Jupiter in Sagittarius

Since mindfulness, of all things,

is the ground of being,

to speak one’s true mind,

and to keep things known

in common, serves all being,

just as laws made clear

uphold the city,

yet with greater strength.

Of all pronouncements of the law

the one source is the Word

whereby we choose what helps

true mindfulness prevail.

—  Heraclitus, fragment 91, translated by Brooks Haxton

Jupiter returns to its fiery home of Sagittarius on November 8, 2018 where it will remain until December 2, 2019. Jupiter has been in Scorpio since October 10, 2017 under the rulership of Mars in a fixed water sign, pulling the significations of Jupiter down into subterranean lessons of martial strife. The shift of Jupiter into Sagittarius is dramatic, moving from a sign unsympathetic to Jupiter into its own terrain where it can directly access its expansive nature. Jupiter in Sagittarius kindles faith that within a time of increasing darkness, light will return and that it is possible to overcome the fears and limitations of the current state of our world. Jupiter in Sagittarius brings the inspirational pull of the Sun setting into darkness over the horizon, as the stimulating songs of shining stars summon searches toward worlds beyond present circumstances.

Jupiter in Sagittarius is sovereign like the simultaneously transiting Saturn in Capricorn, with no need to rely upon other planets for assistance. This also means that any planet or light transiting through Sagittarius or Pisces in the next year will have a fully engaged and receptive Jupiter ready to generously boost endeavors. With the lunar nodes shifting into Cancer and Capricorn at the same time, the coming union of Pluto, Saturn, the South Node of the Moon, and eclipses in Capricorn will be bringing a heavy gravitas of Saturnine testing, tempering, and obstruction throughout the next year. As old structures fall apart and collective fears are stoked, the transit of Jupiter in Sagittarius offers an eagle eyed view of vision that transcends the constraints of current events. Jupiter was last in Sagittarius from November 23, 2006 through December 18, 2007; however, personal reflection upon this previous transit must take account for the fact that Jupiter’s time in 2006 – 2007 was dramatically influenced by the co-presence of Pluto in Sagittarius as well as Uranus in Pisces forming a catalytic square aspect.

We find Jupiter in Sagittarius in the fire in the belly that incites searches for meaning and grand quests of adventure. It’s the union of horse and human in the wild, wayfaring form of the centaur, the stampede of hoofs igniting wide ranging travel bridging diverse cultures and philosophical traditions. Jupiter in Sagittarius is at its best when roaming under the guidance of Spirit and higher powers rather than the conditioning of consensus expectations, but of course its manifestations will be multivalent and can also promote excessive greed for mainstream materialism. Jupiter in Sagittarius can be a guru in multiple fields of knowledge, a mythic example being the wise centaur Chiron who mastered the medicine of the stars above, the plants below, and the body in between. The next year of Jupiter in Sagittarius can be seized for seeking knowledge beyond present parameters, being willing to journey far across both external and internal landscapes.

Fire in its ways of changing

is a sea transfigured

between forks of lightning

and the solid earth.

— Heraclitus, fragment 21, translated by Brooks Haxton

According to astrological tradition, Jupiter is one of the rulers of the fire triplicity and so especially comfortable in its fiery home of Sagittarius. Fire is the element rising to the summit of the celestial sphere in the doctrines of ancient philosophers such as Aristotle, and in astrology it is the element most strongly associated with Spirit and divine inspiration. Fire has an enthusiastic, extroverted nature that operates intuitively with Jupiter in Sagittarius.  However, while Jupiter in Sagittarius will facilitate following hunches and spontaneous intuition, the simultaneous transit of Saturn in Capricorn will demand substantive, disciplined effort. There’s a beautiful balance to be struck between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Saturn in Capricorn, with Jupiter bringing the fiery heat needed to renew the meaningful purpose exerted with Saturn in Capricorn, melting frozen forms so as to open awareness of potential that had previously been restrained from perception.

Fire is an element known as being hot and dry in astrology, meaning that it not only invigorates outward action but also clarifies as it promotes making distinctions and separating elements rather than coalescing things together. This brings some remediation to Jupiter, as the star of Zeus naturally coheres connections within its expansive impact. As a result we can utilize the transit of Jupiter in Sagittarius to hone in on the passions and pursuits we want to focus energy on for development, burning off whatever has been distracting or dissipating our full engagement. The fire of Jupiter in Sagittarius will feed on whatever knowledge and experience inspires us, whether it be philosophy or stories from the pages of a book or in physical, sensory engagement with the natural world.

The way up is the way back.

The beginning is the end.

