Nodes blog

http://northnodeastrology.blogspot.com/?m=1

Dane Rudhyar's Eclipse

George credits Rudhyar:
"At the new moon solar eclipse, the present is blotted out by the past, while at the full moon lunar eclipse, it is the past which is obscured and can be released."

George says to note where in your chart the eclipses fall (they fall within 2 weeks of each other) to see where you are currently being tested in your life.

South Node

In the same book, George reflects on South Node as the area of our chart where we can be viewed as a role model and teacher. "We can use our South Node skills to enhance our lives and make a contribution to others and to society...thus, the sign and house are not to be avoided, but utilized."

Lilith: Maiden Mother Crone

Demetra George's Finding Our Way Through the Dark Goddess interprets possibility for understanding many Liliths
Maiden=asteroid 1181 Lilith as ravished virgin
Mother=Dark or Ghost moon possible dust particles as pain of exile
Crone=Black Moon or energy vortex defining moon's orbit and where she transmutes her distorted image back into healthy interpretation
3 Liliths represent aspects of Triple Goddess and myths tell story of dark feminine

John Townley's Astrological Life Cycles

The real starting point of your year, professionally, is when the sun is near your ascendant.
You have the most energy around your birthday.
Six signs later, or when sun touches your descendant, not much is happening professionally so take a vacation.
Six months from your birthday take another break and regenerate as your energy is at its lowest point.

Retrogrades

Mercury - 3 weeks at a time, once every 4 months
Venus - once during 584 day synodic cycle, 6 weeks approx.
Mars - 9 to 10 weeks, 6 months of 26 month cycle (25% of cycle)
Jupiter - every 13 months for 4 months
Saturn - 4 1/2 months out of 12 1/2 month cycle

Orbits

Moon 27 days
Mercury 1 year
Venus 1 year
Sun 1 year
Mars 2 years
Jupiter 12 years
Saturn 28 years
Uranus 84 years
Neptune 165 years
Pluto 230 years

House rulers vs in house planets

The house ruler describes energy that must be stimulated in order to open the door to the house it rules. An occupant planet shows energy seeking an outlet for expression in the area of life described by the house it occupies.
From Your Hidden Powers (Wickenburg)

Your Hidden Powers by Joanne Wickenburg

Excellent resource subtitled:
Intercepted Signs and Retrograde Planets
Insight into planetary relationships in planetary cycles.
One of the best astrology books I've read in a long time.
Highly recommended.