How to Work with Jupiter Retrograde: October 9, 2024 – February 4, 2025
Jupiter, the planet of expansion, abundance, wisdom, and growth, will retrograde on October 9, 2024, and remain so until February 4, 2025. This period, rather than a time of stagnation, is an opportunity for significant personal growth. The usual forward momentum associated with Jupiter's influence slows, inviting us to turn inward and reflect on areas of our lives that involve our individual beliefs, philosophies, and long-term goals. Regardless of Jupiter’s direction, this planet always carries the title of “the Great Benefic”. The difference with the retrograde is that the good fortune energies come from within -- your talents, your inspiration, your spiritual connections, etc. A Jupiter retrograde is wonderful for the soul, allowing us to heighten our personal vibrations, striving ever forward for healing, wholeness, and harmony.
Here's how you can work with this retrograde period to align with the planet's energies and use it as a time creatively for personal growth:
Reflect on Your Goals and Vision
Jupiter retrograde encourages introspection regarding the grander vision of your life. What long-term dreams are you working toward? During this time, review your goals. Are they still aligned with your true desires and values? If not, this is an excellent period to reevaluate and readjust your path without rushing forward. Make a Jupiter Reflection journal, adding an entry each day. You can even repurpose an old book, pasting pictures, words, and ephemera- just as you are reworking the energies of the book, you are reworking your delightful energies.
Revise Beliefs and Philosophies
Jupiter governs wisdom and personal philosophy. Under the retrograde motion, old beliefs and habits may resurface, allowing you to question their relevance in your current life. Explore how your worldview has evolved and whether any long-standing opinions or mental patterns are holding you back from your true potential. This period is perfect for spiritual or intellectual growth, but you don't have to push it. Read, research, examine...whether you choose a distinct large culture or dive into understanding a sub-culture past or present. Why are they the way they are? Was there a historical event that "changed everything" or brought new information to the surface? What do the people share in common with you? What don't they? In seeking to understand others - we move closer to understanding ourselves.
Work on Self-Improvement
Jupiter retrograde isn't just about what's happening outside; it's a chance to focus on internal growth. Inner creativity, meditation, and learning are great tools during this time. Focus on personal development and spiritual practices that nourish your soul. Use the slower energy to refine your skills or study subjects that expand your understanding of the universe. I am continuing to develop my own divination tool. I spent the summer creating the pieces, and in autumn and winter, I will teach to learn (yup, you read that right), share, and experiment with my new tool. My interest is not so much in the tool itself as a marketing vehicle, but in learning and communicating how to enhance one's life by developing and implementing a personal tool that doesn't rely on historical vehicles (although you can add them if you want to). And yes, you will see my spirit people throughout those months.
Patience in External Expansion
Like a Mercury retrograde, while Jupiter is in its reflection cycle, it's generally not ideal for launching new expansive projects or seeking quick external growth. Instead of feeling the pressure to push for outward success, this is a time to focus on refining plans, ideas, and partnerships already in motion. Trust that once Jupiter stations direct, your work will have a solid foundation for forward movement with clarity and confidence. But, we know that the world doesn't stop moving for four months. Opportunities will present themselves. Simply be cautious before moving forward, and check all the facts. Make yourself a Jupiter Retrograde packet to keep your finances steady and secure. The best time to fashion your packet or conjure bag would be Monday, October 7, or Tuesday, October 8; however, you can make it anytime through the cycle if needed.
Regardless of Jupiter’s direction, this planet always carries the title of “the Great Benefic”. The difference with the retrograde is that the good fortune energies come from within -- your talents, your inspiration, your spiritual connections, etc. A Jupiter retrograde is wonderful for the soul, allowing us to heighten our personal vibrations, striving ever forward for healing, wholeness, and harmony.
Opportunities that unfold during a Jupiter retrograde are usually the result of our thoughts, actions, and words in the past — now graciously blooming to touch our lives in amazing ways. Jupiter retrograde also gives a window of opportunity to restore the self as well as relationships with others, particularly teachers, mentors, elders, and leaders.
