Neptune was the Roman God of the Sea. He was the brother of Jupiter and Pluto. Often depicted as having a three-pronged spear, he’s also shown as an older man with a long beard. Neptune is often seen with fish and other various sea creatures. Early depictions of the God included him being escorted across the sea in a horse-drawn chariot. Very similar to Poseidon, who was the Greek’s god of the sea. Neptune’s vengeful Olympian counterpart had a short temper, known for causing storms and earthquakes. Astrologically, Neptune represents the collective’s unconsciousness. Neptune is the collectivized emotional undercurrent, traumas the collective has endured, and our inspiration. Neptune brings in a generation’s music, fashion, television, and general entertainment/media. Neptune is where we lose our sense of selves and become one with the rest of our generation. Neptune is also our disillusion from the physical realm, floating us into the universal, spiritual realm where the souls dance. Neptune, at his core, is a martyr, a victim, a god, and a psychic. Neptune’s energy is much like putting a blindfold on in a dark room, relying on only your senses and intuition to escape to safety. Neptune is ruled by Pisces and exalted in Leo, meaning the planet is in detriment in Virgo, falling in Aquarius.
The glyph that we use for Neptune (♆) is a trident. The symbol was given to the planet after it was discovered. It’s three arrows pointing above across, symbolizing ascension beyond the physical plane. This represents Neptune’s connected to the collective, enlightenment, and spirituality. However, it also represents delusions and escapism.
Rulership/Exaltation/Detriment/Fall
Neptune was only discovered in the mid-1800’s, meaning that the planet really has no traditional rulership or exaltation. Modern astrologers just placed the rulership in Pisces, with exaltation in Leo. Both Pisces and Leo suck with boundaries. Pisces wants to be sympathetic to everybody who they come across. This sign is so empathetic that their feelings are easily hurt by a tiny bit of stress. Leo, on the other hand, is clingy, not wanting their loved ones to be separate from them. They want to be unique and special, their one and only. Leo clings to people who give them the attention they want. They’re both highly imaginative, very creative, and emotional. Both need to disconnect from their own universe and see a situation for what it is.
This puts Neptune in detriment in Virgo, falling in Aquarius. Both signs are intellectuals to their core. They prefer fact over imagination. Sometimes too objective, their imagination is put to use in practical and scientific ways. Aquarius, though a dreamer, wants to improve the world through diplomacy and humanitarianism; at the sign’s worst, through uprising and violence. Virgo, on the other hand, is a perfectionist, seeing the world through how they can improve it on a small scale. Both signs want to improve the world and see its’ imperfections, viewing very objectively, sometimes cynically. However, both of these signs are heavily disconnected from their own emotions and feelings. They don’t really know how to pick up on the subtle emotional undercurrents around them either, because they are so disconnected from their own emotional undercurrents. Both signs need to stop intellectualizing their feelings and allow themselves to become enlightened through empathy, improved by intuition, and open minded to the possibilities happening all around them.
If Uranus is representory of how a generation comes together to make themselves individual from all others that have preceded and will succeed them, Neptune is the complete opposite; Neptune represents how a generation dissolves into the entirety of a collective and removes all boundaries to unconsciously connect as one. Uranus represents the collectivized consciousness of a generation- Neptune is the collectivized unconsciousness. Whatever society’s emotional undercurrent is during a given 14-15 year period, that’s what Neptune represents. Though Uranus, we saw how entertainment and pop culture really set the precedent for a generation and made each generation stand out. With Neptune, we look at the emotional undercurrents that inspired the art, fashion, music, and entertainment of a generation. Neptune is a planet that is adaptable and ever-so-changeable, which means that it molds itself to fit the needs of any given generation. This planet is intuitive, sensitive, and empathetic. Whatever a generation feels, whether it be positive or negative, ultimately reflects upon how Neptune shifts itself to bring change for the next generations. Neptune can be whatever you want him to be; a martyr, a villain, the savior, the enemy. Neptune is simply up to how you perceive him. The planet can be everything and nothing all at once.
When we’re dealing with Neptune when the planet is more negative, we see a difficulty with boundaries and an absolutely abysmal amount of toxicity plaguing society. Manipulation, false advertising, subliminals, and fraudulence all get pushed to the surface when Neptune finds himself in a state of lack. Neptune, in this mindset, essentially becomes a manipulative puppet master who sets the scene or paints the canvas just right so that you only see what you’re wanted to. Instead of the full truth, you receive either an outright lie or a half-truth, given to you with involuntary rose-colored glasses.
