I was born with the Sun and various other planets and points in Leo. When Jupiter moved into the sign of the lion last year, my astro-savvy pals congratulated me as though I’d been nominated for an Academy Award. I have to admit, I felt pretty excited.
But despite its reputation as astrology’s most generous benefactor, Jupiter’s gifts are often best enjoyed in hindsight. While Jupiter is moving through a sign, a house, or in aspect to one of your natal planets, you can actually feel quite a lot of pressure—to live bigger, to be more daring, and to challenge your limitations.
You don’t have to have Leo planets to have felt Jupiter’s influence over this past year. Wanting to be noticed, have more fun, and connect with the engine that drives you—these are hallmarks of Jupiter in Leo. Leo is certainly a glamorous, fun-loving sign, but in combination with the exaggerated, exuberant influence of Jupiter, it can be a little too much of a good thing.
On August 11, Jupiter entered the more restrained territory of Virgo. It’s as though an epic, debauched party has come to an end and some clever, capable housekeeper has come along to shovel out the mess and cook a healthy breakfast for the revelers.
And to be honest, this Leo finds it an enormous relief. Jupiter is like an exciting house guest who runs you off your feet during the entirety of his visit, pushing you to investigate all the parts of your city that you’ve never seen, and keeping you up too late drinking wine and eating, eating, eating. I’m ready to get in shape and sort out my filing cabinet. Maybe tackle the huge hanging file of projects I dreamed up over the past year and actually do something with them!
Look to the house(s) of your chart where Virgo holds sway. (Don’t know how to find it? This post should help.) This is where you will be stretching, exploring new interests, and making significant advances—even if you don’t fully appreciate what you’ve accomplished until Jupiter enters Libra (Sep. 9, 2016).
In my own birth chart, Virgo’s territory precisely straddles the 9th and 10th houses. Historically, it’s been one of my most rewarding transits, when my 9th house dreams reach 10th house fulfillment. During other Jupiter in Virgo transits, I traveled far from home for the first time, graduated from high school and remade myself, left my office job to become a professional astrologer, and graduated from college at the age of 42. Twice, I got myself into terrific physical condition, as befits health conscious Virgo. Once, I met a man from a foreign land who would become my husband. This time around, my third and most ambitious book has just been published.
So, astro-savvy friends, now is actually the time to congratulate me—for having survived Jupiter in my sign! I’m grateful for the experiences it brought me, and I do feel I’ve grown, but I’m happy now to turn to Virgo work. I’m excited about the coming year. I hope you are, too!
Jupiter will be in Virgo between Aug. 11, 2015 – Sep. 9, 2016. Jupiter visits each sign for about one year, approximately every twelve years. In recent history, these years were 1956, 1967-69 (included retrograde periods), 1979, 1991, 2003.
