Foggy frustration
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Mars semisquare Neptune transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t jump into conflicts or arguments, especially if things feel unclear or confusing.
- Avoid making major decisions if you’re feeling uncertain or emotionally all over the place.
- Don’t take unnecessary risks, especially with your health, money, or physical safety.
- Try not to overindulge in alcohol, drugs, or anything that might cloud your judgment.
- Steer clear of people who might manipulate you or take advantage of you when your guard is down.
- Don’t start new projects that require lots of focus and clear thinking- you might miss important details.
- Be careful with promises; don’t commit to things if you’re not sure you can follow through.
- Avoid activities that blend fantasy and reality in a way that could get you lost or sidetracked.
- Don’t ignore your intuition if something feels “off,” even if you can’t explain why.
- Avoid escapist behaviors, like binge-watching TV or daydreaming instead of facing what needs your attention.
Do During This Transit
- Let yourself rest more than usual. It’s easy to get tired or feel drained, so chill when you can.
- Pay extra attention to your dreams or any “gut feelings” – your imagination’s super active now.
- Work on something creative, like drawing, writing, or playing music. Inspiration might flow in weird ways.
- Treat yourself to a spa day, a bath, or just some alone time. Self-care helps if you’re feeling scattered or foggy.
- Double-check your plans and details. It’s easy to get mixed up or lose track of stuff.
- Be gentle with yourself if you can’t focus or get things done the way you want. Don’t push too hard.
- If you meditate or do yoga, this is a great time for it – it can help you feel more grounded.
- Watch out for people who aren’t what they seem. Trust your instincts if someone or something feels off.
- Write in a journal about what you’re feeling. Processing emotions is easier now, even if they’re confusing.
- Do something kind for someone else, even something small. Helping others feels good when energy is low.
What’s Interesting About This Transit
- Heightened susceptibility to odd suggestions: According to Alan Leo in The Key to Your Own Nativity (1910), a Mars-Neptune semisquare can make you strangely open to strange suggestions from others, even if they’re subtle or not obviously bad for you. Sometimes, you might find yourself acting on whims or ideas you don’t totally understand.
- An odd sense of physical restlessness tied to dreams: In C.E.O. Carter’s Astrological Aspects (first edition, 1930), there’s mention that this transit can bring a restless feeling in your body, but it’s not the usual Mars agitation – it’s the kind that comes from your dreams or unconscious, like you want to act out something you dreamed.
- Unexpected fatigue after creative bursts: In Grant Lewi’s Astrology for the Millions (1940), Mars in this type of awkward aspect to Neptune is linked to sudden, unexplained tiredness, especially after a moment of inspiration or creativity, as if these two energies clash hard and leave you drained.
- Cunning hidden behind frustration: Isabel Hickey’s A Cosmic Science (1970) explains that this aspect sometimes makes people “secretly manipulative” out of their own frustration- they might hide their real anger or desires in indirect ways, not because they want to hurt anyone, but because they don’t feel comfortable being direct right now.
- A tendency for odd health complaints with no clear cause: Sepharial in The Manual of Astrology: The Progressed Horoscope (1906) said this transit can bring peculiar little “phantom” aches and pains or weird accidents that seem to have no origin or easily explained reason.
- Confused goal-seeking or sudden “dead ends” in projects: Ronald Davison’s Astrology (1955) connected Mars/Neptune frictional aspects to trying to make progress on something, but running into invisible or vague barriers – almost like being lost in a fog right when you’re about to reach your goal.
- Unexpected draw to spiritualism or fringe beliefs: Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson’s Here and There in Astrology (1961) suggested lesser-known Mars-Neptune aspects, like the semisquare, sometimes spark a “mini-obsession” with the supernatural or a sudden desire to try something mystical, sometimes even just for the thrill, even if it’s outside your usual interests.
