” ‘Tis thine to brandish thunders strong and dire, to scatter storms, and dreadful darts of fire; with roaring flames involving all around, and bolts of thunder of tremendous sound.” Orphic Hymn 19 to Zeus of Thunder

NASA

Tonight is a “really big show,”to borrow a line from Ed Sullivan. On our stage is Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system. It could swallow the earth 1.000 times. You can’t land on it because it’s made mostly of gas and liquid. It’s rotating faster and has the strongest magnetic field of any of the other planets. Sure is windy there with active wind storms and crackling lightning! The Great Red Spot on its surface is a storm that’s lasted as least 400 years. It takes Jupiter almost 12 years to make a full orbit around the sun. Did you know that Jupiter has 67 moons and satellites? Yet we keep discovering more. Galileo was the first to spot the four largest moons in 1610.

So far NASA has sent eight missions to Jupiter. Their Juno spacecraft is due to arrive in 2016 to study the planet’s structure. I read an interesting article in March about our Hubble spacecraft. It’s confirmed a vast underground ocean under Ganymede, the largest of Jupiter’s moons, fueling new speculation about conditions for life – not the first time our scientists and science fiction writers have imagined extraterrestrial life on or near Jupiter.

This massive planet received its name from Jupiter, Roman King of the Gods – the god of sky, air and thunder. (Zeus is his Greek counterpart).

We recognize, in this son of Saturn, a god of authority, sovereignty and justice who
ruled over all the 12 superior gods on Mount Olympus. Jupiter became king by overthrowing his father Kronos (Saturn) and rescuing his brothers and sisters. They had been swallowed up by Kronos as a way of keeping any of them from ascending to his throne.

Lightening and thunderbolts were expressions of Jupiter’s power and missives of his anger,

 Italian fresco, Collegio del Cambio, Perugia

And yet, the Roman people saw him as lord of all life because bountiful rains followed the raging storms and fertilized the waiting earth, The planet’s  associations with warmth, growth and good fortune temper the fear of his “stormy ways.”

Because Jupiter guarded the city of Rome, his was the most elaborate temple. He ruled over politics and all public events. Roman counsels swore their oath in his name – “I swear by Jove.” The Vinalia was his special festival of wine (a kingly drink) held on the full moon of April.

Jupiter’s symbols, in addition to the thunderbolt, are the eagle (often seen carrying the thunderbolts), the oak, the bull, and the aegis – Jupiter’s mighty shield forged by Vulcan.

The thunderbolt is a fascinating symbol. As celestial fire it’s been considered a sign and communication of supernatural power; as a mighty weapon, a threat of punishment.

Juno, Queen of the Gods, was Jupiter’s jealous wife. Many of the moons of Jupiter are named after the numerous goddesses and mortals who were his lovers.

The brothers of Jupiter are Pluto, of the underworld, and Neptune, of the seas. Jupiter’s first-born child was Fortuna, a goddess of destiny, fate and luck. Doesn’t Fortuna’s energy soar in this watercolor of John Singer Sargent!

From the East, meet Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of good  fortune, power, wealth and generosity. I admire the mythological elephants in the image. They are fabled to roam across the sky. A legend tells us that eight elephants came together to welcome Lakshmi as she rose from an ocean of milk. Elephants correspond symbolically with Jupiter as do race horses.

Psychological qualities associated with Jupiter’s archetypal image are numerous and just like him – expansive. I’ll begin with an exaggerated scenario – but you’ll get the point.

Imagine yourself at your enthusiastic best. Your excitement mounts as you realize you’ve got a lucky break. The horizon is expanding ahead of you. Doors are opening. Opportunities and adventures await. Vitality ripples within you. The world is your oyster and luck is with you. You’re more optimistic than ever, filled with self-assurance and confidence, reveling in the feeling of life’s freedom and bounty.

You know there is something better for you out there. Perhaps you’re an entrepreneur on the brink of roaring success. Prosperity is just around the corner and you’re “going for it” (hopefully not too far off a cliff). Others remark on your joy for living, great faith, marvelous sense of humor and generous nature.

