The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - December 2007
Jupiter represents the principle of expansion. It can expand attitudinally by expressing joy and enthusiasm. It can also expand consciousness through activities such as travel and studying. The studies could be academic, spiritual or metaphysical. Jupiter takes approximately 12 months to transit through a sign. When it enters a new sign, it will activate and expand the qualities of that sign for that period. This month Jupiter transits from Sagittarius, where it has been since November 2006, into Capricorn, where it will remain until January 2009.
Signs function as filters. They allow varying degrees of the energy of a planet to be expressed. Jupiter is said to be in its dignity in Sagittarius. That is, its energy passes through Sagittarius in its purest form. None of its inherent force is filtered out. Theoretically, Jupiter’s passage through Sagittarius has been extremely beneficial to those who have Sagittarius rising or whose Sun is in Sagittarius. Even if we don’t have those components in our horoscope, wherever Sagittarius falls in our chart could have been greatly and enjoyably expanded during that past 13 months. Jupiter in Capricorn is another story.
When a planet is in a sign whose filtering mechanism is extremely different from the nature of a planetary energy, we say that the planet is in its fall. Jupiter is in its fall in Capricorn. Where Jupiter perceives opportunity, Capricorn applies limits. Where Jupiter enjoys a good theoretical discussion, Capricorn prefers practical action. Where Jupiter expresses optimism, Capricorn can respond with pessimism. The challenge we face with Jupiter in Capricorn is whether to expand (Jupiter) the more dour qualities of Capricorn or to bring an expanded perspective to Capricorn’s restrictions. Do we expand our sense of responsibility (Capricorn) in a way that limits our sense of personal freedom (Jupiter) or in a way that enables us to function in practical, realistic ways yet with a sense of personal integrity and ethics (Jupiter)? The key is to integrate our sense of truth and justice with our mundane activities.
Another Jupiter transit of considerable significance is that it will conjunct Pluto all month. Pluto has been transiting through Sagittarius since 1995 and will temporarily leave Sagittarius and enter Capricorn on January 26, 2008. This is the most important transit of the New Year and will be a main point of discussion during my annual Perspectives talk at Wells Fargo Center on January 8, 2008. It will also be the topic of my January column. But for now, let’s focus on the conjunction between Pluto and Jupiter.
Since Jupiter rules Sagittarius, we can say that Pluto has been in Jupiter’s sign for 12 years. The nature of Pluto is to challenge us to transform. During its journey through Sagittarius, Pluto has generated religious (Sagittarius) extremism around the world. Yet it has also brought out into the open the underbelly of certain organized religions as well as dysfunctionality in the classroom. Churches and schools pertain directly to the Sagittarius drive for consciousness development. While it is doubtful that the conjunction of Jupiter and Pluto this month will have profound, widespread collective influence, it can be useful to each of us on an individual basis.
At its highest octave, the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction is the mark of a truth seeker, someone who penetrates the surface of whatever they are focusing on in order to glean the deepest level of meaning of that topic or activity. If our interest is spiritual, this aspect will help us to connect with Divine Spirit in a direct, profound and personal way. It will enable us to get clear about our philosophy and to align it with divine law and universal truth. It could help us to rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of higher consciousness, spiritually, academically or both. In terms of the latter, this is a great aspect for deep research, whether that pertains to a term paper, doctoral dissertation or simply the need to declare a major.
Jupiter and Sagittarius pertain to international relations. Perhaps this month will bring a little light of truth into the realm of diplomacy so that we can resolve our differences with open-minded dialogue rather than with demeaning comments and warfare.
The lower octave of this transit is that it can also expand obsessive tendencies. They could involve personal habits, addictions or social behavior – especially those based on control, manipulation or intimidation. This aspect could also expand our need to be “right” and to counter every argument against our point of view with stubborn dogmatism. This is a pattern that has helped spread religious extremism and its resulting conflicts (or at least the theological rationalization for them).
