Jupiter is fifth planet away from the Sun and the largest planet in the Solar System, with a diameter of 89,000 miles (the Earth's diameter is 8,000 miles). It orbits the Sun every 11.86 years. It has 15 moons, 4 of which are visible to Earth through a telescope.

In the natal chart Jupiter is considered the planet of good luck, optimism, success, happiness and generosity. As the planet of expansiveness and abundance, Jupiter rules over luck, heath, happiness, wealth and worldly goods, knowledge, higher learning, vision and honesty. Jupiter imparts philosophical wisdom, whereas Mercury imparts day to day cleverness.

The Babylonian equivalent of Jupiter was Marduk, King of the Gods. The story of creation is centered around him. The primordial sea serpent, Tiamat, revolted against the gods. Marduk was chosen as their champion and he defeated the armies of darkness and killed Tiamat. Marduk created the earth and sky from the remains of Tiamat's gigantic corpse. He put the stars in the heavens and created the calendar.

The Greek god, Zeus, who became Jupiter in Roman mythology, drew lots with his brothers to share the Universe. Hades drew the underworld, Poseidon drew the sea and Zeus became the supreme ruler. He was Lord of the Sky, the god of rain and the gatherer of clouds who controled the thunderbolt. His power was greater than all the others, as he had the power to elevate to immortality and place among the stars, as he did Chiron, Sagittarius, Hercules and Calisto, or to release from suffering. He could also condemn as he did Prometheus, Cronus and Asclepius.

Zeus had a special throne at the top of Mr. Olympus where he could see everything below, but he was not all-powerful or all-knowing. When on his throne, Thought and Memory, two magnificent ravens sat on each shoulder, advising him. 

Jupiter/Zeus as a lover seems to have been oversexed, for he had many children with many different women. He was not interested in forming relationships and in Jupiter's sign Sagittarius, it manifests a lively but uncommitted sexuality worthy of Jupiter/Zeus. Ancient Greek astrologers associated Zeus with Leo, the sign that symbolizes children. Jupiter's mythological children represent his prolific creativity rather than that of an excessive sexual nature.

Jupiter signifies good fortune and good fellowship. In Latin, he is called Jove, hence the word jovial. Jupiter(Zeus) was the God of Thunder and could be terrifying at times. Like his daughter, Pallas Athene, his armor pictured Medusa's face, but his bird was the eagle. The oak tree was sacred to Zeus, a symbol of his kingship. The priests at his temple in Dodona, delivered prophesy by listening to the rustling of the wind through a grove of oak trees.

Juno is Jupiter's female polarity. We will learn more about her in a future article.

A parent with Jupiter's qualities tends to be an absent parent who dispenses his duties remotely, spending little time with his child. His attitude toward the child is directly related to the child's behavior. Jupiter is exhaulted in Cancer, the sign of the family. A strongly dominant Jupiter who seems to have no control in the world will still be a patriarch or matriarch in his or her world.

Jupiter's friends tend to be people in the same position as he is. His friendships are not based on a need for companionship, but simply as a function of passage.

Like the Sun (Apollo), Jupiter (Marduk) exercises a kingly function by bringing order to chaos. Both harness energies toward the purpose of conscious achievement. Jupiter was also seen as a father figure, caretaker of the people. In the natal chart, it is the Protector or "Inner Guide". Jupiter grants protection and leads to success. Jupiter provides us with our gifts represents our capacity for generosity.

To show how interwoven planetary patterns are, the inner king (Sun and Jupiter) organizes and focuses the entire range of our psychological and spiritual energies and directs them toward a specific purpose. Then, the warrior (Mars) does the actual work. Though the Sun is the central core of our being which directs us toward our spiritual goal, it is Jupiter that makes the goal real in a worldly sense. This kingly planet impels us to walk in the world with generosity and a benevolent spirit.

As King of the Gods, Jupiter administrated the Classical Cosmos. People with a strong or elevated Jupiter tend to be administrators of their personal "Cosmos". Associated with lawyers and judges, Juipiter's transits can bring people the euphoric elevation of stardom or the golden opportunity of a lifetime or it can pass judgment resulting in banishment or complete immobility.

Jupiter does have its drawbacks. There can be too much abundance. In the 1st house (self) or the 6th house (health), there can be a problem with being overweight or over-confidence leading to arrogance or smugness. When aspected by Venus or Neptune it can lead to indulgence in sex, drugs, food or drink.

Jupiter rules Sagittarius, the sign associated with philosophy, and the process of blending the different branches of knowledge into a philosophical whole. To bring about practical manifestation, Jupiter needs the help of Mercury, the master of detail.

Sources:

Parker's Astrology : Julia And Derek Parker

Only Astrology Book You Will Ever Need: Joanne Martine Woolfolk

Mythology : Edith Hamilton

Mythic Astrology: Archetypal Powers In The Horoscope : Ariel Guttman and Kenneth Johnson