Jupiter Is Now Direct, But Beware of His Under-Acknowledged Shadow Side

This week, after Jupiter goes direct and Mars stations retrograde, the cosmic curriculum shines its spotlight on momentum, growth, expansion, and justice.

Let’s first talk about Jupiter. Jupiter, the ruling planet of Sagittarius and the ancient ruler of Pisces, is most associated with growth. Jupiter, after all, is known to bestow gifts, blessings, and grace. While the planet is often associated with good luck, his good-times influence can lead to too much work, too much play, too much of anything. Frankly, he is under-acknowledged for his gluttonous shadow side.

As the ruler of Sagittarius, the planet correlates with big-picture thinking, politics, and ideology. Now, Jupiter spends the remaining months of the year traveling direct, asking us to integrate the lessons we’ve learned since he entered the sign of business and government on December 2, 2019.

He stationed retrograde at 27 degrees of Capricorn on May 14 and went direct on September 12 at 17 degrees of Capricorn. Over the next few months, he’ll travel back over the same 10 degrees he traversed while retrograde, bringing new insights, expansion, and growth, related to the cosmic curriculum that presented itself during his retrograde journey. Jupiter’s shadow period will serve to cement truths and ask us to take action on what we just learned.

Jupiter’s shadow period will serve to cement truths and ask us to take action on what we just learned.

But before we get too excited about what it means when Jupiter goes direct, though, it’s crucial to discuss Mars. Just a few days before Jupiter stationed direct, Mars, the planet of ambition, went retrograde. Mars rules action and correlates closely to our energy levels. Mars has traveled in Aries since June 27th and will continue this route through the year’s end, which is an exceptionally long period for Mars to remain in one sign. The last time Mars was in Aries for near this length of time was 1988, and the last time Mars stayed in Aries for an entire retrograde journey—and the subsequent six months due to turning retrograde, as he will now—was 1941. When Mars remains in one sign for an entire retrograde, it’s known as a “long stay.”

So as we find ourselves at another rare and historical astrological moment unique to this year with this retrograde cycle that will last over two months, it’s essential to take it week by week.

This week, Mars will move from 28 to 27 degrees of Aries. At these degrees, he’s in a conjunction with Eris, who currently travels at 24 degrees of Aries while squaring Saturn at 25 degrees of Capricorn. Mars’s and Saturn’s square feels like one foot on the gas and another on the breaks. Saturn will win this battle, which means that our ambition must remain purpose-driven. This square will be in play through early October, and at that time, Mars will move into an exact square with Pluto, further complicating dynamics.

Meanwhile, as Mars squares Saturn, he also forms an inconjunct, or quincunx, with the sun in Virgo, asking us to eliminate the ego-driven aspects of self that hold us back from implementing our higher-minded goals.

This won’t feel easy: If you experience a sense of frustration, exhaustion, and maybe even want to throw a temper tantrum or two, you can blame Mars. That said, blame certainly won’t solve anything. Knowing the astrological correlatives to life’s frustrations can be helpful, but more important is being able discern how to navigate these additional complications in a time rife with impediments to forward motion. So after complaining, venting, and asking those in your life to do better, take notice of the real question Mars is asking: How will you do better?

Since Venus, now in Leo, squares Uranus this week, too (this challenging mash-up perfects on Tuesday, September 15th), consider what you need to know and do to prepare for the continued turbulence 2020 continues to unleash. Thankfully, the sun trines Pluto and Saturn this week, and we have a beautiful new moon on the 17th. Leaning into these helpful  aspects and a fresh start is essential: The sun forming a trine first to Pluto, and then to Saturn, offers the support needed to stay with the process.

Nothing, including you, needs to be perfect now, but you need to stay in the game. Take small micro-actions toward your goals, and defer to your inner authority repeatedly—no matter how hard the challenges that you face may be. Exercise is essential now, as is sleep, and eating a blood-sugar-balanced diet. Maintaining the habits that encourage stability help you to meet each day with the energy you need to keep your resilience.

With the moon waning until Thursday, between now and then, it’s time to let go and release that which no longer serves you. Then, turn your attention to the new moon, which happens at 25 degrees of Virgo at 7 a.m. ET. Don’t skip your morning practice on this day. If you don’t have a grounding morning practice, begin one Thursday—what you start on this new moon (even during Mars retrograde) sticks.

Here’s why: The sun is in a trine to Saturn, making this an incredibly productive time. Mercury in Libra squares Jupiter then, too, helping you find your words, and language the changes you wish to make. Take advantage of this auspicious morning and write out your intentions, develop your vision, and begin to identify (and act on) the shifts you need to make! You won’t regret it.

Leaning into and leveraging the cosmic blessing this new moon offers helps you ride the sizable cosmic waves better. A new moon in Virgo is incredibly potent to create lasting change, with Virgo being associated with the health of the planet and of yourself. The new moon is a call to return to the habits that support you to thrive.

With so many challenges afoot, taking care of your spiritual health remains essential. Take each day as it comes, try not to rush, get plenty of rest, and—most importantly—be patient with yourself and others. Remember, we are all in this together.

Jennifer Racioppi is the creator of Lunar Logic—a philosophy that integrates the deep wisdom of both science and spirituality, and blends her expertise in astrology, positive psychology, and women’s health—which she uses to coach high-achieving female entrepreneurs to reach their next level of success. Pre-order her book, Cosmic Health (January 2021), here.