Taken by Greg Kritovic, Michigan Nature Photography (Breakwall in Marquette, Michigan) As I write this in the shelter of a friend's house in Copper Harbor, Michigan, the rhythmic wash of waves onto the shore ebbs and flows in the background. Gale warnings and icy freezing spray warnings are out for ships, with the windows rattling and a draft sweeping into this little home on the shores of Lake Superior - the coldest freshwater lake in the world.
Ebb and flow, to and from, the frigid waters rush ashore and back again, with the landscape of the lake ever-changing as whitecaps froth and dance - sometimes choppy, sometimes calmer, but always unsteady, unpredictable, encompassing a raw grace and beauty and passion that evokes emotion and numinous experiences that cannot easily be put into words. Those who live in this land know that the power and primal will and forces of this lake cannot be overcome. We acquiesce to her, Gitchee Gumee, as the Anishinaabe indigenous peoples of this land have called her since ancient times - she who heals, she who cleanses and gives life, and she who can take it away and wreak havoc for those who do not respect her ferocity and flow.
As someone living the effects of this year's Jupiter-Neptune square fully, I can't help but feel these energies viscerally being on the lake - an energy that so closely embodies that of the rolling sea and the need to give over any illusions of control to her, to allow emotions to surface, to flow with grief and despair and allow the hope and promise of miraculously brighter days to be received within our beings as wounds are healed - in the cold, dark belly of Midwinter.
We are in Part One of this aspect now, with this square having reached exactitude on January 13. The next and final chapters coming on June 16 (18 degrees) and September 21 (16 degrees). Those with personal planets within a few degrees of 14 Sagittarius/Pisces will be most affected, and those with planets at 14 degrees Gemini/Virgo will also experience the impetus for change and growth brought by these energies in a different way.
Ebb and flow, to and from, the frigid waters rush ashore and back again, with the landscape of the lake ever-changing as whitecaps froth and dance - sometimes choppy, sometimes calmer, but always unsteady, unpredictable, encompassing a raw grace and beauty and passion that evokes emotion and numinous experiences that cannot easily be put into words. Those who live in this land know that the power and primal will and forces of this lake cannot be overcome. We acquiesce to her, Gitchee Gumee, as the Anishinaabe indigenous peoples of this land have called her since ancient times - she who heals, she who cleanses and gives life, and she who can take it away and wreak havoc for those who do not respect her ferocity and flow.
As someone living the effects of this year's Jupiter-Neptune square fully, I can't help but feel these energies viscerally being on the lake - an energy that so closely embodies that of the rolling sea and the need to give over any illusions of control to her, to allow emotions to surface, to flow with grief and despair and allow the hope and promise of miraculously brighter days to be received within our beings as wounds are healed - in the cold, dark belly of Midwinter.
We are in Part One of this aspect now, with this square having reached exactitude on January 13. The next and final chapters coming on June 16 (18 degrees) and September 21 (16 degrees). Those with personal planets within a few degrees of 14 Sagittarius/Pisces will be most affected, and those with planets at 14 degrees Gemini/Virgo will also experience the impetus for change and growth brought by these energies in a different way.
The Jupiter-Neptune Connection
As Jupiter, the planet of abundance/sights set high/big dreams/optimisn and goodwill makes its first of three tense alignments to Neptune (Poseidon, or Manannan Mac Lir, the Irish God of the Sea, to name two archetypes) we're in penultimate times of change and newfound possibilities. Squares between planets create incredible tension - energies that seem wholly incompatible as they crash together and leave us experiencing conflict and frustration. We reach a breaking point and things come to a head. We can no longer continue living as we were, and yet, the way forward seems impossible, jagged and frought with drama, if not almost entirely unclear. And "unclear" is an apt descriptor for the involvement of Pisces and Neptune anytime if there ever was one, especially when squares and oppositions are involved.
The dissolving of once-solid circumstances is a classic Neptune/Pisces experience, and is an especially prominent feature of the astrological landscape this year. We thought we knew the path ahead, but the path may have been washed out from beneath us; a foundation crumbled; what we thought was a viable option is no longer possible for reasons out of our control. Opportunities we expected to come to fruition slip through our fingers, and we're left doubting what we once thought to be true, had faith in, trusted the Universe to provide for us. Depression sets in; despair, even, feeling as though solutions are too hard to achieve and too far out of reach.
