What an exciting time this is! Jupiter is at the closest point to the Earth that it will be between now and 2019 – and we’re about to have the Sun-Jupiter opposition in a few hours’ time. Something celestial is cooking, and it seems to open the floodgates of abundance and a sense of fierce, childlike joy – but not without substantial shadow-working! This particular Jupiter-Sun opposition makes significant aspects to several asteroids and other astrological bodies – and that radically alters the tone of the energy experienced. It doesn’t work in the usual ways that one might expect. (Hence why some of us are jumping up and down for joy, and others seem a little more glum, sometimes alternating between the two!) First let’s talk about the Jupiter and the Sun, then we’ll get to the asteroids.
The Sun opposes Jupiter at 17 Aqu-Leo ’38 at 2:20 am, Feb 7th 2015 (GMT + 8).
Jupiter is the Bringer of Abundance. It magnifies all that it touches – for better or worse. It is linked to the opening of energetic pathways, often by way of established teachers, mentors, persons you hold in some elevated status (like a guru, or a professor) – or even the fearless adventurer (like Indiana Jones!). In Retrograde, the blessings and teachings of Jupiter tend to arrive from within, as part of an internal awakening (possibly triggered by another).
In Leo, Jupiter’s teachings and expansive joy focus upon awakening the Sacral and Heart Chakras. We are called to shed the weighty baggage of mistaken assumptions, self-limiting beliefs, old wounds and pain that block us from fully experiencing Love. We are called to unshackle ourselves and dance, play, dream, express and create with the purity and innoence of the Sacred Child. We may also find guidance and protection by connecting with deitites, philosophies or belief systems that focus upon the energy of the Feline: Goddess Durga (and Her Lion/Tiger), Goddess Narasimhi, Lord Narasimha, Goddess Bast, Goddess Sekhmet, and others come to mind. (The energies of the Serpent, for reasons explained below are also highlighted at this time)
The Sun represents the Light of your Waking Consciousness. I consider it the part of your Soul that you are anchored towards experiencing (and experiencing yourself through). It hones and focuses your vital energies to which sign it occupies within the chart, like a magnifying glass or a laser, rending all that was previously unknown – known, all that was previously invisible – visible.
In Aquarius, the Sun lights up the sense of uniqueness and individuality that we are all aware of in ourselves. We are called to see the gifts that we can bring to the awakening of the collective, and the egoic beliefs and fears that hold us back from fully expressing ourselves in this capacity. We are shown our links with the collective and with the ideals we attach ourselves to. I associate the energies of Aquarius with the 3rd eye in particular. It is also linked with the rising and activation of the Kundalini (not something I would advise playing about with unless you know what you’re doing and/or have a guide whom you trust).
Together, in this potent opposition – Jupiter and the Sun reveal a powerful pathway to both Heal the Self and the Collective. We are asked to recover forgotten gifts and release (hidden, suppressed) fears that hold us back from our fullest sense of self expression – and that’s where the asteroids come in.
SHADOW-WORKING
Ceto (17 Scorpio), Lilith 1181 (17 Scorpio) and Atlantis (18 Scorpio) square both the Sun and Jupiter. We are called to face our deepest fears surrounding the use/abuse of power, sexuality, authority, alchemy and the Serpent. Ceto represents the Serpent of the Oceans, Lilith the sexualized, independent Maiden and Atlantis the consciousness of sunken, lost or forgotten civilizations associated with flood narratives (like Mu, Kumari Kandam, Lemuria etc. )
The archetype of the Serpent/Ocean/Atlantean Priestess is especially highlighted. Spiritualists may want to work with the Larimar stone if choosing to do past-life regression work at this time. It’s a very intense time for any energetic work as – what we often call ‘the Shadow’ is brought up to the surface now. I call it T.O.B.Y. (The Other Bit of You) as there’s a lot of the Shadow that is actually Sacred, and is the place where we find our deepest gifts.
Rather than slaying the serpent, or fighting it – try to accept it for what it is. You might find a powerfully ally you never knew you even had.
For the spiritualists amongst you – Deities associated with Serpent energy (in a benevolent form) include Nageswari Amman / Manasa Devi / Renuka Parameswari Amman (Serpent Mother Goddess), Nagaraja (Serpent King), Lord Vasuki (the Serpent around Lord Shiva’s neck), Mahavishnu (who sleeps upon Adi-Shesha, the Thousand-headed Serpent), Lord Shiva in the form of Naga-Nathar. There are bound to be others in many other traditions – Mami Wata, the Minoan Serpent Goddess, Lady Isis, for instance.
Chaos (17 Gemini) trines the Sun and sextiles Jupiter. We may face old fears, suppressed gifts and memories at this time, seemingly emerging out of nowhere (though they’ve been there, the whole time). This may have to do with your early childhood, the way you perceive the world, your analytical and communicative/expressive skills and/or your interactions with siblings. Again, the Shadow dynamic is emphasized here – it’ll certainly come up at this time, but not as something to be ‘vanquished with the Light’, but rather seen for what it is – an essentially Sacred part of you. Your Shadow does not refer to something necessarily malevolent, or bad – just the parts of you that for various reasons you dislike acknowledging or are unaware of. More on this here (i.e. ways to face T.O.B.Y.): http://wp.me/p4OUNS-jz
Zeus (17 Libra) trines the Sun and sextiles Jupiter. This Uranian planet adds weight and power to the influence of your partner (at work / in life) and – equally – the need to face and integrate appropriate aspects of your Shadow, owing to its position in Libra. It’s a powerful influence, and one which has been waiting for some time to surface to your consciousness for processing.