— Heraclitus, fragments 69 & 70, translated by Brooks Haxton

The Sagittarius image of the half human, half horse centaur, a symbol uniting the rational and animalistic, is a reflection of Sagittarius being a mutable, or double-bodied sign. Mutable signs such as Sagittarius signify objects and events with multiple functions and impacts, operating with a digressive quality in which we become drawn toward initiating new action before completing whatever process we had already begun. Mutable signs can be scattered and inconsistent, but bring the gifts of flexibility, adaptability, and curious vitality that will embrace change rather than avoid it. Thus the transit of Jupiter in Sagittarius is ideal for not only embracing a new vision of life, but also embarking on fresh, exciting endeavors while simultaneously bringing to completion projects previously under development. Getting creative juices flowing in pursuit of intrinsically exciting ideas will help reinvigorate dedication to completing work in which flames of motivation had begun to dwindle and become in need of inspirational fuel to get going again, perhaps in new directions.

The symbolism of mutable signs within the tropical zodiac is rooted in the fact that they arrive at the end of one season as it transitions to the next. In the northern hemisphere, Sagittarius bridges the end of Fall with the beginning of Winter, the darkest time of the year just before the return of light at the Winter Solstice. As we finish work begun in the distant past, we will also notice yearning and curiosity sparked toward not only new ideas to engage with in the season ahead but also new outlooks to embody. Jupiter in Sagittarius has the flexibility needed to help us mutate the philosophy we live our life from into a renewal of purpose more resonate with our current state of development, untethered from previous expectations.

The cosmos works

by harmony of tensions,

like the lyre and bow.

— Heraclitus, fragment 56, translated by Brooks Haxton

Though it’s common today to consider the centaur as the central image of the Sagittarius constellation, its imagery since ancient times has in fact had the strongest connection across cultures with the Archer. The Persians, Syrians, Indians, and Egyptians all linked the constellation with bows, arrows, and the warriors who struck fear in the heart of enemies with them. As Bernadette Brady wrote, “the soldier of Sagittarius was cruel, stormy, wild and feared . . .” Since in the northern hemisphere the Sun in Sagittarius in the tropical zodiac arrives at the darkest time of the year, having a fierce protector in its living image makes sense. For example, in ancient Mesopotamia the Sagittarius constellation was connected with Pabilsag, a bow and arrow wielding centaur with the tail of a scorpion, a guardian of the underworld.

Eratosthenes, a second century BC polymath who was the chief librarian at the Library of Alexandria, recognized the living image of Sagittarius as Crotus, a satyr like son of Pan (god of nature, the wild, and impromptu music) and Eupheme (goddess of praise, acclaim, applause, and words of good omen). Crotus was both a horse rider and the inventor of archery who also kept in close relationship with the Muses, who adored him for the enthusiastic applause they could elicit from him. In this image of a muse loving archer we can imagine Jupiter in Sagittarius as also conjuring the Bard, the storytelling musician who can hit the target of the tale through choosing the right word and note in the right rhythm, sometimes in the light of a warming fire at night.

Altogether these images of diverse archers illuminates the point of focus held in the gaze of Sagittarius, and how the transit of Jupiter through the sign of the Archer may aid us in directing our creative will towards desired targets. Nicholas Campion has described the sign’s bow “as divine inspiration” and its arrow “as the unbending, directed will” whose flight “symbolizes the human quest for freedom, whether spiritual, political, intellectual, or emotional.” Yet these gifts of enthusiastic fire can go overboard, and here we find the ancient ruthlessness of the sign that can become overly focused and driven to the point of becoming a dogmatic dominator. Thus the multivalence of Jupiter’s time in Sagittarius will bring the cruel crusader to the forefront at the same time it also promotes persistence in sustaining one pointed focus toward emancipatory vision.

Many fail to grasp what they have seen,

and cannot judge what they have learned,

although they tell themselves they know.

— Heraclitus, fragment 5, translated by Brooks Haxton

Jupiter transiting through Sagittarius can be an incredibly optimistic and hopeful placement in many areas of life, yet it can also become excessively self-promoting and aggrandizing.  There is a zealous shadow side to Jupiter in Sagittarius in which its forthright devoutness becomes a crux when there is a lack of substance supporting its overly optimistic ventures.  Jupiter in Sagittarius can have grand ambitions but can also be impractical, unprepared, and too restless to be held down by details and drudgery.  Thus when inner fires of imagination are lit by brainstorms with Jupiter in Sagittarius, it will be vital to use the simultaneous transit of Saturn in Capricorn to test the mettle to make sure new ideas have sturdy enough bones of underlying support for successful manifestation.

Jupiter in Sagittarius can also become excessively idealistic, such as the evangelist wishing to convert others to whatever perspective, philosophy, or belief they have become impassioned by. We will also surely see the brainwashing capacities of Jupiter in Sagittarius utilized by those in power for propaganda promoting the interests of power structures. While Jupiter in Sagittarius at its best is broad minded, multi-cultural, and universalist, it can also manifest in idealizing nationalistic tendencies and xenophobia. Narcissistic world leaders will feed on the fire of others and will be willing to ignite ideological wildfires that can erupt across the collective within those gullible to their manipulative message.

