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Neptune Transits

This week, the week of November 14, 2022, we are feeling the effects of a Mars-Neptune square, which is exact on November 19th. As discussed in the previous post, Mars is currently retrograding through Gemini, and now it’s reached the point where it is approaching a 90 degree angle to Neptune, also retrograde, in Pisces.

Neptune is the planet that represents dreams, visions, spirituality, nebulousness, and dissolution, and it’s currently in moody, dreamy, sensitive Pisces. Neptune is in its domicile in Pisces, meaning that it’s at the sign where it feels at home (Neptune rules Pisces in modern astrology), so it’s even more Neptuney than it would be in another sign. When Mars and Neptune square each other, there’s some movement around things ruled by Mars, but in a Neptunian fashion. Globally, this could be action, from activism to violence, around religion or deeply held beliefs, but since Mars is retrograde, actions could be thwarted, or there could be false starts. Personally, this transit could manifest as low energy and exhaustion, and it might confuse our thinking or our arguments.

I have a Venus-Mars-Midheaven conjunction, all within 1 degree in my natal chart, in the later degrees of Pisces. This aspect alone is complicated, and whenever a transiting planet is aspecting this conjunction, it hits these points in my chart like dominoes. Since 2021, Neptune has been rolling back and forth over them. And what I have found from this is that Neptune forces a reckoning, but in a much different way than Saturn, Uranus, or Pluto. Neptune shrouds everything in a fog. Given that Neptune was the Roman god of the sea, Neptune gets a lot of water metaphors assigned to it, and they really are the best way to describe its effects. From my experience with Neptune in a prolonged conjunction in relation to my chart, it’s like having a list written in ink on lined paper, then submerging that paper in water. You can still kind of make out the written words for a bit, but after a while, all you see are traces of the shape of the handwriting, and the color of the ink has bled into the water. Then even the lines on the paper disappear.

For me, this transit coincided with me questioning my values, my purpose, my legacy, and what I want to do with my life. No big. I have spent the last year and a half navigating through this murkiness, inching along. I’ve been doing a lot of navel gazing. I’ve been booking sessions with anyone who can offer me some guidance about myself and my path, including an empath, an astrologer, a tarot reader, and a psychic who told me about my past life. Their words have been enlightening, but ultimately only I can determine what I want to do and how I want to live. Determination is a Mars thing, though, and Neptune is conjunct my natal Mars for a year and will continue to cross over it until 2024, and I still feel like I’m working it out.

That’s sort of how this Mars-Neptune square may feel. We may feel like we’re working at something, but we don’t yet know what, and our impeded efforts make it feel like we are moving through sludge. Neptune aspecting Mars in Gemini indicates a dissolution of our plans and difficulty clearly seeing and stating our goals.

As someone who finds safety and reassurance in control, the way Neptune is positioned in relation to the Venus-Mars-Midheaven in my chart has been somewhat harrowing. In traditional astrology, Mars and Saturn are known as the malefic planets (while Venus and Jupiter are the benefic planets), and going through this transit, I have wondered if Neptune is a malefic too. But Neptune is the planet of dreams, and the lessons of Neptune are valuable; it teaches us to let go of things, it dissolves entrenched ideas that don’t stand up to scrutiny, and by shrouding things in a fog, it forces us to focus to persist through the haze.

Mars Retrograde

Mars went retrograde on October 30th, and as a relatively new astrologer who is still learning, it was a little difficult for me to get a handle on what Mars going retrograde would mean. Mercury goes retrograde more frequently, so it’s much more familiar; it’s about communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, haywire travel, technical glitches. But what about Mars?

Action, determination, assertiveness, aggression, spark, forward momentum, and libido are all associated with Mars. When Mars retrogrades, this terrain is likely going to be retread and can be unspooled. Actions taken during this time may be lackluster. Things you want to launch might have a harder time getting off the ground. Sex drives diminish.

Mars is going retrograde through Gemini. I think of Mars in Gemini as being mentally astute and tart tongued. The people I know with Mars in Gemini natally are verbal warriors, argumentative and critical but keenly perceptive and funny. Mars in Gemini is quick wit that can be cutting, too deeply cutting if unchecked.