The dissolving of once-solid circumstances is a classic Neptune/Pisces experience, and is an especially prominent feature of the astrological landscape this year. We thought we knew the path ahead, but the path may have been washed out from beneath us; a foundation crumbled; what we thought was a viable option is no longer possible for reasons out of our control. Opportunities we expected to come to fruition slip through our fingers, and we're left doubting what we once thought to be true, had faith in, trusted the Universe to provide for us. Depression sets in; despair, even, feeling as though solutions are too hard to achieve and too far out of reach.
Jupiter brings the chance to experience renewed faith and beautiful new beginnings on its travels through the Zodiac. But sometimes those opportunities don't look or feel good in the onset. In fact, they can manifest as "blessings in disguise," with the loss of a job, home, loved one, or other circumstance that requires us to stretch our faith and grow in ways we'd never thought possible.
Jupiter also brings us into alignment with frequencies that can help us reach new heights, gain greater wisdom and knowledge, and travel far and wide, whether it's by setting foot in foreign countries or expanding your horizons through personal study.
The dissolving of the old, leaving us (seemingly) empty-handed with old foundations crumbling - sounds like a recipe for disaster on first glance, doesn't it?
The truth is, it's anything but that.
Jupiter also brings us into alignment with frequencies that can help us reach new heights, gain greater wisdom and knowledge, and travel far and wide, whether it's by setting foot in foreign countries or expanding your horizons through personal study.
The dissolving of the old, leaving us (seemingly) empty-handed with old foundations crumbling - sounds like a recipe for disaster on first glance, doesn't it?
The truth is, it's anything but that.
If my time delving deeply into spiritual growth and astrological studies has taught me anything, it's that no matter the outer appearances of what's happening in my life, there certainly don't seem to be "coincidences" or painful misfortunes that happen for no good reason. In fact, when I resolve to get to the root of the issue - the deeply embedded "why" of what's manifested - incredible healing and realignment with Love, Truth, and Joy are sure to follow, even if it happens one small but significant step at a time (most often, it does).
Jupiter brings the Midas Touch and glorious miraces, make no mistake, but its plug-in to the Neptune/Pisces archetype heighten the most difficult aspects of that energy, along with creating an illusion that solutions are impossible because our desire for change and the fulfillment of desires is so strong. We might find ourselves wanting it ALL, and wanting it NOW. The hunger for what lies "out there," "over there," can be overwhelming, but ultimately a most powerful catalyst for finding workable solutions for those who put their minds to it and seek support and inspiration in the process.
If you find yourself feeling hopeless and that your desires are impossible because they seem out of reach, take heart - the Universe is giving you an opportunity to "level up" in ways you never thought possible before. And the totality of the astrology of "now" solidifies my trust and knowing in that truth, despite my own challenges this winter.
Jupiter brings the Midas Touch and glorious miraces, make no mistake, but its plug-in to the Neptune/Pisces archetype heighten the most difficult aspects of that energy, along with creating an illusion that solutions are impossible because our desire for change and the fulfillment of desires is so strong. We might find ourselves wanting it ALL, and wanting it NOW. The hunger for what lies "out there," "over there," can be overwhelming, but ultimately a most powerful catalyst for finding workable solutions for those who put their minds to it and seek support and inspiration in the process.
If you find yourself feeling hopeless and that your desires are impossible because they seem out of reach, take heart - the Universe is giving you an opportunity to "level up" in ways you never thought possible before. And the totality of the astrology of "now" solidifies my trust and knowing in that truth, despite my own challenges this winter.
Jupiter-Neptune Opportunities and Blessings
Some of the more prominent themes of this aspect, and ideas for making the most of challenges and opportunities manifesting in your life, might be:
- The dissolving of old paradigms around "have" and "have not," around "suffering versus joy," around "can" and "cannot". Jupiter shines a powerful spotlight on how and where we want to grow, expand - to "have it all" in any part of life - and Neptune opens the flow of Divine frequencies of what's really possible when we release old energies, ideas, and circumstances that have prevented us from having it up to this point. Victim/savior patterns are highlighted, where we've played either role in a way that's compromised our wellbeing and enabled others to stay stuck in ruts and drag us down in the process. This is a call to heal those patterns so we can get on with divinely-inspired, abundant, magical, and sacred *~interdependent~* lives on this miraculous planet.
