by Lina Elisabeth Preston 4 min read

When a planet is in Gandanta for an extended period of time its energy is unstable. Gand means knot and this is a knot that is hard to disentangle.

Jupiter, the remover of ignorance and darkness, is in Gandanta three times during 2019.

Being in Gandanta is like coming to the end of a chapter, but before beginning a new one, there is karma that needs to be resolved and cleansed.

Where Water and Fire Meet

Gandanta occurs at the junction between a water sign and a fire sign. Water and fire are incompatible. Gandanta takes place close to the cusps, in the last degree of a water sign and in the first degree of a fire sign. Many Vedic astrologers consider the last 48 seconds of a water sign and the first 48 seconds of a fire sign to be the effective Gandanta Zone.

Jupiter is in Gandanta Three Times During 2019

Water and fire have different expressions. When a planet crosses Gandanta for longer periods of time the entwined energy of water and fire  can give a sense of unpredictability.

During 2017 Saturn was in Gandanta for many months. This year Jupiter transits the same gandanta zone between Scorpio and Sagittarius. He will temporarily move into Sagittarius on March 29th and he retrogrades back to Scorpio on April 22nd. He ends his transit in Scorpio and continues his transit in the sign of Sagittarius on November 4th .

Jupiter is in Gandanta zone between Scorpio/Sagittarius:    

March 15th  - May 6th 2019
and October 31st - November 8th 2019

Physical Characteristics of Jupiter

Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system. This king of planets is eleven times larger than the earth in diameter. And his volume is enormous. All the other planets in our solar system could easily fit inside him. In spite of his size, Jupiter spins faster than any other planet. His day is only 10 hours long.

Astrologically, we enter a new Jupiter cycle every twelve years which corresponds with the length of time in takes Jupiter to orbit the Sun.

What is the Role of Jupiter?

Jupiter has a big impact wherever he is placed in the astrological chart. He can enlarge, exaggerate and expand. Fortunately, his energy is benevolent and the areas he expands are often to our benefit. His true purpose is to remove darkness and to bring the light of knowledge and wisdom.   

Jupiter is the guide, the counselor and the teacher. He represents truth and dharma.

The Warrior and The Healer

If your Vedic rising sign, Sun or Moon are in Pisces or Sagittarius you will be more sensitive to Jupiter’s Gandanta. Sagittarius also has Saturn and Ketu slowly transiting which puts a serious focus on this sign.

In the fire sign, Sagittarius we find a warrior with an enthusiasm for truth and dharma.  A warrior needs guidance and the ruling planet Jupiter makes Sagittarius a good sign for teachers, advisors and counselors. Sagittarius loves adventure, discovery and travel. This is a philosophical sign bent on understanding truth. Sagittarius governs law, religion, higher education and philosophy.

In the water sign of Pisces we find an intuitive explorer who like traveling to foreign and unknown territory.This is the truth seeker who wants to unravel the mysteries of this universe. Pisces manifest healing, connection and spirituality.

Saturn and Ketu Conjunction in Sagittarius

Ketu has joined Saturn this month (March 2019) in Sagittarius. Their long and close conjunction during this year is unprecedented in modern times; an indication that this a time of karmic correction.

Jupiter governs Sagittarius and naturally we look for Jupiter’s counsel, guidance, and advice.

Jupiter in Scorpio

Jupiter is transiting Scorpio for the most of 2019. (Read about Jupiter’s transit in Scorpio here)

Jupiter is busy with investigation and deep examination in Scorpio and Jupiter’s long stay in Gandanta reveals a time of uncertainty.

In addition to being Gandanta, Jupiter will also retrograde between April 10th and August 11th. This suggests a need to slow down and connect with the past.

Spiritual Growth

Ketu is co-ruler of Scorpio, which is the sign Jupiter is transiting. At the same time, Ketu is transiting Sagittarius, a sign ruled by Jupiter. This exchange between the two planetary rulers creates a bond between Ketu and Jupiter. This bond continues while Jupiter is in Sagittarius as they will both be in the same sign.

A Gandanta Jupiter gives us opportunities for spiritual growth. During this time it is good to strengthen the current connection between Ketu and Jupiter. The following suggestions lend themselves well to the Ketu/Jupiter energy:

Ketu is a planet that likes to withdraw from too much worldly involvement. Since there is a natural inclination to go within, it is good to to spend time in nature and interiorize your consciousness through meditation.
While Ketu and Jupiter are exchanging signs, it is a good opportunity to develop intuition, inner wisdom, and find answers to your questions within yourself.
Jupiter loves knowledge, and Ketu is connected to the past and ancient wisdom. This is a good period to study topics like history, genealogy, spirituality, philosophy, astrology, and astronomy.
Travel for spiritual purposes is an expression of Jupiter. Take the opportunity to go on a pilgrimage.
To increase your receptivity to a positive Jupiter/Ketu energy, you can do mantras for Jupiter, the Guru and Ganesha.

“Spiritual progress consists not in actually achieving anything, but in simply removing the distortions that obscure the nature of reality.”
–Swami Kriyananda in The Essence of the Bhagavad Gita

Jupiter Dates to Remember:

  • March 15th - May 6th Jupiter is Gandanta
  • March 29th - April 22nd Jupiter in Sagittarius
  • April 10th - August 11th Jupiter Retrograde
  • April 22nd - November 4th Jupiter in Scorpio
  • October 31st - November 8th Jupiter in Gandanta
  • November 4th - 20th, 2020 Jupiter in Sagittarius    

Many Blessings,
Lina

Lina Elisabeth Preston
Lina Elisabeth Preston

Lina Elisabeth Preston has been doing astrological consultations for 20 years. She is a certified Jyotish Visharada and member and practitioner with the Council of Vedic Astrology. Lina also works with vedic gemstones. A long time meditator and disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, Lina lives with her husband Binay at Ananda Village, a spiritual community in Northern California. Lina and Binay founded their business Northern Lights in 1990.



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