Vedic Astrology Horoscope - Jupiter Direct in Sagittarius - Return of the Hopeful Guru

Jupiter is known as “guru” in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India — the land from which Vedic astrology originated. The term guru actually has several meanings. “Gu’ means “to remove” — “ru” means “darkness”. Thus, a guru is a remover of darkness. The word also means “heavy”. This seems a bit odd, doesn’t it? But the heaviness of a guru is what allows us to sink deeply into the truth. It’s the power that takes as deeply into our hidden self, the wellspring of our innate wisdom.

Jupiter is the planet / universal force that brings these qualities to the Earth plane. A great teacher or great teachings remove darkness and allow us to sink into the depth of our truthful Self. Much of this revolves around expanding our personal philosophies and aligning with a higher purpose. As such, Jupiter rules this expansive, optimistic and hopeful nature. He rules the abstract mind that conceives of something big within us. Human beings all feel the need to expand and grow toward something big. That large, expansive nature is Jupiter. This is why Jupiter also is related to wealth.

Money in our hands is related to Mercury and Venus (we’ll discuss that some other time). But the concept of “wealth”, is an abstraction - like a dream. It is a means of expansion and growth. In many ways we are either pursuing wealth or truth/God. In this way, both are abstractions.

Jupiter is also well known as the planet who brings children. Ponder the nature of children and you will quickly realize they are also our greatest teachers. Not just because they grow up to be smarter than we are, but because the way we behave around children is much different than the way we behave around each other. Suddenly when we are around children we watch our language, we are more tolerant, we are more patient and forgiving and many other desirable traits. Think of how great it would be if we treated each other this way all the time. In fact, each of us is a child underneath it all and we would be well served to remember that. We all appreciate tolerance, kindness and patience. We all have something to teach each other and learn from each other. A dignified Jupiter in someone’s birth chart will show a person who has these traits.

Myth and Rolling With the Jupiter Effect into Tomorrow

Jupiter is in Sagittarius now, according to the Sidereal zodiac, the zodiac used in Vedic astrology. In Vedic astrology Sagittarius is called “Dhanus” - Bow. It is said to be the bow of Lord Indra - the king of the gods. This bow is actually the rainbow - and places Lord Indra on a horse with his bow pointed upward to the heavens. Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius, so he is very strong now. The planets travel around the zodiac and occupy each other’s houses and signs. When the planet is in its own sign it is like you in your own house. You are strong, confident and powerful when you are in your own domain.

When Jupiter is in Sagittarius as he is now, the higher qualities mentioned above manifest through us very easily. We become quite philosophical, optimistic and hopeful. The recent political campaign of Barack Obama is straight out of the “Jupiter in Sagittarius” textbook. John McCain is straight out of the “Saturn in Leo” textbook (Saturn is an old man and Leo is the sign of the government and landed, aristocratic power). This is why our current political campaign is so extreme. Both of these placements are occurring simultaneously.

Jupiter had been retrograde for several months. When a planet is retrograde it appears to be moving backwards in the sky from our vantage point on Earth. This makes its energy more of an internal factor and we lack confidence moving forward with it externally. Yet how interesting that since Jupiter turned direct on September 8, it is the Republicans who have hijacked the theme of hope with this young, energetic newcomer, Sarah Palin.

Politics aside, until early December there are great opportunities to deepen your personal philosophies and spiritual connection. Optimism, hope will be higher than usual, especially in the realm of spirituality. The world outside can always get us down, but there something deeper and more eternal than the temporary dramas we see playing out in the world. Deepen your connection to teachers, teachings between now and early December especially.