On December 18th, as the Sun travels through the highly charged Galactic Center, Jupiter enters Capricorn, a placement that on the surface appears to have all the excitement of a lead balloon. But what it lacks in lightheartedness, it more than makes up for in practicality, efficiency, stability, and good timing.
     Jupiter was last in earthy and utilitarian Capricorn since 1996, the year that brought us Mad Cow Disease, the deregulation of the telecommunications industry, and the crash of TWA Flight 800 off the coast of Long Island.
     And Jupiter hasn't been in Capricorn while Saturn is in Virgo since 1949, when both NATO and the People's Republic of China were formed. 1949 was the year that the first ‘stored program computer’ began operation at Cambridge University in the U.K. and U.S. President Truman established a national housing policy that provided federal aid to slum clearance programs and low cost housing. Interesting that 59 years later (2 Saturn cycles and 5 Jupiter cycles) China is in the news almost daily and foreclosure prevention is at the forefront of everyone's mind. Too bad ‘Give 'em hell Harry’ or a reasonable facsimile is nowhere in sight. 
     Jupiter in Capricorn runs the gamut from formidable to frightening and even funny. Outrageous Sagittarian ‘Rockers’ Ted Nugent and Ozzy Osbourne, (both have Jupiter in Capricorn) have reached an iconic status. Many excellent comics, actors, and entertainers that have stood the test of time were born with Jupiter in Capricorn. They include: Andy Kaufman, Dick Van Dyke, John Belushi, Bill Cosby, Dustin Hoffman, Lenny Bruce, Margaret Thatcher, Clark Gable, Jonathan Winters, Johnny Carson, Mary Tyler Moore, Shirley ‘Goldfinger' Bassey, Merv Griffin, and Vanessa Redgrave.
     Both Charles Chaplin and Adolf Hitler, born 4 days apart in 1889, had Jupiter in Capricorn.
    The Saturn station at 9:11 AM on December 19th (the retrograde phase through May 3, 2008) could insert a monkey wrench into many holiday parties and foul-up transportation. By going with the flow and keeping expectations and alcohol consumption low, you’ll keep hangovers and disappointments to a minimum.

Chart: Capricon Ingress of Jupiter (larger view)

******* Weekly Horoscope

ARIES: Now that your belief system has been demo-ed to its core and your philosophy is in the midst of a major renovation, it may seem odd that your professional life is next on the agenda, but it makes perfect astrological sense: Jupiter in formal Capricorn at the top of your chart demands that you ready yourself for a new and more mature phase of your public persona. Stepping up to the plate never felt so good and so right.

TAURUS: As an earth sign, Jupiter’s transit in Capricorn (now through 2008) in favorable aspect to Saturn gives you plenty to chew on and look forward to, especially if you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and put in some old fashioned elbow grease. The key is to fall in love with structure, embrace a healthy routine and adhere to it. This could wind up being the most rewarding and productive sequence you’ve had in ages.

GEMINI:  As Jupiter goes into your sexy 8th house of other people's money and shared resources, an old American Express card commercial comes to mind: "Membership has its Privileges" said the ad. So as  stern Saturn reverses direction in your 4th house of home and family, and Jupiter goes into sober Capricorn you have the choice to act as grown-up and forfeit the more frivolous part of your nature in exchange for something very  solid and stable. The side effects are positive too: As you rise to the occasion, your self-esteem does too.

CANCER: Jupiter in your 7th house of partnership bodes very well for relationships in the coming year, so why aren’t you smiling? Yes, Saturn retrograde in your 3rd house of communication and transportation can fill your mouth with marbles and give you a flat tire when you least expect it. But the best communication is often silent and staying close to home may work out very nicely.  The beautiful aspect between Venus in your 5th house of recreation and Uranus in your 8th house of sex makes for spontaneous magic with little or no effort required on your part.

LEO: Does the phrase ‘One per cent inspiration and Ninety Nine per cent perspiration’ ring a bell? Mercury in favorable aspect to Neptune gives you a very brilliant idea that should be acted upon. But Saturn retrograde in your 2nd house of income and Jupiter in Capricorn in your 6th house of work says that if you can't stand the red tape then get out of the kitchen (or laboratory, or boardroom, or whatever), you get it. Be patient with a financial situation that seems stalled. It won't remain so forever.

VIRGO: Saturn retrograde can be a little intimidating to say the least, and it's important to not allow yourself to be drained by fear and worry- most of what we are terrified of never happens anyway. The last thing you need as the holidays near is to be paralyzed. On the other hand, if your inner voice says to stay put, or to skip a party or a trip, then do so. But Jupiter in your 5th house of fun, games, and love promises that the year ahead is one where mixing business with pleasure does you a world of good.  Don’t say ‘no’ too often.

LIBRA: Every twelve years, lucky Jupiter enters your 4th house of home and family. Since Jupiter enlarges everything it comes into contact with, during the 12 months you could acquire a fine property, a residence of substance, and/or expand one you already have. Saturn’s about face in your 12th house now through May 3, 2008 directs you to do some soul-searching to unearth and understand the reasons that the home of your dreams has eluded you for so long. Once you get it, a rock-solid place to hang your hat will follow.

SCORPIO: As Saturn goes retrograde in Virgo in your communal 11th house of friends and Jupiter enters earthy Capricorn and your 3rd house of siblings and neighbors, there is little room for nastiness, immaturity, or snide self-indulgence, no matter what prompts it. Instant Karma's gonna get you and bad behavior of any kind will come back and bite you in the ‘you know what’ quicker than you can say, "I didn’t mean it." You’ve had a pretty decent run in the last several months and it’s time to give back. People are waiting on your words of wisdom: Communicate responsibly and speak with authority.

SAGITTARIUS: The free-wheeling crazy year of your ruling planet (Jupiter) in your sign has come to a rousing finale, so take a bow, take a breath, and take a seat. Now, for the next 12 plus months, where finances are concerned, prudent makes perfect. That is not to say that the good times have stopped rolling all together, not by a long shot. But take a hint from fellow Sagittarian Brad Pitt, who is as we speak, busy rebuilding an area in New Orleans. He's got the right idea. Joy (and financial reward) must be grounded in something worthwhile and tangible. It's a win-win: and that’s what you're all about.

CAPRICORN: Okay-the good news is that at long last, Jupiter enters your sign and gives you the strength and hopefully many opportunities for recognition through 2008. The not so good news, is that the very next day, your ruling planet Saturn, turns retrograde in your 9th house of foreign and legal affairs, pulling your energy back a little and making for yet another round of delays. But these may be blessings in disguise.

AQUARIUS: A strong-willed lady in a position of power (could be a boss) goes to bat for you, if so, be sure to acknowledge it - quietly. Your co-ruler, Saturn, turns retrograde in your 8th house of shared resources and other people’s money. Paying off a loan early or reworking finances with partners/lenders may work in your favor. The year long transit of Jupiter in Capricorn brings a guardian angel who takes their work very seriously. He (or she) will hover around you 24/7, guiding you and seeing to it that you stay out of harm’s way.

PISCES: After a year of frenzied career activity, the focus shifts to the kind of nurturing stability that being a part of a solid community can provide. On Dec 18, fortune smiles as your co-ruler Jupiter enters traditional Capricorn and your 11th house of group affiliations - where he'll remain for more than a year. You’ll benefit from keeping in touch with them regularly during this period. Saturn retrograde in your 7th house of partnership indicates that an under the weather spouse or significant other has less to give than usual. Reach out to them.

© Shelley Ackerman, 2007.
No parts of this article may be used or reprinted without written permission from the author.