The majestic ruler of the skies sits in regal splendor presiding over the heavens. He is Lord of righteousness and justice; his lofty status symbolizes wisdom. His eminence has been noted amongst people throughout the ages.
The Greeks held him father of the gods, Zeus. Egyptians called him Ammon. In Indian mythology he is Indra, supreme godhead, in charge of the heavens. The classical works call him "Raja Mastri,” minister of gods. Golden planet Jupiter is more often called Deva Guru, preceptor to the gods, supreme preceptor, Brihaspati. Guru is the teacher of the sacred.
Jupiter is the planet of expansion. It is second to the sun in size and second to Venus in brightness. Situated 476 million miles from the Sun, its girth is wider than the sum total of all the other planets combined; this magnificent mass alone commands attention.
Among the ancient philosophers Jupiter was recognized as a celestial father, the patriarch as well as royalty, the King. His indisputable status is evidenced by the breadth of his gaze in the expanse of his gestures.
His rulership is a victory over materialism, for while wealth and good fortune fall within his domain his supreme path is the search for truth.
Jupiter's interest is in the building of good character and sound ethics. He is an idealist, ever optimistic. He governs all the good and fundamental qualities necessary for the upliftment of mankind.
The classical texts extol Jupiter as a wise man, successful, with sound judgment, good wisdom and knowledge to advise the younger.
Saravali, the famous classical text, says the person with a strong Jupiter is learned of the Vedas. He is the voice of the lion, prominently Sattvic and fond of virtues. He is modest, forgiving in disposition. He is a minister with a sharp mind. He is meritorious, an expert in mythology, Vedic rituals and Vedic sacrifices. He is also the giver of good karma, Guru Bhakti, devotion to the Guru and represents Mantrapasana, which means desire to have devotion to a certain Mantra representing a deity.
In Brihat Parasara Hora, Jupiter is most succinctly described as Jiva (life giver), Jnana (knowledge giver) and Sukha (happiness). It causes the person to keep the company of spiritual people, it attracts spiritual connections. It supports children, ministers, Acharyas or teachers, Buddhi which is intellect, Asakta which is enthusiasm, Subuddhi which is good wisdom, Bhakti which is devotion, Yagya which is fire worship, Sanmara which is honor and Daya which is kindness.
He is Putrakaraka, and thus, the giver of children, Jnanakaraka, the giver of knowledge and Dhanakaraka, the giver of wealth. In these domains his power is unparalleled.
His Divine grace is supposed to remove the greatest obstacles which may appear in the chart. By aspect or occupation, Guru's placement reveals the role of providence due to past meritorious deeds. But in practice does it really work this way? There are different opinions about the influence of Jupiter. Some people think Jupiter is the mine of benevolence, others think it is very deceptive. We will examine this further.
People who are ruled by Jupiter are humanitarians and philanthropists, with a strong desire to help mankind. They have a fine sense of discrimination and possess rare qualities of justice. Because of high values, concern for others and optimism, they're responsible for the noble and charitable institutions and enterprises.
Jupiter endeavors to develop character, thus supporting the growth of the soul as opposed to advancement of physical gratification. Therefore whatever experiences exalt the mind, engender desires for greater refinement and goodness, give rise to the determination to work for the welfare of all, stir the soul to noble thoughts, and effort for that which is higher and better, are all of concern to Jupiter.
Jupiter’s underlying purpose is to promote the evolution of the soul. He is an adventurer, exploring all physical and mental realms as well as the physical and mental development of the body.
Jupiter’s magnetism brings a jovial nature, congeniality, sincerity, honesty, broad mindedness and promotes a practical observance of the rules of life. Jupiter is a very traditional planet, it is very conservative and is strongly given to moral and religious sentiments. Sometimes it may not be seen in that way because it is very generous -- one doesn’t see the conservatism easily. He represents that part of human nature which connects the individual with the Divine source of all life, and generally speaking, with those activities in which integrity and faithful service are required.
He also brings mental balance and hopefulness. This hope is one of the most benevolent qualities of Jupiter, because hope is the nature of Godliness.
Jupiter is mild, warm and temperate. He is enormous, hot and represented by a well built body, yellowish eyes and reddish hair. He has a Kapha type of body which can accumulate fat easily. Jupiter rules over the stomach, especially the lower intestines, as well as the liver, fats and glycogen and the arterial system.