Experiencing This Transit
When Mars makes a semisquare to your natal Neptune, you’ll probably feel a little off-balance. Mars wants to do things, chase goals, and act on impulse. Neptune, on the other hand, is all about dreams, fog, confusion, and imagination. A semisquare is a minor but irritating aspect, like a pebble in your shoe – not a crisis, but you can’t just ignore it. Suddenly, your energy just might not go where you want it to.
Challenges during this transit
- Motivation feels soggy. You might wake up super pumped to get things done, but then- boom, everything feels pointless or you just can’t get started. It’s hard to know what you really want because you keep second-guessing yourself.
- Acting on illusions. There’s a temptation to chase after stuff that seems great in your head but doesn’t work out in reality. Maybe you buy something on a whim, start a new project without thinking it through, or trust someone who turns out to be unreliable.
- Mixed signals. Communication can get really muddled. You think someone promises you something, but they meant something different. Or maybe you just can’t put your feelings into words and end up feeling misunderstood.
- Leaking energy. It’s easy to get exhausted by little things: too much phone scrolling, binge-watching shows, or just zoning out. You might not notice how scattered you feel until you’re totally wiped.
- Temptation to escape. If life gets frustrating, this aspect can push you toward escapism – like eating junk food, drinking more, or just avoiding responsibility.
Opportunities during this transit
- Heightened intuition. Even if things are foggy, your gut feelings are active. Sometimes your instincts are actually helpful, so if you slow down and listen, you might dodge a mistake or find a creative workaround.
- Creative breakthroughs. This is a super artsy aspect. If you paint, write music, dance, or do any creative project, you might find yourself channeling some surprisingly beautiful stuff. Go with the flow instead of fighting it.
- Learning to surrender. Sometimes all that Mars energy gets too pushy. This transit kind of forces you to relax control and let things happen. Weirdly, sometimes problems work themselves out when you stop trying so hard.
- Building compassion. You’re more likely to help someone else, even if you feel a bit lost yourself. Volunteer work or just being there for a friend can actually help sort out your own inner mess.
- Practice patience. If you get used to double-checking your plans and slowing down before you act, you can avoid a lot of future headaches. Learning patience now is like a training exercise for bigger things later on.
How the Sign of Transiting Mars Modifies This Transit Semisquare to Natal Neptune
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Mars.
- Transiting Mars in Aries: You’re likely to feel jumpy and impatient, maybe rushing into things without thinking them through, which can make confusion or misunderstandings even stronger.
- Transiting Mars in Taurus: It’s harder to change your mind or direction, so you might dig your heels in and be stubborn even when the facts aren’t clear.
- Transiting Mars in Gemini: Scattered thoughts and too many ideas can make it tricky to focus, so watch out for mixed messages or saying things you don’t mean.
- Transiting Mars in Cancer: Emotions run the show, and you might act on feelings that aren’t totally real, causing mood swings or feeling misunderstood.
- Transiting Mars in Leo: Pride and ego might guide your actions, so you could overdo things just to prove yourself- even when your motivation isn’t clear.
- Transiting Mars in Virgo: You could get picky or anxious about little details, making it easy to worry yourself over problems that aren’t there.
- Transiting Mars in Libra: You might try to keep everyone happy, but it’s easy to feel uncertain or go back and forth on decisions, especially with relationships.
- Transiting Mars in Scorpio: Intense feelings or secret motives can bubble up, making it tempting to hold onto secrets or let suspicions get the best of you.
- Transiting Mars in Sagittarius: Restlessness and big dreams may drive you to take chances on something that’s a bit of a fantasy, or to believe with blind faith.
- Transiting Mars in Capricorn: You’ll want control or solid plans, but if things aren’t clear, you might just push ahead anyway, risking mixed results.
- Transiting Mars in Aquarius: Unpredictable moods and wanting to break free can lead to acting out without thinking, or picking up odd ideas you normally wouldn’t.
- Transiting Mars in Pisces: You’re extra sensitive, maybe picking up others’ vibes too easily, so it’s hard to know if what you’re feeling is really yours or just soaking up the atmosphere.