From July 7 to December 12, Neptune, the visionary and deceptive planet, will be retrograde in Aries. Neptune rules dreams, intuition, and desire. When retrograde, it heightens these themes and urges us to reassess our goals and hopes.
As the planet slows down, its elusive qualities may expose deception or confusion. However, knowing the truth can make us wiser. This energy arrives during an already intense astrology season, with Mercury retrograde in Cancer also encouraging emotional reflection.
Use this time to elevate your artistry and trust your instincts. Doing so can take you to a higher level of awareness. You can also explore how to make your own luck this summer as you reconsider what you truly want.
Every zodiac sign will experience this shift, but the four cardinal signs—Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn—may receive the most shocking wake-up call.
As an Aries, Neptune retrograde urges you to look within and understand your motivations. For the past several months, you’ve been putting your desires into motion. You’ve also taken steps to release your dreams into the world.
As Neptune begins its moonwalk, you may start internalizing these aspirations and fantasies. This gives you space to reimagine how you want to cultivate your passions.
A project you’ve been longing to jump-start may have faced several hiccups along the way. If so, the retrograde offers a wonderful moment to reflect on how you can improve it.
The more time you spend meditating on what your heart wants, the easier it will be to manifest it. The key is to put yourself first and avoid getting sidetracked by outside distractions.
For Cancer, it’s easy to struggle with separating your personal and professional lives. The two may feel completely intertwined. You may also feel as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders.
That pressure could lead to a few emotional meltdowns. You need a way to release the feelings and energy you’ve repressed. The emotions building inside you could lead to tears, but crying can offer a healthy form of healing.
Make time to recuperate and unwind outside the office. Self-care will help you restore your body, mind, and spirit. Disconnecting from your phone and email on weekends and holidays can also offer relief.
The lesson is simple: You don’t have to be a workaholic to get the job done. There is more to life.
As a Libra, creating boundaries is extremely important. You give a great deal of your energy to others.
As Neptune retrograde moves through your seventh house of partnerships, you’ll see how vital it is to set limits. You also need to put your needs first.
You don’t want anyone to take advantage of you. You also don’t want others to mistake your kindness for weakness or take your generosity for granted.
Still, setting boundaries may feel easier said than done. You may want to avoid drama and feel reluctant to argue your point.
By the end of this transit, you can create a new chapter with the people you love. Healthier boundaries will help you feel more confident within these relationships.
For Capricorn, this retrograde is redefining how you connect with your home. Rather than viewing your dwelling only as a physical place, you’re starting to see it through a spiritual lens.
Home can also represent where you feel safest and most protected. You can strengthen that feeling by reconnecting with your beliefs and values.
Doing so will help you connect with yourself and others on a deeper level. The same idea applies to your relationship with your family and inner circle.
Blood may be thicker than water, but chosen family could become your strongest source of support. You may even realize that you feel closer to them than some relatives.
Be careful when sharing these feelings with your family. A thoughtful approach can help you avoid confrontation and hurt feelings.