A retrograde is an optical illusion in our night sky. When we look at the planets and see one that is in retrograde, from an earthbound perspective, it appears as if it is moving backwards. When in reality it’s moving in the same direction we are it’s just that orbital speeds are unique to each planet. Jupiter’s solar year is 12 years on Earth for example. It’s because of these varying speeds that when Earth orbits past the planet(s) in RX it can appear as if they are moving backwards for a period of time.
It’s kind of like passing a car on the highway with one car going 60 mph and the car in the passing lane going 80 mph. When the two pass each other it can appear for a brief moment while they are next to each other that one is going backwards, even though you are driving in the same direction.
The planets orbit rhythmically, so it’s fairly easy to predict when a retrograde will happen. Jupiter’s retrograde happens about every 9 months and lasts about four months long. But what does it mean? Let’s take a look.
In Vedic astrology this planet is regarded as Brihaspati, with (from my understanding) is representative of sacred wisdom, and higher knowledge. However, I’m not well versed on Hinduism so I will stop there and encourage anyone reading this that wants to know more to seek out Hindu resources to learn more. The only reason I bring it up is because I think it’s important to acknowledge a lot of our systems in western astrology have roots in Vedic astrology.
This planet, as we know it in the western world, was named for the Roman God of thunder/lightning and the heaven and sky; Jupiter. I know more about this so we’ll lead the way from here.
THE GOD
Jupiter, also known as Jove, but better known as his Greek equivalent Zeus, is the King of Gods, and ruler of storms as well as the heavens and sky. As legend goes his father Saturn feared his fate of being usurped by his own children, so as each child was born, he’d devour them to keep his reign. Eventually his consort, Ops, decided to keep her pregnancy and birth with Jupiter a secret to save him from his father. Inevitably fulfilling the destiny of overthrowing Saturn and taking his place as the King of Gods.
Symbols associated with Jupiter are the eagle, the lightning bolt and the oak tree, and he was regarded for being a protector of the people, a ruler of truth and justice with the phrase “By Jove” being used as an oath of honesty in court, and of course his tenacity to achieve greatness which lends the energy of growth and expansion to this planetary entity.
The Planet
Like Saturn, and honestly the other inner planets, Jupiter can be seen with the naked eye, so it’s discovery as we know it, dates as far back as the 7th-8th century BCE and had been regarded by ancient cultures of the time. Babylonian astronomers, for example, were able to track the cycles of this planet and it’s influence on our night sky.
Jupiter was named by the Romans for is gigantic presence, and thought to be the most powerful celestial body. Thus naming it Jupiter after their largest, and most powerful deity.
This planet’s associations are very much in tune with how the God Saturn was revered, and when you see where it lies in your birth chart, as well as where it’s transiting for you, the affect it has on those areas of life will make a lot more sense
Jupiter Rx in Aries
Jupiter’s ruling sign is Sagittarius, so it offers a lot of output energetically with it’s fiery passions that strives for greatness. In Aries, this offers additional fire energy to push forward on your goals and ambitions. In retrograde however, Jupiter will have you evaluating your goals, passions, and what is in alignment for you. If you’ve suppressed things in the past year and have not addressed or healed anything that stands in your way to hinder your growth, it will be magnified now, forcing you to close that chapter to begin anew. This retrograde is here to help you balance, strategize and push forward. Seeds planted now will come into fruition with it’s direct energy at the end of the year. May 16th, 2023 Jupiter will enter the sign of Taurus, so you strategies now will help you boost areas of value and finance in the next year.
Understanding your natal chart and the house this RX affects is a good place to start in understanding how it affects you. For example, this RX will affect my seventh house and I can easily interpret this energy to affect my relationship with my husband, business partnerships, and legal contracts. Also pulling from my natal Jupiter energy which is exalted in Cancer in my 11th House this also may affect my communal bonds, friendships and earned wealth.
We must remember that retrogrades aren’t inherently bad, they can offer chaos in our lives, and also gift us with the things we’ve been manifesting all along. It’s all dependent on the lessons we need to learn and in Jupiter this is abundantly clear of how it affects our personal growth.
Herbs, Spices, and other plants to support you during this time:
- Common Sage
- Basil
- Saffron
- Frankincense
- Juniper
- Cedarwood
- Sandalwood
- Lemon
- Black Pepper
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