Planetary Nomenclature

Jupiter comes from the Latin Iupeter. This is the pronunciation of dyeu-peter which means sky-father and is frequently used in invocations, and relates to Zeu-pater or ‘father Zeus’. This relates to the Sanskrit DyauS-pitR which means sky father as well. Dyu means heaven and is regularly associated as a father (dyauS-pitA) in the Vedas along with the Earth mother, such as dyAvA-pRthvI (Rgveda 4.14.2). In this way, Freedom Cole says the name Jupiter means ‘sky-father’ or ‘heavenly-father’.

Venus comes from the Latin root Vener- which means physical desire, sexual appetite or the qualities exciting desire, seductiveness and charm. The root gives the English word venereal which means ‘pertaining to sexual desire, excitement or intercourse’. Venereal disease refers to sexually transmitted diseases. In a more lofty use of the desire, the English word venerate also comes from this root, which means to worship, revere or solicit a deity. The related Sanskrit root is Van- which means to like, love, wish or desire as well as to win or conquer. This root was used in the Rgveda and other ancient texts in words such as vanana which means longing or desire. The ‘v’ in the root van- is often pronounced as a ‘w’ and relates to the English words wish as well as win. In this way, Freedom Cole says the word Venus relates to sexual desire, intercourse, desire, veneration, and overcoming/winning or the Goddess who is all this.