One thing that I think people need to give less emphasis to when it comes to the more negative aspects of Neptune is the victimhood. Yes, with as empathetic and emotional as the planet is, it’s inevitable that victimhood ultimately becomes an aspect, however, when you place so much emphasis on victimhood being a “key point” of Neptune’s influence, you’re wrong and you’re mixing up aspects of the planet’s ruler, Pisces, with the planet itself. Neptune, I feel, is much more controlling, almost like a silent manipulative puppet master. Neptune can see and feel, comprehend everybody’s emotions. When in a state of negativity, Neptune will use this knowledge to shift people around like chess pawns.
When Neptune is positive and uses his power in a productive way, we see an age of spiritual enlightenment and compassion. We see selflessness, love, and unity come to the forefront of all things. Idealistic and humanitarian, Neptune finds himself being philanthropic to the needy and able to love freely without fear of hate or adversity. It’s an understanding time period, one of open-mindedness, compassion, and healing. Neptune envisions a perfect world of kindness and compassion in triumph over negativity and indifference, and when using his powers productively, we find Neptune’s idealistic utopia coming to life.
Color: Blue, silver, coral
Crystals: Sapphire, Amethyst, Jade, Celestite
Day of the Week: Thursday
Neptune Throughout the Signs
(Written from the perspective of someone born while Neptune was transiting through Aquarius.)
Aries (1862-1875): Neptune in Aries always brings about a fresh perspective in many facets of life; art, science, medicine, and politics. One word to describe a generation born while Neptune is transiting through Aries would be “revolutionary.” The emotional undercurrents of the time period is always very idealistic and excitable. The last time we saw Neptune making his way through Aries, we saw a time of pandemonium and society being up in arms before it calmed down for the betterment of humanity. Darwin’s theory of evolution was introduced last time Neptune was in Aries, providing fresh insight into where life came from, shaking up everything that was once accepted as fact. The Red Cross was established for caring for those who need it the most. We saw a renewed interest in philosophy and spirituality during this time. Essentially, whenever Neptune is in Aries, society’s imagination turns vivid, emotions are running wild, and it’s a time of revolution.
Taurus (1874-1887): Neptune in Taurus brings society to question and recognize what the true meaning of valuable is. A generation under Neptune in Taurus is one that is attracted to art, creativity, and feeling emotionally secure. This is also a generation to make profit off of religion, spirituality, mysticism, etc. for better or for worse. The last time Neptune was treading through Taurus, we American industrialism take off and a renewed interest in the occult. Karl Marx’s ideas of wealth distribution started to spread. Neptune in Taurus is a favorable time for a society to really explore unconventional sources of income and how to settle down and find lifelong happiness. This is also a time of financial fraud and deception to run rampant.
Gemini (1887-1901): When in the electrical currents of Gemini, we see Neptune taking on an incredible imagination, mental geniusness, and creativity. The generation with Neptune in Gemini is a generation of incredible communication, innovation, and inspiration. The last time Neptune was floating through Gemini, we saw that Henry Ford invented the first automobile, the Wright brothers built the prototype for the first airplane, and many other transportation innovations. Einstein’s theory of relativity had its groundwork laid out. This is a very perceptive and versatile generation, one with an abundance of creativity and impractical ideas that are encouraged and pushed to the forefront.
Cancer (1901-1914): The first water sign we see Neptune dipping his feet into is emotional Cancer. Whenever we see a generation born whilst Neptune is within Cancer’s shell, we witness traditionalism, domesticity, and a focus on compassion. Last time Neptune was in Cancer, we saw social protest in America so that people had more comfortable standards of working and providing for their families. We also saw Sigmund Frued opening up a conversation and exploring the human unconsciousness. At the same time, Carl Jung formulated a theory of the collectivized unconscious. This was a time where people wanted to explore the emotional and unconscious undercurrents of society while trying to maintain their dream of a stable home life.
Leo (1915-1928): Neptune in Leo is a generation where generosity and ambition comes to the forefront. Drama and high aspirations also rise to the surface of society. Last time Neptune was moving through Leo, we saw the rise of the movie industry and the general entertainment industry. The roaring twenties happened during this time period, and people, particularly women, began to express themselves more openly through fashion/makeup. This was a time of ostentation in its’ most beautiful form.
