ing towards others and display a great love of animals and all helpless creatures. Often
individuals with a strong Neptune care for the problems of others as if they were their
own and can get so tangled with others’ vibrations that they require some degree of
solitude in order to revitalize themselves and separate their thoughts and feelings from
those of others. Otherwise, it is quite easy for these individuals to become lost in the
clouds, unable to separate reality from illusion. This sensitivity supports Neptune’s
connection with addiction, alcohol, intoxicants, and hallucinogenic drugs as a means
of escaping the difficulties of the world and the fear of connecting or merging with a
higher source.
Neptune is also the embodiment of imagination and artistic sensitivity. Its gifts
include artistic and musical talents, imagination, inspiration, and visionary abilities. Its
artistic capacities include film, photography, dance, and painting. This planet is also
associated with mysticism and spiritual enlightenment. Thus, matters of religion con-
nect Neptune with saints, nuns, monks, priests, churches, alters, and other dimensions.
Neptune moves very slowly in the sky, completing an orbit of the Sun every
164.79 years, meaning it stays almost 14 years in each sign of the zodiac. Because of its
slow movement, its significance in a zodiacal sign is often considered more genera-
tional than individual, describing shifts of ideology within society. However, its house
placement in the birth chart shows in what area of life it is easiest to delude one’s self
or where one has and can make use of intuitive sensitivity and creativity in order to
fulfill one’s highest ideals. There is often a deep sense of mission and a willingness to
sacrifice personal interest, rising above the demands of the ego, for the larger good in
the attainment of this ideal. Its placement is also where one is most attuned with the
higher realms. Negative manifestations of Neptune can include escapism (including
addictions), deception (including self-deception), confusion, depression, guilt, and
vagueness. Planets in aspect with Neptune are inclined towards fantasy, dreaminess,
and a vulnerable nature, making its expression susceptible to disillusionment.
Neptune’s glyph, or symbol, resembles the trident that the god Poseidon or
Neptune is often shown holding. The crescent is pointing upwards, indicating spiritu-
al receptivity, and is descending to the cross of mater which it rests upon.—Tishelle BettermanSources:
Bloch, Douglas, and Demetra George. Astrology for Yourself: A Workbook for Personal Transfor-
mation.Oakland, CA: Wingbow Press, 1987.
Burk, Kevin. Astrology: Understanding the Birth Chart.St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2001.
Campion, Nicholas. The Practical Astrologer.New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1987.
Campion, Nicholas, and Steve Eddy. The New Astrology: The Art and Science of the Stars.North
Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Publishing, 1999.
George, Llewellyn. The New A to Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator.13th ed. Edited by Marylee
Bytheriver. St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1986.
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology.New York: Little, Brown, 1942.
McEvers, Joan. Planets: The Astrological Tools.Saint Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 1989.
Valentine, Christine. Images of the Psyche: Exploring the Planets through Psychology and Myth.
Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element Books, 1991.Neptune
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