Confused motivation
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Neptune Square Mars transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t jump into arguments or fights- tempers and confusion can get out of hand easily.
- Avoid starting big new projects, especially if they need lots of willpower and energy. Motivation can be all over the place right now.
- Don’t make risky investments or gamble- Neptune makes it really easy to overlook details or fall for a scam.
- Avoid pushing yourself too hard physically. You might think you have more energy than you really do, and it’s easy to get hurt.
- Don’t ignore your gut feelings if something feels shady- it probably is. Trust your instincts, not just what people tell you.
- Avoid getting involved in secretive or dishonest situations. Lies and misunderstandings are much more likely now.
- Don’t expect clear results from your actions. This isn’t a good time for things that need focus, drive, or clear planning.
- Avoid acting on impulse or chasing unrealistic dreams. Take your time and double-check the facts before making moves.
- Don’t bottle up your anger or let it come out sideways. Find healthy outlets to vent, like art, exercise, or talking it out.
- Avoid confrontations if you’re feeling drained, spaced out, or unclear about what you want. Take a step back until you’re grounded again.
Do During This Transit
- Let yourself slow down – this isn’t the best time to push too hard or try to force things.
- Get creative! Try art, music, writing, or anything that lets you express your imagination.
- Work on letting go of old anger or resentment. Take up something like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to chill out.
- Pay close attention to your dreams and intuition. Keep a dream journal or jot down any flashes of insight you notice.
- Help others or volunteer – doing something selfless can be really fulfilling right now.
- Double-check facts before you act, especially if you’re feeling unsure or confused. Clarity can be tough during this transit.
- Keep your boundaries strong. Don’t let other people take advantage of your kindness or energy.
- Explore gentle types of exercise like swimming, tai chi, or walking instead of anything too intense or competitive.
- Give yourself permission to rest when you’re tired. Listen to what your body needs.
- Focus on forgiveness – of yourself and others. This is a powerful time for healing old wounds if you’re gentle with yourself.
What’s interesting about this transit?
When Neptune makes a square to your natal Mars, it’s not just the usual confusion or loss of direction. Ancient astrologers and some old texts had all kinds of obscure things to say about this aspect:
- “Decadence of Courage”: Some medieval astrological manuals warned that Neptune squaring Mars could make warriors go soft- like a knight losing his nerve right before battle, often for mysterious or “magical” seeming reasons. It was even thought to bring about unexplained cowardice or a sudden fear of one’s usual rivals.
- “Bewitchment of Desire”: In older Arabic astrological works, there’s a warning about this transit causing passions to be “bewitched”- your usual desires could get tangled up in illusions or love spells, making you chase after things that weren’t good for you (or even real).
- “Rashness in Hidden Places”: Some Renaissance astrologers felt this transit could drive people to risky actions in secret or behind closed doors, with potentially embarrassing or destructive results.
- “Rot of the Iron”: Ancient sources sometimes likened Mars to iron, and Neptune to water or mist. A square between these two was said to “rust” one’s courage or make your willpower slowly corrode under mysterious pressures.
- “Misdirected Spells”: In some Greco-Egyptian texts, it was thought that Mars-Neptune squares could cause rituals or spells (even regular wishes or prayers) to “misfire,” making your energetic efforts go sideways or backfire in strange ways.
- “Spiritual Duels”: Some old French astrology pamphlets said this transit leads to psychic or spiritual battles- like fighting ghosts, inner demons, or invisible enemies, instead of ones you can see and touch.
Experiencing This Transit
When Neptune squares your natal Mars, you might feel like you’re driving with the windows fogged up. Your energy, actions, and even your anger or ambition feel cloudy, indirect, and hard to control. This can be a bewildering time because Mars wants clear action and direct fights, but Neptune brings fog, uncertainty, dreams, and sometimes deception.
You might want to get a lot done or defend something you care about, but it seems like every move you make just slips out of your fingers or the results aren’t what you expected. Sometimes, you’re just tired, or your motivation keeps melting away. This isn’t a “get up and go” time- it’s more like navigating a swamp, where nothing is solid for long.
Challenges during this transit
- Lack of Motivation: You can wake up full of plans, but by lunchtime, you might feel like, “Why bother?” Things feel pointless or you just don’t have the energy you usually have.