Jupiter enlarges life, augments it. We feel more freedom to playfully and enthusiastically explore beyond our present boundaries, perhaps enjoy a fresh viewpoint on life’s bigger picture. There is a focus here on our principles and beliefs, on where we find meaning in life and where we desire to grow. The beliefs we live by take early shape from our parents and society. As you consider your own lived experience, how have these beliefs been re-shaped to become “just right” for the growing you?

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Jupiter is the patron of those drawn to explore deeper values – philosophers, religious leaders, professors, judges, publishers. It’s also the patron of those who help minister the “deep down” soothing balm of healing – doctors, therapists and psychologists. The medical symbol for “prescription” is identical to Jupiter’s astrological symbol, And jovial Jupiter is the patron for you adventurous travelers who love to explore foreign lands.

Jupiter is referred to  in traditional astrology as the “Greater Benefic”, benevolently spilling forth a cornucopia of bounty. No wonder we’ve associated Jupiter with Santa Claus and his bulging sack of gifts. Let’s not forget our fairy godmother. Encountering either has us feel so very lucky!

The Japanese and Chinese cultures have given us Hotei, one of the seven gods of luck, often called the Zen Santa Claus or the Laughing Buddha.

Leaning on a sack of endless treasures he brings happiness, prosperity and wealth. Just rub his belly!

The bright Jupiter seen in the sky was known as the “Star of Blessing” to the Chinese people. Their god of happiness is the “lucky star” god Fu-Xing. 

Knowing that Jupiter moves each year into a different sign of the horoscope, many families celebrate the Chinese New Year by staying up all night awaiting the arrival of good fortune and prosperity.

Just a little of Jupiter’s treasure will bring you good fortune. Successful people have reminded us, “I may have worked hard to get where I am but I had a lot of luck.” I recently watched an interview with Victor Espinoza, the jockey who won the Triple Crown. Reflecting on his early life as a bus driver in Mexico, Victor remarked, “I always wanted to be successful…to be a millionaire…I went into the race with such confidence…I feel like the luckiest Mexican on earth.” No hint of gloating, but a face of joy and astonishment that his big dreams were coming true. Dreaming big is lovely for all of us. Good, as well, is when we recognize and work with opportunities and lucky breaks as they come our way. So what did the fortune cookie say today as I finished writing and ate lunch at the Chinese restaurant? “You will be fortunate in the opportunities presented to you.” A keeper!

“The Day of Fortune is like a harvest day. We must be busy when the corn is ripe.” Goethe, Torquato Tasso

When off-kilter, the negative side or “too much Jupiter” would have us appear boastful, arrogant, overconfident, greedy or always wanting more and more like poor King Midas who had such a lesson to learn.

Midas’ Feast, Gillis Van Valckenborch, 1598

“Oh, I am fortune’s fool,” wrote William Shakespeare in Romeo and Juliet. It’s a wise person who lives in the experience of Jupiter with a keen awareness of the boundaries of moderation.

.In astrology, Jupiter rules Sagittarius (the Archer) where we find abundant energy for intellectual, physical and spiritual travel. It’s also the shared ruler of Pisces (the two fish are its symbol) fostering joyful self-expression and deep, intuitive sensitivity.

If Jupiter is the “Greater Benefic,” we might say that God, in whatever way we name or experience the Divine, is the “Most Beneficient” given our cultural images of deity that resonate with kingly majesty and generous benevolence – promising life to the full so that we “overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

“From his fullness we have received grace upon grace “(John 11:6) and our hearts are filled with a veritable cornucopia of thanksgiving.

Let’s heed this happy scriptural advice to, “Go eat your food with gladness and drink your wine with a joyful heart for it is now that God favors what you do.” (Ecclesiastes 9:7)

As a planet of the social/collective, Jupiter represents the way we anticipate and relate to the world out there. It rules civic rights, rulers and change-makers who are stately and generous. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt come to mind.

An inspiring president, Franklin Roosevelt appeared unwavering in his faith, optimistic, ebullient and absolutely self-confident as he maneuvered the U.S. out of the Great Depression. He offered us the New Deal, an opportunity for the “forgotten man.” Eleanor, too, was an accomplished leader working tirelessly for social reform and human rights.

Although today’s “really big show” is drawing to a close, I encourage you to keep reflecting on the beliefs and principles that give life meaning for you and on just where your growing edge is leading.

Wishing you good fortune and happy travels, my friends. Many adventures await.

Mary Catherine