The King and Queen may rule the kingdom, the warrior defend it, and the messenger perform and communicate; but who formulates and upholds the Laws that suppress or uplift the population under the watchful eye of the King? Jupiter.

Jupiter is many things, and among them the Law-giver. Where the Sun gives Life, Jupiter establishes the Law to preserve Life by creating growth and opportunities, at its best, in an expanding society which can flourish. Jupiter holds the position of judge or counselor, is the go-to guy or right-hand man of the King whose job it is to keep the kingdom orderly and obedient.

Jupiter is the guru, teacher, or mentor. He is the priest in the population– from a holy authentic ordained clergyman to the fanatic crying out from his soapbox attempting to sway people into his fold. He is the priest in highest office to whom the King himself confesses. Whether inspired or corrupt in his post, whichever it may be, depends on the effects of Jupiter in the birth chart. Is Jupiter in a favorable house? Which houses does Jupiter own and aspect (what areas of life are primarily involved)? What condition is Jupiter in (in its own sign, debilitated, exalted)? What other planets aspect Jupiter (are they friendly or conflicting)?

Jupiter is the indicator of children, including our own progeny, students, clients, the team we coach, and the projects we create. If we have children, Jupiter will provide clues to our relationship with them. Are we tyrants always oppressing them, parents who must be involved with everything they do for fear they may be harmed or that we may miss a moment of their life–when really their independence, individuality, and self respect may be delayed because, in truth, we are afraid we wouldn’t know what to do should anything happen to them? Are we so carefree and easy going that our kids fail to learn decent respect for boundaries, authority, and discipline that they grow up incapable of holding down a job or finishing school, unable to abide by schedules and time clocks? Or are we somewhere in between, nurturing, supportive, and ready to strengthen their sense of Self?

The excitement to learn a new subject, language, religion, hobby, job, or sport, to travel to a new place, meet new people, to explore possibilities, new theories, philosophies, and religions– these are Jupiter-driven activities. The placement of Jupiter and the houses it aspects points us to the areas of interest.

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. It can be said that when a person has a strong Jupiter prominently seated on the First House or aspecting that House, they have a larger than life presence or certainly will not go unnoticed.

Amelia Earhart, the first female pilot to fly solo across the Atlantic and after several additional solo firsts, went missing on the infamous flight which claimed her life and the life of her navigator, Fred Noonan. After all these years, no one can say with certainty what occurred. Amelia had Jupiter in Leo in the 5th House (Leo’s natural house), the house of risk taking and adventure, while conjunct Mars, her Ascendant ruler, the planet that gives us courage and great passion. Jupiter aspects her Ascendant, which not only helped make her a legend but also owns her 12th House of invisibility and loss.

Angelina Jolie has a strong Jupiter in its own sign (Pisces) in the 9th House of Law and personal truths where it conjuncts Mars, the warrior, and the Moon, queen/mother. It is no surprise that she would divorce her husband to protect her children. The question remains– are her standards of parenting unusual or not? Regardless, these planets, headed by a righteous and powerful Jupiter, give her the determination to do what she knows is right regardless of what anyone else might think. We saw these planets in full effect years ago when she made the controversial decision to have a double mastectomy to eliminate the possibility of getting breast cancer. Jupiter (what is right to her) conjuncts Mars (surgery) with the Moon (the breasts). She, too, has Jupiter aspecting the Ascendant.

You can see then, Jupiter is not merely the law-maker, but is that very part of your self, your conscience and ego, which steers you through life, ever ready to make decisions on your behalf. How and where is Jupiter in your chart? Will you make decisions selfishly and self-righteously or with compassion and a well-thought out plan in sight?

The Wheel of Fortune is the Major Arcana Tarot card which corresponds to Jupiter. The ups and downs of day-to-day life offer vast opportunities to grow, learn, and expand our awareness, as do the seasons, our journey from birth to death, and the cycle of reincarnation. Although each planet orbiting our Sun provides its unique experiences without which we would be incomplete and imbalanced, none is more qualified to represent these passages of expansion than Jupiter.

In Part 6, Venus emerges on the scene. Will she be the darling, enchanting princess or the indulgent mistress? What part does Venus play in the scheme of things? It may be more than you think.

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Written by Renate Maria Bell -certified Vedic Astrologer, Jyotish Visharada, and approved teacher with the Council of Vedic Astrology. She can be reached at renatembell@aol.com 2022© Do not use, post, repost, or reprint in part or in whole without the expressed written consent of the author.

Image of the Wheel of Fortune from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck