Astrology 101 – Jupiter
Jupiter represents joy, wealth and abundance and also one’s ability to manifest these things in one’s life. He stands for optimism, the urge to learn and expand one’s mind through spirituality, knowledge, (higher) education and travel, one’s beliefs, and also law and community. In general, he is considered a very “lucky“ planet that brings joy and blessings when well aspected, hence his epithet “the Great Benefic“. However, Jupiter’s blessings are not necessarily known for longevity, which is more Saturn’s domain. But used prudently, they can provide great inspiration and impetus for lasting success.
Jupiter’s importance, especially with transits, tends to be a tad overblown in new age “astrology” because of an overemphasis on the passive receiving of blessings as opposted to the call to action wherever Jupiter is doing his thing in one’s chart. For example, just because Jupiter happens to transit over one’s MC (career and public image) doesn’t necessarily mean one can expect a major career breakthrough simply because of Jupiter’s position. It isn’t that easy, and most of all, requires an inner activation of resources and resilience instead of just waiting for something to fall into your lap. The Great Benefic blesses those who find it in themselves to create or enhance their own good fortune, and are capable of recognizing and seizing opportunities.
Jupiter rules the mutable fire sign Sagittarius and the mutable water sign Pisces. In Sagittarius, he expresses optimism, the expansion of horizons through widespread knowledge and a passionate pursuit of one’s beliefs (with not much consideration for tradition, societal norms or boring restrictions), a fascination with different cultures, and also one’s interaction with people from different cultures. In Pisces, Jupiter emphasizes deep, mystical, spiritual beliefs and knowledge of the world, and can signify a very pronounced artistic talent as well as psychic gifts. He is exalted in the cardinal water sign Cancer where he can symbolize a person who is very caring in relationships, generous and optimistic, or being drawn to such a person, and also the maternal instinct. He is in detriment in mutable air (Gemini) and mutable earth (Virgo), both ruled by Mercury. Jupiter in Gemini is seen as “easy come, easy go“ in matters of luck, and in Virgo, the planet’s optimistic nature can become too cautious to take action or recognize opportunities because of Virgo’s tendency to hold back and micromanage too much. Jupiter is in fall in Saturn’s domain, Capricorn (cardinal earth), because Saturn’s energy is exactly opposite Jupiter’s, aka too restrictive and controlling.
This planet is somewhat notorious for amplifying the influence of whatever is in its proximity, and potentially blowing everything out of proportion (this goes for medical astrology, too). In the absolute extreme case, Jupiter can symbolize becoming totally obsessed with an idea, for example.
© Olivia Solner
Support my work: paypal.com/paypalme/sunmoonself
Book a reading: www.sunmoonself.com