Which Node Should I Use

The Movement of the True and Mean Node through the Zodiac
There are two nodes listed in the ephemeris: the True Node and the Mean Node. On your
Solar Fire program you also have the choice to choose one – under Preferences, click on
Settings and under Calculations, you will be asked for your preference for True Node or
Mean Node.
The Mean Node or the average daily movement of the node was traditionally used by
astrologers before computers were able to accurately measure the nodal position. Once this
occurred in the 1980’s then the True node was able to be calculated.
The following table lists the monthly positions for 18 months or its travel through one sign
of the zodiac, Taurus. You can see under the movement of the True Node how it will plateau
at a degree of the zodiac for 2 – 3 months,
Monthly Positions of the True and Mean Nodes from January 1, 2022 – July 1, 2023
Position of Monthly Position of Difference in

DATE the True Travel in the Mean degrees and
at 0hr GMT North degrees/ North minutes between
Node minutes Node the True and
Mean Nodes
January 1, 2022 112 032 2931 141
February 1, 2022 2846 116 2753 053
March 1, 2022 2544 302 2624 040
April 1, 2022 2306 238 2445 139
May 1, 2022 2228 038 2310 042
June 1, 2022 2229 001 2132 057
July 1 , 2022 2129 100 1956 133
August 1, 2022 1839 250 1818 021
September 1, 2022 1534 305 1639 105
October 1, 2022 1349 145 1504 115
November 1, 2022 1324 025 1325 001
December 1, 2022 1309 015 1150 119
January 1, 2023 1145 124 1012 133
February 1, 2023 842 303 833 009
March 1, 2023 550 252 704 114
April 1, 2023 416 134 526 110
May 1, 2023 401 015 350 011
June 1, 2023 337 024 212 125
July 1, 2023 146 151 037 109
True Node moves through the zodiac irregularly Mean Node moves regularly
and plateaus every 4-5 months for 2-3 months, through the zodiac at an average of
stressing a particular degree of the zodiac 3.2 minutes per day or 137’ per
month
The Mean Node has a rhythmic
Using the North Node will stress the transit to movement which equates to
certain degrees of the zodiac for nearly 2-3 months. approximately:
When mapped out, the movement of the True Node
1 cycle of the Nodes = 18.6 years
is like a serpent slithering through the zodiac,
1 sign of the Zodiac = 18.6 months
reminiscent of its association with the dragon
1 degree of the zodiac = 18.6 days
serpent
Which node should I use?

There are two different orientations that can be used for the lunar nodes, in fact for all lunar
nodes: one is from the point of view of the Sun, or the heliocentric position, while the more
commonly used position is viewed from our position on Earth, the geocentric position. For
purposes of the natal chart the geocentric position of the lunar nodes will be used, consistent
with the other placements in the chart. These positions will always be opposite one another
in zodiacal longitude.
There are also two different geocentric nodal positions that are listed in the ephemeris and
most computer programs: the true node or the mean node. Which one do we use? That
question is difficult to answer, so perhaps it is best to describe the differences before I
respond. The Mean Node is the average position based on the overall cycle, while the True
Node is the actual position of the node on the ecliptic. Until the early 1980’s only the Mean
Node was available, but with the advent of computers both have come into usage.
The Mean Node is the daily average of the 18.6 years cycle of the nodes as it retrogrades
through the zodiac. The Mean Node has a harmonic that makes it easy to remember its
approximate movement through the zodiac:
The cycle of the nodes through the zodiac takes approximately 18- 19 years
The transit of the nodes through one sign takes approximately 18- 19 months
The nodes travelling one degree takes approximately 18- 19 days
In one year the nodes move approximately 18- 19 degrees
The True Node’s direction is also retrograde but because it is now accurately measured it is
also listed for the days when it goes direct. As seen from the positions for 2022 the True
Node moves through the zodiac in a serpentine way – it will slither backwards for about
four months then plateau near the same degree for 2-3 months then slip backwards again
repeating this movement. The True Node therefore highlights certain degrees of the zodiac
more than the Mean Node does.
Therefore to answer the question of which node to use, I would differentiate it this way. In
looking at the cycle of the nodes from the point of view of the life cycle, I would use the
Mean Node. But when looking at the natal chart and specific transits, I would use the True
Node

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The Movement of the True and Mean Node through the Zodiac

Position of Monthly Position of Difference in

Which node should I use?

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