$c$ primitive root, $a \in \{1,\ldots,p-1\}, w/ j \in \mathbb Z^+, a \equiv c^j \pmod p), a^{\frac{p-1}{2}} \equiv 1 \pmod p\implies j\text{ even}$.

Question

Suppose c is a primitive root modulo $p$. Suppose you have a particular integer $a \in \{1,2,\ldots,p-1\}$ and you have found $j \in \mathbb Z^+$ such that $a \equiv c^j\pmod p$. Show that if $a^{\frac{p-1}{2}}$ $\equiv$ 1 (mod p), then j must be even. What does this tell you about the existence of solutions to the congruence $x^2 \equiv a \pmod p$?