Soma and Amulets

Jyeshtha and Jupiter

This New Moon is taking place in a conjunction with the fixed star Antares, the heart of the Scorpion, the constellation of Scorpius. Antares is one of the four royal stars, the most important of the fixed stars in the zodiac. The star Antares itself is a red giant some 700 times larger than our Sun, flashing red with bits of emerald green, as it’s actually a binary star. The name Antares means “enemy to Mars (Ares),” and the star itself has mythological connotations of extreme intensity. Here, although mapped to 9 degrees Sagittarius in the tropical zodiac, the Scorpionic archetype takes on its highest potency.

Dark Star Astrology gives a great set of keywords for Antares:

“Intense, dramatic, militant, fiery, passionate, obsessive, compulsive, fast and furious, spicy, awesome, eminent, primal, demanding, ruthless, ambitious, survivors, trailblazers, combative, driven, maniacal, pushy, tyrannical, villainous, human, bestial, ravenous, natural, impulsive, instinctive, challenging, raging, rampant, revolutionary, highly sexed, devilish, demonic, wicked, devils-advocate, teasing, taunting, provoking, phoenix from the flames, dare-devils, self-sabotaging, envious, valorous, competitive, temperamental, emotional, hot-headed, self-motivated, self-governed, mover & shaker.”

In Vedic Astrology, Antares is part of the Lunar Mansion Jyeshtha, which means “chief, best, greatest, first, eldest.” Jyeshtha is associated with the deity Indra, who was the firstborn of the gods. There’s a Jupiterean quality to Indra—Vic DiCara says, “He is the king of paradise, the ultimate trademark of a living being enjoying life to its fullest extent.” Depicted as being very handsome and of a golden complexion, he wields a weapon of thunderbolts and “constantly drinks Soma and is therefore exceedingly powerful and delighted.” Like the tales of Jupiter’s excesses, the Purana literature is full of stories of Indra making proud mistakes or getting into trouble because of his sexual appetite.

I bring up Jyeshtha/Indra in part because Jupiter is also an important figure in the astrology of the month ahead. On top of Sagittarius being ruled by Jupiter, Mercury has also been making a long opposition to Jupiter, and over the next couple of weeks, we’ll see Jupiter make his opposition to the Sun (Dec 7), and our Gemini Full Moon (Dec 15th) will also be closely conjunct Jupiter, just as Mercury stations direct. Jupiter will also be making the second of his squares to Saturn this year (December 24), which is one of the major, year-defining aspects - one that urges us to find structure and healthy limitations but can be experienced as quite heavy.

Earlier this week, Mercury stationed retrograde after having been slowing down for a a couple of weeks. This resulted in a long opposition with Jupiter, which will continue to be in place for another week or so—in a way, a description of our Minds (Mercury) being in a position to have a slow, deep awareness of Jupiter. These two are also in what is called a mutual reception—Mercury is in a sign ruled by Jupiter, and Jupiter is in a sign ruled by Mercury. Therefore, there’s a sort of synchrony between them, a rapport and support, the capacity for accelerated change in the way that we’re thinking, feeling, or acting about certain things.

Beyond the themes of excess, largess, and grandeur that we saw with Indra, Jupiter also has to do with our search for expansive, growthful experiences in life. Jupiter is connected to our guiding maps and systems of ideals and beliefs and how we connect with the higher and greater elements of life. In Gemini, this pursuit of enthusiasm is related to everyday magic and wonder, the crackling sparks of life that bring us joy and laughter. It’s not about rigid, high-minded philosophical traditions, unless these also incorporate something of the cosmic joke or an understanding of the effervescent multiplicity of life. This is the goodness and wisdom that comes through things like games, toys, witty conversations, and humor. Mercury’s station retrograde in Sagittarius (alongside Jupiter’s retrograde in Gemini) speaks about a recalibration in all of this. It’s a good time to take stock of how you’re taking information and communicating with the world, especially our teachers, guides, and sources of wisdom.

It’s worth emphasizing that although Mercury and Jupiter are in mutual reception, both of them are also in signs where they are in detriment - somewhat weakened position. Especially because Saturn is opposing Jupiter, the potential for difficulty in navigating the overflowing cacophony of information, perspectives, and enthusiasms can be quite difficult. At the very least, it’s very easily taxing on our nervous system, if not downright confusing and overwhelming. Thus, a lot of what’s emphasized here is a process of finding simplicity, organization, and coherence amidst life’s multiplicity - the methods of reflection, divination, or conversation that help us find the signal within the noise, the overarching narratives or maps that give us meaning and direction, or the rituals and rhythms that keep us centered and in flow amidst the million side-quests we’re tempted to take.

Interestingly, the Lunar Mansion of Jyeshtha is also connected with the amulet as a symbol (along with earrings and the umbrella). Here, we might think about the symbolic encapsulations of our aspirations and ideals - condensed images that can guide and steer us in our journeys, reminding us of who we are and what we stand for. Perhaps finding or creating one could be a good way to navigate the weeks ahead.

It’s worth emphasizing that Jupiter Rx will be retrograde till February 4th, so this process of recalibration has quite a bit of time to unfold, even if the time leading up to Christmas is a particularly potent one. Beyond that, there will also be another square from Jupiter to Saturn in the summer, although they’ll each have moved onto new signs.

I’m bringing back something I used to do long ago in this newsletter, sharing things I’m listening to and reading.

What I’m listening to: Hiatus, a Londoner with Iranian roots whose music bridges the club and the desert. I’ve long loved his "We Can Be Ghosts Now,” an enchanting, post-apocalyptic romance, but in the last couple of months, I’ve become verily obsessed with his whole body of work.

What I’m reading: The Moon and Serpent Bumper Book of Magic by Alan Moore and Steve Moore. Alan Moore is one of the most renowned graphic novelists of our era, writing V for Vendetta, Watchmen, and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, amongst other things. His Promethea is one of my favorite works of art of all time. Moore is a ceremonial magician, self-initiating through his exploration of the imagination in his work, and this is his book on the history, tradition, and practice of magic, especially by grounding it in artistic practice. He calls it a grimoire.

Finally - as a reminder, I’ve got gift certificates available on my website, in case you think a reading with me would be a good holiday gift to a loved one. Of course, I’m always available for readings if you’d like some navigational support.

Now, for the play-by-play for my lovely paid subscribers.