| Jupiter appears to reverse its direction in the sky on January 3, 2004, going backward for a four-month period. It will not move forward again until May 5.
Astronomy Notes
Astronomers will tell you that the planets never actually move backward, and they are right. However, from our earthly perspective, the planets make large loops in their path across the sky. From the perspective of Jupiter, the Earth appears to be retrograde at this time, and all the planets are in one half of the sky, whereas from our perspective Jupiter is opposite the other planets.
If you get up early in the morning, you can see Jupiter prominent in the western sky an hour or so before dawn. As the days move forward, Jupiter will be visible earlier and earlier. If you watch the starry background carefully, you will see the planet moving backward.
Astrological Indicators
To get the keynote or tone for the period, I have chosen two images from An Astrological Mandala, by Dane Rudhyar. These images are based upon the Sabian Symbols, originally developed by Marc E. Jones.
The symbol for the nineteenth degree of Virgo , Jupiter’s position on January 3, 2004, is “a swimming race.” Rudhyar refers to the “stimulation that comes from a group effort toward a spiritual goal.” Jupiter in this degree reflects, by its own nature, the need to revisit our spiritual roots. Imagine yourself “swimming” back to your spiritual source during the Jupiter retrograde period. As a spiritual being, you are never alone—you are in the company of others who seek their own spiritual goals. The swimming race depicts a scenario in which winning is important. In your spiritual race you have ambition—or aspiration—but you don’t need to compare yourself to other people at all.
The symbol for the ninth degree of Virgo, Jupiter’s position on May 5, 2004, is “An expressionist painter at work.” This position reflects a strong desire to express your individual sense of values “regardless of tradition.” At the end of the four-month period, you will have focused on your own spirituality and developed a personalized philosophy. Your take on things will be unique to you, and yet will incorporate many ideas from family, church, and other fields.
When Jupiter turns direct on May 5, 2004, it will be exactly connected to the planet Uranus in the U.S. chart (the U.S. Uranus is at 8 Gemini 55. Jupiter stops to move forward again at 8 degrees Virgo 55).
What Happened the Last Time?
Jupiter passed nine degrees of Virgo on October 8, 2003, moving forward. We should note what happened at that time because on May 5, 2004 we will get a review of those events and a chance to change our minds in many cases. Here are a few things that happened between October 7 and October 9, 2003 that relate to the planet Jupiter.
• A vigorous argument threatened the integrity of the Episcopal Church when church leaders decided to authorize the ordination of a gay bishop. This threatens to be the largest church schism since the U.S. Civil War.
• “An obscure resolution currently making its way through the U.S. Senate could open the doors for a presidential run by California’s Governor-Elect Arnold Schwarzenegger,” according to Utne Reader’s October 2003 issue.
• Time Warner announced that it would drop AOL from its name. The change was to become final on October 16, with the ticker symbol changing to “TWX.” The Time Warner press release did not state a reason for this decision.
• On October 9, 2003, the new U.S. $20.00 bill was first circulated in San Francisco.
These are just four of the many stories that emerged around October 8, 2003. In May2004 we will all have a chance to see how they pan out. Will church leader take back their dramatic decision? Will the U.S. Senate pass Senator Hatch’s bill? How will the public accept the new, more colorful money? And will Time Warner be pleased with the results of its name change? Wait and see.
Closer to home, you will react against cultural standards that don’t fit with your core beliefs This is a good thing. At the same time you will want to be understanding of other people’s unique positions. The bottom line is that you seek to be original, and to be true to yourself.
During this period people around the world will be re-evaluating their philosophical and political positions. We can expect U.S. foreign policy to meet significant resistance as other nations reconsider the Iraq conflict and the war on terrorism and how it is affecting them. By the same token, U.S. efforts to clean up the Iraq situation may meet with some success, but only after going back over ground already covered.
Economic markets may pause to assess progress, and there may be ups and downs of further adjustment.
Key dates for international affairs are January 16, February 26, March 24, and April 6. Key dates for domestic issues include January 29, February 21, March 16, and April 14. March 4 signals major adjustments in every venue as previously hidden data comes to light.
Personal Indicators
During the apparent retrograde phase, Jupiter will move from eighteen degrees of Virgo back to eight degrees. During this time you will find that you have numerous activities that can be describe with “re” words:
• Redefine long-term projects
• Reexamine details
• Rethink your philosophy
• Revisit a legal question
• Reeducate yourself
Mini Forecast of Astrological Trends Related to Jupiter Retrograde
January 6 – Because Mercury goes direct on this date you may not feel the effect of Jupiter retrograde for a few more days.
January 16 – Many people will shift into high gear with their re-exploration of their lives. Lots of energy goes into things like gathering tax records, reviewing budgets, etc.
January 29 – Communications arrive in the form of letters, documents, e-mails, and phone calls. Review everything carefully for accuracy.
February 17 – Newly revised documents may arrive. You adjust your thinking because of other communications as well.
March 3 and 4 – There is a lot of misperception or downright deception that may come to your attention. You see yourself somewhat separate from other people, more so than usual. Agitation accompanies unpleasant revelations.
March 24 – Your forward movement is impeded and personal power ebbs. Rethink your priorities now.
April 6 – There is a big push to get all the information together. If you have your ducks in a row before this time, you will have no problem.
April 14 – If not before now, you part with some cash. Self-esteem may grow.
April28 – You feel pretty good about yourself.
April 30 – Communications take a step in a positive direction.
When Planets were Between Eight and Eighteen Degrees of Virgo
If you have your birth chart, you can check to see if you have planets between eight and eighteen degrees of Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, or Gemini. Any of these degrees will be strongly affected by the retrograde Jupiter.
If you don’t have your birth chart, here are the birth dates when retrograde Jupiter makes a strong connection to the Sun:
• All Virgos born between August 31 and September 11 • All Sagittarians born between November 30 and December 11 • All Pisces born between February 27 and March 9 • All Geminis born between May 30 and June 9
Here is a list of dates when some of the other planets were at eight to eighteen degrees of Virgo:
• Anyone born between September 1961 and August 1967 has Pluto in or close to the same degree as the retrograde Jupiter some time during this period of time.
• Anyone born between July 1964 and August 1966 has Uranus in the same degrees of Virgo as Jupiter at some point during this retrograde Jupiter period.
• Anyone born between September 1932 and July 1938 has Neptune in the same degrees of Virgo.
• Saturn was in these degrees of Virgo at the following times:
- October 1920 to August 1921
- August 1949 to August 1950
- September 1978 to September 1979
• Jupiter was in these degrees of Virgo at the following times:
- October 1920 to August 1921
- September 1932 to July 1933
- August to October 1944
- August to October 1956
-August to October 1968
- November 1979 to September 1980
- October 1991 to August 1992
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