ASTROLOGY “Genius unrefined resembles a flash of lightning, but wisdom is like the Sun.” Franz Grillparzer
J
upiter is the largest planet in our solar system; eleven Earths could fit side by side across the face of the gas giant. Jupiter is fifth from the Sun, and its orbit is five times farther than Earth’s orbit. Jupiter spins on its axis in ten hours, less than half the time it takes Earth to rotate once. Jupiter’s atmosphere is composed mostly of hydrogen (86%) and helium (14%), and the atmosphere also has giant lightning storms in its upper clouds. The colorful cloud bands are actually layers. Darker clouds are deeper in Jupiter’s atmosphere, while the lighter clouds are higher. The Great Red Spot is a gargantuan high pressure storm, similar to a hurricane on Earth, that rotates counterclockwise in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere in about six day’s time. The famous storm has swirled for at least 400 years that humans have been observing it through telescopes. Jupiter has sixty-three known moons, named for the mythical god’s romantic liaisons. The four largest moons, the so-called Galilean Moons, after Galileo who discovered them, are among the most studied objects in the Solar System. Jupiter’s composition is more like a star than a planet, with an internal energy source and enormous magnetic fields, and if it has any solid surface it’s hidden deep at the center. Jupiter is twice as massive as all the other planets combined; and if it had been 100 times more massive at birth, it would have ignited. Our solar system would have become a double star system, and our planetary family might have evolved quite differently. Life as we know it on Earth might never have emerged. Mythology The Roman Jupiter was the earlier Greek Zeus and the even earlier Egyptian MinAmon. King of the gods, Zeus was the quintessential “sky father.” Zeus/Jupiter was considered to be a god of light and therefore wisdom. As a god of light, it’s intriguing to consider that he might have become a star if circumstances had been different in the early stages of our solar system. According to myth, the infant Jupiter was raised on the milk of a goat whose horns continually overflowed with food and drink. This is the origin of the cornucopia, the horn of plenty, and mythically encodes the symbolism that Jupiter embodies abundance. Mythically, with the help of his mother Rhea, the Greek Zeus overthrew his Titan father, Cronus/Saturn, to become king of heaven and begin the phase of the Olympian gods, who followed the earlier and more powerful Titans. The war of the Titans, lasting 10 years, preceded the ultimate victory of Zeus and the new order of Olympian gods. After the war, Zeus apportioned the Olympian uni84 48 ATLANTIS RISING • Number 85
The King of Heaven Begins a New Cycle Through the Zodiac
Montage of Jupiter and the Galilean satellites, Io, Europa,
Jupiter in Aries January—June 2011 • BY JULIE LOAR verse. Taking earth and sky for himself, he gave his brother Poseidon (Neptune), the sea, and he bequeathed the underworld, the realm of the dead, to his brother Hades (Pluto). Zeus ruled supreme over the Olympian gods, wielding three thunderbolts. The first bolt was a warning shot across the bow; the second, which required the approval of 12 gods known as comsentes, was hurled as a stronger warning. The third thunderbolt was thrown in punishment, but only after permission was granted from superior and hidden gods. Aries, the Ram Krios Khrysomallos was a mythical, flying golden ram. The cloud nymph Nephele (cloud in Greek) sent him to rescue her two children, Phrixos and Helle, as they were about to be sacrificed to the gods. The ram carried the children to Kolkhis, at the far end the Black Sea. He instructed the boy to sacrifice him to the gods in their place and take his fleece to the holy grove of Aries. Afterward, as a reward for his heroism, Khrysomallos was placed in the sky as the constellation of Aries, and his golden fleece became the prize in the subsequent quest of Jason and the Argonauts. This story provides a mythic clue about the potentially heroic nature of Aries that is often missing in descriptions of the astrological sign. It is, after all, Aries who begins the hero’s journey. Aries, which means ram in Greek, is the first sign of the zodiac and the symbolic point of beginnings, represented as the cyclical resurgence of spring in the northern hemisphere. Aries is known as the pioneer of the zodiac, and true to his position in the wheel, Aries likes to be first. Aries is considered a fire sign and is one of four cardinal
Cameo of Chartres, Jupiter and the eagle— given in 1367 by Charles V to the cathedral.
