Jupiter, the biggest planet in the solar system, stands for expansion and good fortune in astrology. It may seem odd that luck should be a fixed capacity within the human being, but our experience tells us that this indeed seems to be the case.
     Some of us are lucky, and some not. Also, we can be fortunate in some aspects of our lives, and much less in others. This is what Jupiter reveals in the horoscope.
     The basic trait of the planet is expansion: in what fields of life we experience a multitude, and get enriched. Jupiter shows what our lives will mainly be about.

Chinese years
In Chinese astrology, each year is given one of their twelve Zodiac signs. This is decided by Jupiter, which takes about a year to traverse a sign. The Chinese also have twelve signs in their Zodiac, but their names are different.
     Here are the twelve Zodiac signs and their Chinese counterparts:
    Aries   Dragon
    Taurus   Snake
    Gemini   Horse
    Cancer   Sheep
    Leo   Monkey
    Virgo   Rooster
    Libra   Dog
    Scorpio   Pig
    Sagittarius   Rat
    Capricorn   Ox
    Aquarius   Tiger
    Pisces   Rabbit

Keywords
Here are the twelve Zodiac signs, and keywords for the character they give to Jupiter, i.e. your luck and success:
    Aries   sudden
    Taurus   slow
    Gemini   amusing
    Cancer   rewarding
    Leo   impressive
    Virgo   demanding
    Libra   fair
    Scorpio   surprising
    Sagittarius   independent
    Capricorn   calculated
    Aquarius   bewildering
    Pisces   uncertain

And here are examples of fields of life where you are the most likely to succeed, through the workings of Jupiter:
    Aries   competition
    Taurus   farming
    Gemini   language
    Cancer   family
    Leo   fame
    Virgo   work
    Libra   negotiation
    Scorpio   performance
    Sagittarius   travel
    Capricorn   planning
    Aquarius   education
    Pisces   faith


Jupiter and its traits. Woodcut by Hans Sebald Beham, from the 1530's.

Ruler
Jupiter rules over Sagittarius, the sign of freedom, which means that it tends to be the most obvious and enforced in this sign. It exalts in Gemini. It fits the best in mutable signs, like the two mentioned, and prefers the elements fire and air over earth and water. In fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) it is somewhat restrained, especially in Taurus and Aquarius.


The god Jupiter (Zeus), about to throw a bolt of lightning. Jupiter was the mightiest of the gods. Relief by Luc Faydherbe, circa 1650.

Planet age
Each of the heavenly bodies represents a period in your life of about seven years. In the case of Jupiter it is the period of adult life where we usually get the most success, and our career peaks. It is right after the strife of the Mars period. That's approximately when you're 35 to 42 years old. What you have worked for in the Mars period (35-42) is rewarded in the Jupiter period.


© Stefan Stenudd, 2008