Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It weighs twice as much as all the other planets put together and is 1300 times the size of Earth. It has a twelve year cycle, meaning that it takes twelve years to orbit the Sun as compared to the Earth, which takes only one year. Jupiter spends a year in each sign of the zodiac, and on November 8, 2018 it exited the sign of Scorpio where it has been for the past year and entered the sign of Sagittarius. This represents a very big shift in the nature of the prevailing cosmic energies that are influencing our collective and individual consciousness.
Scorpio is associated with trauma, and specifically sexual trauma, and is about plumbing the depths of the unconscious to get to deeply buried truths. It is about power, particularly the abuse of it, as well as intensity, drama, helplessness and spiritual and emotional growth through suffering and wounding. It’s a dark energy. Jupiter’s entry into Scorpio in November of 2016 coincided with the Harvey Weinstein revelations which subsequently evolved into the #MeToo movement, as well as additional tragic revelations about the rampant sexual violation of children by Catholic priests in Pennsylvania. The extent of abuse in so many spheres has been massive, which is consistent with the nature of Jupiter in Scorpio.
Sagittarius, by contrast, is a much more expansive, adventurous and optimistic energy, and is associated with seeing the larger perspective, with creating spiritual meaning and finding truth. There is a logic to the order of the signs of the zodiac; they relate to one another. After mining the depths in Scorpio we are now prepared to emerge into the light armed with fresh insights and understandings in order to create a new vision for our future.
There is an urgency for us to do so, as we find ourselves at this moment, at the end of three very long and powerful astrological cycles. The planets of Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto will all join together in the sign of Capricorn in 2020. Capricorn is the sign associated with governmental structures and authority and this union of the three planets portends the end of an outmoded approach that is no longer sustainable and does not serve us. It is not a stretch to see that this is a time of endings as the old world is collapsing around us. This process will continue through 2019 in preparation for the planting of a new seed in 2020. Jupiter is Sagittarius will be a support to us as we formulate the vision of what kind of future we intend to create.
Van Jones tough love book, “Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart, How We Come Together” is an analysis of the heartbreaking toxic divisions which blight our country today and offers the possibility of working together to transcend our differences. Jones is an inspiration, a CNN political commentator and social justice activist. He proposes projects that could unify the two parties: fixing the justice system, ending the opioid addiction crisis, opening up the technology sector to all, and transitioning to a greener economy. He writes “I am interested in the moral center, not the political center.” This is a perfect Jupiter in Sagittarius vision and project.
I include at the end of this post a fascinating interview of Van Jones by Tami Simon on the podcast “Insights at the Edge”. Jones holds up a troubling mirror to progressives, and I think his insights are valid and important with regard to our self-righteousness, lack of empathy and even contempt for those who hold views we find abhorrent.
My favorite part of the interview is his description of the “Hallelujah Anyhow” attitude, which is quintessentially Jupiter in Sagittarius. No matter what happens, we can cultivate an internal stance of joy, hope and dignity, that is independent of external circumstances and events. “Hallelujah Anyhow” is characterized by a love of self and a love of life. It is this soulfulness that is so important to foster in these challenging times, when the consequences of climate change are upon us and which scientists tell us will only get much much worse, and the breathtaking political dysfunction at home and abroad could understandably lead one to utterly despair. It’s the perfect attitude to take with you to the Thanksgiving table.
Many blessings to my readers for this beautiful celebration of gratitude and may your days be filled with an abundance of Hallelujah Anyhow.
Here is a link to the interview with Van Jones: Breaking Out of Our Resistance Bubble.
