Exploring the Meaning of Jupiter Conjunct Neptune in 2022

Jupiter will conjunct Neptune just once, on April 12, 2022: 14.23 GMT @ 23º58′ Pisces. It remains within orb (of about 8º either side) from the New Moon in Pisces (March 2nd), through the Sun-Neptune conjunction on March 13th, and until the end of May. Thus it also encompasses the ingress of Jupiter into Aries (May 10th).

The mandala pictured here (made with the ACS program “Astrological Mandalas”) shows the orbital relationship between Jupiter and Neptune, as viewed from the Sun. The star it makes has 13 points, rather wonder-fully, as there are 13 years (average) between their conjunctions. Indeed, combinations of Jupiter and Neptune may yield experiences which are full of wonder! It takes about 166 years for the conjunctions to complete their journey through the entire zodiac. The last time Jupiter and Neptune were conjunct in Pisces was in 1856, the year Sigmund Freud was born.

The previous three conjunctions of Jupiter-Neptune occurred in 2009, in late Aquarius. With their new cycle about to begin, it might be interesting to note what happened in your life in 2009 , the beginning of the now outgoing cycle. Are you now dealing with the ‘end-stage’ of something which began back then? Perhaps to do with the Aquarian themes of groups, ideals, hopes, friendships, networks, big ideas? What lessons were learned? Are you ready for a new (Piscean) theme/dream? Where in your own chart (house) will this occur?

The spiritual advice to be “in the world but not of it” has been associated with many  different traditions, and fits well with Jupiter-Neptune. Their conjunction may challenge us by revealing the reverse – i.e. ways in which we are “of the world but not in it.” At the same time, Neptune may help us to transcend this duality and touch into a state where there really is a felt Oneness.

Earlier conjunctions of Jupiter and Neptune are listed below. See whether the events (inner and outer) of those times might reveal a pattern. What can they show you about what’s happening now, in the very last few weeks of the outgoing cycle? For myself, I can see that all their conjunctions heralded a period of major (literal) life-changes which came to light within the year following the actual conjunction, which was preceded by a time of pressure and confusion.

• 2009 – Aquarius: May 27, July 10, December 12
• 1997 – Capricorn: January 9
• 1984 – Capricorn: January 19
• 1971 – Sagittarius: February 1, May 22, September 16
• 1958 – Scorpio: September 24
• 1945 – Libra: September 22
• 1932 – Virgo: September 19

DIS-APPOINTMENT . . . and the Dark of Jupiter

The last couple of days of the Moon Cycle, and the first couple of days after the New Moon are often referred to as the “Dark of the Moon,” as it is not visible during those 4-5 nights (17% of the total cycle). Visibility aside, the lunation cycle is like a prototype for all planetary cycles, so it can be very illuminating to consider other planetary cycles in a similar way. Thus, we can see that we are currently in the ‘”Dark of Jupiter/Neptune.”

(Using the 17% formula, this means Jupiter spends approximately 2.21 years in its total “Dark” phase, 1.10 years before and 1.10 after its conjunction with Neptune. So roughly just over one year.)

Jupiter relates to the future we envision, and by extension, how we try to make it happen (or stop it happening – Saturn). To “appoint” means to set up someone or something to do something, or be something for you. To decide, resolve, arrange – in an attempt to have things work out as we wish them to. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it doesn’t. When it doesn’t, what do we do with the feeling of dis-appointment? Blame ourselves for things not working out? Label ourselves as a “failure”? Or blame others? Ignore it and carry on regardless? Or let it go, exchange blessings, and bid it farewell?

How we process dis-appointment may influence how we embrace future possibilities which life may offer. And yet it is a difficult feeling, often not acknowledged. Following its trail can lead to more understanding of our own expectations, which can free up a lot of energy as we let them go! What are our own typical Jupiter patterns, and what beliefs underpin them? And, importantly, how does this terrain feel?

Here, the relationship between Jupiter and Saturn becomes significant. Maybe check your own natal positions of Jupiter and Saturn. What are the stories told in their interaction? Who tends to win? For indeed one invokes the other.

The symbols for Jupiter and Saturn “turn into each other” when rotated 90° to the left and reflected in a mirror! Jupiter is the largest of all planets and is surrounded by eighty Moons, not counting a number of “moonlets.” It’s as if Jupiter is a mini Solar System in itself. In Vedic astrology, Jupiter is known as the “guru” or “teacher” – one who mirrors to us our True Self and in so doing may also make us aware of our mistaken identities and personality tangles. We may have to rotate 90° to allow this Grace (Jupiter)! A fortunate turn of events, an “Aha!” experience that changes our perspective, an inexplicable feeling of expansiveness and abundance, reminding us of our Jupiter within.

