Jupiter entered Cancer on June 9 and it will remain there until it enters Leo on June 29, 2026. In keeping with the planet’s benign reputation, its twelve-year orbit conveniently gives it about one year in each sign. 

Traditionally, Jupiter brings luck, and there’s some truth in that notion – with a few provisos. First, what exactly do we mean by luck? During a big Jupiter transit, maybe someone wins a large pile of money. They feel lucky. Everybody calls them lucky. But how happy are they a year later? Did that money actually bring them joy? 

Well . . . possibly.

Not to rain on Jupiter’s parade, but one secret with “luck” lies in actually knowing what is good for you. The first obstacle we must overcome in achieving that goal is that everybody thinks they are already there! We all know luck when we see it, right? I mean, how would you feel if you won that lottery? Are you going to give that money back? 

Put on your wisdom hat – and you wouldn’t be reading this newsletter if you didn’t have one. Something deep inside you knows that money can bring troubles as well as joy. It’s just hard for us humans to remember that. We get dazzled by glitter sometimes and mistake it for gold. And of course it’s not always about money. There are many other Jupiter “glamours” in this world, ready to beguile us: fame, sex, power – even being widely touted as “a deeply spiritual person.” Every one of those traps can breed attachment and blindness.

To “know what’s good for you” – to know what will actually bring you joy – requires mindfulness and self-knowledge. When it comes to deepening our hold on those two virtues, the conscious use of evolutionary astrology is a fine ally. That’s a statement that’s meant to be broad. It means embracing an understanding of your whole chart and thus of your actual overriding purpose in the world. But focusing on Jupiter – and knowing that it’s now in Cancer – points us in the direction of the sort of “wise wanting” that is the true heart of the matter, at least for the time being.

As always, each planet has an essential core meaning, but they only really become alive when we put them in signs. Jupiter in Gemini is a different energy than Jupiter in Cancer, and so on around the zodiac. Signs give specific motivations and values to the planets that occupy them. Taking care of the Moon, for one example, is the secret of being happy – but what makes you happy if your Moon is in Leo is very different from what makes you happy with the Moon in Virgo. It’s the same with Jupiter in the signs, so let’s balance our desires with some astrological wisdom by placing Jupiter in the evolutionary framework of Cancer since that’s where it will be for the next year or so.

Cancer represents the drive to nurture. It’s the great comforter and healer of the zodiac. A kitten or a puppy comes into your life. The beyond-rational thrill of happiness that you feel in the presence of that creature is pure Cancerian radiance. With those words, we can easily discern in Cancer the energetic signature of Mother Moon, Cancer’s ruler. 

• That Cancerian nurturing impulse goes two ways: it’s about nurturing yourself as much as it is about nurturing other people. 

The two paths are interdependent – you can’t have one without the other, at least not without losing half the energy. If we are kind to ourselves, we are more likely to be kind to others – and vice versa. For one initial bad example, think of someone who smokes cigarettes. No big deal, but we all know that smoking isn’t good for you. Now think of that person in the car in front you as you stop at a red light. The light turns green and that person throws a cigarette butt out their window as they’re taking off. They’re treating the world the same way they are treating their own body. 

That’s Cancer energy, only backwards. 

What about Cancer energy “frontwards?” Start with the notion that If you are forgiving toward yourself, you’re more likely to be forgiving toward others. Loving others is easier if you love yourself – and, by the way, you can turn that idea around and we’re back to “backwards:” if you harbor negative feelings about yourself, how well can you love anyone else? Attachment certainly – but actual love? It’s got to start inside yourself.

Going further with Jupiter in Cancer, the path of wisdom begins with . . . well, there are two ways to finish that sentence and they’re both good ones. You can start by being kind to someone else or you can start by being kind to yourself. Either way works. Both are necessary. Here’s the hitch: if you are short at either end of that equation, the remaining side gets shorted too. 

So, to keep the two sides of the Cancer equation in balance during the next year:

• First, be wary of excessive self-indulgence. Be wary of becoming so mired in your own needs and issues that you ignore the pain in other beings.

• Second, be wary of getting so lost in meeting other people’s needs, real or imagined, that you exhaust yourself and feel like you’re always running on empty.

To take good care of yourself, take time to notice when you are tired. If you’re tired, take a nap – even if it’s the middle of the day. Eat when you’re hungry. Gain a pound and don’t worry about it. Ask for a hug. Buy yourself flowers. Watch your favorite movie again. Think of someone you love whom you have not seen for a long time. Reach out to them and reconnect. Relax your self-discipline. Let go of your inner Stoic. Stay in bed a little longer. 

That kind of gentleness toward yourself creates a Cancerian vibration of Jupiterian generosity of spirit in you toward everyone else.

Or, as we just saw, you can turn to the other side of the equation in order to trigger your path to the higher ground. You can prime the Jupiter-in-Cancer pump by practicing sweetness, protectiveness, and caring toward others. That works too. Ask a friend how she is doing. Don’t make it a heavy thing, but keep it serious. Look her right in the eye, like you are expecting a real answer, not just a perfunctory “I’m fine, thank you.” Listen carefully, patiently. Respond substantively. 

What else? Rub someone’s tight shoulders. Remember birthdays. Remember to hug. Remember to say “I love you.” Pat your cat or your dog – they’re beings too. Make a charitable contribution. Smile at a stranger. Tip waiters well – and make eye contact when you do. Do the same for someone begging on the street.

Everyone knows that expressing kindness like that creates good feelings inside of you – and “creating a good feeling inside of you” circles us directly back to self-nurture.  

