North (South) Node – Mercury Sextile

The Lunar Nodes are hypothetical points showing the karmic experience that a person already has in their baggage, as well as the experience that must be lived through and gained in order not to degrade. Usually, it is easier and simpler for a person to develop along the line of the Descending (South) Node, because favorable aspects to it contribute to the early awakening of talents whose memory lives in the subconscious. These talents should not be ignored, but it is better to use them as a springboard for mastering the sphere of influence of the Ascending (North) Node.

The sextile is an ambiguous aspect. It grants talents, but they need to be developed, and the person must seize luck by the tail themselves. On the other hand, this excludes the laziness of trine holders, who are used to drifting with the flow of favorable circumstances. Mercury’s sextile to the Ascending and Descending Nodes is impossible to ignore. This is a karmic aspect that implies the leading role of intellect in the native’s life. At the same time, at a low level of development, the person will be attracted to fraud and the manipulation of people’s consciousness.

The Karma of Mercury’s Sextile to the Ascending and Descending Nodes

The Lunar Nodes are closely connected with the person’s past life, as well as with ancestral programs. A planet in aspect to them shows that the person’s ancestors had a certain behavioral pattern that was passed down by inheritance to the chart holder. Owners of Mercury’s sextile to the Descending Node seem to be born with an already developed intellect, ready for practical application.

There were almost certainly journalists, writers, poets, or simply well-rounded people in the person’s family line. However, it is also possible that someone, or the native themselves in a past incarnation, used intellect and sleight of hand to harm people for personal enrichment. It is no coincidence that Mercury was originally considered the patron of deceivers and thieves.

Depending on the events of the past, the native will manifest as a talented student who writes poetry and actively speaks at student forums, or, as before, they will be drawn to the sphere of deception, intrigue, and gossip.

To be fair, the South Node will immediately block the person’s unfavorable plans, which will become a clear hint that they need to move in another direction.

Holders of Mercury’s sextile to the Ascending Node studied tirelessly in a past life and strove to make the world better. Perhaps they were unable to reveal their abilities because of events they could not influence: they did not receive the necessary education because of war, or they were forced to take care of younger brothers and sisters.

In this life, the North Node opens a portal for them into a world where there will be no obstacles to intellectual development. Studying is more difficult for them than for holders of the Mercury – South Node sextile, but they have an insatiable need for new knowledge, information, and practical skills, which allows them to easily achieve recognition, even if they do not act entirely honestly. Their deception and tricks in this incarnation will not be punished, though this does not exclude karmic retribution in the next life.

Talents and Opportunities of Mercury’s Sextile to the Ascending Node

Thanks to an insatiable thirst for knowledge, the native reads a great deal and is always aware of world news, and most importantly, of dominant tendencies and trends. This combination creates an incredible fountain of ideas. Here it is important whether the natal chart contains oppositions of personal planets, especially involving the Moon and Mars, because the only thing that can prevent the person from expressing themselves publicly, whether through written or oral presentation of innovative ideas, is their inner fears.

When trines are present, Mercury’s sextile to the Ascending Node brings early popularity as a journalist, writer, merchant, or television host, as well as general approval of any inventions, even if at first they seem strange.

In addition, younger brothers and sisters or friends who are a couple of years younger become sources of brilliant ideas and inspiration. However, this is not a constant mode of support, but rather a situation in which a casually expressed thought or joke suddenly leads the native to understand how to turn it into a profitable project.

At the same time, they will not destroy the familiar foundations of society unless Uranus is conjunct the North Node, but will try to improve the system that has long existed. The person knows how to negotiate, sell their knowledge, and pass it on to others.

Talents and Opportunities of Mercury’s Sextile to the Descending Node

The aspect also emphasizes the main role of intellect and artistry in the person’s destiny: they sensitively perceive trends in social life and fashion, often speak in slang, and know how to seem like “one of their own” in any company. These are potential workers in advertising, media, and marketing, as well as assistants to politicians and show-business stars.

But there is also a difference: holders of the Mercury – Descending Node sextile prefer to remain in the shadows. For example, they would rather work as editors of television programs than appear on air as news anchors. They will write excellent warm-up scripts and selling posts for bloggers as copywriters, but they themselves will not strongly expose themselves on social media.

In a past life, they were stars thanks to their intellect, and now they unconsciously strive to gain practical benefit and more freedom for themselves from it. The exception is the Sun in fire signs or on the Midheaven Meridian, as well as conjunct the Ascending Node.

Despite the person’s obvious talent for weaving various intrigues against competitors and getting out of any situation, they must not give in to the false sense of permissiveness that the sextile initially grants. The Descending Node will not allow its ward to use Mercury’s shadow side for long. It is especially dangerous when the aspect involves the Twelfth House.  ✓