James wrote:
My nodal axis changes nakshatras depending on whether i use true or mean nodes... i notice from therese’s chart that hers does too! i don't know, but i would be curious to hear therese’s view on it from this angle of nakshatra involvement... thanks...
First I have to say that I’m greatly relieved that two of Linchi’s research projects have shown that the mean node is victorious. For now I’m also not bothering with the so-called true node. But for years I went back and forth between mean and true, trying to figure out which node was valid.
I’ve decided that I have to begin with two suppositions: First, the sidereal zodiac has always been here for eons, and its true measurement is close if not exactly precise using the Krishnamurti ayanamsa. This zodiac re-surfaced in Babylonian times, but (according to Edgar Cayce) was alive and well in a Persian culture around 7000 or 8000 B.C.
Secondly I accept that the 27 equal division lunar zodiac has likewise been here for eons. India knew that the stars and asterisms had effects, but didn’t know where the boundaries were. These were re-discovered and set in place around the time that the 12 sign zodiac made its way to India. So I begin with these two suppositions. My Rahu remains in the same mansion with both the mean and true node, Hasta in Virgo. Mean Ketu, however, is only 8 minutes from moving from Saturn’s mansion in Pisces to Reveti, Mercury’s mansion. Reveti is true Ketu's mansion.
A major problem in considering the interpretation of the nodes is the house system since the nodes operate within houses---that is if you accept that houses exist. For years I’ve used the Indian equal house system (Raman-Vehlow), even for KP work. I reject Placidus for events, but assume that is has some psychological value.
Ketu is important in my chart since it’s the Ascendant’s mansion. So here is how I see Ketu operating in my chart: I know from transits that Ketu is the very worst point in my chart. I almost always brings something unpleasant, something to cry about or just general depression. When transiting Ketu recently passed over my ascendant, my downstairs was flooded, my landscaping was destroyed by ignorant “gardeners,??? and my sister died. (Saturn rules 3rd house of younger siblings.) Also I've had a great deal of monetary expenditure, much more than usual. (Saturn rules 2nd house of resources.)
O.K. so Ketu is bad news! Mean Ketu is in Saturn’s mansion in the 4th house. (Thus its transit brought destruction to the home.) Saturn is in its fall in Aries in the 5th house. Saturn rules depression and is something of a loner as I am. The 5th is supposed to deal with mental processes.
True Ketu is in a mansion of Mercury. Mercury is in the 12th house, and it’s another topic to decide what the 12th house rules. It’s supposed to have to do with losses, and I did experience a great loss when Ketu’s dasa began. (But debilitated Saturn in 5th would also describe a loss.) But also good things happened when Ketu’s dasa began as my son was married. This would suit mean Ketu’s star lord Saturn in the 5th with Jupiter.
Mean Ketu is in Jupiter’s sub (neutral for Sagittarius ascendant) which is well placed in the 5th house in its own trigon in Aries, a fortunate house. I have three children, and in general my life has been blessed and fortunate. Thus (according to KP and Khullar Kalamsa theory) the final result of Saturn’s mansion will be good, thanks to Jupiter’s sub.
Also in my navamsa chart Taurus rises which puts mean Ketu in the 7th in Scorpio. My husband’s chart has a Scorpio ascendant with the Moon and Jupiter. But also, it's Ketu (loss) so partner dies before self.
Watching transits to a node can help to isolate the node’s mansion as the mansion lord should be emphasized by its house placement and houses ruled. Since I invariably feel sad or depressed whenever the Moon transits over Ketu (I don’t even have to check the sign position of the Moon), this is a good indication that Ketu is in debilitated Saturn’s mansion rather than true Ketu’s Mercury mansion.
Well, long answer to a short question. Apologies!!