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RIP Jupiter

By Dana Gerhardt

For the past 12 years (one Jupiter cycle), my Catahoula Leopard Dog Jupiter has been my companion—neither faithful, nor particularly loving, but nonetheless, much loved. He’s been one of the great teachers of my life, opening me to wider patience and compassion, and initiating me into secrets of the heart I couldn’t have touched any other way.

Bodies age and die, but to the end, Jupiter’s spirit was still kicking, keen for the pleasures of peanut butter balls, raw meat, stolen scraps from the trash, cookies, bones, apples, and chews. He was a handsome boy. My greatest pleasure was watching him run big loping circles around a field, especially one with cows. True to the god he was named for, he loved freedom. I was never sure when I called him that he’d agree to come back, though he mostly did. On one of his great solo adventures he startled a crowd at a Saturday morning Little League game, oblivious to the many posted signs warning “No Dogs Allowed.”

He was a lordly fellow to the last. In the final weeks of his life when he could still take walks in his doggie wheel chair, he loved to roll past the dog park and shout imperially at any dog who might be unaware that Jupiter was still King. On his last morning, he wagged his bent tail when I touched him awake, was patient as I meditated, gobbled a breakfast of raw steak, and then for the first time in a week, dragged himself around the backyard without any help, taking his last poop on his own terms. Good boy! He had cookies throughout the morning, big gulps of water, a juicy ham bone in the afternoon, another raw steak for dinner, and of course, lots of kisses and hugs. I have it on good celestial authority that the goddess Diana was waiting for Jupiter when he passed. Tonight they’ll be running together in the forest under an almost Full Moon.

With much gratitude for the support of many–my vets, those who made the seizure, thyroid and pain medications, the doggie diapers, and the “walking wheels” that kept Jupiter going for several years past his original expiration date.

Filed under: Blog

About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Barbara says

    Aug 25, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    So sorry for your loss and admiring of your strength to share and celebrate the wonderful life of your beloved dog, Jupiter. I am sure he will be with you for a while as you continue to grief your loss and feel his absence, more the lack of the physical routine that you two shared. May your pain lessen day by day and you be reunited with him when that time comes. Hugs to you… [I still miss Bubba and Rocky]

    Reply
  2. Teodora Gales says

    Aug 18, 2013 at 11:58 am

    I’m so sorry to hear this…

    Reply
  3. Mom says

    Aug 18, 2013 at 9:07 am

    Beautiful tribute. It was hard to do, but I know he is still there now to comfort you for the life you gave him. Watch for him being there in the days to come. Warm hugs…

    Reply
  4. Debby Coates says

    Aug 18, 2013 at 8:14 am

    Dear Dana and Jupiter,

    I loved reading about your life together, and your words opened my heart! Jupiter, look at the Joy you brought me and so many others by you being you, Oh MightyOne! Dana, you treated Jupiter like a KING – what a majestic last day for him! I know you will miss him! I know he will be with you.

    Love,
    Debby

    Reply
  5. Karen Strickholm says

    Aug 18, 2013 at 7:29 am

    A lovely tribute Dana! I have sent up a prayer to Annie, Lola and Zeke to find Jupiter and show him some of the wilder spots on the other side. Zeke especially will love to accompany Jupiter on his other-side wanderings, and Annie, a wise alpha, will make sure they stay safe.

    You know what they say about dog spelled backwards…. We are among the lucky ones who know it’s true. Blessings to you and Jupiter! Karen

    PS: When I had my second NDE in the hospital, it was Annie who came and summoned the passed over people, and opened the passageway for me…. In this case, a beautiful, endless field of wild flowers and swaying grasses, with a split rail fence at the front border for as far as the eye could see. There was a opening in the very middle, about 15-20 feet wide. Annie came first and stood right in front of me, and the field and fence appeared around and behind her. Then my deceased grandparents came walking through the field, Jordie my one-time lover, many others, and they stood in a cluster around and beside Annie, waiting for me to step over. Which obviously, since I am typing this, I didn’t. There are many native-first nation cultures that believe when you die, it is your dog or dogs who help you cross over. So I think Jupiter may be there to greet you, many moons from now when you are ready to transition. Until then, he’s having a blast in the cow fields of heaven! Xoxoxo

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Aug 18, 2013 at 6:18 pm

      Thank you Karen. it’s lovely to think of Jupiter with new friends, loping through fields… and it’s lovely to think of seeing all of my dearly departed friends again some day. Hugs.

      Reply
  6. Carolyn K Cornish says

    Aug 17, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    Dear Dana,

    Much love…..Carolyn

    Reply

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The Moon is in its
Full Phase

in the
Sign of Capricorn


Today's Lunar Aspects (Greenwich Mean Time)
(subtract: PST -8 hours, PDT -7 hours, EST -5 hours, EDT -4 hours)

  • Moon square Neptune, 10:55pm  May 15 2025
  • Moon trine Mercury, 5:29pm  May 16 2025
  • Moon square Venus, 5:45pm  May 16 2025

Venus is currently
The Morning Star

in the sign of Aries


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Astrologers use a variety of house systems, or methods of dividing up the sky into twelve sections. I use the Porphyry house system; another popular house system is Placidus (this is the default on https://astro.com). If the chart I send you looks different from what you are used to seeing, then likely a system other than Porphyry was used. Whole signs, Equal House, Regiomantus, and Campanus are examples of other systems. If you find all of this confusing, do not worry. It is likely not critical to your report.

m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.