Welcome back, Stargazers!
This week we investigate the world of folklore, myths, and astrology regarding the gentle giant, Neptune! In astrology, Neptune is the outer planet of dreams, illusions, spiritual enlightenment, and shared human instincts. Associated with the element of water, it represents the desire to dissolve ego boundaries, rise above the physical world, and achieve spiritual integration.
While it governs profound artistic inspiration, divine compassion, and intuition, it also can cast a shadowy influence of deception, addiction and escapism. Neptune can shape collective dreams, ideals, and artistic movements rather than everyday personality traits.
The stories of Neptune weave together the ancient myths of the Sea God and the mystical domains of modern astrological interpretation. Neptune’s personality is largely drawn from his mythological counterpart – the Roman god of Theses, the sea, fresh water – and horses. Originally a god of rivers, springs, and streams, he was later aligned with the Greek god Poseidon when Rome entered the post–Alexandrian era.
In folklore, water is both a life-giver and an agent of chaos. Neptune was known for a violent temper and extreme emotions, capable of unleashing devastating storms and floods; or, bringing safe passage to sailors. The Romans honored him with an annual festival, Neptunia, on July 23. Coinciding with the height of summer drought, it was a time when citizens built rustic shelters from tree branches and prayed to the gods to keep vital water sources from drying up.
The astrological symbol of Neptune features the cross of matter, crowned by a crescent representing the soul, intersected by the prongs of a trident – the traditional weapon of the Sea God representing power and the merging of spirit and matter.
Discovered in 1846, an era that coincided with the rise of spiritualism, photography and the mass production of chemical anesthetics – the planet’s distant, hazy blue appearance perfectly mirrors its astrological themes. Astrologers consider Neptune the “higher octave” of Venus, but while Venus governs romantic love and personal values, Neptune elevates this same energy to a higher spiritual level.
People who have this planet in a prominent position in their chart can be dreamy, ethereal beings who lack a practical side to their nature – doing the laundry is a challenging process, cooking is beyond comprehension and working for a living simply ‘doesn’t compute.’ These souls will often marry someone who is a natural caregiver, who gives up his or her time to look after the Neptunian.
Check the net to find the latest display of meteors, and always look up to enjoy the special entertainment of the stars!
Yours in the Stars,
Astrid