In early October 2012, after reaching 16 degrees of tropical Gemini Jupiter stationed and began a three month retrograde journey – that journey is now at an end and Jupiter stations again on Jan 31st at 6 degrees Gemini, from which time the planet of expansion and joviality will be heading directly for the border with tropical Cancer. This is the big push, the increase in outbreath of all that has been building in connection with this planet since Jupiter entered Gemini back in early June 2012 – we’ve had some pretty momentous times since then, times of growing anticipation for expanding horizons on so many levels, and, not least of all, those surrounding the December solstice 2012.

If the expectations for major events connected with this significant station in the solar cycle were unfulfilled the underlying reality of the times has relentlessly pushed our world from beneath and the events that have unfolded through this time have shown that Jupiter’s main role has been to amplify the pressure at work. The chief astrological source for that pressure over the solstice time was the sextile between Pluto and Saturn, which we will be coming to in a seperate post shortly – but, these two outlying planets have been brewing a revolution in the underworld that, every now and then, lets off steam and gives us warning of whats to come, and, it is through Jupiter that this energetic has been expressed. These three planets formed a yod with precision timing that became exact on the solstice; the first pressure release was deflationary…….with Jupiter going direct again, and remaining so until reaching Cancer, we can now expect the energy of change to become evermore demonstrably expressed…..the tide has turned! This will be an experiment in ‘being the change we want to see in the world’.

There are some major Jupitarian milestones coming up on that journey towards Cancer, markers in the matrix that spell out just how important the next 18 weeks will be, for Jupiter will be conjunct the Sun at solstice in June, within minutes of arc of Cancer, and will reach the cusp just five days later on the 26th. But, the scope of ‘change’ discernable in the planetary movements through this time is immense, so, here we will focus on their energetics through until equinox.

The journey direct begins with the Sun square Saturn, the Moon opposite Uranus and Jupiter square Chiron, and the latter aspect, having been in place for some weeks, will now begin ‘applying’…..”underlying tensions for reparative action to meet pro-active calls for significant change that will affect us all” is a theme that will run through all the coming months up to solstice and this is amplified further with Pallas conjunct Uranus as the Imbolc Sun reaches mid Aquarius.

The rhetoric for change can only last so long without something ‘actually happening’ that reflects it back to us…..here-in lies the first level of tension that holds that pressure. The first signs that the floodgates are about to open will be when the stellium of Mars, Mercury, Chiron and Neptune forms in Pisces a few days into Jupiter’s journey….all squaring Jupiter, this potent mix of vociferous planets could see some very hot and passionate words being fed to the fires in the socio-political boiler room. Positive news could be amongst the rhetoric too, with Venus trining Jupiter from Aquarius, and, Uranus sextile will bring unexpected benefits from this potentially shouty and turbulent episode.

Difficult as the atmosphere generated here may be, the outcomes could be the first solid signs of that ‘turning of the tide’, especially as, once the Moon has passed through this quarter and transitted no less than six planets (it may feel like its kicking off everywhere, again, but, its just the ripple effect of the ‘wake-up call’ Jupiter is putting out there), Moon conjunct Jupiter on Feb 18th will see Saturn go retrograde and the Sun enter Pisces. This will signal the return of the Saturn/Pluto/Jupiter yod…..

….following this hectic lunations opening, the period coming up around the Pisces full Moon on February 25th is asking us to bring out strong creative heart centered energy as the Moon first opposes Venus on the cusp of Pisces and then Neptune before exactly squaring Jupiter at full Moon. This T-square has the potential to ask the question of just how much of the change we are seeing in the world is truly reflecting our inner wisdom, the home truths we know need to be recognised and healed – when will the watershed moment, the critical mass manifest, and the momentum arrive through which we can overcome the burdens and cloying persistence of the past?

Mercury conjuncts Mars, trine the Moon’s north node and Chiron stands between them and the Sun…….Uranus inconjunct the full Moon could make this a time of inspired thinking outside the box; the pressure is on to get real, for release from the wounds of the past – we must become masters of our fate!

How much we stay on the upside of these transits depends upon how well we can communicate our ideas while holding the ‘others’ point of view in mind….compassionate listening rather than pedantic authoritarianism. This will be a good time for listening to the voice of our inner wounds and making sure we do not remain the victim of them, but, learn and grow, to mature as a species. However, with Vesta in close proximity to Jupiter, we need above all else to make sure that the boundaries of our sacred space are not violated, so, on a personal note be careful who you confide in…..the cat and our journal may be our best friends here, or simply keeping it quiet and simple.

All the drama in the world may seem to be upon  us at this Pisces full Moon, but, it can also be a time of deepening self-understanding and preparation for the equinoxial transition, a big wave in the turning tide…..

….all through this time the Pluto Saturn sextile is building, fueling the global matrix with talk of revolution and seismic tremors in the world of power and politics, and, as it does so the yod builds slowly and the pressure upon Jupiter increases.That yod becomes increasingly sensitive as we approach equinox and with Moon conjunct Jupiter as it approaches we will feel the undercurrents of archetypal change sweeping us along once again. Just as the Sun enters tropical Aries, Mars conjuncts Uranus, the Moon opposes Pluto, and a second yod opens between Mars/Uranus and Jupiter with Saturn at the action point! To underline all this potential for high drama and explosive events Uranus is accelerating faster than Pluto and closing their ground-breaking square…….its going to be getting hot this equinox! Full Moon after equinox brings it all to a head….but, we’ll come back to that one nearer the time……

In this report my main aim is to flag up the planetary energetics of the period between Imbolc when Jupiter goes direct and Equinox when it reaches the first major station of its journey across and out of Gemini – we will come back to the second half as we approach that time, but, as is clear from the way in which these planetary dynamics are building, as well as being energetically charged and challenging, the weeks ahead hold much potential for change, innovation and planetary healing. The tide will be turning, of this there is no doubt, but, the overall feel of this time is an expanding and amplifying awareness that is both necessary and, potentially, catalystic in taking us to the very edge of collective cohesion, a role reflected in Jupiter’s journey through Gemini, but, also one that begs the question…..’where are we going…….and who’s really at the wheel’?!