For the next five months, Neptune, the planet of dreams, intuition, and illusion, turns retrograde in Pisces, beginning at the critical 29th degree on July 2nd and continuing until December 7th. Neptune is just as elusive as it is fascinating. Just when you think you’ve grasped the concept of Neptune and what it stands for, the meaning evades you all over again. It’s the planet responsible for your vivid imagination and your ability to relate to others. It’s the planet that dissolves the boundaries that separates us from universal love. However, its nebulous quality also makes it one of the most misunderstood and overly romanticised plants of all, as Neptune can be just as deceptive as it is illuminating. If Neptune is involved in the equation, know that not everything is as it seems. This period invites us to dive deep into our subconscious, unravelling the layers of fog and mystery that Neptune often casts over our lives.
Neptune for a long time has been in Pisces, its home sign, bringing with it an era of heightened spiritual awareness, artistic inspiration, and emotional sensitivity. However, Neptune also blurs boundaries, encourages escapism, and can lead to confusion and deception. As Neptune retrogrades, we are called to confront these aspects head-on.
Neptune's retrograde at the 29th degree of Pisces, the last degree of the zodiac, adds an extra layer of intensity. This critical degree is often associated with culmination and karmic closure. It suggests that we are reaching the end of a significant spiritual or emotional cycle.
During this retrograde, the themes of dissolution, surrender, and reflection become prominent. It's a time to review our dreams and aspirations, discerning reality from illusion. This is an opportunity to peel back the layers of fantasy and face the truths we've been avoiding. It's a period to address where we might have been overly idealistic or where we may have let wishful thinking cloud our judgement.
Memories of abilities and traumas from past incarnations may surface, perhaps adding a layer of victim mentality to your mood. This can be a wonderful opportunity to release the past, and allow forgiveness of your former deeds, as well as for others. A permeating vibe of blurred timelines may make us feel as if we barely have one foot in this Earthly plane. It is important to practise grounding techniques that heighten our awareness of the physical body, in order to navigate the mystical Sea we are attempting to move through. Staying present in the moment on a daily basis will aid us in avoiding the draw to wander, lost in the other dimensions. Remember, we incarnated for the Human Experience!
This is also a time to address any forms of escapism that have been holding us back. Whether through substance use, fantasy, or avoidance behaviours, Neptune retrograde shines a light on where we need to ground ourselves in reality. It asks us to find healthier ways to cope with life's challenges and to cultivate spiritual practices that support our growth rather than hinder it.
By August 19th, as Jupiter squares Neptune, a significant astrological event occurs that brings both challenge and opportunity. Jupiter, the planet of growth, expansion, and optimism, clashes with Neptune, the planet of dreams, illusions, and spirituality. This square can amplify the tension between our highest ideals and the practical realities we face. On one hand, it can create a sense of boundless optimism and a desire to pursue our dreams with fervour. On the other, it can lead to overindulgence, disillusionment, and a tendency to escape reality when faced with challenges.
This aspect may highlight the areas in our lives where we have been overly idealistic or where our expectations have been unrealistic. It urges us to find a balance between our aspirations and what is practically achievable. During this time, it's important to keep our feet on the ground and to question whether our goals are rooted in reality or if they are mere fantasies. The square between Jupiter and Neptune can also bring moments of profound spiritual insight, encouraging us to expand our understanding and deepen our connection to the divine. However, it also warns against blind faith and encourages discernment in our spiritual pursuits.
Here’s what you can expect from the upcoming Neptune retrograde, according to your Sun and/or Rising sign:
With Neptune retrograde you’re entering a period of spiritual reflection that strikes some of your deepest sensitivities. It’s time to heal your relationship with your inner world and to embrace introspection that leads to self-awareness. Allow it to correct some of your preconceived notions about the world (and ultimately, yourself). Be kind to yourself because you're contending with deep work here.
Sometimes our friends are not always as they seem. If you have the tendency to view your social circle and extended network with rose-coloured glasses, this retrograde will encourage you to pay attention to red flags that can arise in a crowd of people. For the next five months, Neptune retrograde will show you how to participate in cliques without losing your integrity to group-think.
You’ve got big dreams and the desire to prove everyone who doubted you wrong. Or perhaps you've experienced an overwhelming longing for fulfilment and that's caused you to be naïve about what efforts are actually necessary for you to achieve your ambitions. During this retrograde, you’ll take a look at how your career goals are shaping up, whether they still feel realistic and if they’re truly in line with your passion and life purpose.
You’re an idealistic and open-hearted water sign, which is why you have strong convictions and a desire to see and experience the world. Now that Neptune is retrograde, you may find yourself looking back on some of the experiences you’ve had and gleaning deeper lessons from them. Instead of searching for answers elsewhere, it’s a beautiful time to find them within yourself.
You’ve been craving intimacy and mutual understanding on the deepest of levels. Now that Neptune is retrograde, you may find yourself reconsidering the ways you’ve let your loved ones disrespect your boundaries. By defining what is and isn’t acceptable in a relationship, you are paving the way for an even stronger form of trust and respect. You may also need to examine some of your less-desirable traits, and that you should be gentle with yourself as you do so.
When it comes to love, it’s all too common that human beings fall for the idea of someone rather than the real thing. And with Neptune retrograding opposite your Sun for the next five months, you’re ready to acknowledge that nobody is perfect, but someone’s imperfect reality can be just as worthy of your love. Allow this retrograde to help you find a balance between romance and practicality in your relationships.
If you’ve recently formed some unhealthy habits or dependencies, this retrograde may shine a light on them. For the next five months, Neptune retrograde wants you to take a closer look at how you’re treating your mind, body, and spirit. Ask yourself if you’re truly feeding your soul in the way it needs, as this retrograde wants you to nurture yourself in a way that heals your emotional heart and strengthens your immune system.
You’re a highly romantic, creative, and passionate person under that tough facade, but this retrograde wants you to find deeper and more fulfilling ways to have fun. Pleasure-seeking often comes at the cost of our peace of mind, but Neptune retrograde is encouraging you to experiment with hobbies that revamp your understanding of happiness and creativity. It’s also asking you to choose lovers who actually mean what they say.
Being honest with yourself about your family and home life is never easy. But as Neptune retrogrades through your private matters and familial relationships, you may find yourself paying closer attention to what is and isn’t working about your dynamic at home. Allow your penchant for empathy and your willingness to be truthful to converge and heal what needs healing behind closed doors.
It’s no big deal to tell a little white lie here and there, but constantly embellishing the truth sets you up for disappointment. Now that Neptune is retrograde, it will encourage you to be charming and sensitive to others without sacrificing honesty and directness. It’s better to tell the truth than to beat around the bush and lead the situation astray, especially while this retrograde is underway.
If you’ve been spending money on needlessly expensive things or placing too much value in material concerns, you may find yourself feeling hollow eventually. Neptune retrograde will remind you that you don’t need anything to complete you or fix you. For the next five months, this retrograde will teach you how to be a more intentional consumer that spends money in a way that uplifts you rather than depletes you.
It’s not always easy to see ourselves clearly, especially when the world is always trying to tell you who you’re supposed to be. Neptune has been moving through Pisces since 2011, where it has been infusing your self-image with love, fantasy, and whimsy. However, it has also increased your sensitivity to criticism. Now that Neptune is retrograde, it’s time to dig deeper and get to know yourself on a level that is free from judgement. Remember—your soul is infinite and you always owe yourself love, respect, and forgiveness.
For Your Next Read
