Planets in Medical Astrology: Jupiter

Posted Thu, 2009-10-01 18:53 by Yubraj Sharma

Jupiter works with strong anabolic, etheric and elemental forces to build and generate tissue within the body.

If the Jupiter force is strong and the Saturn is weak there may be little to stop the forces of growth and expansion in the body. This may manifest in obesity especially if Venus or Taurus is involved, in swellings, oedema and excess Yin conditions if the Moon or water signs are involved or growths and tumours if the ego forces, as shown by the Sun and Mars, are weak. There may also be bloating, flatulence and trapped wind within the solar plexus if the Jupiter forces which are normally soft and pliable become too forceful and disrupt the digestive process. This translates in Chinese medicine as liver invading spleen and can be seen if the fiery forces of Mars are in close aspect to Jupiter.

Jupiter is essentially a generous and giving planet. It softens and regulates and from its natural seat within the liver it allows the blood and qi to flow abundantly all around the body. The Hun soul which resides within the liver produces acts of kindness and benevolence much like Jupiter. If the Hun is not intact, a person can be unkind to others (the belligerence that is associated with a negative Jupiter) and unkind to him or herself (this corresponds to the lack of self-worth and faith in oneself that a weak Jupiter often displays).

While the sensitivity to pain is often associated with Mars and Scorpio, the ability to rise above and tolerate pain is a function of Jupiter. The Jupiter force as it flows through the blood provides the ability to stay 'soft' while experiencing pain and not tense up. The Chinese attribute this quality to the liver blood and Hun soul and say that by the giving the pain 'more room' it can transform and the deeper meaning of the pain can be revealed. This very much ties in with the Jupiter function of seeing the broader perspective and seeking ever deeper layers of truth and meaning in the world around and within us.

Jupiter is relevant whenever there is a need for guidance, flow, protection and nourishment within the physiology. It particularly deals with liver metabolism, for which the chi must flow in all directions smoothly. Liver chi flow then regulates the harmonious chi throughout the rest of the etheric body, especially within the gut. There is also smooth abundant emotional flow within the solar plexus chakra and an opening of the liver's mother the heart. The liver metabolism is generally anabolic (buildup of substance, nourishment of the tissues and generation of new tissue). These include:

Metabolism

Carbohydrate metabolism, glycogen production and storage. If this is deficient there is fatigue and hypoglycaemia. Consider Moon-Jupiter patterns.

Fat metabolism, production of cholesterol and fatty acids. Problems include liver stagnation with raised blood levels of fats. Consider Moon-Jupiter patterns and also Mars patterns where the bile is obstructed from flowing through the biliary ducts and gallbladder.

Protein metabolism, whereby the produced proteins provide the basic substrates for the specialist proteins within the rest of the body. If the protein production becomes deficient with ineffective subsequent production of antibodies by lymphocytes then consider also Neptune patterns with immunosuppression. If the clotting proteins are deficient then also consider Mars patterns.

Particular aspects of the Jupiter functions with their problems are:

Liver metabolism may become weak or deficient. The Jupiter within the chart is weak, underactive. There is often also a Moon weakness, as this relates to the unconscious metabolic functions.

Liver metabolism is stagnant, with the buildup of toxicity. This often causes toxic deposition within the skin or joints, e.g. causing eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, gout. Consider also Venus if there is associated kidney failure or kidney chi toxicosis, and Moon-Jupiter patterns.

The eyes

Nourishment to the eyes. The liver provides etheric vitality to the eyes. When this is deficient there may be dry and devitalised eyes (such as Sjogrens syndrome), cataract, retinopathy, macular degeneration with blindness. Indeed the liver is also an eye within the darkness of the metabolism. It can see the light within the food stream from the gut (note phosphoric light within the liver, also the light of magnesium the plant carrier of light within chlorophyll, instead of the animal iron-haemoglobin). Consider also Saturn-Jupiter patterns in view of dryness.

Inflammation to the eyes, e.g. conjunctivitis, iritis. Consider Sun-Jupiter patterns with heat congestion to the eyes.

Tendon nourishment

Consider also Mars. Tendon dryness, contractures and nodules may occur. Consider Saturn-Jupiter patterns.

Adrenal metabolism

The medulla and adrenaline levels especially relate to Mars. Jupiter is especially connected to the adrenal cortex functions of glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and androgens (this last hormone group is also regulated by Mars). The glucocorticoids regulate glucose metabolism, immune system strength, fat and protein metabolism. They support and nourish the etheric body. Pattern of deficiency are similar to liver yin deficiency. Excessive steroids (due either to drug administration or an adrenal tumour for example) may involve a Sun-Jupiter pattern. There is excessive heat and metabolic drive within the body. Mineralocorticoids regulate the sodium balance and aspects of kidney function and water balance. Consider also Venus for kidney function. Deficient levels lead to low blood pressure and dizzy spells. Consider also Mars in this situation.

Growth hormone activity

This hormone is released from the anterior pituitary, and during childhood causes growth and enlargement of bone, soft tissue, muscle and the body in general. This growth continues to enlarge the height until the fusion of the epiphyses or bone growth plates near the bone ends. Deficient growth hormone with short stature may involve an unaspected Jupiter or ineffective Jupiter. Also consider Saturn-Jupiter patterns. For gigantic growth consider Sun-Jupiter patterns. For deformed excessive growth (acomegaly) consider Pluto-Jupiter patterns.

Retrograde Jupiter

Metabolic based and liver diseases may activate during this time from causation in past lives, or earlier in the current life. Typical examples are:

Where the native had been a glutton, subjecting themselves to overating, greed and/or alcoholism, then the liver may suffer strain from over-use. This can sometimes relate to a diagnosis of liver yin/blood deficiency from the depletion of enzymes and bile juices, also liver stagnation/toxicity from retained food products.

Drugs taken in the past that had caused disease or symptom suppression may become manifest, and require clearing during the retrograde phases. Indeed, this can become the perfect opportunity to do so.

Drug addicts or past misuse of recreational drugs, where the drug had deposited itself within the liver. The native may experience flashback psychedelic 'trips' from the activation of these residues.

Healing crises may appear stuck during the retrograde phase, since the liver is hard-pushed to clear the toxic waste that had accumulated within the body, especially within the joints and skin.