Apophis (18 Sag) trines Jupiter, sextiles the Sun. Apophis literally refers to the ‘Serpent of Chaos’. He is generally depicted as a Giant Serpent, who opposes the Sun-God Ra. Remember that the Egypt is the same culture that also venerated the Serpent. It is a form with a dual meanings. Apophis re-inforces the theme of ‘Facing the Shadow’ – just as Ceto and Chaos do.
Other asteroids as part of this alignment provide counsel as to how that is to be done – specifically with a gentle, moderate approach that shys away from extremes or the need to go Chaaarrgee!
APPROACHES TO SHADOW-WORKING
Sila-Nunam (16 Leo) opposes the Sun, conjuncts Jupiter. Sila-Nunam asks you to you view the process of integration as a gentle, and fairly easy-going on. You’re not being asked to charrrrge in and fight your way through in order to find healing. This is the kind of integration work that happens best when you simply relax, have faith in yourself and the Divine .. and breathe. You might just find yourself breathing new life into your sense of Being, Purpose and Possibility in the process.
Icarus (17 Aquarius) conjuncts the Sun, opposes Jupiter – Icarus, like Dionysus, warns us against over-doing it. Perform your role in collective healing/awakening, express your gifts – but try to avoid doing it with the sole intention of being recognized, gratifying the ego or even as a form of escapism. Moderation is key.
Dionysus (17 Gemini) reinforces the message that Balance, Moderation, and Perspective are valuable allies at this time. Don’t over-do things, or feel the need to head into extremes at this time.
Interestingly, we also see some help from the heavens, as it were, in performing these tasks of healing and integration.
COSMOLOGICAL INFLUENCES
Varda (16 Sagittarius) sextiles the Sun – She is, quite literally the ‘mistress of the stars/heavens’. Those with placements at 16 Cancer will experience this as a powerful Yod – and would probably benefit from some form of astrological consultation or energetic work that focuses upon the energy of the Cosmos itself.
Sauer (17 Leo) opposes the Sun, conjuncts Jupiter. Sauer can refer to astronomy, space exploration, aeronautics (in the literal sense) and to a more mystical, etheric form of Cosmic Connection. To me it screams ‘Look to the skies and be guided!’. I did see a dark cloud that was a pretty excellent likeness of Lady Bast earlier today. I was staring open mouthed at it too long and didn’t snap it on my camera (drat). Perhaps you might see similar messages or images in the heavens, or through the medium of astrology.
CLOSING NOTES
Interestingly, these bodies make up a Near-Grand Sextile. Those with placements at 16-18 Aries will complete the alignment. Wowza! (We usually have tonnes of alignments present when we consider the asteroids, but they’re not always charged by such a magical Sun-Jupiter connection!)
Several nearby bodies, which, allowing for a slightly increased orb of influence, complete the alignment. Uranus (13 Aries), South Node (13 Aries), Astraea (14 Aries) and Phaeton (19 Aries). Uranus and the South speak of transformative/awakening experiences in one’s consciousness, drawing upon older karmic patterns. Astraea, the ‘star maiden’ promises to bring back balance and justice into the world as an agent of redemption. Phaeton warns of the pitfalls of distrust, of giving into moments of recklessness and of inaccurate estimation’s of your own capacity. In key ways, these bodies echo the themes I’ve explained above.
Also – Those with placements at or near 16-18 Taurus will experience a Grand Fixed Cross that will also ask you to find material ways to integrate this information in your daily life, your relationship with abundance, your access to external (financial, material) and internal resources (self-esteem, self worth, etc.)
So to sum it all up ….
The Jupiter-Sun opposition essentially asks us to realize the following: Through the gifts that we re-kindle in ourselves, and in others – we find a way to for the Individual to Shine within the Collective, and for the Collective to Shine as a Galaxy of Individual Stars! We all deserve to be seen, we all deserve to express who we are, we all deserve to be celebrated for who we are 🙂
And in order to get to ‘this place’ of awareness, we are asked to perform intense shadow-work, supported by heavenly alignments at this time.
Blessings to All!
Priestess Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD
www.bairaveebalasubramaniam.com
Selected References:
Jupiter-Earth proximity: http://earthsky.org/…/earth-passes-between-jupiter-and-sun-… ;https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethSPeru/photos/a.132903786742755.15948.132841136749020/955665107799948/?type=1&theater
Asteroid Lilith: http://darkstarastrology.com/asteroid-lilith/
Images: Snake Goddess Nursing Hypocrytes LACMA M.80.203.178.jpg (public domain via Wikimedia Commons); Egyptian – Seated Bastet – Walters 481553 – Left.jpg (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)
Dr. Bairavee Balasubramaniam PhD: The Sky Priestess 