NEPTUNE RETROGRADE
“Lift the veil that obscures the heart and there you will find what you are looking for.” Kabir
As esoteric astrologers we pay more attention to progressions than to transits since the speedier planets are here and gone so quickly that it matters little when we know we have lived many lives and will live many more. Progressions provide information about the temporary dynamics and energies impacting us as a kind of pattern which we can work with. But a couple of slower-moving (relatively speaking) planets can offer interesting transit information. We call these the generational planets since they are not personal but affect whole generations. Also, as esoteric astrologers, we consider the retrograde expression of a planet far more spiritual than its direct counterpart. Of all of these, Neptune retrograde is the most spiritual expression of any planet.
When direct, Neptune CAN be the most insidious, confused, devious, negative planet in the zodiac. Since more than half of us have this planet direct in our charts it behooves us to take full advantage during the times Neptune goes retrograde, both as a group called humanity and personally. Neptune takes about 165 years to do a complete revolution around the Sun, thus spending about 14 years in each sign of the zodiac. Currently it’s in the sign of Pisces so wherever Pisces is in your chart is the area where Neptune is slowly transiting. Neptune moves into retrograde every year for about 150 days; this year it occurs on June 29th. When Neptune is retrograde it is clear-headed, positive and certain about its course, all confusion gone. THAT is the time to make major decisions and move forward on projects which up till now may have seemed hesitant or uncertain in their progress. AND a lovely time to meditate.
Everyone: Neptune will turn direct again on December 3; meanwhile, the fog lifts.
ARIES
MARCH 20 – APRIL 19
Planet: Mercury
Dynamic: A great time to begin something.
Direction: Tennis?
Soul Thought: One or two-handed backhand?
LEO
JULY 22 – AUG 22
Planet: Sun
Dynamic: Thinking may become fuzzier for a while, but it will clarify by month’s end.
Direction: Determine what you can do in the fog.
Soul Thought: “Moonlight disappears down the hills, mountains vanish into fog and I vanish into poetry.” Sanober Khan
SAGITTARIUS
NOV 20 – DEC 21
Planet: Earth
Dynamic: You are fighting over something historical.
Direction: Determine its current relevance.
Soul Thought: When is it time to move on?
TAURUS
APRIL 19 – MAY 20
Planet: Vulcan
Dynamic: You too, could start something new.
Direction: Golf might be your game!
Soul Thought: What does it mean to swing a big stick?
VIRGO
AUGUST 22 – SEPT 21
Planet: Moon
Dynamic: It’s New Moon the same day that Neptune shifts.
Direction: Talk about opportunity!
Soul Thought: Is it knocking?
CAPRICORN
DEC 21 – JAN 20
Planet: Saturns
Dynamic: This ongoing challenge may pit friends against partners.
Direction: You can see both sides right now, better than usual.
Soul Thought: How do you help?
GEMINI
MAY 20 – JUNE 20
Planet: Venus
Dynamic: Honesty might be an issue this month.
Direction: But on the part of whom?
Soul Thought: What was the “Great Debate?”
LIBRA
SEPT 21 – OCT 21
Planet:Uranus
Dynamic: It’s been a chronic condition but at least the other side has lightened up.
Direction: Perhaps time for negotiation?
Soul Thought: “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned in order to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell
AQUARIUS
JAN 20 – FEB 20
Planet: Jupiter
Dynamic: You’re feeling happy and fresh but someone wants to keep arguing.
Direction: Rather than argue back, invite.
Soul Thought: There can be no argument without two tongues to wag.
CANCER
JUNE 20 – July 22
Planet: Neptune
Dynamic: The fog will lift by the end of the month.
Direction: Determine what’s in the fog, then you’ll know what needs to shift.
Soul Thought: If you can move on cat’s feet in the fog, you can move anywhere!
SCORPIO
OCT 21 – NOV 20
Planet:Mars
Dynamic: A high energy time full of purpose.
Direction: Take full advantage.
Soul Thought: What is your purpose?
PISCES
FEB 20 – MARCH 21
Planet: Pluto
Dynamic: Challenged first by one and then another when the one is done.
Direction: It’s a polarity thing.
Soul Thought: “When this is, that is. From the arising of this comes the arising of that.” Buddha