At present, there are many planets in both Pisces and Capricorn, further emphasized if we include the Centaurs Pholus (Capricorn) and Nessus (Pisces). As Jupiter is the traditional ruler of Pisces, Jupiter-Saturn themes are also engaged now. The social planets are certainly speaking to our relationship to society and the world. Perhaps the energies of Neptune may help us unify and transcend the display of spinning, reversing, co-reflecting polarities in the domain of Jupiter-Saturn.

The Sabian Symbol for the forthcoming conjunction offers us a poignant theme for reflection on the in-coming Jupiter-Neptune cycle, starting April 12th 2022: “ON A SMALL ISLAND SURROUNDED BY THE VAST EXPANSE OF THE SEA, PEOPLE ARE SEEN LIVING IN CLOSE INTERACTION. The need to consciously accept one’s own personal limitations in order to concentrate one’s energies and live a centered and fulfilled life.”

Rudhyar goes on to liken the island to our ego-boundaries, within which inner connections contribute to personal integration. However, in time, these boundaries can expand  “and become a zone of intense interaction between inner and outer. between individual and community, between man and the universe.”  As a keyword, he suggests CENTRALIZATION.” [An Astrological Mandala, Vintage books, NY, 1974, p.234]

This reminds me of the value of giving time (Saturn) to attend to the inner-actions of the surrounding sea within – its currents, waves and undercurrents. Especially during times like now, when the “outer sea” may be choppy or wild, feeling like a potential tsunami which threatens to overwhelm the small island of our personal life. Staying on one’s own island need not be a denial of what’s going on “out there,” but stillness does help us allow the higher-frequency energies to counter-balance strong reactions to collective situations. From that “island,” necessity will show us what needs to be actioned, if anything. And this will support us in offering emotional solidarity to those (known or unknown to us personally) who are suffering. We can leave the rest alone as we care for our up close and personal experiences and interactions, knowing that by just “being here now” we are part of the whole Universe.

A DEEP BOW TO NEPTUNE
Recently I was so delighted to re-discover the music of pianist Glenn Gould … here.

Like a cascading waterfall of sound, the slow current within a lake, or a wide-flowing river, Bach has it all!

Listening to Gould playing Bach’s keyboard concerti and other masterpieces, I felt utterly transported. Clearly in an entranced state, Gould pours forth music which left me feeling that the entire Universe is perfect, harmonious and filled with Divine Love. Call me deluded if you will, but this music felt like a gift from the Universe … thank you, Neptune!

The birth time for Glenn Gould is not known, but I was thrilled to see a Jupiter-Neptune conjunction in his Solar horoscope (September 26, 1932, Toronto). This conjunction is in Virgo, near the South Node. Its dispositor Mercury is in the final degree of Virgo. In an interview, Gould tells how at the age of 10, “Bach began to emerge into my world, and never really left…” (“The Well-Tempered Polymath” … here.) During that year (1942), Neptune was in early Libra, transiting over Gould’s Sun!

Turning to the horoscope of J.S. Bach, we find a stellium of four planets in Pisces, with a Neptune-Moon conjunction. This is right opposite the Jupiter-Neptune-Node in Glen Gould’s Virgo stellium (pictured above). So perfect!

And what a delicious prompt for some Jupiter-Neptune style speculation. Did the spirit of Bach literally visit Glen Gould, connecting him up with a musical lineage through which poured this exquisite music? Or are they both connected to a Piscean kind of spiritual frequency? Or did Bach, scanning the afterworld, “see” someone whose masterful technical brilliance (Virgo) … signaled just the kind of “spiritual son” (Neptune to Sun) he was looking for, who would channel him so beautifully? How might our experience change if we made allowances for the unknown mysteries of the workings of the invisible worlds?

FIRST SIGHTING OF NEPTUNE …

And, rather wonder-fully, we find Jupiter conjunct Neptune in Virgo when the latter was first sighted by Galileo! [December 28, 1612, in Padua, Italy. Time unknown.]  Galileo sights Neptune. As the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction approaches, may we all have many moments of grace, beauty and spiritual clarity. And may past disappointments (Jupiter) dissolve and be washed away (Neptune).

Want to learn more about this topic? Here are two AU webinars on the Jupiter-Neptune conjunction of 2022:

• THE JUPITER-NEPTUNE CONJUNCTION OF 2022 with Steven Forrest
• SACRIFICE: Jupiter + Neptune in Pisces with Darby Costello (will be presented live on April 2, 2022)