In these ways we can see how the simultaneous transit of Saturn in Capricorn can be supportive in tempering the excesses of Jupiter in Sagittarius and holding it accountable for delivering visionary truth rather than aggrandizing dishonesty.  Since Saturn will also be co-present with Pluto, the lunar nodes, and eclipses in Capricorn, at the same time it will perhaps be even more important to draw from the hopeful adventurousness of Jupiter in Sagittarius that can strengthen faith in the unknown and confidence that desired outcomes are possible even in the face of overwhelming difficulties.

Jupiter vs. Neptune

The soul is undiscovered,

though explored forever

to a depth beyond report.

— Heraclitus, fragment 71, translated by Brooks Haxton

Perhaps the most significant aspect formed by Jupiter in Sagittarius during the next year is its catalytic square aspect with Neptune in Pisces. The Jupiter and Neptune cycle is an important yet often overlooked planetary cycle, a cycle that Dane Rudhyar noted occurs in a successive sign of the zodiac (for the most part) every 13 years. Rudhyar called it a cycle constituting “the essential small steps we should take in the transformation of our traditional social sense,” explaining that instead of corresponding with “startling events” it instead implies changes in attitudes and feelings, “a new awareness of what human relationship can mean.” Rudhyar stated “it is the accumulation of these small changes which at last allows the great revolutionary events to happen,” as he viewed Jupiter as signifying societal beliefs and attitudes we may conform to for security purposes, while seeing Neptune as “an agent of the vast galactic field of cosmic existence . . . an emissary of the greater to the lesser” that “dissolves the obsolete narrowness of the Saturnine focus” because of the universalizing nature of its archetype.

Regarding the cycle of Neptune and Jupiter as a whole, Rudhyar wrote:

The Jupiter-Neptune cycle is very much like a walking process. Every 13 years-and, even more, every 166 years — mankind should take a step forward, even if only a tiny one. It should be a step ahead of our past traditional social, cultural and religious sense of human relationship. Unfortunately, such a step tends to lead at first to confusion, disarray, dismay, perhaps temporary blindness and panicky escape “back to the womb” of what may be thought to be a secure and familiar institution or religious organization. However, progress is only through the confusion and the glowing mist over the hills, yonder. There is no way ever of going ahead, except through!

Through Neptune the great moment for this transcendence (literally, this “stepping through”) is when Neptune meets Jupiter, for it is, theoretically at least, the moment when the “form” of our future becomes visible, however dimly, to our consciousness. Alas, the great majority of people refuse to see; or, if they see, to understand; or, if they understand with their mind, to act according to their understanding (which refers, then, to Pluto); or, if they act, to have the dynamic faith and perseverance to sustain the action.

— Dane Rudhyar, The Jupiter-Neptune Cycle

The last cycle of Jupiter and Neptune began in 2009 in the range of 24 – 27° Aquarius, with the next cycle beginning in 2022 at 24° Pisces.  This means that the square aspect formed between Jupiter in Sagittarius and Neptune in Pisces in the next year is a waning one, or a last quarter square that reflects back upon the beginning of the cycle in 2009. Applying the symbolism of Rudhyar’s eight lunation phases, this means that we will collectively be experiencing a “crisis in consciousness” that will serve a purpose of dissolving and dismantling old belief systems in order to ultimately open up new avenues of vision more resonant with evolving needs.  Jupiter’s traditional rulership of Pisces means that Jupiter will be receiving Neptune and thus in better position to help facilitate the use of imagination in creative problem solving that transcends limitations of outdated paradigms. It can also be a potent time for storytelling, music, the arts, and all fields involving creative exploration.

Unfortunately, the rich imaginal potency of Jupiter interfacing strongly with Neptune can also correlate with idealized illusions fogging up debates and making it difficult to clarify dynamics and discern effective solutions. Part of the issue is that people are normally unaware of illusions underlying their perceptions and perspectives until experiencing the stripping away of difficult, disillusioning experiences. Because Jupiter in Sagittarius is in the tenth place from Pisces, it means that Jupiter is in the superior position of the square between Jupiter and Neptune; this means that the truth seeking of Jupiter can ultimately overcome the tidal wave of dissolution flooding forth from Neptune.  The treasure we will be able to unearth from the “bursting of bubbles” though disillusionment will be the gift of self realization and heightened capacity to reorient ourselves toward inner truth.

