Cleaning Up with Jupiter Retrograde in Taurus

Cleaning House is an apt metaphor for the cosmic energy in play now. Whether your ‘house’ is your body (as the temple), your place of business, your mind or – yes - even your home, Jupiter retrograde has a role to play in bringing you back from excess.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jupiter has just turned his back on us – which is to say that Jupiter has now entered his retrograde phase until December 25. (How synchronistic is that timing for the oft-called Santa Claus of the solar system?)

As we are still in the portal of the New Moon in Virgo, it becomes especially relevant that Jupiter is now retrograde. Jupiter represents expansion – which, taken to extremes, can result in excess and bloating. Think of modern western culture where this shows up as consumerism and corporate greed.

On an individual level, Jupiter in Taurus can manifest as too much of a good thing for the body (represented by the earth elementthrough which Taurus operates). If you’ve been getting mighty cozy with extra helpings of food and vino you’ll appreciate what I mean. Moreover, because Taurus is a fixed sign, once you’re firmly down the path of excess, there’s little motivation to get off it. To be fair, when King Jupiter stays in Taurus and treats us to all of life’s sensuous pleasures it’s understandable to enjoy them to the max!

But every once in a while it’s necessary to pull back from the buffet of Life. The current cosmic landscape reveals that this would be one of those times. Thankfully, this Jupiter retrograde phase dovetails beautifully with the Virgo season upon us. When Virgo energy is prominent there is an obvious agenda to purify and refine. What lovely symmetry that even big and bountiful Jupiter can play a role in helping you scale back on whatever level is required.

There’s also something else at work while Jupiter is retrograde: you can immerse yourself more deeply in the connection with your inner guru. Jupiter is, after all, connected to the search for greater cultural, intellectual, philosophical, religious and spiritual wisdom. We sometimes look for wisdom ‘out there’ but Jupiter retrograde is a reminder that it’s really inside you. Being able to receive that deep reservoir of knowledge is easier when your mind and body are in alignment, providing you with a clear and open channel.

Which brings us back around to Virgo’s enthusiasm for getting clean on every level. Think of it as a gift (a Jupiterian word) that Jupiter retrograde has bestowed upon you. Initially, perhaps not as obvious a thrill as receiving a new car (for example), but it will take you further in the long run!