His metal is tin and sometimes copper. It is represented by Pushyaraga (pure gemstone) in the form of yellow sapphire, pockraj, or topaz. He also favors silver, quicksilver and benzene as well as the mining of gold. He has indirect rulership over coal mining because it is through the permutation of coal under pressure that the gems he favors are found.
Jupiter governs education, health, love and respect towards elders and teachers, good manners and good conduct, wealth, reputation and charity. It governs religious places, temples, religious acts and sacrifices and learned assemblies. At the same time it governs treasure houses, banking, insurance organizations, worldly possessions and fortunes. It brings ease of life and comfort of living so therefore, to some extent, it may also bring laziness.
Jupiter is one of the planets which supports business activities. It supports professional types of work rather than menial jobs. He would most likely be an adviser, consultant, teacher, banker, benefactor, philanthropist or priest. Often work which alleviates human suffering.
We frequently see Jupiter in the charts of lawyers and judges. Jupiter people also do well as salespeople, either representing themselves and their abilities, or the products of others.
If Jupiter’s aspects are harmonious, advantages come through good fellowship, patronage and favors granted. They are particularly fortunate in attracting the patronage of those with ample means.
In a broader picture, whenever Jupiter is in a good aspect in transit it brings bumper crops, good rain, peacefulness in the Country, and the birth of children. Whenever it is poorly aspected in transit there will be heavy loss, drought and suffering for the people according to a country’s chart.
Jupiter is friendly to the Moon, Sun and Mars. He is exalted in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn. But when it is debilitated it does not mean it will bring bad results. The power of Jupiter is to make a person visible, his qualities, his talents and skills are noticed and appreciated by others. When Jupiter is debilitated this does not happen easily. This person may come from a noble family, he has great wisdom and an abundance of knowledge but he is not recognized for this, he must work hard.
Jupiter’s placement in Gemini is detrimental although this placement also brings ambition. Jupiter becomes very weak in Virgo and Capricorn.
When Jupiter is influencing one's life positively, it is well placed and well aspected, it brings discrimination and wisdom and one will always air on the side of kindness. If a person makes a mistake, the Jupiterian will not be affected negatively or take it personally.
When in good aspect with Mercury, Jupiter is sure to give intellectual pursuits. His aspect or association with the Moon is desirable. When in bad aspect to Mars, it gives way to heterodoxy, ranging from prudence to extreme liberality, from caution to brashness, from honesty to underhanded dealings, extravagance, etc. When Jupiter and Saturn are conjunct it creates a legal mind, orientation towards achievement and it attracts the person to doing some kind of public service.
Now let us look at some of the difficulties Jupiter is capable of creating. When Jupiter is afflicted, such discord indicates some form of excess. Self-indulgence, extravagance, unwise expenditure, over ambition, conceit, extreme optimism or too great generosity are some of the afflictions it brings. Too much reliance is placed upon chance or upon the opinion of others. There is usually an unwillingness to consider the cost, or an unwarranted business expansion or optimism.
Thus we see that afflicted Jupiter, through inappropriate expansion, becomes indulgence.
Overindulgence affects health, therefore Jupiter can cause obesity, boils, blood impurities, intoxication, acidosis, diabetes, cataracts and fatty tumors due to too rich living.
Since he rules fats and glycogen stored as fuel and has influence upon the manufacturing and secretion of insulin by the pancreas gland, when Jupiter is afflicted, there is an inability to handle fats and sugars. Such an affliction also shows a lack of sulfur in the system.
When Jupiter is very seriously afflicted he may become a pretender of noble qualities for the purpose of personal glory, for selfish gain. Thus, he retards Jupiter's main purpose, to further one's good character, but rather furthers a tendency toward shallowness, scheming and vanity. Such a person may contribute extensively to charities and various institutions but with ulterior motives.
It also makes one think they are better than everyone else. There is a sentiment of righteous pride and deservingness, as though the inherent superiority of the individual should bring them privilege or prestige without the effort commonly regarded as necessary.
The antidote for afflicted Jupiter is intellectual questioning of one’s own thought process and discipline. Self-examination, cultivation of careful analysis and appraisal by conservative methods, with time, develop a prudent and discriminating mind. In this way one can overcome some of the negative qualities.
Additional remedies include meditation, spirituality, taking the name of God, gaining detachment and living a simple life.
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