(Originally appearing in the Crow’s Calling)
The most beloved of the planets is Jupiter. Even in the dark ages, when astrologers saw the planets in much stricter terms of black and white, Jupiter was called the Greater Benefic, meaning that it grants greater blessings. Modern magicians and witches have drawn from this concept. Ritual magic describes Jupiter spells as bringing boundless good luck and prosperity. It expands all resources and blessings. And it does, but the power of Jupiter is far greater than mere good luck.
In the Eastern traditions of astrology, Jupiter is associated with the guru. In the west, we have a hard time with the word guru because it has been used by many charlatans to build grand cults of personality. In the true sense of the word, guru means teacher, and most notably spiritual teacher. When channeled properly, the energy of Jupiter is the energy of spiritual learning. Jupiter is the inner teacher.
In these eastern traditions, Jupiter is called the light of a thousand suns. It radiates not physical light, but the spiritual light of illumination. Physically, science tells us that Jupiter is a gas giant. Potentially it is a Sun, but a Sun that has never ignited. If it had, we would have a binary solar system, rather than one single Sun.
In many ways, Jupiter acts like a Sun. Jupiter is its own miniature solar system, holding sixteen satellites, or moons, in orbit. One moon, Ganymede, is the size of the planet Mercury. Jupiter’s gravitational power is second only to the Sun. In many legends, the archetype of Jupiter is the elder king, giving way to the new solar king, much like this planet gives deference only to the Sun.
Compared to all the other planets, it generates more heat than it receives from the Sun. The heat is created by Jupiter’s incredibly fast rotation. For a planet that size, it takes only twelve Earth hours to make a full rotation. The intensity of the heat causes the planet to bulge near the equator. This relates to the magical thought that Jupiter energy causes expansion. The secret is that it doesn’t just expand material concerns, such as money, business and general prosperity. It expands consciousness.
The sign that Jupiter rules, Sagittarius, is the explorer. On one level, Sagittarius is described as being very good at business and administration. Another level is the freedom of Sagittarius, exploring new lands, cultures and adventures. A cliché phrase associated with it is “don’t fence me in.” On the highest level Sagittarius represents the spiritual explorer, delving into new thoughts, beliefs, philosophies and religions. They are able to take in so many points of view and experiences because the power of Jupiter is working to expand consciousness. In the older systems of astrology, before the discovery of the outer planets, Jupiter ruled both Sagittarius and the sign of Pisces, the energy of the artist and mystic. So not only is it associated with the fire and light of Sagittarius and the sun, but the mystical waters to be explored by Pisces.
This gas giant is considered the first of the spiritual planets in karmic astrology. The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and Mars are the personality planets, representing the ego, emotions, mind, attraction and will, respectively. Jupiter is the higher “octave” of the Sun, embodying the power of the higher self, the upper vibration of the personality.
Colors associated with Jupiter are blue and purple. Many relate the power of Jupiter to the power spiritual sight and spiritual light. The brow chakra, or Anja, is the energetic center of the body, usually portrayed as indigo or purple. The third eye is not the only place where the energy of Jupiter can be found. In medical astrology, Jupiter rules the liver, since it is the largest planet and the liver is one of the largest organs. Metaphysicians note that liver problems are often created through unresolved anger. When one is in the expanded consciousness of Jupiter, anger can be resolved. Only when you are blocked to the expanded consciousness of Jupiter do you hold anger over the long term. Jupiter rules many of the liver herbs, such as dandelion.
The gods of Jupiter are the sky gods and storm fathers. Jupiter himself is a Roman god of thunder and lightning, highly identified with the Greek Zeus, the leader of the Olympians. Although a third generation deity, he leads his brothers and sisters in victory against the Titans and creatures that roam the world, ushering in a new age. Though Zeus in later myths is painted in an unflattering sexist tone to the modern reader, the ideal of this godform is the wise and guiding king. To the Sumerians, Marduk led the fight against the dragon creature Tiamat, creating the world and a new age. In Egypt, the god Amen-Ra, the embodiment of Ra as ruler on Earth and often depicted as a pharaoh figure, is the Jupiter archetype. Unlike the Greeks, the Egyptians saw the Sun as supreme and elder, giving sway to other figures, such as Amen-Ra. Tarranis of the Continental Celts, relates to Zeus, as being a strong storm god and heavenly figure. Modern Celtic practitioners also look to the good father god of the Tuatha De Dana, the Dagda as a Jupiter figure. His cauldron is ever abundant and none leave it hungry, representing the power of abundance and nurturance in Jupiter energy. In Norse myth, the all father and tribal leader is Odin, though many associated Odin with Mercury images, because he is the magician and traveler. Thor, on the other hand, the God of Storm and Lightning, is strongly linked with Jupiter magic. In fact, the day of Jupiter, Thursday, originates from Thor’s Day. Magic involving the power of Jupiter is strong when done on Thursday.
