PLANETARY ENERGIES

“And I thought over again
my small adventures
as with a shore wind my kayak drifted out
and I thought I was in danger

All those important things I had to get and to reach,
and yet there is only one thing,
the one great thing: to live to see, in huts
and on journeys, the light that dawns,
the light that fills the world.

–Inupiat song

Astrologically, 2007 is a remarkable year, with an extraordinary emphasis on Sagittarius and Pisces, the two signs traditionally ruled by Jupiter, the planet of spirituality and generosity. It’s a year that is unusually rich in the potential for inspiration and illumination, for all of us.

The Nature of Inspiration

I woke up in the night thinking (well, to be more accurate, getting a download from upstairs) about our need for inspiration, how crucial this is for our health and general well-being, and how we can plan our lives so there’s enough possibility for inspiration factored in on a regular basis. Astrology can help us to know what inspires us and how to make the most of the opportunities presented by this period of time.

Many people are borderline depressed because they don’t have inspiring experiences often enough. They spend much of their lives in offices, shopping malls and in front of the television, and this combination rarely makes for moments of true inspiration. Even those of us who live off the grid of conventional patterns can struggle to find inspiration in a world in which commercial concerns dominate so overwhelmingly.

The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin inspiro, meaning inspire; excite, inflame; instill, implant; breathe into; blow upon/into. Inspiration has come to mean to take in or to breathe in, but originally it was all about being blown into. It was passive, in that the inspiration happened to us. The word is first known to have been used in English in 1303, when it meant the “immediate influence of God or a god,” especially that under which holy books were written. Our understanding and usage of the word has developed since then and the current dictionary (American Heritage) definition is:

1. a) Stimulation of the mind or emotions to a high level of feeling or activity.

b) The condition of being so stimulated.

2. An agency, such as a person or work of art, that moves the intellect or emotions or prompts action or invention.

3. Something, such as a sudden creative act or idea, that is inspired.

4. The quality of inspiring or exalting: a painting full of inspiration.

5. Divine guidance or influence exerted directly on the mind and soul of humankind.

6. The act of drawing in, especially the inhalation of air into the lungs.

It’s often useful to go back to pure beginnings in order to understand something anew, and in this case, if we think of inspiration as being blown into, the ego gets out of the way. Rather than being something we do, inspiration is something that we put ourselves in the way of. And if we then integrate the modern meaning, the more active sense, in which human beings as well as gods can inspire, the contemporary dictionary definition gives us some clues about how inspiration comes in—through art, music, spiritual practice and openness, love and other intense emotion, and last but not least, through breathing.

Knowing where and when and how to put ourselves in the way of inspiration, and which of these many methods to foster in our lives, can be shown by using astrology.

Astrology & Inspiration

If astrology is to be of any real use to us, it has to give us information–and more than mere hints—about the fundaments of a happy life: good relationship with self and others, joyful work, and spiritual well-being. It can show us how we find ourselves rooted in life, but it also talks to us about our inspiration: what lifts us up above daily concerns, what our long-term goals are and how we most naturally go about expressing them.

Astrology does this partly through the analysis of the birth chart, the momentary map of your first breath, which describes some key aspects of your personality, what makes you happy, and the kinds of problems you are likely to grapple with (and perhaps paradoxically, it is often in dealing with these that we encounter inspiration).

Astrology also works through illuminating the spirit of the times in which we live. One month is hard, the next one easier, one year differs from another year, a decade from another decade. We all know this. When we use astrology to help us navigate and understand the specific flavor of the moment, the spirit of the time–especially in an era of rapid change–we have a metaphorical handle on the cosmos; we place our own hand, humbly we hope, tentatively perhaps, but nonetheless present, on the steering wheel of our fate. Yes, the world is rushing along, seemingly chaotic and unpredictable, but we can steady the course if we apply our ancient knowledge of the sky to everyday life, to both big and small decisions.

When we live in accord, in harmony, together with, the spirit of the times, we gather energy, we have zest for life, we move forward with confidence. We all need something to look forward to. Fostering our passion for new and deeper experience and directly engaging with that which inspires us, makes us happy.

The astrological patterns of 2007 suggest that this is a year in which opportunities to be inspired will occur more frequently than usual. It is a strong year for spiritual practice and indeed, for fostering that clichéd but nonetheless realizable goal of world peace. A significant piece of that puzzle could fall into place, most likely towards the end of the year, when Jupiter and Pluto will be conjunct in Sagittarius (exact December 11). There will also be big challenges, as Pluto and Jupiter in Sagittarius bring an expansion of fanaticism and violence: which gives us all the more reason to work even more diligently for a positive future.

