Jupiter Retrograde in Virgo ♃ 2016

Jan 7 – May 9, 2016

Jupiter is retrograde approximately 4 months out of the year. 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 “backwards” functioning of the planetary roles. Click here to learn more about retrograde.

The last Jupiter Rx cycle was from Dec 8, 2014 – Apr 8, 2015 in the sign of Leo. Jupiter in Leo placed particular emphasis on children, romance and recreation, but it was far from play time, especially during the retrograde period. We were pushed and pulled with constant tests of character. The grandeur of our dreams was matched only by the supreme difficulty inherent in their manifestation. Dark challenges crashed in day after day after day. After this last experience, I see the Jupiter Rx period as the real nitty gritty, the true purpose of any Jupiter transit: the point at which we are delivered to what we’re really supposed to learn. In fact, Jupiter is ruler of higher learning.

With Jupiter in Virgo since August, our attention has been directed toward work, health and routine. We’ve been taking an intensive look at our professional life as well as proper nutrition, exercise, sleep schedules, meditation, etc. Jupiter in Virgo seeks to regain bodily sovereignty. Jupiter in an earth sign comes back to the body: total agency and impressive self-discipline. If you’ve been waiting for some force to come along and kick you into action, this is it.

When Jupiter is retrograde, our collective quest for greater understanding becomes a very personal journey. We are now more preoccupied than usual with our path and whether we’re on the right one. This as an opportunity to stop, take a step back and get a good look at where you’re really heading. Jupiter encourages us to be aware, especially of our boundaries. In pausing and reflecting, we see what we need to change in order to move in the proper direction. Jupiter Rx in Virgo will illuminate the reality of our karma.

Anything you’re working toward is about to be turned up about 3000 notches. You’ll be more immersed in it than you could have ever imagined. For me this is a life commitment to yoga and art. In a month I’m traveling to India to manifest these dreams. Are you hoping to switch careers? Go back to school? Release ancient emotional pain? All of the above? Jupiter in Virgo can’t wait to get your life in order. He wants you to communicate with the Self. Deep within is an eternal wellspring of perfect wisdom. With a quiet mind, all bubbles up effortlessly.

We are about to revisit lessons we failed to learn the first time around. Retrograde periods return to that which has been ignored, forgotten or discarded. Virgo marks halfway around the zodiac wheel, which is appropriate considering her role as Goddess of Harvest. It is Virgo’s responsibility to cut and chaff all that has been growing. In the process, we come face-to-face with the results of our labor. We’ve reached The Inspection, my friends. Jupiter Rx in Virgo will tell us in detail what’s going well and what’s not, so listen up. This cycle is as brutally honest as it is helpful.

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 we are encouraged to do is the most trying. However, this is precisely what makes these transits so rewarding and powerful. As we jump higher and higher with each successive transit, we become ever stronger and more knowledgeable.

What were minor aches and pains before will be hard to dismiss now. Virgo brings even the most minute to the fore. Issues surrounding work, school or health will be magnified to extreme proportions if you try to ignore them. Let’s channel Virgo’s highest expression and make change – this is the essence of mutable energy after all. We can’t sit still, so keep moving, and if you’re trailing behind, look around and be inspired by the changes that others are making for a better life, now and in the future. Try some Virgo Yoga to calm the nerves.

To find your Jupiter sign and whether he was direct or retrograde at the time of your birth, click here. It is interesting to note that, if you were born with Jupiter Rx, you may not notice the effects above as strongly, if at all.