Meaning of Neptune in Astrology: Addictive Inspiration

Neptune in the planet of fairy tales. All things fantastic and mystical belong to Neptune in astrology.

But where is the thin line between healthy daydreaming and escapism?

How to let yourself immerse in the world of fantasy without getting lost forever?

Neptune in the natal chart shows how you seek spiritual development, but also where you are prone to illusions.

Some Facts About the Planet Neptune in Astrology

Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun, both an ice and a gas giant. Being so far away, it was discovered only in 1846. It got its name after Neptunus, the Roman god of the sea, who is the equivalent of the Greek Poseidon. The glyph of Neptune in astrology is the simplified trident of Neptune: ♆. (The funny thing is, if you look at the symbol better, it can also be an aerial for receiving signals of divine inspiration).

Neptune has a beautiful blue color, as you can see in the following picture.

As an outer planet, Neptune is not a quick planet in astrology. It’s orbit is 165 years, which is approximately two human lifetimes! It takes a lot of time for Neptune to finish a circle around the Sun. This also means that Neptune stays in the same zodiac sign for years, approximately 10-12, and large groups of people share the same Neptune sign. The outer planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) are also called transgenerational planets, because their effect is more pronounced on the level of society.

Neptune is associated with the zodiac sign Pisces in astrology. The Fish tackle similar matters as Neptune, which is why Neptune is its ruling planet. Pisces and Neptune are the natural sign and ruler of the twelfth house in the natal chart, one of the most scary and fascinating houses at the same time.

Neptune is in detriment in the sign of Virgo, exalted in Cancer and in fall in Capricorn, the sign of Saturn in astrology. (Some astrologers consider Leo to be the sign of exaltation, this is not fully established yet, as it takes a lot of time to determine how a planet works in a sign.)

All the outer planets are connected to an inner planet. Neptune is the higher octave of Venus, the planet of love and beauty. Neptune represents divine inspiration and unconditional love. It is similar to Venus, but Venus is about connecting and loving on a personal level, while Neptune is about divine compassion.

Keywords of Neptune in Astrology

The following are all governed by Neptune in astrology:

• dreams
• illusion
• fantasy
• inspiration
• addiction
• the sea and the ocean
• fog
• mystery
• spirituality
• unconditional love.

Neptune works in a slow and subtle way. It’s energy is passive or feminine, you could imagine this planet as the archetype of the fairy.

What Does Neptune Mean in Astrology?

There are many things associated with Neptune in astrology. As the natural ruler of the twelfth house, it’s no surprise that this planet is mystical and somewhat hard to understand from our mundane world. You just have to accept this haziness, and accept that there will always remain some unknown parts here.

Neptune is the planet of divine inspiration. It’s the muse you are waiting for to bless your work. If this planet is emphasized in your chart, you probably have some form of artistic talent. The twelfth house, Pisces and Neptune are all important when talking about the arts, because they are the source of great ideas and inspiration.

The element water is known as creative and emotional in astrology. Pisces, the sign Neptune rules is a water sign by element, and if it is emphasized in your chart, it gifts you with extreme intuition.

Mystical Neptune is an endless source of creativity which you can tap into. Neptune and Pisces represent a fantasy world full of magic that you can bring over into this world and transform into a piece of art.

Music is traditionally associated with Neptune in astrology. This planet is the higher octave of Venus, and adds its magic to the world of music. Neptune also governs acting, which is actually a form of illusion. It recreates a scene that doesn’t exist in the real world. Theater, movies and television are all ruled by Neptune in astrology.

This planet is also prominent in the charts of poets. Neptune in aspect with Mercury is a frequent indicator of literary talent.

The Planet of Dreams and Dolphins

Named after the god of the sea, it’s a no surprise that Neptune governs all maritime matters in astrology. Ships, fisherman, the navy and all professions connected to the sea or water are ruled by Neptune in astrology. It is the planet of the sea, the ocean, all waters and animals who live in water. Neptune’s favorite animals are dolphins.

But Neptune doesn’t stop there, it rules all liquids. Both petrol and alcohol belong to it. Neptune also governs drugs and anesthetics. Everything that leads to a different state of mind or is the entry to a different world is ruled by Neptune in astrology.

Through sleep we reconnect with the divine on a daily basis. Sleeping and dreams are Neptune’s domain, too. Dreams are often a source of inspiration and many of the best ideas come when you are asleep. In the realm of Neptune, logical thinking is turned off, and intuition steps on the stage.

However, Neptune is hazy and confuse at the same time. It’s easy to get lost here, and you can never know if you will manage to find the way out.

Under the Surface and the Search for the Ethereal

The twelfth house is the house of all things hidden. And Neptune has a tendency to get lost, too.

The negative side of Neptune is escapism. It’s easier to flee away from your problems than to look them in the face and do something about it. From time to time, it doesn’t matter if you postpone solving them if you later come back and face reality.

However, Neptune tends to enchant you so much that you don’t find the way back.

Neptune is the planet of addictions. This includes everything from alcohol through drugs to too much daydreaming—you just feel deep down there how much is too much. Avoiding problems leads to more trouble, no matter how sweet the sound of the sirens is.

There are no clear boundaries in the world of Neptune. You are free to walk from the realm of the conscious into the unconscious and vice versa. This helps ideas to flow smoothly. Neptune also governs the collective unconscious, the undercurrents that affect all of us.

An emphasized twelfth house, Pisces or Neptune suggests that the person is very sensitive. It gives very strong intuition, sometimes even psychic abilities. People with prominent placements here simply know what is going on, even if they have no rational proof.

However, it can be challenging to cope with such an intuitive mind. If you have several placements in Pisces or in the twelfth house, you want to consider avoiding alcohol and drugs altogether. It’s also crucial here to spending enough time on their own, as you take on the energies around you.

Spirituality and Neptune in Astrology

Genuine compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love are all associated with Neptune in astrology. It is the planet of spirituality and deep, unquestioning belief. Pisces people are known as gentle souls who are full of love.

We all are part of something bigger than us. Neptune wants to teach us how to find this connection again. It’s about dissolving your personality in the sea of the collective unconscious. Neptune rules religion as an institution as it asks you to stop thinking and believe.

However, a big heart can be make you vulnerable, too. They are so innocent and naive that they can’t imagine that other people don’t always have good intentions. If they aren’t careful, they might find themselves in the trap of a manipulator.

Neptune in astrology rules selfless service. All charity and institutions belong here. On the negative side, this includes hospitals, jails and mental asylums, too.

People with a prominent Neptune in the chart are often too selfless and become martyrs. It’s important to remember that you can take care of others only if you yourself are taken care of, too.

Meaning of Neptune in the Natal Chart

The position of Neptune in the natal chart tells you where you are prone to illusion, but also how you can connect with the divine.

Neptune is a slow-moving planet. It stays for several years in the same sign, so that many people share the same Neptune sign. Because of this, its placement by signs has less influence over you as an individual person than on society as a whole.

Neptune’s place by houses is, however, more personal.

The house Neptune is in shows the life areas where you are prone to self-deception and illusions. Neptune also represents ideals, and in the birth chart it suggests where you want to find them.

If Neptune touches personal points in the natal chart, for example the Sun or the ascendant, you probably identify with the zodiac sign Pisces a lot.