Whenever an outer planet transits a particular sign, its effects are felt very strongly. For starters, outer planets obviously have longer transits than personal planets. It takes Saturn 29 years to make a full orbit around the sun; and it takes Jupiter 12 years. Saturn transits last around 2.5 years and Jupiter transits last around a year. In 2014, Saturn transited Sagittarius, and now in 2018, Jupiter is doing the same.

The spotlight is on Sagittarius.

Sagittarius is the sign of the archer. I have more Sagittarius female friends than any other sign in the zodiac. They are the great explorers: independent, fiery and tenacious. Trying to box a Sagittarius in a futile exercise. Sooner or later, they will break out and break free. And that’s exactly how I feel now that Saturn has left Sagittarius and made way for Jupiter.

Looking back now – my Saturn Return years in Japan were both the best and worst years of my life. It some ways it was hell-ish with all the trials and tests and tasks; and in other ways it was so incredibly beautiful and enriching. But now – all that is done. Saturn has had its time and handed the baton to Jupiter.

And Jupiter is having one big welcome home party in Sagittarius. After all, Jupiter is the ruler of Sagittarius. Unlike Saturn, who is considered by many to be the great malefic – for he delays, places barriers and boundaries, and does not give rewards without hard work; Jupiter is considered by many to be the great benefic. The bringer of good luck, good fortune, opportunities and most importantly – enormous faith.

And exactly what is faith? It is pure belief. It isn’t based on logic, fact or linear thinking. It is about knowing somewhere deep deep down that things are going to work out and be okay even though it doesn’t seem that way at the moment. That there’s a higher plan and a greater power at work in the universe. That you can trust your heart and your deepest purest desires.

Although I can’t honestly say I ever ‘gave up’, I lost a great deal of faith during my Saturn Return years. Life very much became about ‘realities’, and ‘hard truths’, and ‘struggles’ and ‘hard work’. And although overcoming those things with perseverance can bring rewards; ultimately, there is only so far that those things can take you. Hard work, discipline and dedication is important – but it isn’t everything.

We all need a little bit of that little something unexpected to really give us that push that we never saw coming. That windfall, that opportunity, that certain something that makes our hearts happy. Now that Saturn’s gone and Jupiter is here – he’s asking – yes, hard work is a necessary ingredient to success, no doubt – but is it worth it? Even if you work really really hard, are the rewards and happiness you seek actually going to be there?

What will it take to live life the way you were meant to live it? There’s a higher power at work out there in the universe and it wants nothing more than for you to live your best life…

Yes – Jupiter is definitely in Sagittarius.

Enjoy the optimism. It’ll be another 12 years before we catch another windfall like this.

Welcome back, Great Jupiter. Enjoy the party. You’ve earned it.