signs that coincide with the onset of the seasons, the cardinal points of the year. Aries energy is characterized by openness, enthusiasm and individualism. Those born in this sign usually rush head first into endeavors that they find stimulating. They are fiercely independent, outspoken, alert and Subscribe or Order Books, DVDs and Much More!
quick to act. They prefer to speak rather than listen, and they love having an audience. Aries also enjoys a good argument, and this can be perceived by less forceful signs as combativeness. Aries are ambitious, with lots of drive and a strong desire to lead; therefore
Aries are generally not happy following someone else. Aries is ruled by Mars in astrology and is a sign of impulsive action. There is little subtlety in the straightforward ram. Quick of mind, and just as quick to anger, Aries are The Constellation Aries
direct and can be impatient. Aries natives have a strong self-image and evaluate most situations quickly. Aries energy likes the excitement of beginnings and startup ventures but would rather forego the tedium of the long haul. Jupiter in Aries Jupiter entered the astrological sign of Aries in June for a period of three months, giving us a preview of this transit, and then moved back into Pisces by retrograde motion. Jupiter reenters Aries in mid-January 2011 and will remain direct in motion until entering Taurus in June 2011. This relatively short and speedy passage through Aries is in character with the combination of planet and sign. Jupiter in Aries is an exciting, inspiring and enthusiastic blend of energies. The natural expansiveness of Jupiter is happy to experience the adventurous nature of Aries, resulting in dynamic and vigorous expression. Jupiter expands whatever area he visits, so while he moves through Aries we might see a growth of pioneering ideas. Jupiter wants more and bigger of everything, embodying the principles of inspiration, abundance, optimism and philosophy, so Jupiter has plenty of room to move in Aries. This compatible combination can generate abundant ideas on a big scale, and there is energy and
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ning Properties,” Science of Ball Lightning, Singapore, World Scientific Publishing Co.). Today, the International Committee on Ball Lightning holds regular symposia on the subject in Russia—most recently, 2008, in Kaliningrad—each year. Forms of ball lightning have been produced under scientifically controlled conditions, but the nature of these experiments is so diverse nothing definite can be concluded from them. German researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Physics, in Munich, discharged a high-voltage capacitor in a tank of water to create a ball lightning-type effect. It has been similarly reproduced by Israeli scientists, Eli Jerby and Vladimir Dikhtyar, who simply placed a lit match in a common, home microwave oven (“Creating the fourth state of matter with microwaves by Halina Stanley,” www.scienceinschool.org, 13 August 2009). At sudden, high temperatures, the match flared into a large fireball, above which “plasma balls” floated near the ceiling of the oven chamber. In the early 1980s, an American physicist created identical phenomena by gradually applying pressure to slabs of granite. Just as the specimens broke and disintegrated, tiny orbs of electric light—mostly deep blue—flew from the rock, as revealed by high-speed cameras. These experiments prove nothing, save that ball lightning exists and can be reproduced under a variety of circumstances. They seem to have little if anything to do with the stormy or at least rainy conditions during which most instances of ball lightning are reported. To be sure, the encounter we experienced on September 16 lacked most of the known features that characterize ball lightning. Other than its apparent association with that evening’s weather conditions, it never moved and left no sulphurous scent. All my research into the phenomenon uncovered no parallel to its physical appearance—white with an encircling band of purple. No less unparalleled was the distinct “click!” Wayne and I heard some three or four seconds before the brilliant orb popped into existence. If it had been a high concentration of energy, one might have expected electrical systems to be affected in some way. But the ceiling fan near which it materialized functioned normally after the event, while all lights and appliances in the house continued to operate as before. Was some kind of energetic connection made between an ideal meteorological environment and the multiple sclerosis of our host? Perhaps, because our autumnal encounter with the phenomenon was not Alex’s first experience with ball lightning. As a tenyear-old child, he happened to be watching a thunderstorm through the window of his grandparents’ home, when he saw a bright globe of blue light shoot from the troubled sky to strike the ground and bounce along their field until it disappeared. The legacies of such powerful events are only questions defining the limits of what we understand about the infinitely mysterious world in which we live. See Our Great 8-page Catalog Beginning on Page 74
