Confused motivation
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Neptune Opposite Mars transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t start big arguments or pick fights- tempers can flare and misunderstandings happen easily.
- Avoid risky physical activities or extreme sports, since your energy might be low or unfocused.
- Don’t act on impulse, especially when you feel angry or frustrated. It’s easy to misjudge situations now.
- Try not to make big decisions, especially if you’re feeling confused or pressured. Clarity may be lacking.
- Avoid taking on too much or overcommitting yourself- you might think you have more energy than you actually do.
- Stay away from shady deals or anything that sounds too good to be true. There’s a higher risk of deception.
- Don’t rely too much on willpower alone. This transit can make you feel drained, so don’t push yourself past your limits.
- Don’t ignore your health- avoid neglecting rest, hydration, or any signs of fatigue.
- Try not to brush off details or cut corners, since mistakes can slip through more easily right now.
- Avoid holding onto anger or resentment; let things go when you can, instead of letting feelings simmer.
Do During This Transit
- Explore your imagination. Use this time to dive into creative projects like art, music, or writing. Let your fantasies run wild- you might surprise yourself.
- Practice compassion. You might feel a little more sensitive now, so it’s a good period for helping others and volunteering.
- Work on letting go. This transit is great for releasing old frustrations or grudges. Try forgiveness, both for yourself and others.
- Focus on meditation and relaxation. Calming activities like yoga, journaling, or guided meditation can really help balance any restless energy.
- Trust your intuition. Your logical mind might be a bit fuzzy, but your gut feelings are on point right now, so pay attention to them.
- Go with the flow. Don’t force things or push yourself too hard. Being adaptable and open to change will work in your favor.
- Tap into spirituality. This can be a good time to explore spiritual practices, read about mystical subjects, or just spend time in nature for a sense of peace.
- Express your feelings gently. If you need to communicate something important, choose your words with care and aim for understanding rather than confrontation.
- Stay clear of drama. Avoid getting pulled into conflicts or situations that drain your energy. Protect your own peace.
- Embrace self-care. Do things that recharge you, like taking long baths, getting enough rest, or spending time with supportive friends.
What’s Interesting About This Transit
- Muddled Ambitions and Psychic Drains: In “Transits: The Astrology of Inner Space” (1973), Erlewine & Michaels talk about how Neptune opposite Mars can make you feel like your willpower is under a weird fog. You might push for things, only to feel like you’re paddling in circles – ambition gets “diffused”, and they mention that sometimes you end up chasing someone else’s goals, not your own.
- Strange Sexual Magnetism: Ivy M. Goldstein-Jacobson in “Here And There in Astrology” (1961) describes this transit as sometimes stirring up “unusual or illusory attractions,” where your desire nature can get tangled in confusing or secretive relationships that might not be what they seem.
- Physical Sensitivities and Lowered Stamina: In “Astrology and Common Sense” (1932), American astrologer Edgar De Wahl notes that Neptune opposite Mars can bring a sudden, odd aversion to physical activity, sometimes even blaming physical sluggishness on “influences you can’t see.”
- Moral and Ethical Dilemmas: Dane Rudhyar, in “Astrological Aspects: A Process-Oriented Approach” (1966), mentions that this transit might pit your actions against your ideals and lead to ‘dubious adventures’- actions that seem right at the time but feel questionable in hindsight.
- Accidents Due to Distraction or Deception: Llewellyn George’s “A to Z Horoscope Maker and Delineator” (1910) suggests this opposition can sometimes fish you into so much daydreaming or confusion that you’re accident-prone, especially with sharp tools or hot surfaces.
- Weird Water Troubles: C.E.O. Carter in “The Astrological Aspects” (1930) gave some rare examples where Neptune opposite Mars coincided with plumbing issues, leaky roofs, or “misadventures at sea” – pretty literal, but astral symbolism is like that.
- Dubious Heroism or Martyrdom: Alan Leo, in “The Art of Synthesis” (1912), wrote that people sometimes get carried away with “false spiritual crusades,” trying to save others from things that aren’t real, or fighting imaginary threats.
- Nightmares and Psychic Attacks: Isidore Kozminsky, in “The Astrology of Fate” (1920), brings up increased susceptibility to nightmares and “forces of illusion” during this transit – like being more easily spooked or feeling like you’re fighting invisible enemies in your sleep.
- Interest in Occult or Mystical Martial Arts: Sepharial, in “The Manual of Astrology, Book IV: The Occult Forces” (1911), wrote that some people during this transit get drawn to magical or mystical uses of energy, like studying tai chi or astral projection involving martial imagery.