Jupiter & Pluto in Sagittarius

Pluto has been in Sagittarius since November 1995, and remains in that sign until November 2008 (with a brief foray into Capricorn from late Jan—early June ’08). If we think for a moment about what happened when Pluto was in Scorpio (1983—95) we can get a sense of how the celestial position of Pluto matches collective obsessions on Earth. The Pluto in Scorpio era was dominated by issues to do with sexuality and passion. We saw the emergence of HIV and AIDS, the issue of child sexual abuse, and the trial of OJ Simpson.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter which rules expansion, travel and international relations. And indeed we have seen the emphasis of our collective interest shift to these areas. While prior to 1995 relatively few individuals saw themselves as world citizens, now this is commonplace. People buy property in other countries, marry people from other races and nationalities, and work and study abroad in ways that were reserved for the elite or the extremely adventurous only a very short time ago. Travel has both expanded (cheap flights, Euro tunnel) and become mired in difficulties mostly caused by political extremism (also a Sagittarian issue). Globalization has brought huge economic changes. Many countries, and individuals, have become enormously more wealthy. The world now runs on the internet, mobile phones, and video conferencing, allowing for an ease of international communication that is unprecedented in human history.

And now, Pluto is joined by the ruler of Sagittarius, Jupiter. This ups the ante considerably. For almost the whole of 2007, the planet Jupiter is in Sagittarius, its strongest sign, the place of its affinity. The ancients observed that the powers of Jupiter to expand spiritual thinking and philosophical discourse were heightened when it was in the sign of the Archer, with his aim on the future. Jupiter stays in Sagittarius for a year, and offers us the opportunity collectively to raise the level of perception on humanity and the planet, on our collective problems and future direction. This is a time to get inspired and work to make your inspiration real. How you do that will be indicated by your natal chart and current progressions and transits.

In addition, throughout 2007, Uranus is still in Pisces, the other sign traditionally ruled by Jupiter, along with the North Node of the Moon. This Piscean emphasis, combined with Jupiter and Pluto in Sagittarius, means that spirituality and compassion will be at the forefront of collective discussions. Our world is changing fast, and anything that is changing fast is in flux and therefore open to positive influence. This is the time for positive action, and thus an important time to get clear about your own sources of inspiration and open yourself up to them with clear intention.

Jupiter, Health, & Happiness

Ancient understanding about the planet Jupiter offers us a good deal of insight about how to be happy. What one could call the opposite of happiness—depression–is often rooted in an inability to move forward. This happens because our energy is being pulled backwards into regret, grief, and nostalgia about things that happened in the past. These emotions have their place in every life, but when they come to dominate, we lose our forward-moving momentum.

Feelings cause problems when not allowed to flow freely. If acknowledged at the time they arise, they provoke psychological change and its repercussions in relationship, work and lifestyle. If we are afraid of change, if we suppress the ideas that naturally emerge out of fully-felt grief, nostalgia and regret, then in Chinese medical terms, the liver becomes congested with emotion and stops functioning well. An unhealthy liver gets depressed and loses the ability to think coherently about the future. One of the functions of a healthy liver is the ability to make realistic plans based on optimistic faith in the future.

And guess what, in astrology, Jupiter rules the liver. A good relationship with Jupiter is all part of having a healthy liver, which psychologically means being able to plan optimistically for the future, and find the energy to carry plans through, making adjustments when necessary.

Jupiter & Inspiration

Moving forward positively is dependent on being open to inspiration, on being able to receive that sparkly impetus to pure action. Jupiter rules our positive spiritual relationship, our ability to be connected to the spiritual realm in an uplifting way. Jupiter helps us get out of the mire and take an overview of our situation: to be infused with light and love for life and all humanity.

Before Neptune was discovered, Jupiter ruled Pisces, the sign most associated with compassion. This is the side of Jupiter that is generous not only in physical terms, but also spiritually, understanding that everyone is doing the best they can.

How Jupiter functions in your natal chart tells us about how inspiration comes through you and thus how you can free up your liver energy and create more happiness for yourself and others.

For example, with Jupiter in the eleventh house, you love to network and socialize; you find inspiration from a glittering social life and being involved with charitable organizations. With Jupiter in the third house you find inspiration through writing and teaching. Jupiter in the ninth means that it is in travel and study that you feel most inspired. Aspects to Jupiter and the planets it is closely connected with tell us more about how Jupiter functions for you.

May 2007 be not only an inspiring year, but a year in which you can successfully make manifest your inspiration, with Jupiterian courage in your heart! For an astrology reading focusing on your specific modes of inspiration and how Jupiter operates in your chart, click here for more information.

© 2007, Lara Owen, all rights reserved.
First published January 1 2007 on laraowen.com.