So with the transiting Mars going back through Gemini, it’s a time to watch words. Take a breath and think before speaking. You will likely say things with more of a punch than intended and you may want to take it back later. For Bravo watchers, this is Lisa Barlow on a hot mic venting that Meredith has slept with half of New York.

The house where this lands for you will add some extra depth to how you will potentially experience this.

Aries & Aries Rising: Aries is the sparky sign of the zodiac, and it’s ruled by Mars, so you may feel the effects of this Mars retrograde more than some. With Mars rx in the 3rd house, this will feel a lot like a Mercury retrograde for you, but on steroids.

Taurus & Taurus Rising: This is happening in your 2nd house of money, resources, and things you value. You may feel stalled in your career, or you may feel like you’ve been trying to build savings but to little avail. That’s OK. Keep focusing on your budget. I would suggest not making big purchases when Mars is rx, but reevaluate where you spend money and, maybe even more importantly, time.

Gemini & Gemini Rising: You may feel the Mars retrograde physically. Your energy reserves will likely be depleted. It’s OK to rest now. Do yoga instead of HIIT or kickboxing.

Cancer & Cancer Rising: During this period, you may feel more isolated than usual, and you may also experience some setbacks in areas you have been either working in “behind the scenes” or covertly, or even possibly in areas of mental health. It’s beneficial to get rest, meditate, and connect with your dreams.

Leo & Leo Rising: You may feel out of sync with a friend or social group. Instead of fuming at the 37 texts your group chat is sending at 11:30pm, turn your notifications off. This could also serve as a good time to be rethinking and reconsidering your hopes and dreams for the future. The plan can be tweaked and launched when Mars is direct again.

Virgo & Virgo Rising: This is happening in your 10th house of career and legacy. Time for some adjustment and recalibration in whatever you are putting your efforts into in this area. This is a good time for revising your website or resume, but in draft form. Go back to it and look at it with fresh eyes a few times between now and January.

Libra & Libra Rising: If you have long-distance travel plans, pack your patience, and if you make big future travel plans during this time, my advice is to make them with a grain of salt. This is a wonderful time to revisit any writing projects you have may have previously started and rereading and revising them.

Scorpio & Scorpio Rising: Mars going retrograde through the 8th house may have you facing some unpleasant things popping back up related to bills you thought you paid or taxes you thought you did correctly. The 8th house also includes inherited things, both money and traumas, so you may also be faced with some unpleasant memories or deeply harbored feelings. You may feel better working through those issues through journaling or therapy (evergreen advice).

Sagittarius & Sagittarius Rising: This could be a bumpy time in your close relationships. The notes above about watching your words apply doubly, because letting your temper flare and popping off could cause strife with your loved one(s). Your sex life may also suffer a bit, but this is a good time for thinking about what you really want out your sex life, talking about it diplomatically with your partner, and asking them what they want.

Capricorn & Capricorn Rising: Take care of your health during this time, and try your best (knowing that it’s very difficult) to be patient at work. Everyone is going to be experiencing this Mars retrograde, so everyone will feel a little off-balance, and for you, that may manifest most prominently with your colleagues.

Aquarius & Aquarius Rising: This is occurring in your 5th house, which is the house associated with children, fun sex, romance, and creativity, so you may see some creative projects stymied, some dampening of your libido, and if you have kids, some particularly fraught energies with your children. Take deep breaths, think outside the box, and remember that it will be over in a few months.

Pisces & Pisces Rising: There could be some flare ups with your family during this time. Try not to totally verbally eviscerate your most annoying family members during the holidays, which unfortunately will occur during this period. You may also see home projects stalled, but you may want to use those opportunities to reconsider the things you had hoped to do. Maybe you’ll think about them in a different way, and delays will be a blessing in disguise.

Mars goes direct on January 12th, which at this point isn’t THAT far away!

(In accordance with NY State law, the above post is intended for entertainment purposes only. Astrology is all about interpretation, and this is my interpretation of what could potentially happen during this period, not what WILL happen!)