Is the start of a Jupiter return always a disaster?

[Charles]

Just started my Jupiter return in Aquarius 5th house, and this past year and a half has been a complete disaster. I lost basically everything. Dropped out of college, quit my job, study abroad trip cancelled, lost friends. I’ve read that other people experience similar things. Is it normal to go through this? How can I make the most of a Jupiter return? Is the universe just cleaning up my life so that new can come in?

Discussion

[AstralCore]

Howl_Wilder,

One way to think about the Jupiter cycle is to study it in sync with Saturn.

The syncopation of these **Outer Core** planets is a marvel. Truly one of the remarkable things in Astrology. Jupiter’s cycle is 12 years. And Saturn cycle is 30 (most returns fall in the 27 year to 29 year range. Let’s call it 30 for ease of doing the math In our heads)…

On the opening square of Saturn (7 years) Jupiter will be in opposition. (6 years)

When Saturn reaches it opposition (15 years) Jupiter will have had its first return (12 years)

At Saturn’s first closing square (22 years) Jupiter again will be opposed (18 years) to its birth position closing in on its 2nd return (24 years).

At Saturn’s first return (29-30 years) Jupiter will opposed its natal position and start heading back for its 3rd return at @36 where Saturn reaches it 2nd opening square.

So even though you gave little other information and no chart, this is what we know. You are perhaps 36, or 24. You are experiencing a “shift in gears” (opening Saturn square) or a “consolidation”(closing Saturn square). In either case, these are significant periods and Jupiter keys you to whether or not you are on the right track. At the return there is a hope for reward, but The “reward cycle” is better timed with Jupiter’s transit of the Sun. Jupiter conjunct the Sun just seems to be a more reliable reward cycle. Put that to the side…

Let’s say you are 24. Saturn in your chart might be in Taurus. Your ambition is driven to build security and preserve things while Jupiter in Aquarius needs opportunity for discussions like we are having right now. A philosophy. A humanitarian reward of some type. The benefit of people and friends more than money. Saturn in Taurus doesn’t like that idea. No money is not practical at all. Those two forces, Saturn and Jupiter, combine and suggest ambitions to mobilize people, to serve them, to build helpful networks and make life better or the way it’s supposed to be for humanity.

At 36 Saturn would be in Scorpio. “It’s complicated” Saturn says from these stagnant waters, usually tepid and steaming from the shallows, but longing for the deep. There is a smoldering ambition **to know** here. And perhaps a sexual component depending on placement…. (Jupiter in 5 brings that issue into discussion anyway). It’s deep! Complications challenge hope, but when a certain control is won the management powers explode and people follow.

Let’s say Saturn is in Taurus in the Second house (or first/third). Currently, transiting Saturn is Squaring that position and closing in on the first Saturn return. In this case you are correct. There is a clearing of the decks. A ”consolidation” ahead of the return, the return being a reset in many respects.

At the opening Square of Saturn, at @36, the “shift in gears” is a little different. This is more of a course correction. If things aren’t progressing well after ambition gaining focus (at the conjunction) then an adjustment is required to get back on track.

Apologies, this is a lot of information but a fun puzzle since you were so cryptic and scant with the information (Pisces? 12th House? Water?… just curious)

Here is the **bottom line** Saturn and Jupiter work together. Saturn describes our ambitions. Jupiter describes our opportunity and hopes for reward. The blend of the two describe our unique combination for how we express our aspirations for what we do. If there is any turbulence and tension in the life as you describe then something is off in the network. The pipes are clogged to use a plumber’s analogy. **Time to call a plumber.** or run to the store for some draino or liquid plumber and clear the pipes yourself. Either way yes it’s normal. But only in the sense that life not working says more about life getting our attention to make a shift than it does about the “Universe” doing us any favors. Astrology, in my humble opinion, needs to be **rooted in the reality of the world.” The correspondences alert us to potentials. The planet or universe isn’t conspiring for or against us. That said, there is a magnificent wondrous thing that occurs at these “clearings,” whether a consolidation, or a shift in gears.

So often, clients report feeling a new sense of alignment at some point after these mini crises, like you describe. There is a synergy between willpower (inner planets) and the Universe as you called it. The symbolic potential of the **Outer Core** finds rapport with the **Inner Core** (The Sun and Moon) and life works better. This alignment and rapport between the inner and outer core is what I refer to as the **Astral Core**. It’s been almost two years here on reddit and this is my first mention of what my user name means. But there’s more.

Carlos Castaneda wrote A Fire Within and uses the metaphor of the Eagle in an incredible way. It gets complicated. Saturn in Scorpio people will love it. But it’s also a story and will appeal to the Taurean types as well. The Eagle is a magnificent power that is both dangerous and a life affirming force. There is a mystery involved that awakens our “alignment” and life purpose when we interact with the Eagle. Entering into this world is not for the feint of heart. It’s a real world. This world! But the metaphor helps explain the unexplainable since after all the earth is a part of the larger universe. Saying that the Eagle is the universe is not quite accurate. And I say that because it’s important. The trend is to go with that view, which is not much different than believing in QAnon. But I digress because it is all top of mind after a popular teacher recently said something similar to a large group and it startled me. I thought this teacher knew about the “Eagle.” But I guess not. I was repulsed a little because I expected more and so was disappointed. All those students are being implored to share in some “universal” magical thinking similar to what The Secret sells. Unfortunately, that is not The Way, that is not how to understand the message that the Eagle brings. Nor does say much about astrology in my humble opinion.

Savitri, written by Sri Aurobindo captured these thoughts 100 years ago. I will leave you with a quote from his epic tale:

“But for such vast spiritual
change to be, out of the
mystic cavern in man’s heart
The heavenly psyche must put
of her veil and step into
common nature’s crowded
rooms And stand uncovered in
the nature’s front And rule it’s
thoughts and fill the body and life.”

Savitri

OK signing off now. Good luck in your studies and on your journey ahead.

All the very best,

HVA

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[vladblack117]

I would go with cleaning up! Never forget Jupiter is the planet of expansion! Everything has to get bigger! (Watch your waist line! Lol) – Jupiter will never allow you to do “little” things! This is the time to work on your dreams, make big things happen! All of that! I would think from your list that: you weren’t studying something you liked or something that you would truly be able to expand into in your life, your job was the same, study abroad was more than likely not where you are supposed to be and your friends were more than likely holding you back (this is assuming you have nothing aspecting your natal Jupiter or other things going on – this is just if Jupiter is been awesome!).

Jupiter is my planet in dignity and I love him! But he can be intense! You can’t not be BIG!

[monsterykras]

My Jupiter return at 36 coincided with my Saturn square Saturn/Moon and my Pluto square Saturn/Moon. It was hell. My partner became deathly ill and has never recovered. Jupiter was kind to me at the time in terms of finally having a stable job, but the Saturn/Pluto stuff way overshadowed it, and maybe Jupiter made all the Saturn/Pluto stuff bigger as well. So if stuff’s going wrong for you, look to Saturn and Pluto for answers, and watch out for those Mars and Uranus transits too!