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Attributes of Jupiter

1 by gavin
Hi, I'm exploring the early history of the planets in Mesopotamia and have come across a passage in Sumerian mythology that makes some specific attributions for a god called Shulpae (the radiantly arising youth) who in later times was assimilated into Babylonian astrology as a name for Jupiter.
The specific attributes of the god Shulpae are 'lord of orchards & gardens, plantations & green reed-beds'. He is also the protector of the herd animals of the high plains (but not the carnivores).
I read Deb's article on 'Jupiter the Lord of Plenty' and saw that Jupiter ruled over 'lush gardens' and had an association with zoo animals, which really perked my interest. I was wondering if any one on the forum knows of more specific traits that match Shulpae's listed attributes? Many thanks, Gavin

2 by Meredith
Hi Gavin,

I've just been reading Lee Lehman's Book of Rulerships, whereas I don't know much about the mythology of Jupiter, I have had a look at the rulership of orchards - this does does not appear in the book as ruled by Jupiter (rather, it is given to the sign Scorpio, or the fourth house, Dariot and Lilly respectively). Farms are Saturn's domain. Gardens are indeed Jupiter's domain as already affirmed. As for green 'reed-beds' - Jupiter is one of several rulers of 'green' which goes along with verdant, lush etc, I couldn't find anything around reed-beds / wetlands etc. Jupiter rules sheep along with several other planets, but not goats (!)

Hope that helps a little

6 by Martin Gansten
Here is another reference, from Sahl bin Bishr's On Questions (?7.17, transl. Ben Dykes, emphasis added):
If however the stolen goods were in the house, and you wished to know their place in the house, look at the ruler of the fourth and the planet which was in that same place. If however it were Saturn, they will be in the washroom of the house; and in a farther or filthier and deeper and darker place. And if it were Jupiter, it signifies a place of groves and of those praying. And Mars signifies the kitchen or a place of fire. And the Sun signifies an enclosed part of the house and a place of sitting belonging to the master of the house. Indeed Venus signifies the place of women?s sitting. And Mercury signifies the place of a decorated building, and of books, or the place of grains (and especially in Virgo). And if it were the moon, it will be next to a well or cistern, or place of cleaning.
Gavin: I'd be very interested to see your original reference. Please feel free to email me.
https://astrology.martingansten.com/

7 by gavin
Hi Martin, thanks for the quote. As other people may be interested, the original reference material is on the Oxford University site 'Electronic Text Corpus of Sumerian Literature' the following link should get you to the Hymn to Shulpae (or Culpae as it is here rendered)

(http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/et ... &charenc=j#)

The most promising passage I have found so far is found in another Sumerian text that describes a group of 'demons', it is at

(http://etcsl.orinst.ox.ac.uk/cgi-bin/et ... &charenc=j#)

Its quite a long poem - the description of the demons starts at line 394 after an extended ritual to the gods of the Sun, Moon and Venus. Although the passage is quite badly fragmented in places there is enough to show a high degree of compatibility with what is known of the planets in later Babylonian astrology. In one line (line 497), not translated into English they are somehow linked to the Chariot constellation (Mul Gis Gigir - our Auriga).

Happy hunting, Gavin
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