The Sun is now a few degrees into Aquarius, cruising steadily toward the sign’s New Moon next week. Before we get there, however, an aspect takes place that got my attention: Tuesday at 10:25 am EST (15:24:45 UTC), the centaur Nessus will be exactly conjunct the lunar South Node.

Statue in Rouen, France, of the abduction of Deianeira, wife of Hercules, by Nessus. Photo by Frederic Bisson.

This aspect has been a long time coming; its significance is lent mainly by the nature of the moment in which it happens.

I personally am quite partial to working with the lunar nodes, to some extent because they often represent the journey being undertaken in miniature form. The South Node is where you start from, and the North Node is where you’re going to. These two points by themselves can be rich with information.

Eric has written about Nessus many times, discussing its relationship with abuses of all kinds. Where Nessus is present, there’s some karma to be worked out, and usually some past transgression to bring to justice. Melanie Reinhart’s catchphrase for Nessus is “the buck stops here”; I suspect Nessus passing the South Node would be “the buck stops now.”

A line has been crossed, and denial is impossible; the only course remaining is the path toward acknowledgment, assertion and the enacting of justice. For some, this might involve a personal journey to let go of the negative programming of the past, and come into the full human measure of independence and freedom.

If that includes you, remember that the process is likely to be gradual and take it one step at a time. Give yourself the space and the patience you need; and safeguard your mental health in whatever ways work best for you. Your experiences are valid; listen to your instincts.

There would seem to be an air of necessity about this journey that is sometimes associated with Pluto transits. Learning must and will take place. How it happens is up to us.