Jupiter

JOO-pih-ter

greek: Ζεύς (Zeus) · latin: Jupiter · sanskrit: Guru

Definition

Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun, circling it in about 11.86 years and spending roughly a year in each zodiac sign. It is the largest planet in the solar system and, after Saturn, the most distant one visible to the naked eye. In the traditional rulership scheme, Jupiter has a home (domicile) in Sagittarius and Pisces, its strongest placement (exaltation) at 15 degrees of Cancer, its weakest (fall) in Capricorn, and difficult placements (detriment) in Gemini and Virgo. Jupiter belongs to the day-born "sect" — the group of planets aligned with daytime births.

In Tradition

Western astrologers call Jupiter the Greater Benefic — the most generous of the "easy" planets — and tie it to expansion, faith, growth, and abundance. In the Hellenistic system Jupiter is the most favorable planet in a day-born chart, where it serves as the benefic of the sect.

In Practice

Astrologers read Jupiter's house in the birth chart for the areas of life where its expansive quality tends to gather. The Jupiter Return — its return to where it sat at birth, about every 11.86 years, near ages 12, 24, 36, and 48 — is watched as a major developmental milestone. In transit work, Jupiter passing over a natal planet is read as a stretch of growth in whatever that planet governs. In Hellenistic practice its sect status comes first: in a day chart Jupiter is the most benefic planet, while in a night chart it stays positive but hands the role of leading benefic to Venus. Jupiter's sign shows how its expansive quality expresses itself, and its aspects to other planets show whether that growth comes easily or with friction.

Historical Origin

Jupiter's astrological role is attested in the earliest Hellenistic texts. The Hellenistic sect system places it in the diurnal sect alongside the Sun and Saturn, and the Thema Mundi — a Hellenistic teaching chart — sets Jupiter in Sagittarius as part of the foundational domicile rulership scheme.

Etymology

Origin: Latin. Meaning: From Latin Iuppiter (genitive Iovis), the king of the Roman gods, equivalent to the Greek Zeus.

Definition

In Tradition

In Practice

Historical Origin

Etymology

Further Reading