The degree range of the square aspect between Jupiter and Neptune will be between 14 – 19° of Sagittarius and Pisces. They will first form a square on 13 January 2019 at 15° with both direct, a second time on 16 June 2019 at 19° with Jupiter retrograde, and a third and final time on 21 September 2019 at 17° with Neptune retrograde.  Within this time period, an especially interesting transit will be the Mercury retrograde in Pisces that occurs in March 2019 due to Mercury stationing direct on March 28, 2019 while conjoining Neptune in Pisces. When Mercury is reborn while conjoining the Sun at its inferior conjunction on 14 March 2019 at 25° it will be received by Jupiter in Sagittarius through a square aspect. The Mercury retrograde in Pisces in March 2019 will be a time of deeply questioning beliefs that will have a strong connection with the experiences corresponding with the Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius that begins on 16 November 2018 in range of a square aspect with Neptune.

In addition, the square aspect between Jupiter and Neptune will be an integral part of Jupiter’s retrograde phase while in Sagittarius. Jupiter will be retrograde from April 10 through August 11, moving retrograde from 25° to 15° of Sagittarius. The heart of the Jupiter retrograde will be on June 10, 2019 with the Gemini Sun opposite Jupiter in Sagittarius at 19°28′, with Neptune in Pisces forming a square to both at 18°41′ creating a mutable T-square configuration. This further points to the significance of the Jupiter and Neptune cycle in 2019 pulling us within to rediscover personal truth as well as a richer and more essential purpose to live from.

Lightning Storm of Saturn & Pluto

Without injustices

the name of justice

would mean what?

— Heraclitus, fragment 60, translated by Brooks Haxton

The dissolution of old paradigms sparked by Jupiter’s relationship with Neptune that can clear space for new meaning can further be seen in the relationship between Jupiter in Sagittarius with Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Jupiter in Sagittarius is in the twelfth place to Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn, forming a “balsamic” or “dark Moon” relationship symbolically similar to the reseeding and clearing experienced in the days before a New Moon. The coming together of Saturn, Pluto, and the South Node of the Moon in Capricorn will be one of the dominant astrological themes of 2019, with Saturn and Pluto finally forming an exact conjunction in Capricorn on 12 January 2020. Vitally, the impact of Saturn and Pluto coming together in the next year is amplified due to each also conjoining their own south nodes while additionally conjoining the South Node of the Moon. This will result in the South Node of Saturn, South Node of Pluto, and the South Node of the Moon all aligning in proximity with the transit of Saturn and Pluto.

The cumulative effect over the next year will bring a powerful purging, with the full arc of both the Saturn and Pluto archetypes unleashed throughout global civilizations. Within the context of the Saturn and Pluto cycle, Jupiter in Sagittarius will illuminate the philosophies and beliefs underlying dominant power structures and forces of oppression that have caused suffering for ages, as well as those that kindle empowerment and resiliency. Since Jupiter in Sagittarius is in a balsamic phase with both Saturn and Pluto, on personal levels we have the opportunity to reflect upon how we have been conditioned and impacted by cultural, societal, political, and religious belief systems in order to regenerate a purified vision of life to live from.

The coming together of Saturn and Pluto in history has often corresponded with destructive periods that have elicited a tightening of conservative control and boundaries within political systems in reaction. While the transit of Jupiter in Sagittarius can be utilized in dreaming up a grander, more expansive personal lifestyle, it will also be necessary to reconcile pursuits within the constraining, contracting quality of Saturn and Pluto in close proximity, aiming for plans that uplift and inspire the greater community. Jupiter in Sagittarius can serve as the fiery light in a time of darkness that brings hope and inspiration to those who have felt marginalized or oppressed, or to those who have simply held themselves back from pursuing the goals that make them feel most alive and purposeful.

Eventually, at the time of the solstice on December 19, 2020 we will experience a “great conjunction” of Jupiter and Saturn at the first degree of Aquarius. This will place us not only at the beginning of a new twenty year cycle between Jupiter and Saturn, but also places us at the beginning stages of a larger 200 year cycle of conjunctions between Jupiter and Saturn occurring in air signs that will place importance on the cultivation and communication of inventive ideas and technology. During the transit of Jupiter in Sagittarius over the next year, we can choose to share the warmth of its fiery inspiration with others in need rather than hoarding it for personal gain. Each of us making the choice to live from a heart-centered vision of life can help create a steady flow of jovial generosity throughout the collective that Jupiter in Sagittarius loves best.

“Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

— from The Little Prince written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (born with Jupiter in Sagittarius and Saturn in Capricorn)

References

Brady, Bernadette. (1998). Brady’s Book of Fixed Stars. Weiser.

Campion, Nicholas & Eddy, Steve. (1999). The New Astrology: the Art and Science of the Stars. Bloomsbury.

Haxton, Brooks. (2001). Fragments: The Collected Wisdom of Heraclitus. Viking.