Neptune is often called the “planet of dreams” in astrology. This planet represents our imagination, creativity, spirituality, and intuition. Neptune is associated with our deepest desires and our ability to see beyond the material world.
What Does Neptune Mean in Astrology?
Neptune is a gas giant planet. It orbits outside of Uranus, and is the 8th planet from the Sun. Neptune takes about 165 Earth years to make one trip around the Sun. Neptune is considered a transpersonal planet as it is in each sign for 14 years, which amounts to nearly an entire generation. This means that your entire high school experience was quite likely spent hanging around with everyone else having the same Neptune sign as you. What can make Neptune significant in your chart are his aspects to more personal planets like the Moon, Sun, Mercury, Venus or Mars, as well as the house that Neptune sits in for you.
The Mythology and Archetype of Neptune
Neptune was considered the Roman god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, as well as the patron of sailors and fishermen. He was depicted as a strong and muscular man with a long beard, holding a trident and riding a chariot pulled by sea horses. In artwork, he was often shown with dolphins, as they were considered sacred animals to him. In pop culture, Poseidon’s son’s mythological archetype appears as King Triton in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Triton, not coincidentally, is also the name of one of Neptune’s 14 moons.
According to mythology, Neptune, also known as Poseidon to the Greeks, was born to the god Saturn and the goddess Ops (Kronos and Rhea) and was the older brother of Jupiter (also known as Zeus). According to the stories, Kronus/Saturn ate all of his children soon after birth, but when Zeus/Jupiter was born, he was able to escape this fate with the help of his mother. Later, Zeus defeated his father to become king of the gods and saved his siblings, including Neptune/Poseidon, from his father’s stomach. Neptune/Poseidon then became the ruler of the seas and oceans.
Neptune was said to have the power to create or calm storms and control sea creatures. He was also responsible for the creation of horses, which were considered sacred animals to him. In one myth, he created the magnificent winged horse named Pegasus.
Neptune was often depicted as moody and unpredictable, and his emotions were said to be reflected in the sea. When he was angry or upset, the sea would become rough and stormy, while in times of calm and tranquility, the sea would be still and serene. In many alternative Greek myths, Poseidon was easily angered and known to cause violent storms and earthquakes when he was upset. In fact, some believed that he was responsible for the creation of earthquakes, as he was said to strike the ground with his trident to cause the earth to shake.
In addition to his power over the sea, Neptune was also associated with healing and purification. In some myths, he was said to have the ability to cure illnesses and diseases, as well as to purify water.
Overall, the mythology of Neptune reflects the power and unpredictability of the sea, as well as the importance of water and the natural world in ancient Roman culture. As the planet Neptune continues to intrigue and inspire us in modern astrology, we can look back to its mythological roots to better understand its significance in our lives.
Neptune’s Characteristics in Astrology
In astrology, the planet Neptune is associated with the same qualities as the Roman and Greek gods, including water, the sea, and spirituality. It’s considered a planet of illusions, dreams, and mysticism, and its archetype can lead us to explore our deeper emotions, creativity, and spiritual nature. Neptune rules the sign Pisces and the 12th House.
Neptune is known for its otherworldly and mysterious energy. This planet represents the intangible aspects of life, such as emotions, dreams, and intuition. Neptune is associated with spirituality, mysticism, and the subconscious mind. It’s also linked to music, poetry, and art, all of which tap into the creative and imaginative aspects of our being.
The energy of Neptune is both dreamy and illusory. It can make us feel inspired, enchanted, and in touch with the divine, but it can also lead us down paths of confusion, deception, and disillusionment. People with strong Neptune in their birth chart tend to be highly intuitive, imaginative, and creative. They may also be drawn to spiritual practices, artistic pursuits, and the study of the occult.
However, if Neptune is afflicted with harder aspects in a person’s chart, they may struggle with feelings of confusion, delusion, lying or escapism. They may have difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy, or they may feel disconnected from their deeper emotions and spiritual nature. In these cases, it’s important to focus on grounding, self-awareness, and developing a healthy relationship with our intuition.
Neptune tells us where we are connected to one another, but also where we can lose ourselves. Knowing your Neptune placement by sign, house and aspect may help you understand yourself, and your inner subconscious, so much better.
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