Virgo (1929-1942): Neptune through Virgo provides emphasis on being of service to all of mankind in the most practical way. The generation of Neptune in Virgo finds themselves in a state of frustration with status quo and critical of the conventions that are widely accepted. They seek to fix society. People born during this time were met with the Great Depression and the very beginnings of the second World War. Because of this, people in this generation were very vocal about women’s rights, civil rights, and environmentalism. Neptune in Virgo brought about the widespread use of penicillin and the introduction of chemotherapy. People during this generation are hypercritical of society and dream of a “perfect” world, one that’s just and fair, that serves humanity through practicality.
Libra (1943-1957): Neptune in diplomatic and romantic Libra places heavy emphasis on idealism, love, and justice. The last time Neptune was moving through Libra, we saw a generation seeking harmony and balance. The Antiwar movement was sparked during this time and the United Nations was founded. This generation questioned the true values of marriage and what it truly means to love someone, so we saw an uptick in divorces and more people trying to find love through unconventional means. This was also the beginning of the Cold War, and the world became divided between capitalism vs. communism.
Scorpio (1958-1970): Neptune in Scorpio pushes everything intense to the surface. During this generation, the emotional undercurrent wanted everything to be exposed and pushed to the surface. This generation is the one who will continue to fight for a more transparent government and to get justice for the hidden destruction of our environment by those who only sought after profit. This generation was attracted to medicine, science, and genetics, as well as sex and mysticism. An interest in the supernatural and the grotesque was also renewed during this time, with more horror movies being produced. This was also a generation in which the use of psychedelics was rampant, and people were spreading around the notion that the use of psychedelics and hallucinogens would bring you to an enlightened state of mind, one in which you could see and feel the truth of the universe. The tail end of this generation witnessed the spark of the gay rights movement, which challenged previously accepted views about love and sexuality.
Sagittarius (1971-1984): Neptune in Sagittarius spawned a generation of spiritual enlightenment and higher learning. We saw the rise of Buddhism in western countries, as well as metaphysics and meditation becoming more widely accepted. This was a time of idealism and reaching great heights. The last time we saw Neptune in Sagittarius, we witnessed a resurgence of interest in philosophy, humanitarianism, and a desire of liberty and truth for all. This was a time when people had more access to information about foreign languages, travel, and research about whatever they were interested in learning because this was the beginning of the Internet.
Capricorn (1985-1998): Neptune becomes tenacious and concrete when climbing up the mountain that is Capricorn. This is a generation in which the emotional undercurrents of society were thorough and painstaking. Last time Neptune was moving through Capricorn, we saw immense creative insight into everything involving the planet; oil, natural resources, water, and minerals. The interest sparked questions of how to invest in this and profit off of the planet’s resources, but also how to renew and replenish these resources for generations to come. We also saw the Cold War peak and end during this time, as well as the two Germanys coming together as one again. This generation dissolved old methods of law, structure, and government to bring in something new.
Aquarius (1998-2012): Neptune in Aquarius was when the lines between science and mysticism became a bit blurred due to this generation’s high ideals. The Neptune in Aquarius generation represents the rise of social justice and technological innovations. The Neptune in Aquarius generation was the first to grow up with an unconscious technology addiction due to the impact of social media and video games. This generation, at heart, is one of practical revolutionaries. With a focus on the less fortunate and the oppressed, we see a generation slowly pulling down and doing away with oppressive and nonsensical standards set in place by previous generations. This is a generation that, as time progresses, will make so much change but will most certainly go down as one of the most, if not the most, controversial generations in modern history simply because this generation was born during a time of school shootings and global volatility. This is the first generation to not put much importance on religion, but rather, this generation wants to modernize the world.
Pisces (2013-2026): Neptune is currently in Pisces at the time of this post being written, and we’re witnessing things like astrology, mysticism, the occult, and divination all being explored again and seen with more respect and acceptance than they ever were before. With this, unfortunately, comes people using these powers/gifts for their own selfish gain, committing fraudulent malpractice and deceiving people, preying upon their emotions simply so they can manipulate them and profit off of suffering. This is also a generation where people are really starting to break down stigmas around mental health and certain groups of people, finding acceptance and love for all people regardless of differences. For the first time since Neptune transited Scorpio, people are making serious inquiries into psychedelic drugs again and the power of medical marijuana.