Jupiter Retrograde in Leo ♃ Dec 8 – Apr 8

Jupiter is retrograde in fixed fire sign Leo from December 8, 2014 to April 8, 2015

I recently posted about Neptune turning direct after being retrograde for more than 5 months. Click here to learn about retrograde motion. Jupiter is retrograde approximately 4 months out of the year. This transit will herald Jupiter’s nearest position to Earth until June 2019. Cool tidbit of information from EarthSky:

On February 6, 2015, Jupiter will be at opposition […] If you could look down upon the solar system plane on that day, you’d see the Sun, Earth and Jupiter making a straight line in space, with Earth sitting in between the sun and Jupiter.

Where to look on Wednesday night, courtesy of EarthSky.org

To be very clear, planets in retrograde are not actually spinning backwards – it is entirely an optical illusion as seen from Earth. Backwards motion appears to happen when Earth passes slower moving planets in the outer solar system. In astrology, this illusion manifests as a sort of “backwards” functioning of the planets and their roles.

Where to look for Jupiter, courtesy of EarthSky.org

Journeying within

Jupiter is concerned with spirituality and higher learning. One might describe this planet as jolly and generous, much like Santa Claus. Areas associated with this planet are law, ethics, education, justice, fairness and equality. When Jupiter is retrograde, our quest for greater understanding becomes an inward journey.

There’s really no need to panic with this transit; as with the other gas giants, this retrograde period is quite tame when compared to, say, Mercury. In any case, it is advisable, as with all things in life, to adopt a healthy attitude here and see this as an opportunity to stop, take a step back and get a good look at where you’re heading. Jupiter encourages us to be aware of our horizons and so-called boundaries. Now we turn this awareness within so that we may evolve spiritually and emotionally. In pausing and reflecting, we come to better understand who we are now and what we can change in order to move forward more quickly and efficiently. From the Daily Defenders of Good Karma:

It’s also a time to look at the details that are a part of our larger plan. Because Jupiter in forward-motion promotes activity and going out into the world, Jupiter backwards is all about knowing ourselves and our emotional life. Reconsider truths you previously thought to be self-evident.

Setting a goal

Jupiter will work diligently for you if you set a definite goal – he loves nothing more than goals! I don’t use the word “enlightenment” lightly; after all, it takes many lifetimes to achieve such a state. However, if this is something you yearn for, now is the time to cultivate the necessary discipline and self-control. Jupiter is encouraging you to communicate with the Self. Deep within is an eternal wellspring of perfect wisdom; with a quiet enough mind, you just might be able to hear it begin to bubble up.

We are now more preoccupied than usual with our path: where am I going? Am I becoming the person I want to be? One more from the Daily Defenders of Good Karma:

Instead of the happy-go-lucky planet pushing us to go go go, Jupiter will now go slow slow slow — which means it’s the perfect time to take a time out and examine our personal philosophies and reevaluate the beliefs that motivate us on a daily basis.

Returning to old lessons

Jupiter Rx does not equate to total introversion or constant delays in projects and plans. Plenty of exciting opportunities will still be available to you, but these Jupiterian good fortunes will likely be connected to lessons you failed to learn the first time around. Retrograde periods ask us to return to that which has been ignored, forgotten or discarded. In particular, Jupiter Rx might lead you back to school or to mentors/friends who have wisdom to share.

When direct, Jupiter asks us to reach beyond what we think is possible. When retrograde, we reach instead for the highest version of the Self. The paradox with all retrograde periods is that the very thing you are encouraged to do is in fact the most difficult; for example, gaining access to spiritual insight may not happen effortlessly now. However, this is precisely what makes these transits so rewarding and powerful. These obstacles force us to jump higher and higher; with each successive transit we are ever stronger and more knowledgeable. From astrologer Kerry Shamblin:

Planets when retrograde gain ‘chesta bala’ which is strength to act. This implies that while Jupiter is retrograde, we may have to struggle more to gain the fruits indicated by Jupiter. We all expect exalted Jupiter to shower us with abundance, knowledge and spiritual fulfillment. With the retrograde status in effect, we cannot expect this shower without doing some work of our own in these arenas.

To find your Jupiter sign and whether this planet was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here.