- Misdirected Anger: It’s easy to get angry at the wrong people, or find yourself lashing out at random things- then feeling guilty or weird about it afterward.
- Confusion in Actions: You might start something, then wonder why you did it, or forget your goals halfway through.
- Attracting Tricky Situations: Old texts warned this transit can pull in people who aren’t totally honest, or get you tangled in situations where the rules keep changing- like that co-worker who says one thing then does another.
- Physical Drain: Your body could feel unusually tired, or you might pick up weird, vague health issues that doctors can’t explain easily. Sometimes, this can show up as clumsiness, accidents, or just feeling “off.”
- Escapism Temptations: If you’re not careful, you might just want to escape all this confusion- spending hours online, binging shows, or getting lost in things that numb you out (like alcohol or other substances).
Opportunities during this transit
- Creative Surges: If you do art, music, writing, or anything creative, this is prime time for letting your inner weirdness loose. You can make amazing stuff by channeling your tangled feelings into artistic projects.
- Spiritual Discovery: Meditation, yoga, or anything “mystical” can be easier to tap into right now. You might have dreams that actually mean something, or find yourself tuning in to signs and feelings that usually pass you by.
- Learning Humility: This transit teaches you that sometimes you just don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. Admitting vulnerability or uncertainty can actually draw the right kind of help and support to you.
- Busting Illusions: You have a real chance to see where you’ve been kidding yourself- about other people, your goals, or even what you want. Neptune squares dissolve what isn’t real, so after the fog clears, you end up with a way more honest picture of your life.
- Finding New Goals: If you let go of the old, dried-up ambitions that aren’t working, you might stumble into brand-new dreams and directions you never thought of before.
- Compassion in Action: If you use your energy to help others- volunteering, supporting someone struggling, or just being kind when you don’t feel like it- you’ll find that your own confusion gets a little easier to handle.
How the Sign of Transiting Neptune Modifies This Transit Square to Natal Mars
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Neptune.
- Transiting Neptune in Aries: You might feel restless and impatient for dreams to turn real, but your energy could get scattered by confusion or impulsivity. Beware of chasing mirages or jumping into things without a clear plan.
- Transiting Neptune in Taurus: Your motivation could slow down, and you might feel like your efforts get lost in a fog. It’s easy to get stuck in comfort zones or, on the flip side, feel dissatisfied with what you have.
- Transiting Neptune in Gemini: Decision-making gets trickier. Mixed messages, gossip, or distraction can zap your enthusiasm. Creative ideas flow, but taking action feels hard because it’s tough to tell what’s real.
- Transiting Neptune in Cancer: Your drive might be clouded by emotions and nostalgia. You could chase old dreams or get protective in confusing ways, and what motivates you might shift from personal to family concerns.
- Transiting Neptune in Leo: Confidence could wobble- one minute you’re inspired, the next you doubt yourself. You’re prone to dramatic visions and chasing praise, but you might forget your true goals.
- Transiting Neptune in Virgo: Motivation might get lost in details, routines, or anxiety. You may feel like you’re not doing enough, or waste energy trying to make everything perfect when clarity is hard to find.
- Transiting Neptune in Libra: You might struggle to assert yourself in relationships or team efforts. Compromise and indecision can cloud your drive, making it tough to fight for what you want.
- Transiting Neptune in Scorpio: Intensity rises, but motives can be murky. You could get tangled up in power struggles or hidden agendas, and passionate pursuits might turn into emotional confusion.
- Transiting Neptune in Sagittarius: Big dreams and bold plans might lead you astray if you’re not careful. It’s easy to get swept up in visions, wanderlust, or philosophies without enough grounding.
- Transiting Neptune in Capricorn: Ambition can dissolve into uncertainty. You may question your career goals or authority, and pushing ahead gets tricky if you’re not sure what you’re aiming for.
- Transiting Neptune in Aquarius: You could feel drawn to new ideals or causes, but lack clarity about your role. Friend groups or social movements might inspire you- and also confuse your sense of direction.
- Transiting Neptune in Pisces: Boundaries are super thin, making action feel slippery or elusive. Your motivation might come and go like the tides, and your dreams could overpower your drive to act.