On December 9, 2008, Jupiter will enter the sign of Capricorn for ten months except for a 3 month respite from May to July according to Vedic astrological calculation. Jupiter will transit the sign of Capricorn from December 9, 2008 until May 1, 2009. Then again from July 30, 2009 until December 19, 2009.
As you may know, Jupiter enters each sign only once every twelve years and remains in that sign about a year at a time. In Capricorn, Jupiter reaches his sign of greatest weakness and ineffectualness, for Capricorn is his sign of debilitation.
Jupiter is the planet that is considered to be the most beneficial or benevolent planet among them all. He is the “guru” or benefactor. He teaches, enlightens and uplifts all motivated by love, compassion and kindness. It is sometimes said that Jupiter teaches by giving whereas harmful planets, such as Saturn, teach by taking away. But due to Jupiter’s inherent weakness, this may well be a challenging year for many of us. After all, this is a world in which people live out their karma — action and reaction. So there are many of us who are destined to suffer at different times for cruel, hurtful, thoughtless or negative deeds we have performed in previous lifetimes. This is the earthly realm, the realm of karmic action and retribution.
Jupiter is the planet that represents finances, wealth, economy, cash flow, profit, income, the banks, and the stock market. This does not bode well regarding the financial outlook for the coming year, particularly since Jupiter is conjoined with Rahu in the sky for much of the year. People will tighten their purse strings and we will likely undergo a period of financial austerity. Please refer to my article below entitled, “2009 — The Gathering Clouds.” Money will be tight. People won’t be inclined to spend or give as freely as they would normally. This includes governments, grants and investors. The other side of this is fiscal mismanagement and wastefulness. The little money that is doled out won’t always reach its desired objective. This can also engender a penny-wise — pound-foolish mentality. More banks, financial institutions and businesses are likely to fail or close. People with unrealistic and over-inflated financial schemes will come out of the woodwork and offer false cures for your monetary ills with large doses of their snake-oil methodologies. Be wary of such toothless soothsayers.
Since Jupiter represents faith and belief in self and God, people’s faith will be tested during this time. And many may not pass such a test. Many of those who are inclined toward religion will think that God has neglected and abandoned them and left them to suffer. They will rail against God for being the cause of their problems and may turn their backs on their religion or question the value of their faith. They will make statements like, “How can a just God allow this to happen?” This is a statement of ignorance with reference to the laws of karma and reincarnation. Everything we experience in life is caused by our own past actions. God does not directly participate in the mundane action and reaction of souls in the material world. He resides happily in the spiritual realm with souls who love and serve Him.
Some people will lose faith in themselves since they cannot make a decent living or be the bread-winners on behalf of their families as they are accustomed. This can bring about a negative self-opinion very quickly and engender feelings of low self-esteem and despair.
The benefit in all this is it encourages people to approach life with greater simplicity, austerity and appreciation for the little things, simple kindnesses and uncomplicated joys that life has to offer. It brings about greater purity of heart and purpose by removing the smoke screen of unnecessary desires and diversions. People will be forced to look at themselves and the meaning of their lives since many will not be able to pursue the rampant materialism of the past. It is an opportunity to express greater truth in our lives. It may hurt and feel unpleasant but the benefits will certainly appear over time.
Religions and governments may be plagued by further scandals, especially those of a financial nature.
Marriage and childbirth should be avoided if possible while Jupiter is in Capricorn with Rahu. Marriages begun and children born at this time may suffer future financial problems, including bankruptcy. It can weaken the faith and spiritual fabric of the participants and may create liver and pancreas problems for those born at this time. In marriage, it can also cause difficulty in having children, including miscarriage. Jupiter will be in conjunction with Rahu from December 9, 2008 until May 1, 2009. And then again from July 30 until November 2, 2009.
Neutralizing the Negative Influence of Jupiter
GemstonesYellow Sapphire, Yellow Topaz or Yellow Citrine set in gold with an open back setting either as a ring or a pendant can be worn to pacify a weak Jupiter.
Mantra
Afflicted or weakened planets can be pacified or appeased by the use of mantra which is a spiritual sound vibration that is repeated for a minimum number of times. Some people are willing to undertake such a discipline while most others would rather simply put on a gemstone and let it do the work. The planetary mantras used for pacification of the planets are to be repeated in the Sanskrit language and should be done a minimum of 108 times each day. The mantra for pacifying Jupiter is: “om shree guravay namaha”
Charity
Specific types of charity can also pacify weakened planets. For Jupiter, donate one or more of the following items on a THURSDAY to a brahman, yogi, monk, wise man, priest, minister, rabbi or mullah: any yellow article; yellow sapphire; yellow topaz; yellow citrine; gold; yellow lentils; saffron; turmeric; sugar; yellow clothing; yellow flowers, fruits or vegetables.
