So, elsewhere I've mentioned that I'm closing shop in Athens and moving to Portland. Any of you who have been reading for a while may know that I initially started this business within a couple of months of creating Jupiter talisman for this purpose. We got the funding we needed quickly and with few strings attached, we found a great location at a great deal, and on day one we had people in the door from a banner outside the building.

We did pretty well. And although business fluctuated, we were in a position where we could have continued indefinitely - we are closing because we (the other owner that came on last year, and myself) we both want to be in different places. And I noticed something that served for me as a valuable lesson in magic, following through, and getting what you ask for.

This is a decision that I could have made six months ago. That was the point at which I was really ready to leave. However, I had a weight of reputation, demand, clients that relied upon me for their health, the wellbeing of my employees, and a responsibility to my partner. The magic of Jupiter is helpful in acquiring long term investments, things that last, and positions of authority. What I wanted was a successful business that would last. What I got was a business that was successful in accomplishing a goal - helping people - and became very well known and respected in a very short amount of time. We entered the 'black' about six months in and then stayed there. Even when it was slow, we made what we needed to in order to keep the place open and pay our employees well. Because of the sacrifices I made, my employees, and the clients that had any idea what the back end looked like, all have a great deal of respect for me. I'm known in town by people who I haven't met, but have heard of me and the work that I do.

Those of you that have run a business before might already know that these things, while excellent and only possible to get gradually and with patience, do not pay your bills.

The magic of jupiter seems to create a sense of obligation, respect, and fidelity. These things are the basis of any good long term investments, and I think that it is useful in assuring that you are not taken advantage of, for instance. However, I think that without a composition including mercury, for instance, it's ability to generate income specifically is a secondary and far weaker presence. Jupiter is a planetary energy of fortune, wealth, power - but not necessarily riches.

When i arrive in portland, the first thing I will be doing is beginning the process of building my practice there all over again. This time I will still include Jupiter, but I will play it to it's particular strength - establishing reputation, and giving my new business staying power. Mercury will govern the income/outgo of money, Venus and Luna the nature of the work and fostering the sense of health, introspection, and change. Mars will be present to engage the energy of action and forward movement, held in check by Saturn which serves both to focus the wild energy of Mars as well as guard the 'borders' of my business, pushing the boundaries of it outwards only when I wish them to expand. The Sun will ensure that all know of me and honor me and my work.

Having worked often with only single planetary energies, or with combinations of two, I believe that for very specific tasks they work well. But, for projects normally one or two will not be enough to cover all the bases. I considered employing all seven to turn around my business here, but there's the danger of Jupiter on it's own - I felt a great sense of obligation to my clients, and to my own reputation, and nearly decided to keep at it simply because they expected it of me. That, however, runs contrary to what will help me be happy in the long run. It was an effort to turn against the tide of the pressure and make the decision to move on.

So that's my recent object lesson in the practical magic of Jupiter. If you wish for others to feel a sense of respect and obligation to you, it is excellent for that purpose. A wealth of friends, subordinates, etc., it can bring you. However, it obligates you in return, so use it wisely. Temper it with Mercury especially to have the love of friends and acquaintances, or with the Sun to gain the respect of authority figures and even ultimately make them into subordinates.

There is always so much more to learn by doing than by reading or even contemplating. I wouldn't change a thing about the last two years, but it was a lesson learned through a great deal of frustrating experience.

Peace