Jovial Jupiter moves into Aries

A new 12 year cycle of innovation and creativity has begun for you. Why? Because Jupiter, the planet with pot-of-gold good fortune, has completed its journey through all 12 signs of the zodiac, leaving the visionary waters of Pisces and moving into action in fiery Aries on January 22, 2011, where it will stay until June 4th--just in time for graduation!

In Aries, Jupiter is pure creative spirit in a leadership role. There's a renewal of enthusiasm and self-confidence. Like jovial Jupiter, you'll be on the move, fueled by the fires of creativity. You may move up, you may move out, or you may move on with positive action for a new way of life. Jupiter loves to travel!

Time to plant the seeds of ideas you only dreamed of while Jupiter was in Pisces. Aries marks the springtime for new life and the beginning of a 12 year growth cycle. You had a preview of Jupiter in Aries May 5, 2010, to September 7th, 2010. What began then, and wants to come to fruition now? To apply this energy to your own life, think of what you were up to between February 12, 1999 and February 14, 2000, the last time Jupiter transited Aries.

Jupiter's mass is one fourth helium and it's size is 11x greater than earth--we're talking about a big hot air balloon to take you wherever you want to go! But, Jupiter's expansiveness can get grandiose, so tether that balloon until you've taken care of the details. Make a list of what you need for the journey, load your supplies, and free yourself. You're in for a buoyant ride!

Has your Sun sign changed?

My granddaughter called this morning to say she’s at a sleep-over with her friends and they’re all confused about their true Sun signs. Is she the fiery innovative Aries we thought she was or is she really a sensitive poetic Pisces?

We’re now in a viral controversy because of a suggested new alignment in the astrological signs of the zodiac that would shift the sign of a planet “backwards” into the previous sign. As reported in the New York Times, it’s a cosmic kerfuffle. Although a majority of Western astrologers, myself included, use a tropical zodiac alignment based on the spring and fall equinoxes, the firestorm of news around this astronomer’s pronouncement is telling.

Why now are we so attracted to a new idea that calls into question those defining personality traits revealed in the Sun sign that have become calling cards for so many? Sun signs offer some simple, easy explanations of who you are and whether or not you’re compatible with friends, mates or bosses. But what if you’re not a Gemini but are a Taurus, the previous sign?

Why does this matter so much to us? Because we love to be recognized and known, and we want it to be for who we really are. Our astrological Sun sign represents the face we show to the world, the way we shine our light. And we want that to be seen.

Maybe we’re making all this up? After all, astrological signs and the configuration of stars into constellations are symbolic representations of concepts in our own minds. We, humankind, gave them the names and attributed the meanings they have. Even before the wise men followed the north star, these age-old ideas have been our attempt to explain why we are the way we are and why things happen when they happen. Is my chronic indecision just my Libra trait? Should I wait for the new moon in Aries to plant my tomato seeds?

I like to think this viral controversy has opened a wormhole between two dimensions of time and space, allowing us to see the journey from our present zodiac Sun sign to the one just past. It has been a belief among astrologers for some time now that your soul progresses through the 12 signs of the zodiac, Aries to Pisces, in order to learn the lessons in wisdom offered by each sign. A Virgo, having previously completed the monarch’s journey through Leo, understands a Leo’s courage in ways the Leo cannot yet see. A Libra understands the perfectionism inherent in Virgo’s journey, but may not yet know how to balance facts with fairness. If Kunkle suggests that Virgo is really a Leo and Libra is really a Virgo, we might do well to explore the link.

Our two dimensional world needs to break open and hatch something better than black-white, either-or, right-or-wrong thinking. Maybe you are more and bigger than you thought you were. Perhaps you contain within you a deep timeless connection to every zodiac sign. A meaningful connection to everyone you see. We’re all Avatars, filled with joy when we look into some one's eyes and can say, “I see you!”

What Are Your Child's Unique Gifts?

That’s such a fun question to answer! So, with encouragement from family and friends who have been ad hoc beneficiaries of my passion for astrology, I’m launching zodi.us for you too!

The idea for zodi.us was born at our family kitchen table during that warm sitting-around time after a good meal. I was talking about an astrology chart I’d just done for a friend’s first grandchild. I was so excited about this sneak-preview of a brand new life--this happy little girl, bouncing around with the joys of a Sun-Venus conjunction. Then my son said: Mom, this is what you should be doing for everybody!

Have you ever had the experience of working on one special project where you’re so present that you loose track of time? A la Joseph Campbell I know astrology is my bliss, and I’m following it! All my years of experience as a psychotherapist, learning Jung’s theories, along with my study of the symbolic meaning of the planets, have come together to create zodi.us.

You can read a sample chart at zodi.us by clicking on “Baby Zodius Guide”. You’ll see that it’s much more important to know how planets interact with each other versus just knowing a particular sign characteristic. It’s the difference between just eating a tomato or tasting it in a fabulous Bouillabaisse soup. Likewise, that’s the art in my approach to astrology.

If you’re a parent or grandparent, I have a great way to talk to you about you child’s wondrous potential. I call it their Celestial DNA. I identify the outstanding planetary patterns from the natal chart which, like a fingerprint, are different for everyone. You’ll get such fun reading about it in your own “Baby Zodius Guide”, but you’re real joy will be in having a jump start to begin nurturing those unique gifts in your child.

Judith Royal, AKA “Grandma Judy”
January, 2011
judith@zodi.us