Brihaspati
om gam gana pataye namaha
When one takes the time to observe the solar system, one can really see that it is an intelligent self-organizing system. From the bees and the flowers to the planets and the galaxies, to a baby in the womb, we can observe with awareness that there is within everything a cosmic intelligence organizing it all. It is all so elegant that if we do not contemplate it, it is very easy to take it for granted.
In English Jupiter is named after the king of all the gods. When we observe Jupiter in the solar system, we see the massive volume Jupiter holds ~ the biggest planet and the giant of the solar system, it is almost twice as big as all the other planets put together, but is also the fastest rotating planet in the solar system. Jupiter is almost a sun and acts like a gatekeeper (along with Saturn) for the solar system by keeping a lot of celestial events, such as asteroids, from entering and destroying life on Earth. However, certain asteroids that have hit the Earth, such as the one that ended the dinosaurs, have been allowed to pass. Without this event, would human life have ever happened?
The distance between Mars and Jupiter is exponentially more than the distance between Earth and Mercury, Venus and Mars. A long time ago Jupiter and Saturn were much closer to the Sun, but for specific reasons are exactly where they are now acting as protectors with just the right amount of gravitational pull. Everything is Divine design.
In Sanskrit, Brihaspati means “luminous protector”. How remarkable that the Rishis knew its role. In the Veda and the Puranas, Brihaspati is the Guru to the Devas. Hence, another name for Jupiter in Jyotish is “Guru”. Brihaspati represents the sage counsel and is considered one of the most naturally benefic forces in a chart, pointing to its natural energy. Jupiter is the grandfather of the solar system ~ the first planet that was formed from the Sun. Therefore, irrespective of the consciousness state of the native, Brihaspati shows up as a gentle teacher. Like a Grandfather teacher and Guru.
The overall influence of Jupiter is felt in a supportive manner. This is why the Ishta associated with Jupiter is Ganesha ~ the deity who is invoked at the start of any ceremony or endeavour in life. Ganesha represents the remover of obstacles and the overall capacity for wisdom because from a Vedic perspective, obstacles are nothing but a lack of understanding. The broken tusk of Ganesha represents the transcendence of ego-identity.
In the West there is a lot of confusion about the ego (Ahamkara). However, if you “have an ego” then naturally, you are not the ego. The same way you “have a body”, but that body is not ultimately who you are. From the yogic perspective, ego is only thought ~ it does not exist fundamentally. Ego is a fabrication born out of a storyline. Ego only exists as long as one is not looking. Therefore, when we do look within, we discover soul (Atman) and realize there is no ego and we transcend this hallucination. There ultimately is no Ahamkara, only Atman.
Brihaspati and Ganesha represents our ability to expand, to develop lasting relationships, communities, families ~ one of the strongest markers in the chart around our ability to create and sustain meaningful relationships in life. Ganesha is all things abundant and positive. It is a clear marker of suffering in the life of an individual if one is unable to create meaningful connections with others ~ this is a fundamental need of the Atman. Therefore, we can look at Jupiter in a chart to better understand one’s relations.
Ganesha’s movement is slow and that is why Jupiter’s dasha is 16 years. Jupiter’s cycle is 12 years through the whole chart, spending one year in each house. All growth through these cycles is in relation to the native’s growth and state of consciousness. Jupiter, however, will always act in a grounding, creative, fertile way, which supports the crystallizing of dreams in the material reality. Therefore, it becomes very important to meditate upon what one truly desires during this time. Jupiter is about acting and taking responsibility and is externally driven to create. Hence, the Jupiter dasha is a wonderful time to manifest and actualize new endeavours. However, nothing can happen without trust in the process, which is why the insight gathered from a Jyotish reading can really support one in surrendering to this energy of Divine Grace.
While Jupiter will help us to manifest whether we are coming from ego or soul, its dasha is followed by Saturn, who is a tough teacher and so if we are not elevating our state of consciousness during the Jupiter dasha and consciously evolving, the subsequent Saturn dasha can be a very challenging time. This again is why it is so beneficial to know your chart, because if we are prepared for Saturn’s 19 year dasha, though it may have a very different “flavour”, it can be a wonderful time of growth as well.
During a reading, we will look at Jupiter’s return, its transit over the lagna and also look at Brihaspati’s transit over the natal moon, which are very powerful times for healing, initiation, expansion and personal growth. These are potent times for quantum leaps, because they are very supportive and stabilizing times for the native. For example, someone may ask me, “is it a good time for me to start a business?” I would look at several things, but one of them is definitely going to be Brihaspati to help determine the most supportive and ideal time for expansion.
Jupiter is our generosity, but can become arrogance if not well balanced. While Brihaspati is a very spiritualizing influence, on a lower level it can result in fanatical puritanism where the “guru” mentality turns into more of a “god-complex”. It can create extremism within an individual if one’s perspective is too narrow and “holier than thou” image. When people start to feel that they “know everything”, they stop listening and contemplating. We might find that one is “acting” holy but it is based on strong opinion and a sense of superiority rather than humility and the flow of grace.
Jupiter can represent “too much”, an excess of desire, resulting in greed and the feeling of “never enough”, resulting in over-consumption. This is particularly relevant when looking at medical astrology and issues around dis-ease. Maturity of the individual is paramount to elevating Jupiter’s influence. The genuine fire of wisdom elevates and inspires and then Brihaspati’s great generosity becomes a source of great health and abundance for the individual.
Our life is ultimately a spiritual journey and when we truly pay attention, we quickly realize that nothing is random.
Brihaspati rules Pisces and Sagittarius. Jupiter in Sagittarius is more masculine and generally more intense because it is a fire sign. Sagittarius is pointing to the galactic centre. Jupiter is essentially liquid, molten, and rules one of the most water dominant signs in the zodiac, which is Pisces and gets exalted in another water sign, Cancer. In the Kriya tradition, Jupiter is located at the Swadisthana chakra ~ water ~ and the seat of creativity and desire. Desire informs action and generates karma, which solidifies the effect of the planets. Therefore, the quality of one’s desire is at the root of one’s karma. Whatever you seek you shall find (especially true during the Jupiter dasha). If one’s desire is driven by greed, which is a “lack” mentality, then one will find that there is “never enough”. But, on a higher level, creativity knows no limitation for expansion and growth so if one is guided by grace, they will know abundance in all ways.
Swadisthana, second chakra, is also about relationships, attachments, complexity and fertility. On a higher level it all about creation and life force. Jupiter gets exalted in Cancer at the third eye, Ajna. So one can see that desire has to be purified through the cosmic vision of the third eye where it is channeling through God consciousness. When our desires are channeled through the Atman, we have very positive, fulfilling, abundant and joyous life. Then there is no split anymore between our spiritual and our material life.
Jupiter’s influence is felt in many houses within the natal chart including relationships, immediate family, fertility, education, alliances, guru and dharma. Akasha (ether/space) is the element associated with Brihaspati, but on the physical level, the effect is kapha. Meaning, Jupiter’s affect in the chart creates kapha value (water & earth) in the native. It governs the fat tissues and periods of strong Jupiter influence (such as at the dasha) may result in weight gain. In a mature individual, Jupiter expresses as bountiful generosity, positivity and an open-hearted way of being. Many great teachers are very Jupiterian in nature. Also, many great leaders, counsellors, yogis and healers. And, of course, Brihaspati shines in the role of the creative and the parent.
Guru is a wonderful being to get to know. May you all receive the wondrous blessings of Guru and come to know Brihaspati in the most harmonious and enlivening way. Jai Ganesha! Jai Guru Dev!
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti, Hari Om Tat Sat.