Fasting
Another method of pacifying a weakened Jupiter is to fast on Thursday of each week. To increase the benefit gained by fasting, you should also endeavor to chant the mantra of that planet for a regular period of time, say fifteen minutes, a half hour or an hour on the day of fasting.
What Jupiter in Capricorn Means For You
Please check your birth chart in accordance with Vedic Astrological Calculation to determine whether the following results of Jupiter’s transit in Capricorn for the coming year will have further effects for you:
If your Ascendant or Rising sign is Capricorn at the time of your birth, this will be a year of growth and expansion for you personally. Maturity and enlightenment will be yours. But be careful of reckless expenditure.
If the Sun was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then this will be a year of great personal and spiritual growth, career success, as well as personal and professional triumph. Expect a promotion if you are an employee. This may be a favorable year for you to begin your own business depending on market and economic factors.
If the Moon was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then this will be a year of joyful emotional growth and maturity, the healing of old wounds and behaviors from childhood, an improved relationship with your mother and women in general, and a desire to treat others with greater kindness and understanding. However, your mother’s health is likely to suffer.
If Mars was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then this will be a year of professional achievement, promotion, ambitious undertakings, leadership, overcoming anger and overreaction, and increased maturity on your part.
If Mercury was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then this will be a year of successful study and educational achievement, inspiring and creative ideas, expansion of wisdom, improved communication, and exciting opportunities gained through travel. But you may also discover that you are no longer interested in your current field of study.
If Jupiter was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then this will be a year of increased success overall, enhanced spiritual aspiration and communion with God, new financial possibilities, opportunities which come of their own accord, good karma, and acts of kindness and understanding toward others.
If Venus was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then this year will bring romance or relationship, an engagement, marriage or deeper loving commitment. A new and better financial opportunity may arrive. Increased wisdom and understanding will be yours and an improved quality of life can be achieved.
If Saturn was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then you must be careful with regard to finances, over-expenditure or the burden of debt. Money can be made but it may go out as quickly as it comes in. It may be a favorable time to undertake large or ambitious projects, which will require much time and a sustained effort, depending on external support factors. Your career success should expand during this time and you may be given increased responsibilities. This is a good year to develop spiritually and to cultivate greater wisdom and deeper insight.
If Rahu was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then you must be especially careful around finances, financial loss and expenditure. You could easily get ripped off or cheated. It is not a favorable time for pregnancy and childbirth for the possibility of miscarriage or complication is increased. This may be a time of great philosophical upheaval in your life. You may abandon your current religion or spiritual belief due to feelings of limitation or alienation. However, it is a favorable time for your spiritual growth and expansion.
If Ketu was in Capricorn at the time of your birth, then you must be especially careful around finances, financial loss and expenditure. You could easily get ripped off or cheated. It is not a favorable time for pregnancy and childbirth for the possibility of miscarriage or complication is increased. This may be a time of deep insight and premonition. Dreams or visions may produce profound realization, revelation or epiphany. The future may present itself with greater clarity. Get close or stay close to God or spirit and let Him flow gently through your life.
Vedic History
In Sanskrit, Jupiter is called Brihaspati, the great lord. He is the chief priest and advisor to the gods (angels). In a former age, when humans and gods (angels) lived a much longer duration of life than we do now, Shukra, the chief priest of the demons or materialists, decided to leave his post and undergo prayer, meditation and penance for a period of one thousand years. Near the end of that time, Brihaspati thought of a way to take advantage of Shukra’s absence. Impersonating Shukra, Brihaspati returned to assume his post as chief priest among the demons who had not laid eyes on their guru for almost a thousand years. Mistaking Brihaspati to be their teacher, they gave him a warm welcome upon his return.
For the next ten years, Brihaspati, the chief priest of the gods, systematically purged the materialists of their factionalism, hatred and envy of others, qualities endemic to unevolved persons.
When the real Shukra returned, the demons were dumbfounded as to who was the authentic Shukra. Concluding that Brihaspati was the genuine Shukra and that the real Shukra was an impostor, Shukra became furious and cursed the assembly of demons that soon, they would meet with destruction at the hands of the gods, and promptly left. Seeing that his goal had been realized, Brihaspati departed. Shortly thereafter, the demons were defeated by the gods in yet another round of the eternal struggle between good and evil as Shukra had predicted. Although Brihaspati always sought the welfare of the gods, he did make a sincere effort to purify the darker, envious nature of the demons through illumination and enlightenment while impersonating their priest and advisor.