Jupiter forms an enormous hydrogen bubble in space. This giant is as big as a dwarf star, but not dense enough to ignite nuclear fusion. Still, it contains twice the mass of all other planets combined. Its diameter stretches eleven times longer than that of Earth. By volume it could hold 1,321 clones of our world.

Jupiter's immense presence dominates the middle ground of our planetary sequence. Four small rocky planets orbit closer to Sun; three diminishing gas globes circle farther out. Astronomically, by size and position, Jupiter is the central planet of our solar system. Astrologically it plays a parallel role in the dynamics of human character. Jupiter symbolizes a soul uniting personal psychology (inner planets) with impersonal spirit (outer planets).

Jupiter, a world halfway to a star, mediates between Sun and its planetary offspring. Sun burns as a transcendent spiritual Fire upon which the eye or mind cannot look. Jupiter acts as a smaller, humanized Sun. It steps down Sun's overwhelming force to a comprehensible level. It cools and condenses an inhuman Will into a transpersonal but accessible state of grace. A divine impulse with a human face.

Sun embodies a cosmic ecstasy beyond our ken. Its energy drives the system, but requires smaller, more solid worlds on which to take shape. Through them it lives and evolves. Jupiter relates the spiritual realm of Sun with the material reality of the planets. Physically through its glowing gas immensity. Psychologically by channeling solar radiance into a revelation we can sense and aspire to.

Jupiter mutes the scary Sun to an intensity just above our own. Enough to stimulate psyche and motivate evolution, but not so much as to be alien. Jupiter serves as the gaseous shadow of our fiery star. It functions as an umbilical cord uniting Sun with its planetary centers of manifestation. It clothes Sun's power with personality. It formulates solar impulse into a religious and philosophical meaning larger than life, but available to it.

Jupiter embodies the highest state we can conceive of with our mind or feel with our heart. It generates a sense of awe towards that which is greater than self: nature, nation, God. And articulates it in conceptual, ideological and theological terms.

Jupiter is the first planet farther away from Earth than Sun is. It points to a larger destiny than personal purpose. Jupiter acts as an intermediate angelic stage linking a tiny human identity with its spiritual source. It portrays the face of God, as each of us sees it. An ideal Personality overshadowing and guiding a denser ego. A prophet, teacher, master demonstrating its higher nature. This inspires one's smaller personality to a more profound state of being.

Of course there are false prophets and fallen angels. Like any planet, Jupiter's energy can be distorted. Then it degenerates into an exaggerated ego, a super-sized self.

Jupiter grounds a state of consciousness beyond ego, in which one encounters God. Thus it provides an inner guide, a moral compass. By position and aspect Jupiter indicates the spiritual quality, soul orientation, steering one's subjectivity. Its actual expression depends on one's openness to this transpersonal truth.

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