Given how frequently Mercury goes retrograde (the third of the year will be in full swing between August 23 and September 15), the last thing you probably want to hear is that another planet is about to go retrograde. However, Jupiter, the planet of fortune and abundance, will be doing just that from September 4 to December 30, 2023.
Jupiter is known as the great benefic in astrology. Its purpose is to bring good fortune, joy, knowledge, and wisdom, but it also functions as a magnifying glass, amplifying everything it comes into contact with. Consider Jupiter to be the planetary equivalent of a bouncy emcee whose job it is to turn up the volume on whatever’s going on in the sky. For example, when Jupiter conjuncts your Venus sign, which improves how you relate to others and express yourself creatively, as well as what you value, it may bring luck and energy to your relationships and finances.
And the solar system’s largest planet appears to move backward through the sky every year for about four months. Jupiter will begin its retrograde motion in the fixed earth sign Taurus in 2023.
Read on to learn more about Jupiter retrograde and what to expect for your sign as the planet moves backward this year.
What Does Jupiter Retrograde Mean in Astrology?
To understand what happens when Jupiter is retrograde, it can help to first understand how the planet works when it is direct. Jupiter’s job is to push for more, more, and more of whatever it’s connecting with, whether it’s a placement in your chart or another planet or luminary in the sky. The planet of abundance is in charge of expansion in all forms, particularly when it comes to cultivating knowledge and broadening your horizons.
Jupiter transits will push you beyond your boundaries (which Saturn frequently inspires you to set), encouraging you to have faith and follow your instincts. It’s essentially the planet of YOLO, boosting optimism and a desire to leap into the unknown in order to have an extraordinary experience and broaden your consciousness. On the other hand, the great benefit can sometimes encourage you to bite off more than you can chew. Jupiter’s effect, like any other planet, is most noticeable when it is moving forward.
When it moves backward, it is less concerned with influencing the events in your life — your work responsibilities, your love life, your living situation — and more interested in inner work and self-reflection, particularly that related to the house it is transiting in your natal chart. Assume it’s currently in your fifth house of romance and self-expression (hello, Sagittarians and Scorpios!). While Jupiter is direct in your fifth house, it can light up your dating and love life — think more matches, hookups, flirty texts, and fireworks — but it can also lead to more creative projects and spontaneous fun with friends. But, even as it moves backward, Jupiter nudges you to look at the big picture. For example, you may realize that, even if you’re having a good time, it’s still important to work toward your romantic and creative goals.
Because Jupiter governs knowledge and wisdom, the planet’s retrogrades cause a lot of philosophizing and questioning of the rules that govern the area of life that it’s magnifying. Assume Jupiter is in your eighth house of shared resources. During that time, you may be wondering whether you and your partner should be saving for a down payment on a house — or perhaps looking into alternative investments that speak more to your shared values.
It is worth noting that, as with any astrological event, you may not feel this Jupiter retrograde as strongly as you would a full moon or Mercury retrograde. This is due to the fact that Jupiter’s effects tend to build over the course of its long-term transits rather than throwing you for a loop with any kind of dramatic, in-your-face series of events.
When Is Jupiter Retrograde 2023, and How Can You Prepare For It?
Jupiter will be retrograde in Taurus from Monday, September 4, to Saturday, December 30, 2023. Jupiter spends about a year in each sign, taking about 12 years to complete one full revolution through the zodiac due to these long retrograde periods and Jupiter’s pace through the signs. It has been in Taurus since May 16 and will not leave the bull’s sign until May 25, 2024.
In turn, Jupiter is currently expanding and magnifying themes related to Taurus, a sign ruled by Venus, the planet of love, money, and art. It’s why we’re having big-picture discussions about money (inflation?), beauty standards, and idealistic love.
However, while Mercury is retrograde, you may feel compelled to move inward and meditate on big-picture, Jupiterian issues, such as your financial goals or what you want from your next long-term relationship.
Here are a few ideas for preparing for and making the most of this transit:
• Make self-reflection a priority.
Taurus is known for being the slowest-paced sign, refusing to be hurried in their movements and decisions. Build more quiet downtime into your schedule as Jupiter moves backward through the sign of the bull, as it could not only be truly rejuvenating but also set the stage for breakthroughs about how you can best make your own luck once Jupiter moves direct in the new year.
• Nurture your inner life.
We’re so used to looking for fortune in external experiences (like long-distance travel), other people (like our significant others), and our careers, but while Jupiter is retrograde, you’ll do best to look for and nurture abundance in your inner life. Practice gratitude, center spiritual practices, and give yourself time and space to consider the horizon-expanding experiences you’d like to pursue once Jupiter moves forward.
• Consider where you can push boundaries.
While Saturn is the planet of constraints and regulations, Jupiter is the planet of expansion, fueling our desire for more of whatever it is in contact with. (For example, if it falls in your fifth house of romance and self-expression, you’ll crave more flirtation, fun date nights, and chances to own and share your creative voice.) During its retrograde, you may reflect on areas and methods in which you can spread your wings and bring more of what you want into your daily life.
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