Pay attention to the house (area of life experience) in your horoscope that these planets are transiting this month. This is where you can dig deep, discover the truth of what you want in that area and what you are doing that will either enhance or undermine your likelihood of achieving it. You could also research to see if what you have wanted is still desirable or not. But most important is to ensure that you are pursuing your goals in that area with ethics and integrity. Let the truth be your guide, even as you remain open to listening to others, learning about their truth, and sharing with each other in ways that promote learning and consciousness development for us all.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Mars, your ruling planet, remains retrograde, so this month continues the pattern of review, especially relative to personal and domestic matters. You can expand your internal quest by also looking at higher mind issues, including the academic as well as the philosophical. Growth for you this month comes from letting your understanding about the nature of life guide your choices and actions.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
This is a time of harmonious relationships with partners, friends, colleagues and relatives. It is an excellent time to make changes in those associations based on your need for independence as well as a desire to act from your truth as well as expressing your truth to others. Growth comes from sharing with others in an open minded way. The point is to learn, not to be right.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Challenges could arise this month in any or all of three areas. Your prime interest may be on deepening your primary relationship by taking emotional risks with your partner. The time and energy to do that may feel limited by family responsibilities or by the desire to create exciting changes at work. Growth for you comes from being honest with yourself about how much time and energy it will take to address all of these areas effectively.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
The new Moon this month is in Sagittarius on December 9, just as the Jupiter-Pluto conjunction is about to peak. So you may be more aware of this transit, especially in a highly personal way, than most people. The question is whether you are going to use its potential for growth of awareness or to expand tendencies to be controlling. This could manifest primarily in your work or primary relationship. Growth comes from getting aligned with your honest feelings about others and relating to them from that point.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
The Jupiter-Pluto conjunction can enhance your awareness of and interest in creativity, sports or hobbies. It could offer the opportunity to transform your perception of your children and patterns of parenting them. It could also inspire you to transform your financial portfolio, letting go of bad investments. Even if this involves losses, it may prevent even greater losses later on.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
This is a period of very clear thinking that could enable you to glean a deeper understanding about your home and family life. This could pertain to your childhood programming and experience with your family of origin or your domestic situation in present time. Growth comes from acknowledging your realizations, communicating them to those who are involved and then working to re-program your internal patterns in order to also alter your behaviors with those closest to you.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
By nature you tend to be logical. However, this is a time to rely more on your intuition in order to find clarity about material plane issues. They could pertain to your work, your financial situation, even your health maintenance program. Growth comes from feeling comfortable enough with your inner being that you can acknowledge your feelings and make changes from that place.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
The Jupiter-Pluto conjunction could affect you in two ways. First is helping you to get clear about what you value. What are the qualities of life that are most important to you, especially in terms of what helps you to feel safe, comfortable and materially secure? Second, it could help to allocate your financial resources in ways that will enable you to realize your material goals. Growth comes from altering and updating the resources with the values.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
The transit of Jupiter into Capricorn could lead to focusing more on the practical and material elements of life. You could feel a desire to get more grounded, to take more responsibility for your life and to develop long range goals. Growth comes from realizing how these things can be liberating to you as opposed to feeling restricted by the rules and expectations of the Capricornian experience.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
The transit of Jupiter into Capricorn will trigger either overwhelming feelings of responsibility and tendencies toward workaholism. Or it could inspire you to get more interested in philosophy, spirituality and metaphysics. Growth comes from integration and avoiding the either-or potential. Strive to bring a sense of joviality and honesty into your work, even as you develop your higher mind in ways that are grounded and functional.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Internal conflicts could arise this month between your hopes and wishes and your material or financial ability to realize or manifest those goals. You could resolve this in different ways. One is to work at generating a greater income. Another is to alter the aspirations until they are in alignment with your financial reality. A third, and more interesting option, is to take a deep look at those desires. It may be time to update and alter them, not because you have to, but because it is the appropriate and timely thing to do.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
The Jupiter-Pluto conjunction could bring deep and intense insights about your career goals or certain conditions at work that could be restricting you. Growth comes from confronting yourself to alter those goals or confronting the parties or the situation that is doing the blocking. It’s time to bring hidden issues into the light of consciousness.