Years ago I learned the following: Always have money in the bank before the Jupiter retro hits. This has NEVER failed me. The year I didn't have anything in the bank because I'd been hit with an unexpected expense, all hell broke loose in my financial life. From that year on -- I always make sure my "cushion" is in place and I always make a Jupiter Retro spell bundle/packet to protect my finances and ensure the positive money flow during the retro period. Sometimes I carry the bundle with me and other times I keep it in my Happy Money Jar (the topic of another article). When the retrograde is over, I dismantle the bundle and give the money to charity, thanking the spirits for my good fortune over the retro period.
Here's the formula I've crafted for this year's spell bundle: Clove, Star Anise, Dandelion Root, Sarsaparilla, Sassafras, and Linden. If you're a business owner, you might consider adding peppermint candies, Jezebel Root, Pumpkin Seed (unsalted), and/or marigold petals. This year, I’ve also included Jewelweed to curb the urge to overspend and protect my money from those with ill intentions. Each ingredient in this bundle is a potent symbol of protection and prosperity, empowering me to take control of my financial destiny.
Other Ingredients: Two pieces of fabric, One Penny, One Dime, One Crystal, One paper money bill -- the largest you have in the house, red thread, paper and pen for drawing your sigil or spell words. I also will use my Universal Liquid Fluid Condenser to ramp up the power (you can find instructions for the formula in my Witching Hour book or purchase from my Whispermagick.com shoppe).
Once you've gathered all the items, it's crucial to cleanse and bless them with incense, words, and breath. Orient the items to all four directions. Clearly state your intent, which is the purpose of the packet. Remember, all energy is intelligent. You can even give your packet a name, like George, Sue, Lillith, or BringMe. The key is to infuse the bundle with your personal intent and energy.
Prepare any sigil you desire -- remember it should be for protection and prosperity. Roll the paper money and the sigil together, making all folds toward yourself. Then wrap with red thread that you have run first through your mouth. This links the sigil, the thread, and you. Tie tight. You can add this bundle to a cloth packet or let it stand as is. Sit quietly and hold the bundle in your hands. Run energy through your work by rubbing the cloth softly, whispering your favorite good fortune chant. Be sure to breathe on the bundle as you are rubbing it. When you lose focus, open your eyes, smile, and put your bundle in a safe place.
Feed your bundle by sprinkling it with sugar or honey (sugar is less messy). To ensure food comes into the home -- at the beginning of each week, put the bundle on a slice of bread and place a glass of water beside it so that you will never hunger and never thirst. Remove after 24 hours. Be sure to feed your bundle this way once a week.
Ritual Idea: Jupiter Power Animal Introspection Meditation
Create a sacred space using candles or natural oils infused with herbs that support wisdom, like sage or bay leaf. Play soft music, or embrace personal trance with rattle or drum. Sit peacefully. Call in the angels/helpers/spirits of the four directions and the center, which is the connection of earth and sky. Rather than focusing on a specific power animal, let the universe choose which animal energy is best for you. "I seek the animal energy that perfectly aligns with my desire for uplifting, spiritual attainment." (Or something like that.) Focus on a particular area of your life where Jupiter's influence may be associated—whether it's your career, spirituality, or learning. Use this time to ask yourself key questions: What do I truly want? What am I willing to work on? How can I align more fully with my higher self? Then, put a cork in that busy mind and let yourself float with no purpose. Let thoughts come and go -- don't hold on to them. Just let them pass like you are standing on a street corner and watching the traffic go by with no vested interest - just observing. An animal will come to you out of the mist of your mind. If one does not appear, you might be trying too hard, or it is choosing to make its presence in the coming days. You'll know it when you see it. Power animals never abandon you. Sometimes, they insist you have physical contact or touch one of your five senses. I've had a physical bear come into my yard twice; trash pandas open my critter-proof garbage cans making an ungodly racket, a groundhog who continually battles an army of woodsy creatures to protect my birdfeeders, and a persistent catbird who attends several group rituals.
Jupiter's retrograde is a time for reworking and refining the internal structures that lead to long-term creative and spiritual growth. I'm planning to approach this period with patience, mindfulness, and a willingness to reassess my journey, with the focus of coming out the other side with a clearer, more empowered vision for my future. I wish the same for you!
In Service Silver
Peace with the Gods Peace with Nature Peace Within
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