- The call to look deeply into the heart of disconnect between our earth experiences and what we long to have - the divine desires that pulse out from our hearts for a reason. This year brings magnificent opportunities to bridge the gap between that feeling, allowing more joyful, concretely manifested circumstances to bloom. A Part-Two to this concept might be this: think of something you might have felt secure in, or loved dearly, that has dissolved, that is no longer a part of your life or has become depressingly unsatisfactory. Can you see things more clearly now? Are you ready to explore the possibility that perhaps your soul is moving you in the direction of something even more fulfilling than that which has made its exit? Imagine living in a world where you could have that or better, and spend time meditating on what it would feel like if it were to fully manifest. See it, taste it, smell it; make love to the energies of it, dance with it, feel the Oneness between you as if it's already done. The Jupiter-Neptune square shows that we can upgrade to something better than what we had perhaps been settling for, and that we are deserving of the very best and then some.
- Restoring a sense of faith and trust in the Universe, the process of life; seeking meaning and obtaining wisdom through examining the complexities of challenges that present us with these opportunities. And perhaps ultimately, healing the energies, beliefs, and patterns within us that keep us from having faith in ourselves. We are no less than God and Goddess incarnate, shedding lifetimes of suffering and old programming to embody our greatness in love-filled, empowering, and life-affirming ways.
Earth Energy Infusion - Anchoring, Dreaming, and Doing
We have one powerful set of energies assisting us in anchoring this ever-in-flux energy now, and that's the ongoing group of planets transiting CAPRICORN. Brought to the fore with this month's CAPRICORN SOLAR ECLIPSE on 1/5, we've been working with themes of building, creating, grounding, and stabilizing. That ecilpse set the tone for not only annual and 2.5-year new beginnings, but the beginning of a new 18-year era for those with personal planets near 15 degrees Cap.
In keeping with these themes, SATURN, the ruling planet of Capricorn, plugs directly into the Jupiter-Neptune aspect by way of a sextile to NEPTUNE (exact dates Jauary 31, June 18, and November 8, 2019). This gives these dreamy, less stable energies a place to root in. We might experience this as the ability to see more clearly through the fog, to tap into Earth wisdom, determination, and maturity to see visions through. This synergy of celestial energies will help us stick to the bottom line and what matters most, to support us and our desires to be fortified and grow strong in times of change through November.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are in monumental times of change, perhaps unprecedented in our lifetimes, as we're called to release the old, indulge ourselves in deep dreams of what we wish to see manifested in our lives the most, and then go forward within and without, doing all that we can to create it. We are wholly supported by Heaven and Earth in doing so if we are willing to put in the effort, have patience with ourselves, and hold self-love, strength, and our sovereignty as key priorities.
And when URANUS moves into TAURUS on March 6, get ready for another wave of potent revolutionizing of our earthbound potentials.
In keeping with these themes, SATURN, the ruling planet of Capricorn, plugs directly into the Jupiter-Neptune aspect by way of a sextile to NEPTUNE (exact dates Jauary 31, June 18, and November 8, 2019). This gives these dreamy, less stable energies a place to root in. We might experience this as the ability to see more clearly through the fog, to tap into Earth wisdom, determination, and maturity to see visions through. This synergy of celestial energies will help us stick to the bottom line and what matters most, to support us and our desires to be fortified and grow strong in times of change through November.
It is no exaggeration to say that we are in monumental times of change, perhaps unprecedented in our lifetimes, as we're called to release the old, indulge ourselves in deep dreams of what we wish to see manifested in our lives the most, and then go forward within and without, doing all that we can to create it. We are wholly supported by Heaven and Earth in doing so if we are willing to put in the effort, have patience with ourselves, and hold self-love, strength, and our sovereignty as key priorities.
And when URANUS moves into TAURUS on March 6, get ready for another wave of potent revolutionizing of our earthbound potentials.
Let the waves of emotion and change wash over you; may they cleanse you and release you from the grief and burdens of the past and present; may you feel in your heart the truth of the promise of shifting, change, and miracles that can become ever more "the norm" for us all.
In love and light,
Jen
In love and light,
Jen
© Jen Howell, Bright Star Astrology & Healing Arts, 2019. Unauthorized use or duplication of this material without express and written permission from the author/owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to this writer with appropriate and specific direction to the document containing the original content.
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