South Node in Leo or the Fifth House

The South Node in Leo is a preoccupation with superiority, elitist isolationism, and entitlement, if not in circumstance, then in attitude. Their well-developed egos, which once protected them, are now impediments to group belonging and the democratic participation with the collective they've grown to desire. They are abdicating the throne to find friendship and comraderie among the people.

Arrogance and contempt. For a long time these natives enjoyed their superiority and the warmth of adoration by the group, but now they are tired of the performance and their love often turns to contempt for those who grovel at their feet. They are so used to adulation, that when it's not forthcoming, arrogance takes over and they refuse to accept the rejection of their greatness. They sometimes express bitterness towards those with wealth and power, finding it difficult to walk away from the game.

Ego and the spotlight. Used to having their egos stroked continually, SN Leos have great difficulty leaving the spotlight to others, even when their acts have become tattered, worn, and unfulfilling. The greasepaint is caked and dry, and the effort to remove it has become burdensome, along with the costumes that no longer fit the persona.

Luxury, servants, superiority and privilege. The age old memory of luxury grips the Leo SNs, even when the actual circumstances are humble. They still think they're to be waited on, that their superior positions do not need to be earned, and that all they desire can be obtained at a moment's notice. Many will vehemently deny any sort of privileged attitude, but the royal heritage underlies the behavior no matter how common they wish to appear.

Melodrama. Days of Our Lives, the Secret Storm, As the World Turns.... you name it. A day in the life of a SN Leo quite frequently is packed with these theatrical, overemotional twists and turns. They demand an audience for the latest intrigues, hearing who did what to whom, and sometimes a sneeze can be a nuclear bomb being detonated. Never a dull moment, but sometimes others want one.

Love lost. The Leo SNs are notorious for bad love affairs. They can't imagine how the lucky ones to receive their affection can cast it off without paralyzing regret. Emotional danger is their need, with all the attendant thrills, and they always seem to make the worst choices. The soaring and falling of the heart in the latest infatuation has become exhausting and unfulfilling, as now they find a budding desire for plain friendship, even free of the complaints of what the latest lover did wrong. Perhaps a discussion of quadratic equations.

Letting it all hang out. The natives with this node have performed, sometimes uproariously, for audiences from time immemorial, giving all they have to satisfy the need for adoration. The swaggers, dramatic gestures, upturned chins, and superior postures are now a barrier, as they are ready to step over the footlights and into the crowd. The applause have become hollow and now they might even want some self control, intellectual distance, demure behavior, and possibly to go slightly unnoticed at times, in advanced nodeholders.

Children and disappointment. Unless there are intervening circumstances, you would be hard-pressed to go 30 seconds into a conversation with a SN Leo mother that doesn't mention the children and stay on that topic. Of course, there are exceptions, as always, but this will be the case more often than not. No matter how charming, talented, or successful they are, following every turn of their offspring's dramatic lives leaves the SNs feeling as if they are missing something. One of the hardest habits to break, fearing they'll lose the heightened emotion if away from them, not realizing that they won't really be that far away at all. If they decide to join a chess club, requiring full concentration, they can call the children as soon as they get home.

Having loved and learned, The Leo SNs are taking their accumulated warmth and self confidence to a larger circle, where they can impart their knowledge to society in a new kind of humanitarian affection than brings out the talent and expressive light in others. The many equal solar sytems of the North Node in Aquarius -- coming next.

Top: Keith Graves. 2nd: David Roberts. Bottom: Lisbeth Zwerger