January 11th using the moon’s true nodes, or January 28th when calculating the moon’s mean nodes). Regardless, the nodes will travel through this new pair of signs for about a year and a half, until August 2026. And this Thursday, March 13th, we’ll experience our first eclipse with these new nodes: a full moon lunar eclipse in Virgo.

(Why This Post Is Late)

(I must admit that I’ve been procrastinating on making content about this nodal shift. As an evolutionary astrologer, the lunar nodes are a central part of my work; I focus on them in birth charts as well as with current transits, and find it important to bring attention to them in online astrological discourse. There’s so much to say - and this time, I let the pressure get the best of me, staying silent about the nodal shift for months. There’s also a more personal reason for this; in my own birth chart, I have the Sun, Jupiter and Venus all in the sign of Virgo. So as the south node highlights Virgo’s shadow sides, I’m in for a period of uncomfortable self-revelation. Virgos are masters of self-criticism, so shining a cosmic spotlight on our flaws is especially challenging. But as we’ll see, this is a crucial moment for me to put out my best work, while accepting that it can, and inevitably will, be imperfect.)

What Are the Lunar Nodes?

Astronomically, the lunar nodes are points where the ecliptic (the path the Sun traces through our sky over the course of the year, also known as the zodiac) intersects with the Moon’s orbit. The two nodes are always directly opposite each other, found in pairs of opposing signs. Astrologically, the nodes represent evolution on a soul level. The moon’s south node shows us old, worn-out patterns and habits that we are ready to let go of, coming from our karmic past (past lives, intergenerational trauma, epigenetics, and so on). The north node is the antidote to the south node’s sickness, and shows us the direction in which our soul most wants to grow. The south node is limiting, but also familiar and comfortable; the north node is healing, but also represents an area where we are awkward and relatively incompetent. Sometimes, the north node is described as our purpose or destiny in life, though I find that this view veers into the fatalism that taints many traditional approaches to astrology. It is perhaps more empowering to say that the north node is a cosmic suggestion of how to heal our old soul-wounds and recalibrate our psychic imbalances.

*Detail-oriented Virgo, the sign of the maiden, separates the wheat from the chaff.*

The South Node in Virgo

Every astrological symbol (signs, houses, planets, aspects, etc.) has a front and a back, a high road and a low road, a light side and a shadow side. The south node highlights the unhelpful or toxic aspects of its environment, showing us limiting attachments and misperceptions that we’re now primed to release. So what are the shadow sides of Virgo being emphasized over the coming months?

Virgo is the sign of the perfectionist. This earth sign tends to clearly see actual reality for all its flaws, but also has a strong sense of the ideal - and of the enormous gap between the two. This perspective fuels Virgo’s endless quest for growth and self-improvement. This is the analyst, critic and editor of the zodiac, constantly monitoring details and picking out flaws to be corrected. The world certainly needs these skills, but perfectionism can take its toll. Virgos tend to be incredibly hard on themselves, holding themselves to harsh standards and criticizing their every imperfection. And since our relationship to ourselves is the foundation for all other relationships, Virgo has a tendency to turn that perfectionism and criticism onto others as well. They easily internalize others’ negative opinions of them, and sabotage themselves with constant worry, shame and self-doubt. Ruled by speedy planet Mercury, Virgos tend to fuss and fret, spinning in circles with nervous energy. Having Virgo placements in your natal chart puts you on a lifelong path of simply learning how to calm down and love yourself.

Virgo is also the sign of service and competence, of wanting to share useful skills with others in order to make the world a better place. This is perhaps the most beautiful thing about the Virgo archetype, but it also connects this sign to power imbalances. Historically, the 6th zodiac sign (and its associated 6th house) was related to servants and slaves, those oppressed by the structures of society. And although we often think of this as ancient history, many people today are oppressed into subordinate servitude by the endless grueling demands of global late-stage capitalism. And unfortunately, slavery very much still exists - from children mining cobalt for smartphones in the Congo, to prison inmates forced to fight wildfires in California. On a collective level, I believe that this nodal shift is asking us to finally dispense with these inhumane and repressive systems (especially now that we are more globally aware of them, thanks to the Piscean interconnectedness of social media and the internet). Perfectionism is a tool of white supremacy, purity culture, patriarchy, ableism, imperialism, tyranny - and the extractive, unsustainable, endless growth within a closed system that capitalism requires.

Shifting from Libra & Aries

Before the nodes entered Virgo and Pisces, they spent a year and a half in the signs of Libra and Aries. The south node in Libra encouraged us to release tendencies toward indecision and people-pleasing, overcompromising and “keeping the peace” despite any consequences. As we’ve witnessed active genocides in Palestine and elsewhere, along with the acceleration of fascism across the globe and resulting devastation to the planet and to human well-being, we’ve seen the results of accepting the status quo and being too afraid to rock the boat. The north node in Aries beckoned us to take back our power, to fight for what we believe in, to claim our right to survive and thrive in this world. It has helped more and more people around the world understand that our current economic, military and government systems are untenable, that we need to summon the energy and bravery for a revolutionary fresh start. Now, the south node in Virgo is calling us to actually dismantle the material structures of oppression, while the north node in Pisces reminds us of love and compassion, of the inherent worth and beauty of all life.