forms that need to change. As a nation, the focus might be the ongoing revelations of corruption in financial sectors and corporate campaign financing. Jupiter in Aries could provide an impetus for real change, but the Continued from Page 49 confrontations could be tumultuous. For inenthusiasm to carry them out. Especially if dividuals, it’s a chance to examine where we those annoying details can be delegated to might have compromised ourselves for the sake of perceived power or security. If we find Virgos. There can be a sense of destiny in this ourselves in an ethical dilemma, it’s time to combination of influences that gives an in- take stock. Jupiter will then oppose Saturn in Libra tense courage of conviction that borders on a crusader’s intensity. The pioneering quality at the end of March 2011 at 14 degrees. Old of Aries is infused with the optimism and patterns of relationships and partnerships degrowth of Jupiter, signaling an almost gold mand to be reevaluated. This is true individurush mentality with the potential for en- ally and collectively, and the dramatic polithanced gain in chosen endeavors. Aries rules ical climate is evidence of these tug-of-war energies. This also sets up a powthe head, and Jupiter’s god-of-light erful dynamic in the chart of aspect can be seen as a posithe U.S. Saturn in the sky tive influence, perhaps conconjoins Saturn in tributing the element of America’s birth chart, foresight to counteract and that conjunction Aries impulsive fireopposes Jupiter first-aim-later tenmoving through dency. Jupiter likeAries, In addition, the wise adds a someopposition forms a Twhat scientific and square with the U.S philosophical bent to Sun at 13 Cancer. Aries headstrong At issue, I believe, qualities. is who we are as a naThe Jupiter in Aries tion abroad, and what blend contains the kind we stand for at home. of confidence that attracts Both can seem to be at odds abundance. This expansive with how the country acts out combination desires to broaden U. S. Natal Chart relationships and partnerships. This horizons, reaching out to explore intense configuration will also mark the the larger world. This mindset could aid global diplomacy as Jupiter in Aries second pass of the country’s Saturn return at might engender a curious and tolerant open- 14 Libra. What’s at stake, I believe, is profoundly influencing our future destiny as a mindedness about other cultures. Jupiter in Aries will blaze a trail into the nation. Will we become an increasingly corunknown if a path hasn’t already been rupt plutocracy, or will there be enough colcleared. The downside is an unwarranted lective will to realign with our founding level of optimism that tends toward rash ac- ideals of a true democratic republic? Even though dwarf planet Eris is larger tion and overconfidence. Jupiter in Aries loves new challenges and is willing to take than Pluto, she hasn’t yet made her way into on situations that others think are impos- mainstream astrological interpretation, and sible. However, it can be difficult to live up it’s too soon in the game to know how asto the magnanimous promises that were pects to these newly identified solar system made in a moment of well-intended largesse. objects will express astrologically. Coming On its own, this combination nobly, and with after the aspects of February and March, Juthe best of intentions, believes that anything piter will conjoin dwarf planet Eris in April is possible. But Jupiter in Aries becomes and May of 2011, at 21 and 22 degrees of easily bored and wants to move on to the Aries. Eris may dramatically upset some next new, stimulating idea, so it’s vital to apple carts in the status quo, asking some choose a qualified second-in-command well hard questions. Where do we need to examine situations from a completely different in advance. Since Jupiter is seen as a god of light, perspective, and how might a complete rewho might have become a star, we can hope versal of thinking change things for the that his capacity to “see the light” will be in- better? This conjunction triggers the U.S. creased in the first six months of 2011. Ju- Mars and could provide some helpful energy piter in Aries may prompt the quest for truth to make needed changes. Jupiter’s transit of Aries will make issues and meaning so evident in his own sign Sagittarius. It’s tempting to imagine that Ju- and opportunities seem larger in scale, and piter’s inability to catch fire left a tremen- perhaps this will create a sense of pressure to dous void in his planetary psyche, making find solutions and seize the moment to make him a more powerful prod in the quest for il- changes that will lead toward positive growth. lumination. In late February, Jupiter, at 6 degrees of Julie Loar’s multiple award-winning Aries, will form a square aspect to Pluto in Capricorn. This is an intense cardinal fric- book, Goddesses for Every Day, published by tion that might bring new insights into old New World Library, is now available from booksellers everywhere. www.JulieLoar.com
ASTROLOGY
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