Jupiter's Closest Approach to Earth

Beneath the Surface                                                                                      Catherine Al-Meten

Today as I am writing this article, we note the following planetary, solar, and lunar degrees.  

Sun 9/17 Sagittarius

Moon 13/52 Cancer

Mercury 19/59 Scorpio

Venus 12?0 Scorpio

Mars 11/8 Capricorn

Jupiter 11/28 Gemini

Saturn 6/41 Scorpio

Uranus 4/40 Aries

Neptune 0/28 Pisces

Pluto 8/16 Capricorn

North Node 26/2 Scorpio

Chiron 5/7 Pisces

The Sun in Sagittarius from Nov. 21-December 21. As the month of December begins, The Sun is in 9/17 of Sagittarius, the Moon is in 13/52 Cancer, and Mercury and Venus are still transiting Scorpio. 

Mercury is seisquiquadrate Uranus at 4/41/ Aries, and Venus is quincunx Jupiter at 11/32 Gemini. Jupiter is at her closest point to the Earth today, Saturday, December 1, and on Monday, Jupiter will reach her opposition making it appear from the Earth that Jupiter is sitting exactly opposite the Sun.  We have watched Jupiter bright in the night sky for the last week, and

we will continue to view her as she rises in the Eastern sky each evening. Jupiter is closest to the Earth this morning, 10:00 AM EST/7:00 AM PST, orbiting 377,866,000 miles from Earth. Jupiter is the fourth brightest object in the night sky, after the Sun, the Moon, and Venus. Jupiter’s orbit around the Sun, takes around 12 years. Jupiter’s next close encounter with Earth will happen August 20, 2021. 

Jupiter is the planetary ruler of both Pisces and Sagittarius. Jupiter’s transit through Gemini highlights intellectual freedom, wisdom, tolerance, and abundance.  Jupiter is the planetary archetype that symbolizes abundance, plenty, and good fortune. Jupiter grounds our understanding through philosophical, religious, and spiritual development. Jupiter also grounds its push for tolerance and understanding through a strong, ethical framework. Ruler of publishers and writers, Jupiter enhances and benefits authors and publications. You can expect to see the benefits of Jupiter  unfolding in the area of life where she is orbiting and aspecting other natal and progressed transits. 

Mars at 11/02 Capricorn, is semi-squaring the North Node in Scorpio and quincunxes Jupiter. Quincunxes activate and set off energy. On December 2, Jupiter reaches its opposition to the Sun, and we in between the two . major entities, will feel the weight, activity, and light of this opposition. Mars activates and energizes whatever and whoever it touches. Mercury, in 23/24 Scorpio, is semi-square to Pluto in its long transit through Capricorn.  We receive information or communicate in ways that bring a grounding to whatever is to benefit us at this time. It’s an energetic, some might call it, tense time.  The tension may be palpable, and yet what we have been striving for and desiring, is coming to us. We have been preparing for the shifts and changes that are taking place in our lives, and now we are riding the waves of those changes. 

Pluto in Capricorn, Saturn in Scorpio, and Jupiter in Gemini, form a yod that indicate radical transformation. Changes in our systems, religious, philosophical, and governmental  institutions, as well as our overall belief systems and worldviews, are imminent and part of the radical transformation taking place now. Jupiter is the focal point of much of the energy, making it clear that however much we are affected by shifts and changes, we are able to be on the receiving end of great benefits from whatever takes place and however it affects our lives as individuals and as a collective whole. On Sunday, December 14, the Sun at 14/54 Sagittarius semi-sextiles Mars, allowing us a glimpse of the lighter side of these aspects. On December 7, Mars semi-squares  Neptune in 0/33 Pisces, casting some shadows on our understanding.  This is a time when changes, situations, conditions, and communication may be coming at us so rapidly that we find ourselves having a difficult time keeping up and sorting through all the information and implications.  

Jupiter seems to be a crucial aspect building up to the yod forming on December 21. Jupiter calls for expansion, and when in aspect to Saturn, the Great Teacher (lessons we need to learn no matter how hard), and Pluto, the Great Transformer, we can expect the movers and shakers, those who hold real power, to attempt to use their power to control the greater, emerging power awakened over the past couple of years. The energy and capacity we have for obtaining information, communicating, and acting together, has helped change the balance of power nearly everywhere. 

On December 12, when Venus conjuncts the North Node in Scorpio, we move into a new time and energy frame. That which we most desire is taking us onto the next leg of our journey. This entire month is full of interesting and energetic activity.  Last week’s eclipse and the upcoming first quarter square and New Moons will activate movement, choices, and shifts that have been oozing to the surface for some time this year.  Some, who still cling to the past, to outworn beliefs and expectations, may still be reeling from movement, losses, and revelations that have caught them by surprise. For some, who took the risks early on and have been letting go of unnecessary, unhealthy, and negative patterns of behavior and thought, the new path is unfolding in surprising and somewhat shocking ways. 

How to handle the movement? Allow yourself to come into alignment with the deepest level of trusting the Divine unfolding, guiding, and revealing what you need to know exactly as you need to know. Trust your intuitive senses, be open and receptive to the Divine Truth, and maintain mindful presence in all you do.  Being in the Eternal Now, calm and peaceful in the Presence of wholeness and love, allows us each to maintain a connection with our centeredness.  We are peace and light bearers, and we need to maintain that awareness within our hearts, minds, and bodies.