Jupiter in Virgo - the God of small things!

Without too much ado, planet Jupiter entered a few days ago (on August 11th) in the sign of Virgo! The event went largely unnoticed, probably because at the time most people in the northern hemisphere were taking their summer vacation! Thus, unlike the entrance of Jupiter in Leo a year ago, this was a "no fanfare", low profile event - but that's quite appropriate to the nature of Virgo!


This is a critical shift that will affect pretty much all of us (since the sign of Virgo is present in every natal chart). It will activate now a specific, important area of ​​our life - and eventually a new set of planets and "points" in our chart.

Apart from the individual level though, this zodiacal shift of Jupiter will have a collective impact on mankind as well . It will diffuse a new "spirit of the time" ("zeitgeist") in our societies and it will affect in a particular way the psychology of the masses. You see, everything (people, events, situations) is attuned and adapted to the "frequency" of the ever changing "spirit of the time". It is important therefore to define that "spirit" astrologically!

To realize what I mean consider this: during the previous 12 months that Jupiter was in Leo the so-called "selfies" pictures were in vogue. These "selfies" mirrored perfectly the spirit of the exuberant Jupiter in the egocentric and somehow exhibitionist sign of Leo! But now that the giant planet has moved to the rather timid and modest sign of Virgo the "selfies" may start to tire out and a new fashion might prevail - having now a distinct "virgonian" essence! For example, we might see the clothing fashion clinging towards more earthy and simple forms in the ensuing months.

Jupiter represents the "higher mind" but is entering here in a realm of the "lower mind". One might find a contradiction there but not the ever pondering "grandmaster". You see, Jupiter is an avid apprentice of the core philosophy of each sign it is transiting in. It yearns to master that philosophy and to extrapolate more advanced notions out of it - so that it ultimately carves new promising paths in its eternal quest for enlightenment!

The king of the gods is unexpectedly discovering here the virgonean microcosm and much intrigued is plunging in it (instead of taking its habitual "outer" trips). And while in Virgo Jupiter realizes that there can be no "higher mind" without a "lower" one. The two are tightly interconnected and are mutually fed! That the "prosaic" and the "here and now" are as holy and important as the spiritual and the eternal! That our world is composed of innumerable little things, of countless functional parts that are crucial to the whole, parts we should become more aware of. That being of service to the others is a holy task! And that our body is a temple that we must revere and take care of!

Frankly, the coexistence of Jupiter and Virgo is a little bit problematic. Jupiter is a "fiery" expansive and enthusiastic planet imbued by a high idealism, a planet that is ever yearning to go beyond the distant horizons. Virgo on the other is an "earthy", practical and perfectionist sign that avoids the energy wastage and is focusing its attention on making its current routine fully functional and "ritualized". Therefore, there is a significant gap between the aspirations of these two astrological elements (and it is not by chance that Jupiter is in its "fall" in the sign of Virgo - meaning that this earthy sign is somehow hampering the primary goals of  the king of the gods - as Jupiter wants to aim high but this sign is ever calling him off to watch its next step).

Jupiter is a "cosmic barometer" showing us (according to the sign it is transiting in and the aspects it is forming) the degree of evolution, prosperity and optimism within our societies. In this regard, Jupiter in Virgo does not leave much room because it indicates that we are now entering a "minimalist" phase, a contraction phase of further thrift and austerity. Therefore, in the next twelve months a "Spartan" spirit will  prevail worldwide (which will probably become even more rigorous around March 2016, when Jupiter will be forming again a discordant square aspect to Saturn).

On the other hand, this position of Jupiter will offer us some valuable lessons. It will teach us how to take maximum advantage of our available resources, it will make us wiser, more inventive and effective in saving resources, in managing materials etc. - so that we ultimately cope with the overall scarcity of money and resources that we might come across.

We spoke earlier about the great gap that exists between Jupiter and the sign of Virgo. But there is simultaneously a focal point of convergence between them. This point is the so-called "sacredness" of the two signs. Jupiter is an idealistic planet that represents our connection with the higher, spiritual realms, with the divine. And Virgo is an "earthly" sign representing the purification process, virginity, "angelicality"! Therefore, Jupiter in Virgo will highlight now the sanctity of the everyday, ordinary or even old-hat situations, the God that resides in the small things and in the apparently trivial processes of life.

This means that we will start undertaking with greater willingness now some manual works that we were previously thinking of as boring or undesirable. From the washing of the dishes to the sweeping of the floor, to the DIYS repairing of our car or house, to knitting etc. These jobs we will be doing now more willingly and consciously, feeling their importance and "sanctity" in the "larger scheme of things"! Consequently, we will become more efficient at our jobs (working harder and paying closer attention to the details - producing thus a work of higher quality).

You may never have heard it, but in Japan there is a whole traditional ritual associated with - the otherwise trivialized - tea serving... This ritual is summarizing the spirit of Jupiter in Virgo (which is a very ritualistic sign)!

In general, Jupiter in Virgo will help us become more realistic and it will assist us in better arranging and organizing our lives. Furthermore, it will significantly contribute to the purification and cleansing of our society! Some fundamental moral values ​​will re-emerge and more pure and honest people will be promoted to the important posts!

The sign of Virgo is closely linked to the popular, to the working class. So the beneficial planet Jupiter in Virgo should normally mark a period of growth and relative prosperity for the working classes. And indeed initially some high expectations might be cultivated, which in the course of  time might prove to be largely "illusory" - making people feel once again that they have been cheated (Jupiter will form - at times - a difficult opposition aspect with the somehow "fraudster" planet Neptune). However, although in recent years many labor rights have been violated, some new laws might be issued now that will ensure better conditions for the working class. A more flexible and effective labor law might be applied now - regulating the immigrants' issue as well.

Undoubtedly, Jupiter in Virgo (the sign of work) will accentuate the importance and the "sanctity" of work. More people will try now to enter the labor market (seeking - in order to survive - even the humblest of the jobs)! On the other hand, many people will seek jobs abroad. We will be more willingly rolling up our sleeves now in order to work, to produce something useful, to assist in an immediate and practical manner the people around us.

Whenever Jupiter is in Virgo it apparently increases the frequency and volume of the public and private sector's construction activity. Consequently, many unemployed people are finding new jobs in such periods - but not necessarily well paid ones.

The health sector is also traditionally associated with the sign of Virgo and is expected to somehow improve now (our governments will probably announce fancy new public health programs). Additionally, any business regarding, healthy/organic food products, natural remedies, centres promoting natural (no toxic drugs) treatments and a healthier lifestyle will bloom now!

Another category of "little things" that are under the auspices of Virgo are the pets! Our societies will take better care now of our small friends. New laws might be issued regarding their welfare (punishing i.e. more severely their negligence or maltreatment).

At times, however, Jupiter in Virgo (in its "fall" that is) appears to suppress the liberties in the environment of the educational institutions (i.e the disciplinary decisions that were taken against the rebelling students in May 1969). In addition, it acts in a rather shrinking and "minimalist" manner on issues regarding the judicial system, the judges, the lawyers and the courts. But it may cause some sort of cleanup there too.

A rather unhappy combination of the properties of Jupiter (expansion, bloating) and Virgo (the earth, the soil) is that during the passage of the giant planet in this sign volcanoes are often erupting (too much "bloating"of the earth)! The spectacular - and well documented on TV - eruption of St. Helen's in 1980 i.e. took place under the influence of Jupiter in Virgo). In addition, during these periods some major tectonic faults are often displaced (as a mutable earthy sign Virgo is representing the "earth in motion")..

Thomas Gazis
Copyright: Thomas D. Gazis