Jupiter in Sagittarius: Uncomfortable Return to Dharma

Excerpt: Though this passage of Jupiter in Sagittarius may be challenging and uncomfortable, it is a great opportunity for dharma to be revealed and more firmly established in the long run. In coming to see the truth, you may not like what you see at first, just like Arjuna on the battlefield wishes to avoid his circumstance. This is an especially good time for certain pursuits that will lead to greater dharma in the long run. 

Let’s investigate what happens when Jupiter comes home to its own sign for nearly a year. 

Today {November 4th, give or take a day depending on locale} Jupiter ends its one year journey through Scorpio, and enters its sign of Sagittarius*. The last time Jupiter was in Sagittarius, was 2007. This time will be significant and different due to specific configurations of other planets occupying Sagittarius. 

In this article I'll unpack some themes that we can expect with this shift. 

Jupiter’s primary Sanskrit name is Guru*

• Gu = darkness, ignorance
• Ru = remover, destroyer

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Thus, Guru is the one who destroys the darkness of ignorance

Guru is, of course often translated simply as “teacher”.  In imparting wisdom, the guru protects the student from the harm of their own ignorance. The term Guru also means "big" or "heavy". That which has weight in our lives has meaning, and Jupiter is related to the wisdom that brings us the greatest personal meaning, and thus the greatest weight or impact

The meanings of Jupiter can be observed both astronomically and astrologically. 

Astronomically, Jupiter is responsible for protecting earth by absorbing asteroids and other earth-bound objects in space. When searching for other earth-like bodies in the universe, astronomers begin by searching for a Jupiter-like body. Where there is an earth, there must be a larger protector planet.
 
Astrologically, Jupiter is associated with teachers, teachings, protection, stability, wealth and financial institutions, dharma, law and courts of law, good counsel, religion and spirituality, children, optimism, knowledge and institutions of knowledge. 

​Jupiter is the planet of dharma, Sagittarius is the constellation of dharma. Sounds good right? ​

Generally, Jupiter on its own signifies all things esteemed and desirable. Jupiter often points to gains of wealth, knowledge, accomplishments, and happiness.

Regarding location, we often expect a planet arriving in its own sign to bring desirable results. Think of how aligned and comfortable you tend to be when at home in your own environment as opposed to say, visiting a relative, or friend.

While this homecoming will bring good, it's 'complicated' 

A novice astrologer, or dabbler may assume that Jupiter in Sagittarius will mark a time of ease, gains and positivity. Jupiter in Sagittarius will generally mark a return of dharma but it is not all milk and honey. It is a time in which there is great potential for people to wake up but this wakeup comes with a shakeup.

​The reality is, that the re-assertion of dharma requires “cleaning house”

​​A primary example is the great battle that is the scene of the Bhagavad Gīta. Facing the battle to re-establish dharma, Arjuna becomes fraught with doubt, recognizing that the process will be one of profound discomfort, loss and destruction. 

We all love the sound of transformation until we realize that true transformation often requires a messy or even ugly renovation - this is the circumstance of this passage of Jupiter through Sagittarius. 

Formidable House Guests ​

Like the proverbial goldilocks, Jupiter returns to a home inhabited by a few guests. Read my article on Ketu's impact this year and watch for an upcoming piece on Saturn. While Ketu enlivens a kind of topsy-turvy strangeness, Saturn creates the space for a renovation. 
 
Saturn comes through and levels everything. It’s the demolition phase of a renovation. It gets messy, exposed and can seem hopeless. This is the situation Jupiter comes home to – walking right into a demo job. 
 
And Ketu is there, with its tendency toward strangeness and a turning upside down of things. Ketu brings transformation, change and spiritual growth, but in strange and unexpected ways.  

Some qualities and themes I expect to play out during this phase... 

​I expect an exaggerated rise of certain characteristics and characters. Look for them at the micro level {in yourself and those around you} and at the macro level {in politics, business, finance, educational institutions and courts of law}. 

​Watch your world for: 

• Compelling Charisma – alluring, captivating and fascinating people
• Leaders and Misleaders – characters that attempt to influence and persuade others, be it for right {dharma} or wrong {adharma}
• Dissenters and Rebels – those who are radical, innovative, or “out there” in some way
• Idealistic Crusaders – dreamers, fundamentalists and fanatics 
• Visionaries – Those who see {or think they see} what others do not
• Mavericks – People who do not conform to a category or expectation
• Targets – those who undergo greater scrutiny, being beset or placed under attack. 

Begin to take note in yourself, others and in the public sphere. 

Have you been attracted to a religion or perspective that is not from your own culture? Have you noticed a rallying for leaders who are alluring, non-conformist, or under scrutiny? Are you wanting to bring a revision or change in your life or field of work that seems radical to others? Is there an unconventional teacher or advisor in your life who understands and conveys things that are hidden to others? Do you have friends who’s viewpoint suddenly seems to be veering away from your own? Watch for the presence or themes of children in your life - be they expected or unexpected. 
 
Don’t be surprised if you see a rise of fundamentalists {be they religious or political}, a change in the supreme court along with a big fight, and an election year fraught with crusaders for good and for ill, all of whom are scrutinized heavily from all sides. Notice how media attack increases attention on dissenters and mavericks. Beware of over optimism, assumptions and distortion of the truth.

These are just some examples! 

Be patient with the messy and slower-than desired process of moving toward the greater good.  Transformation takes time. ​

What to do during this year long phase

The pursuit of dharma, as Arjuna facing the battlefield could tell us, is rarely comfortable. But approached in the right way, will produce the great results. 

​While this placement of Jupiter will effect you somewhat uniquely depending on your horoscope, I can say this is a good time to dive into the wisdom side of life: 

• Formal study – be it academic or spiritual
• Deepening personal practices of religion or spirituality
• Pursuit of Personal Growth
• Working with a Mentor
• Finding a Teacher
• Writing
• Patience born of trust
• Spiritual Pilgrimage 
• Travel for study
• Looking at things in a new way
• Committing to knowledge

 
I will be recommending that many of my clients deepen their spiritual pursuit or knowledge pursuits. It is a time to do the work of dharma, to commit to rightness and to that which is good for us over that which is desirable or comfortable. It is also a time to enact patience and the long-view, rather than pursuit of short term thrills or wins. 

Approached with wisdom and effort, this phase will lead to ultimate good. The wealth born of the dissolution of ignorance is the true wealth of Jupiter. 

If this article is meaningful to you, please share with others who may be comforted by it. 

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Through the tools of Jyotish, I advise individuals with practical in how to aim their minds and will to align with purpose and meaning, phase to phase, in all aspects of their lives.  If you find yourself at a crossroads or needing to make a decision about any aspect of your life, it is a good time for a reading. 

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My wife Kaya teaches the Bhagavad Gita. Given all that this year holds astrologically, it is an important offering for those who wish to make dharma a focus.  Her approach is deep, funny, smart and a true balm for life. Learn more here. 

Nectar of the Gita

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*Sidereal zodiac system used in Vedic Astrology, represent real-time astronomical calculation of bodies in space. When we say that Jupiter is in Sagittarius, this will be literally true astronomically {unlike the tropical zodiac system used in Western Astrology which is not Astronomically accurate}. 

**Guru as defined in the Guru Vandanam verse 4: "gukārastvandhakāro vai rukārastannivarttakaḥ | andhakāranirodhitvād gururityabhidhīyate"