The largest planet in the Solar System, fifth from the SUN. In 1979, the explorations of Voyager 1 have revealed that it also has rings like that of Saturn, although thinner and fainter. The planet is mostly composed of gas, particularly hydrogen (89%) and helium (11%). It has a distinctive red spot that turns in a counter-clockwise manner.

The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett state that there is a Raja-Sun behind Jupiter which is causing the Red Spot and atmospheric disturbances in the Jovian atmosphere. This Raja-star is not visible to human eyes during the present ROUND. “Could it be so perceived it would appear, through the best telescope with a power of multiplying its diameter ten thousand times, still a small dimensionless point, thrown into the shadow by the brightness of any planet; nevertheless — this world is thousands of times larger than Jupiter” (ML, p. 323).

In Roman mythology, Jupiter is the chief God and is equivalent to the Greek Zeus. He is the son of Saturn, whom he dethroned, and Rhea. In the Hindu Vedas, it is equivalent to Brihaspati, the “guru of the gods,” or BrahmaŠaspati.

In astrological symbolism, it represents the energy of expansion, and is the ruler of Sagittarius.

V.H.C.

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