For today’s post I was verily tempted (as they say in the 12th century!) to blog on the effects of the current Gemini full moon. Perhaps this is because I’m a triple Gemini with a Sagittarius full moon and partial to these two signs, who knows? However the energetic pull of Neptune just won’t leave me alone, demanding center stage for reasons I can’t quite understand (very Neptunian, by the way!) However, as Neptune’s energy is about intuition in many respects, I’ve decided to take the hint and chat about what happens to people when Neptune’s orbit hits a sensitive point in the birth chart, otherwise known as a ‘transit’.
For those unfamiliar with ‘astrospeak’, a brief side bar on what ‘transit’ means. Each of the planets in our solar system has an orbit that rotates them through the twelve signs of the zodiac; some planets for example like speedy Mercury and Venus move quite quickly. The ‘outer planets’ i.e., those furthest from the Sun take a very long time to lumber their way around the heavens. For example, Uranus takes 83.75 years, Pluto takes 248.6 years and etheric Neptune takes 163.72 years.
From an evolutional perspective, there are no accidents in a chart. Everyone’s chart is uniquely orchestrated for optimum soul growth opportunities. When a planet’s orbit ‘hits’ a sensitive point in our natal chart, such as the birth position of the Sun, Moon, Ascendant (i.e., the sign on the horizon the moment of your birth), as well as other important points, this is called a ‘transit’. Transits can be very important because the energy they carry comes with a personal agenda for us. Whether or not we take advantage of these perfectly ‘timed’ events is another matter; we can respond positively or negatively, the choice is ours. This said, for the sake of space here, I want to zoom out to Neptune and talk about what it feels like when its orbit hits a sensitive chart point.
A significant Neptune transit typically throws us into a landscape of fog and sand. At the deepest levels Neptune stands at the edge of consciousness…it’s the planet of self-transcendence. Known as the dissolver, its energy confuses the mind. Intentions become fuzzy, goals evaporate; you can’t see the way forward. Relationships dissolve or change in ways you could never have imagined. These are just a few of the effects of Neptune’s transit. Many years ago before I was leaving for a trip to India, I met someone who said to me, “India. You’ll either hate it or love it…either way you’ll never be the same.” This is how I look at Neptune’s transit. Because we can’t figure it, (whatever ‘it’ is), out…we can find the experience frustrating, annoying, angering, depleting. The mental air signs of Aquarius and Gemini have a terrible time with this transit as do the ‘get things done’ signs of Aries and Capricorn. Where’s the map, where’s my compass? Forget it, you don’t have one.
The best way to navigate a Neptune transit (which can last a couple of years depending on retrogrades) is to understand there is ‘no time’. You can’t articulate specifics but you sure can feel them. The good news is that if you quiet down, go within you can perceive other dimensions for which there is no language but the experience is there; sit with it. The information is valuable and it’s there if we can just listen. For these reasons, understandably the ‘Mystic’ is the archetype of Neptune.
Fortunately, there are helpful resources to support us when faced with such a transit. From a flower remedy perspective, Dr. Bach’s Clematis and Flower Essence Society’s Mugwort remedies are ideal. Clematis was one of Bach’s original Twelve Healers which I discuss as ‘soul type’ remedies in my book, Igniting Soul Fire~ Spiritual Dimensions of the Bach Flower Remedies. Clematis’ vibration helps us to stay focused and grounded, but not in such a way that access to the higher realms is prohibited. As with all of the remedies, it’s about ‘balance’. Mugwort, found in the FES repertoire, assists our ‘dream-time’– the realm of Neptune. In general Flower remedies can be very helpful in sharpening the images of our dreams, helping us to remember them in our waking state. Mugwort, according to FES’ Repertory, has the positive quality of “integrating psychic and dream experiences with daily life; multidimensional consciousness.”
Wisdom of the Universe within Us
Further Reading:
The Inner Sky-Steven Forrest
Planets in Transit-Robert Hand
The Astrological Neptune and the Quest for Redemption-Liz Greene
“Navigating through the Neptune Fog”-Kathy Rose
(Article: April/May 2010 The Mountain Astrologer)
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