JUPITER
In astrology, Jupiter represents how you approach matters of spirituality and faith, expansion and opportunity, vitality and confidence. Historically, it has been considered a planet of good fortune, and brings opportunities and abundance to the area of your life in which it falls in the chart. The word “jovial” comes from Jove, another name for Jupiter, and expresses the outgoing, positive expression of this planet. Like anything, it is possible to have too much of a good thing, and Jupiter can also represent over-confidence, expansion beyond appropriate limits, acquisition for its own sake, and weight gain. Jupiter can represent great generosity and enjoyment of life, but one has to be careful not to overdo it.
Where Jupiter falls in your chart and the sign it is in represents how you approach opportunities that appear, and whether you feel confident in taking risks, enjoy learning new things and having new experiences. Jupiter may show where you feel the most energy, enthusiasm, and self-assurance. It may seem that this area of your life is blessed and easy-going compared to others, particularly if the planet is well-aspected and in a compatible sign, such as a fire or air sign. Because Jupiter rules Sagittarius, it is related to matters of spirituality and philosophy, and its position in your chart represents what belief systems will feel right to you. For example, a person with Jupiter in Virgo might prefer a religion in which duty and ritual are important. Those with Jupiter in Gemini may never quite decide what they believe, and may always be changing their minds! This type of person may dabble in a lot of different philosophical systems without ever particularly settling on one.
Jupiter requires about 12 years to complete a cycle and return to its original position in your chart. At such times, or when it contacts a particularly important planet or group of planets in your natal chart, there may be a desire to expand your horizons in whatever area is indicated. A Jupiter return or contact may bring a new opportunity, or trigger an inner desire for travel, learning, a new-found spiritual interest, or anything related to the house or sign it is in, or the planet it is contacting. You may feel renewed energy and enthusiasm if there is the ability to pursue this new endeavor, or you may feel constrained and dissatisfied if you cannot.
The Wheel of Fortune
In modern tarot, Jupiter is associated with the Wheel of Fortune. If the Wheel is upright, it reflects the opportunities, blessings, and positive benefits that Jupiter is known for, particularly those that seem to appear on their own – a change of fortune for the better. When you are sitting on top of the Wheel, you are on top of the World, and everything is going your way. Of course that can (and will) change, but for the moment, life is good. The self-confidence and ability to respond to the opportunities that Jupiter provides allows one to make best use of this good fortune. Jupiter also represents the generosity toward others and good-will that is the most beneficial response to such a lucky situation, knowing that it could easily be otherwise.
Jupiter also represents the belief systems and faith that allow us to weather the changes in fortune that are also represented by the Wheel. Sometimes the Wheel of Fortune represents a change with an unpredictable effect, usually one we cannot do anything about or keep from happening. At such times, it is our inner faith brought about by our belief in ourselves, higher powers, the connectedness and purpose of all things, or whatever is important in our philosophical system, which allows us to go with the flow and trust that things will work out. If we do not have this faith or belief, it is harder to have this trust, and we may cling to the past or try to prevent change.
Jupiter (originally Zeus in Greek mythology) was the ruler of the gods, and the protector of Rome. He was originally an agricultural deity, responsible for the weather – hence his habit of hurling lightning bolts at any who displeased him. He particularly disliked liars and those who broke their oaths, or overstepped their mortal limits into the realm of the gods. In many versions of the Wheel card, we see a king climbing up the wheel to sit triumphantly at the top, only to have his crown broken and fall to the water and monsters below – often with the hand of fate turning the wheel. This is a caution not to be over-confident or have too much pride, for the gods may take notice and change your fortune at a moment’s whim.
The Emperor
In Renaissance tarot, Jupiter is more aptly associated with the Emperor, in his role as ruler of the gods and protector of the Roman Empire. As the largest of the planets, Jupiter is the most powerful and important of the heavenly bodies visible in the sky (other than the sun and the moon). In many ways, the mythological Jupiter may be a more appropriate association with the Emperor than the planet Jupiter in astrology, which does not necessarily share a lot of attributes with the Emperor. However, in astrology, Jupiter can play a leadership role, particularly as a benefactor.
Mythologically speaking, both Jupiter and Saturn can be considered emperors of the gods at different times, in their Greek incarnations of Zeus and Kronos. Kronos was originally the ruler of the gods, and he tried to eat or kill all his sons because he was fated to be deposed by one of them. Zeus is the one who succeeded and became ruler after him. It is interesting to reflect then, on the different types of rulers that Saturn and Jupiter would be, drawing upon their astrological attributes. As discussed in the next section, Saturn brings order, responsibility, and structure as a leader, and would be a more paternalistic, disciplinarian ruler and in his negative aspects, repressive and autocratic. Jupiter would be more likely to lead through teaching or by example, and be a progressive leader interested in bringing about enlightenment and growth of a society. Reform and just rule would be a priority, as in astrology Jupiter rules the courts as well as the universities. The Roman Empire at different times and in different ways embodied both of these styles of leadership in their efforts to expand the empire and bring what they saw as enlightenment and civilization to the world, which sometimes lived up to the best ideals of philosophy, government, and culture, and at other times could be militaristic, debauched, and repressive.
Jupiter Retrograde
When Jupiter goes retrograde, progress toward your outward goals may slow down or stop, and it may be difficult to expand your influence, possessions, or fortune in the outer world. That Wheel of forward progress may not only slow down and stop, it may seem to turn backwards for a while, which can be frustrating. These ambitions may have to be put on hold for a while, and possibly re-examined in light of your philosophy or faith. Do the goals you are actively pursuing appropriately reflect your belief system, or are they just pursuit of gain for no real purpose? Is there a need for all that stuff that has been accumulating in your house, or that next big purchase? Maybe it is just a status symbol and that money could be put to use in some way that is better aligned with your core values. This is the time for inner reflection on what you are acquiring and why. Expand your mind, your heart, and your spirit, rather than your possessions, house, or reputation. Consume knowledge and give generously to others. Lighten your material burden so that you can free yourself to explore new ideas, pursuits, and places once Jupiter goes direct. Meanwhile, this is a good time to revisit matters of faith, check and revise legal issues, refresh your studies, or return to a favorite travel spot.
