Jupiter turned Direct

Jupiter, the archetype of good fortune, abundance, and prosperity, turns direct on January 30, 2013. Jupiter's transit through Gemini continues until June 21, the Summer Solstice. In mythology, Jupiter is the archetype of the final authority, the last word, the laying down of the law.  Since Jupiter has been in retrograd motion, there has been a great deal of talk and a great more confusion and conflict about what is really meant by certain policies, procedures, structures, and laws currently ready to take effect. 

As we watched Jupiter come into close alignment with the Sun and the Moon last week, we may have felt our plans aligning on a metaphysical level without much sense of 'knowing' how plans, ideas, and inspiration were going to translate into action, movement, creativity, or the fulfillment of dreams, plans, and goals. Jupiter in retrograde motion and in close alignment with challenges (transiting and squaring the 2nd quarter moon), has made it difficult for us to know what the right thing to do is, and when it's best to act on our desires.  We feel ourselves in a holding pattern, circling the field, waiting for word that it's safe to make a landing.  Jupiter's retrograde transited all the way back to the first degree, so there may be the feeling that we've made no progress in some areas or that we are having to decide and begin all over again. And that pretty much sums it up.  

We have been on hold, and during this time we have had the opportunity to rethink our plans, to settled issues and conflicts that need to be handled before moving forward, and settle into the reality that whether or not we make changes, we must be okay right where we are, for we carry ourselves into all  new or renewed situations.  If we are not comfortable in our own skin where we are today, we fail to understand the bounty within us. Good fortune, good luck, or prosperity fall like rain to the unfurrowed ground when we expect our riches and abundance to bring us satisfaction or make us whole.  Our role in appreciating and using Jupiter's energy and influence, begins with getting ourselves ready for action. Grounding ourselves in healthy practices, getting enough rest, nourishing our bodies wisely, clearing out emotional, physical, and psychological clutter before we're called into action, is the best plan for preparing for the next leg of the journey. 

Once Jupiter moves direct, communication will increase, and words will come that clarify and energize you.  Things will begin to make sense.  For the past two months, my dreams have been revealing a sense of being in the dark. I would wake with a clear memory of dreaming, but the dreams were always somewhat hidden...I could see what was happening but couldn't quite understand or see clearly. That is exactly what Jupiter's retrograde transit has been doing in the realm where it has had the most influence in your chart/life. Notice where Gemini is in 1-7 degrees in your chart, and where the other major planets have been making aspects in the early degrees (Saturn in early Scorpio, Pluto in early Capricorn, and the Sun, Moon, Mercury, and Venus' passages in the early degrees).  There has been a great deal of movement, but most of it has been on the transformative, unconscious level of our lives. With relationships, we have each been so busy working out our own details and figuring out how to deal with conflicts, issues, and plans, that we may have lost contact on a more mundane, down-to-earth level.  

Minds have been racing with the Sun and Jupiter in air signs, and communication has been more subliminal and mentally filtered that there has been a sense of loss and connection in some areas of our lives.  Air signs, Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra experience communication on the level of intellect and a less personal more communal-centered way than other signs.  Emotionally riled up by matters of justice, equity, and the common good, the air sign influences of the Sun in Aquarius and Jupiter in Gemini have us focusing on the differences between what we feel and need for our own happiness, and what is needed for the good of humankind and all Creation.  There may even seem to be less compassion for the felt and real needs of some now, for the collective eyes are on the plight of the masses. When we experience this, we might do well to remember that if we are not supporting those we are with and showing tenderness, love and compassion at home, we are missing our opportunity to nourish the root of the tree. Being present on all levels, emotionally, psychologically, mentally, physically, and spiritually. As minds have been active, our bodies have as well, and sometimes we find it hard to allow ourselves to rest, take time for relaxation and pleasure, or to nourish ourselves as we need to.  It seems no one ever apologizes for working too hard, yet they excuse themselves for resting, taking time off, or doing nothing.  We are all so geared to achieve, that we forget how to live.  Jupiter's energy promotes the well being of our inner child. And if we did not have the childhood we wanted, we still have time to learn to have fun, relax, enjoy, and play a bit more.  

Garipata Creek                                                                                              Catherine Al-Meten

An expression my Mother used to say to me, "tend to your own knittin'" keeps ringing through my mind. At the time, she meant for me to stop worrying about other people so much (I worried about world peace and all the problems of the world from an early age).  She meant for me to take care of the business and relationships of my own life first. She wanted to teach me to find a balance between caring for others and caring for myself. I recently took her advice quite literally. I bought myself some knitting needles, and am giving myself permission to sit still and use my hands to knit and crochet. To find some balance among all the tasks I set out for myself on a daily basis.  As the days lengthen in the Northern Hemisphere, the light calls me to spend more time outdoors.  Here in the Pacific Northwest, you'd never go anywhere or do anything if you waited for the right weather; we go and do despite the weather.  I noticed, however, that I woke with the sunrise this morning. First light is my alarm clock, and the natural rhythms of the earth call me to get in synch with the flow of life, including taking time to relax, have some fun, enjoy the beauty around me, and give myself a break before the next great adventure begins.  Listen to what your body, your heart, the world around you, and your emotions are calling you to take care of.  When was the last time you sang, danced, laughed, daydreamed, or took a long, leisurely walk? Delight in each day, and open your heart to dream and rest each night.