*Pisces is represented by the two fishes - or by the vast ocean that connects us all.*

The North Node in Pisces

Pisces, the sign of the fishes, sits opposite Virgo, and is the current host to the moon’s north node. Whereas Virgo is selfless in its service and self-effacing humility, Pisces is selfless in its enlightened transcendence. This is the sign of spiritual wisdom, of dreams and creative visions, of divine love and forgiveness, of empathy and compassion. It’s ruled by expansive Jupiter and dreamy Neptune (which is currently conjunct the north node in its home sign). As the last zodiac sign, Pisces is all about surrender to the vast cosmos of which we are an inseparable part. This is the sign most associated with the conscious, mysterious, loving universe, whether or not we see it through concepts of God or deity. The vast, oceanic perspective of Pisces can wash away Virgo’s strict boundaries and clinging need for control, expanding into love for the self and compassion for others, which feed each other in a beneficial cycle.

The north node’s time in Pisces points to a clear need for embracing spirituality, especially for the Western world which is wreaking so much havoc on the globe through its greed and selfishness. Unfortunately, the limits and sullied history of our dominant religion, Christianity, has turned many people off of spirituality altogether. But increasingly, many of us are finding our way back to the mystery of divinity through older spiritual perspectives, folk magick practices, tarot and other forms of divination, and - of course - astrology. As we feel the world crumble around us, the question arises: what can we truly believe in and have faith in? How can we ease suffering and embrace love, to manifest the most beneficial possible world for all of us? How can we find hope when it seems that all is lost?

This is the new nodal recipe: Piscean compassion, forgiveness, and divine love remedies Virgoan perfectionism, criticism, and servitude. We’re being called from nit-picking pessimism to revolutionary optimism. The overculture has conditioned us to feel shameful and guilty over our perceived inadequacy, to punish ourselves and repress others, to feel that we need to constantly struggle to improve. With the north node in Pisces, remember that you are inherently worthy of life and love, both divine and mundane. Remember to let yourself enjoy the good things in life and to be happy, at least some of the time. Dream, play, relax, and let yourself just be - like you did as a child before societal conditioning caught up with you.

How Will These Nodes Affect You Specifically?

As the moon’s nodes progress through Virgo and Pisces, they’ll interact with different transiting planets in various configurations. But they’ll also impact you as an individual, based on how they aspect points in your birth chart.

If you happen to have your natal north node in Pisces, you’re now coming full circle with your nodal return. This is a potent time of soul growth, providing many opportunities to release old baggage and evolve.
Perhaps your natal north node is in Virgo, in which case you’re now experiencing your nodal opposition, and getting a glimpse of your karmic predicament from an inverted perspective. As an expert in Piscean energy, you can help teach the rest of us how to grow more effectively toward the current north node.
If your natal nodes are in Cancer and Capricorn or Taurus and Scorpio (fellow pairs of water and earth signs), they will make soft aspects to the current nodes, stimulating an easier flow of healing and soul growth.
If you (like I) have your natal nodes in Gemini and Sagittarius, they are now square to the transiting nodes. Squares apply uncomfortable pressure and friction to our sensitive spots, but they also encourage us to evolve and find creative paths forward.
If your natal nodes are in Libra and Aries, you just finished a nodal return or opposition; if they’re in Aquarius and Leo, you’re due for some major nodal stimulus starting in August of 2026. Either way, you likely won’t be as personally affected by the current nodes.

In addition to interacting with the lunar nodes in your birth chart, the transiting nodes will likely contact some of your natal planets, bringing these karmic lessons to bear upon different parts of yourself (e.g. your identity with the Sun, your emotions with the Moon, your relationships with Venus, and so on). But perhaps the easiest and most tangible way to see the nodes’ effects on your life is to track which houses of your birth chart they are transiting through. To do this, check what houses of your chart fall into Virgo and Pisces. (For me, this is the 4th house of home and the 10th house of career, but this will likely not be the case for your specific chart.)

With the south node in your 1st house and the north node in your 7th house, you’re being called to release isolation and self-focus, embracing receptivity and relationship.
With the south node in your 2nd house and the north node in your 8th house, you’re being called to release insecurity and materialism, embracing vulnerability and shadow work.
With the south node in your 3rd house and the north node in your 9th house, you’re being called to release quickness and anxiety, embracing reflection and faith.
With the south node in your 4th house and the north node in your 10th house, you’re being called to release toxic familial expectations, embracing a larger mission in the world.
With the south node in your 5th house and the north node in your 11th house, you’re being called to release addictions to pleasure, embracing authentic goals and aligned community.
With the south node in your 6th house and the north node in your 12th house, you’re being called to release servitude and martyrdom, embracing solitude and spirituality.
With the south node in your 7th house and the north node in your 1st house, you’re being called to release codependency in relationships, embracing autonomy and leadership.
With the south node in your 8th house and the north node in your 2nd house, you’re being called to release morbidity and victim mindset, embracing stability and self-worth.
With the south node in your 9th house and the north node in your 3rd house, you’re being called to release dogmatic beliefs, embracing curiosity about the unknown.
With the south node in your 10th house and the north node in your 4th house, you’re being called to release social status and careerism, embracing home and close bonds.
With the south node in your 11th house and the north node in your 5th house, you’re being called to release herd mindset, embracing authentic spontaneous joy.
With the south node in your 12th house and the north node in your 6th house, you’re being called to release escapism and dissociation, embracing embodiment and mentorship.

LUNAR NODES IN VIRGO & PISCES

SPRING EQUINOX & OSTARA

VENUS RETROGRADE