To harness the power of Jupiter, you can do magic when the Sun or Moon is in Sagittarius. October 15 to December 5 is the planetary period when we are all aligned with Jupiter energy. Your own personal Jupiter period starts 208 days after your birthday and lasts for 52 days. At these times, the magic for expansion, both prosperity and spirituality will be strong. Try focusing on magic for higher awareness, spiritual evolution, success, business, administration, publishing, philosophy, education, meditation and psychic development.
The number of Jupiter is usually four, because in the Tree of Life system of magic, Jupiter rules the fourth realm, called Chesed. Chesed translates to Mercy, and strangely enough, the glyph, or symbol of Jupiter looks like a two and four combined. Esoterically, the symbol is really a crescent, a symbol of the soul, balanced on the cross of matter. It means the energy of the soul is delicately balanced in the material world, but elevated above it. The symbol is also the alchemical symbol of tin, which is the metal of Jupiter. Pewter is often used as a substitute as well, but true pewter mixes the energies of Jupiter and Saturn.
- MINERALS: Blue Lace Agate, Amethyst,Ametrine, Blue Apatite, Blue Calcite, Howlite, Lapis Lazuli, Lepidolite, Labradorite, Merlinite, Sapphire, Sodalite, Spectrolite, Sugilite, Blue Tiger’s Eye, Blue Tourmaline, Turquoise
- PLANTS: African Violet, Agrimony, Alexander, Alfalfa, Aloe, Arrowroot, Asparagus, Betony, Bluebell, Blueberry, Borage, Cardamon, Carnation, Cedar, Chestnut, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil, Clove, Clover, Currant, Dandelion, Deerstongue, Dock, Dog Grass, Fig, Henna, Hyssop, Jasmine, Juniper, Lavender, Lila, Liverwort, Lungwort, Magnolia, Maple, Milkweed, Mistletoe, Moneywort, Mulberry, Mustard Seeds, Narcissus, Oak, Red, Oak- White, Oakmoss, Pine, Sage, Sandalwood, Sarsaparilla, Sumac, Sweet Briar, Sweet Cicely, Tonka Bean, Violet, Wallflower
Here is a simple meditative ritual to be done with strong Jupiter energy. Choose any of the crystals above and create a space for you to meditate quietly. Light four purple candles. Relax and breathe deeply. If you would like, light some sage for incense and purification. You can wave the crystal in the sage smoke to purify it before using it. As you hold the crystal, feel yourself become the crystal. Immerse yourself in the vibration of the crystal. With each moment, each pulse of your heart, feel yourself expand outward. Feel yourself fill the room, then fill your home. Expand beyond your home and into your neighborhood. Feel yourself become one with all things around you, but you are not harmed by anything. You are in balance and harmony. Feel yourself expand to the city, state and region. Expand beyond the boarders to the continent and then the Earth itself. Feel the Earth expand to unite with the cosmos. Expand to the highest realm you can, and understand that all things are one in the divine mind.
When you are done, retrace your steps back, slowly making your way back to your body and the crystal. Thank everyone and everything you experienced for this beautiful gift. Ground yourself and return to the world with your new sense of expanded awareness.
Next: Saturn & Karma
Resources:
* A Salem Witch’s Herbal by Laurie Cabot. Celtic Crow Publishing.
* Archetypes of the Zodiac by Kathleen Burt. Llewellyn.
* Astrological Magick by Estelle Daniels. (Samuel Weiser)
* Astrology From A to Z by Eleanor Bach. Evens and Company.
* Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic, by Scott Cunningham. Llewellyn.
* Lifting the Veil: Practical Kabbalah with Kundalini Yoga by Gurunam. Rootlight Publishing