See what I mean by the interdependency of these two faces of Jupiter in Cancer? These are what I mean by “wise wantings” while Jupiter is traversing this gentle sign.

• Here’s where magic enters the picture. If you do these Jupiter-in-Cancer “yogas,” you create a luminous ball of good energy in yourself. What does it attract? The answer is that famous Jupiter luck. 

During Jupiter’s year-long passage through Cancer, it will very likely impact two houses in your chart. That’s true unless Cancer is intercepted – which means it’s contained within a single wide house and touches no house cusps. If you were born at a high latitude, it’s also possible that Jupiter will touch three of your “skinny” houses before it leaves Cancer. But for most of us, it will touch two houses. 

Much depends on aspects it makes and the tone of the rest of your chart, but we can learn a lot just knowing about the houses. Here are a few words about each one just to focus our understanding a bit more.

JUPITER IN THE FIRST HOUSE 

To take good care of yourself, you’ll probably need to act in ways that people will interpret as “selfish.” Go for it anyway – it’s time to do something for yourself for a change. Celebrate yourself.

To take good care of others, you can serve as a good example – a role model – when it comes to someone making their own wellbeing their priority. Be positive and encouraging. Even if you are feeling unhappy, go ahead and smile – and guaranteed, you’ll feel happier, and your happiness will be contagious.  

JUPITER IN THE SECOND HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you probably need something of a material nature – some tool or instrument that empowers you and gives you joy. Don’t be too parsimonious to spend some money on yourself.

To take good care of others, be materially generous. We promise that you will be offered the opportunity! Maybe it’s about a financial gift. Possibly it’s a gift of your expertise, or your time, or of some tool.  

JUPITER IN THE THIRD HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to speak up confidently. You need to claim your right to be heard. If you need to say a paragraph, don’t settle for one single sentence. Walk like a king or queen.

To take good care of others, you can offer words of faith and encouragement. Compliment people. Recognize their skills and virtues, and do it out loud. 

JUPITER IN THE FOURTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need a time-out from the hustle and bustle of your life. You need time at home – and in your deep “inner home.” Give the place where you live a gift while you’re at it – a new piece of furniture, a new coat of paint.

To take good care of others, you need to honor your “family ties” – and by “family,” what we really mean is your soul family,  which may or may not include your aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. They need your attention now, whether they know it or not.

JUPITER IN THE FIFTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to have a good time. You need some release – and some renewed reason to feel that it is good to be alive. So have some fun. Play hooky from your responsibilities. Cultivate a creative outlet. Dress up!

To take good care of others, you need to make them laugh. Bring a gift of lightness and joy to someone whom you know could really use it. Be generous. Throw a party.

JUPITER IN THE SIXTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to focus on the practicalities of self-care. Have you been putting off a visit to the dentist or getting new glasses? Think about practical things you can do for yourself today in order to feel better in the long run. 

To take good care of others, you can serve them. Offer help. Shop for a sick or elderly person. Help someone move. Make a gift of your competence.

JUPITER IN THE SEVENTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to ask for help. Be vulnerable enough to request a hug – or, even better, a long, deep talk with someone you love. Don’t underestimate how much someone loves you. “Impose” on them – they’ll enjoy it as much as you do.

To take good care of others, give them a chance to show their love for you. Receive their generosity gratefully without feeling like you “owe” them for it. Give them the happiness that comes from caring for you.

JUPITER IN THE EIGHTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to take a fresh look at an old problem that’s been leeching energy from you. A solution is looming. To get to it, you may need some “psychotherapy” – which can be self-administered, or come from a close friend . . . or an astrologer or some other kind of professional.

To take good care of others, you can make a space for them to speak honestly, frankly, and emotionally with you. Ask a close friend how he or she is doing – and don’t take “fine, thank you” as the answer. Invite conversations about difficult subjects. If someone needs to be “negative,” let them.

JUPITER IN THE NINTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you really need a change of scenery. It’s time to break up the routines of your life. Travel. Learn something new. Take a class. Blow out the cobwebs. Remember that old Jimmy Buffett tune: “Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude.” That’s your song for a while. 

To take good care of others, you can offer them encouraging perspectives on whatever they are facing in life. Help them take the long view. Help them find the kernel of meaning in any suffering that they might be experiencing.

JUPITER IN THE TENTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to step out onto the stage of the world – or perhaps the word “community” works better. Have confidence that you have something important to do or say – something that will reach beyond your inner circle of friends. Do work that matters.

To take good care of others, you make a gift of yourself to the community. Make other people’s needs – even the needs of strangers – more important to you for a while than your own personal needs. Heed the call – it’s coming. 

JUPITER IN THE ELEVENTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to dream a richer dream about your future. Where do you want to be in ten years? Don’t be afraid to think big. Then ask yourself, who’s helping you get there – and who’s not? Don’t be afraid to edit your social circle.

To take good care of others, you need to be available to them. So reach out. Don’t hide under your bed. Join a group. Say yes to social invitations. Participate in the tribe or the team, whether it’s a class, or a repertory troop or a self-help group. Don’t isolate yourself. Share the wealth.

JUPITER IN THE TWELFTH HOUSE

To take good care of yourself, you need to “sit quietly on the mountain top awaiting a vision.” That mountain top may or may not be literal, but the truth is that you need a spiritual re-charge – and one is waiting for you, if only you escape this weary world for a while.

To take good care of others, you start by taking care of your own soul. If that sounds contradictory, consider the saint meditating on world peace in a cave. Is that person irrelevant to the world? Is he or she powerless? You know the answer. Right now, you are working with some subtle energies – private ones that can make a real difference in the tone of society.

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