Jupiter Retrograde in Capricorn ♃ 2020

May 14 – Sep 12, 2020

Planets in retrograde are not moving backwards – it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Click here to learn more about retrograde motion.

Jupiter turns retrograde for 4 months each year. This retrograde falls in Capricorn. Jupiter initially entered Capricorn on Dec 2. This year, unlike 2019 when Jupiter was in Sagittarius, is about getting rooted and channeling the earth element of the sea-goat. It’s about bettering ourselves on a professional level and making big moves in our financial/material life. 2020 asks us to think about the future in a way that is objective, straightforward, pragmatic, and grounded in reality. We need concrete plans and actions, not just thoughts and ideals.

And now the retrograde, where we go back and revisit lessons connected to our long-term goals, especially from mid-February until now. When Jupiter is retrograde, our collective quest becomes a more personal journey. Jupiter operates on a large scale, guiding the arc of shared human destiny. When this planet is retrograde, we reach for the highest version of ourselves. Retrogrades are introspective, operating on the subconscious. Whatever we’ve been working on (spiritually, professionally, or otherwise) will be amplified over the summer.

Everything’s fucked up because of the pandemic. The triple forces of Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in Capricorn are actively destroying existing institutions and infrastructure this very moment. They are being destroyed rather than fortified – which is something that might happen in a parallel Capricorn reality – because they don’t embody the highest good, and now they will be rebuilt and replaced by something far better – very slowly, over the course of this century. Jupiter Retrograde examines our spirituality and belief systems. This cycle asks how we can extend stability and security to all? How can we more effectively share abundance and resources? Uranus in Taurus is also expediting this earthen mission in a big way.

Capricorn is associated with regulated environments like schools, universities, governments, farms, etc. As we come into contact with kickass institutions and the people who keep them running, we are inspired to work harder and with greater intelligence. What we learn from Capricorn is that work is precious. Money is one part of it, but the real joy of work is the way it connects the mind to the body and the body to our purpose in the material world. We need to look many years into the future and see ourselves working with drive and passion – that is the vision to hold in mind.

Jupiter Retrograde begins just as the Sun in Taurus will trine Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn. Pluto makes us feel confident in our intellect and brings us closer to our loved ones – a time of real intimacy with self and other. A very productive day in a psychological/spiritual sense, and a great start to Jupiter Retrograde.

Ok so the most juicy thing is Jupiter’s conjunction with Pluto on June 29 and once more (after the retrograde) on Nov 12. Here is what my fellow astrologer friend Kitty Hatcher has written about all this Capricorn business in the outer planets: “Pluto rules power, death, and resurrection. It also rules viruses and Washington, DC. We are in the middle of a huge transformation. Are we going to use our power to destroy each other or to empower each other? This can be a time of destruction and / or a time of healing and renovation. It is up to us as to how we use this energy. If we take our personal talents, abilities, and expertise and combine them with other people’s talents, abilities, and expertise, we can accomplish remarkable feats … There is a lot of work to do. We are still going to have to figure out what to do about our physical and psychological health, losses, layoffs, education, the tanking stock market, and so much more … What is happening now will change how we live and what we value. It is altering the foundation of our society and every facet of our personal life. When the history books look back, they will say that 2020 and 2021 were two of the greatest turning point years in history.”

Get grounded on these conjunction dates with Capricorn Yoga. If you were born with Jupiter in Capricorn, this year is your Jupiter Return. To find your Jupiter sign and whether this planet was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.