Are you losing hope in 2020?
One of the things I find really useful about Astrology is how it provides comfort by extrapolating the cycles of time we are experiencing, in REAL time. (It’s easy to see patterns in hindsight, but Astrology makes those patterns clear in real time).
And what has been a stand-out Astrological feature of 2020? Jupiter in Capricorn. Jupiter has been in Capricorn since December 3, 2019. By the time it leaves on December 20, 2020, it will have been there for more than a year!!?!
To make matters worse, Jupiter is DEBILITATED in Capricorn! And, it was blindsided by an eclipse on December 26, 2019 involving itself, Moon, Sun and Ketu. And, as if that wasn’t enough, Saturn has been keeping Jupiter company in Capricorn (pretty much) the entire time! Jupiter and Saturn are normally ‘neutral’ to each other (in terms of natural friendships), but, as laid out in the Lajjitaadi Avastas - any planet conjunct Saturn is ‘starved’.
So why is this eclipsed, starved, debilitated Jupiter affecting our hope?
Because Jupiter is the planet of optimism. He is spiritual and wise and able to see the ‘big picture’. This allows him to understand Life and, therefore, have compassion and forgiveness. How does he get these qualities? In part, because of his ability to ‘look in all directions equally’. But when he is in Capricorn he is forced to ‘look down’ as Capricorn is an Earth sign and an Artha sign of handwork. Jupiter’s ethereal, abundant optimism get’s buried like the ostrich head in the sand! Saturn’s physical presence only makes this worse. (Think lead anvil on top of the ostrich’s head buried in the sand LOL!)
So, if you’re feeling crushed, defeated and demoralised, you’re not alone - it’s probably just your inner Jupiter* flagging under the constant weight of Capricorn.
The good news is, Jupiter is nearly through it’s journey through Capricorn, so we’ve nearly made it! Jupiter and Saturn are both now moving forward again having been retrograde during the summer. And they will now continue to speed up and separate partly in 2021 and fully in 2022.
Taking all this on board, the message to leave with is that it’s natural to have found this year grueling. Jupiter is being tempered (made harder / strengthened) by this process. Imagine it’s a boot-camp for our capacity to hope. Be compassionate to yourself if you are feeling like you’re not getting anywhere this year. Any forward motion that you have been able to achieve is remarkable! Now, take a deep breath and practice looking up and around in all directions for the rest of the year - this will get your inner Jupiter back in the mood for optimism, ready for 2021 :)
(* Keep in mind the unique qualities of your own Jupiter - it your Jupiter exalted in Cancer in your birth chart? Is that making 2020 easier for you than your peers? Is it debilitated in Capricorn experiences the Jupiter transit face-to-face? How’s its shad bala - does it have the strength to keep going? And its Ayana bala? Can it see the value in confrontation and struggle, or is it weakened at the thought of conflict? A qualified Vedic Astrologer can share all these unique markers with you.)