- Sudden Loss or Betrayal by Friends in Uniform: In “Predictive Astrology” (1939), Olga Morales points out a tendency to experience disappointment or trickery from those in uniforms- soldiers, police, even delivery people- often due to misunderstandings or outright deception.
Experiencing This Transit
When Neptune in the sky is sitting opposite your natal Mars, it can kind of feel like you’re driving with foggy windows- you want to move forward, push ahead, get stuff done, but everything feels uncertain, unclear, or just…weird. Mars is your action planet, the part of you that gets fired up and goes after what you want. Neptune, though, tends to dissolve things, making it hard to know what’s real and what’s just your imagination.
Challenges during this transit
- Low Energy or Motivation: You might feel extra tired or just meh, no matter how much sleep you get. It’s hard to find your “oomph” or drive.
- Confused Anger or Frustration: You could get mad at stuff, only to realize later you misunderstood the situation. People might also misinterpret what you say or do, sparking arguments from thin air.
- Attracting Unclear or Dishonest People: Someone might promise you the world or pull you into their drama, only for you to realize later it was never real or worth your effort.
- Escapism Temptations: Because things feel so fuzzy or off, you might want to zone out using social media, video games, binge-watching, or even substances- anything to escape the fog. But it doesn’t really fix what’s confusing.
- Accidents from Not Paying Attention: The classic “not looking where you’re going” problem, especially with water, slippery places, machinery, or even while driving.
- Fighting with Shadows: You could start standing up for yourself only to find the “enemy” isn’t real, or you pick the wrong thing to get mad about. The energy may just scatter or disappear.
Opportunities during this transit
- Artistic Inspiration: If you’re creative at all (music, writing, painting, dance- even just doodling), this foggy energy can help you tap into really dreamy, emotional, or out-there ideas. The normal rules don’t apply, so let yourself experiment.
- Spiritual or Healing Practices: This is a great stretch to get into meditation, yoga, breathwork, or anything that helps you connect to something bigger than yourself. The “veil” is thinner in some ways.
- Learning When to Let Go: Neptune opposite Mars teaches that sometimes, force isn’t the answer. Instead of pushing harder, you learn to surrender (which is NOT the same as giving up!).
- Seeing Through Illusions (Eventually): If you pay attention, this transit usually exposes what’s been fake, overhyped, or unrealistic in your life. It’s not always easy, but it can give you some pretty intense “aha” moments after the fog lifts.
- Compassion Over Competition: You might find you’re more interested in helping others, volunteering, or understanding people’s struggles, rather than competing or getting ahead.
- Rest and Recovery: If you’ve been running on fumes for a while, this transit basically forces you to slow down and take care of yourself, whether you wanted to or not.
How the Sign of Transiting Neptune Modifies This Transit Opposite to Natal Mars
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Neptune.
- Transiting Neptune in Aries: You might feel even more restless than usual and get easily frustrated. It’s easy to act impulsively now, chasing dreams that aren’t totally clear or realistic.
- Transiting Neptune in Taurus: Your energy could slow down. You might feel confused about your goals when it comes to money or stability, and it’s hard to find the motivation to push for practical results.
- Transiting Neptune in Gemini: Mental fog is big here- words get muddled and you could have misunderstandings in arguments or debates. You might not feel sure what you’re fighting for.
- Transiting Neptune in Cancer: Emotional boundaries get blurry. Old hurts could surface, and it’s trickier to defend yourself in family settings or when dealing with close personal issues.
- Transiting Neptune in Leo: You might struggle with confidence swings or feel creatively blocked. It’s easy to get swept up in idealistic dreams about love, romance, or recognition.
- Transiting Neptune in Virgo: Small details slip through the cracks. You might feel drained trying to live up to unrealistic standards at work or regarding your health.
- Transiting Neptune in Libra: Partner conflicts get foggy, with motives and intentions hard to pin down. It’s easier to feel let down in relationships or want something impossible from others.
- Transiting Neptune in Scorpio: Passions can be misleading or get tangled up in secrets and power games. It’s tough to know where you stand in deep or intense relationships.
- Transiting Neptune in Sagittarius: It’s easy to act on confused beliefs. You might jump into big plans or risky adventures without seeing the reality of the situation.
- Transiting Neptune in Capricorn: You could lose steam in your career or wonder if you’re chasing the right ambitions. Authority figures might seem unreliable or your goals unclear.
- Transiting Neptune in Aquarius: Group efforts can feel unorganized or you might feel lost among friends. It’s easy to be caught up in vague ideas about changing the world.
- Transiting Neptune in Pisces: Boundaries are super thin. Your energy might feel scattered, distracted, or you could get lost in daydreams, emotional confusion, or even avoiding conflict altogether.