Confused Drive
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Neptune Semisquare Mars transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t rush into arguments or confrontations- things can get confusing, and you might not see the whole picture.
- Try not to start major new projects, especially ones that need a lot of energy or motivation. Your drive could feel muddled.
- Avoid making important physical commitments- your energy might be lower or less steady than usual.
- Don’t ignore your gut; if something feels sketchy, trust that feeling and double-check everything.
- Stay away from risky activities or sports- coordination and focus might be off, and accidents can happen more easily now.
- Don’t get sucked into any kind of deception, whether it’s being dishonest yourself or getting involved with people who aren’t trustworthy.
- Try not to push yourself past your limits. Rest when you need it, and don’t burn out trying to do it all.
- Avoid starting fights over miscommunications- Neptune can make things foggy, so it’s easy to misunderstand right now.
- Don’t be too impulsive with big decisions, especially those involving money, relationships, or long-term goals.
- Try not to drown out your feelings with unhealthy habits like overindulging, drinking too much, or avoiding reality.
Do During This Transit
- Work on letting go of old anger or resentments- it’s easier now to release what’s been bottled up.
- Start creative activities like painting, writing, music, or dance, especially if you’ve been holding back.
- Practice meditation, yoga, or any spiritual activity to channel restless energy in a positive way.
- Volunteer or help others- acts of kindness feel extra rewarding now and help you get out of your own head.
- Spend time near water, like lakes, rivers, or the ocean, to help calm frustrations and clear your mind.
- Dream and set intentions- Neptune is about imagination, so let yourself fantasize about what you really want.
- Take things slow, especially with big decisions or actions. This isn’t a time to rush forward; reflect first.
- Explore healing therapies, like energy work or counseling, especially if you’re feeling confused or drained.
- Pay attention to your intuition. It’s a good time to trust your gut rather than push ahead with sheer will.
- Allow yourself to rest. If you feel tired, listen to your body instead of forcing yourself to “be productive.”
What’s Interesting About This Transit
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Hidden Sapping of Vital Force:
Some older astrologers believed a Neptune semisquare Mars could “sap the native’s powers in strange and invisible ways,” so your ambitions get drained by subtle distractions or unhealthy habits. According to Charles E. O. Carter in The Astrological Aspects (1930), “Energy may fall away with no visible cause; dreams lure the mind while the body falters.” -
Fascination with Dubious Causes:
Alan Leo, in his book Esoteric Astrology (1913), wrote that this aspect could pull a person towards involvement in spiritual crusades or ‘cults,’ sapping energy for practical action: “Underlying motives are clouded; one may become half-heartedly involved in movements of questionable origin.” -
Danger of Physical Poisoning:
Evangeline Adams in Astrology, Your Place Among the Stars (1930), remarked that Mars corrupted by Neptune in minor stress aspect might indicate “susceptibility to mild forms of poisoning or infection, particularly through alcohol or tainted food.” -
Misdirected Effort or Confused Action:
Sepharial, in The Manual of Astrology (1898), claimed: “Action undertaken under this influence is rarely straightforward; plans go awry for subtle and unforeseen reasons, making the outcome uncertain and sometimes a cause for regret.” -
Easily Fooled by Schemers:
From Vivian E. Robson’s The Astrological Aspects (1936): “In dealing with others, there is a tendency to be tricked or taken advantage of during this influence, especially by those with cunning or secretive motives.” -
A Slippery Approach to Conflict:
The 20th-century astrologer Marc Edmund Jones in Astrology: How and Why It Works (1945) said the native may “retreat from necessary fights, using clever avoidance or even deception, sometimes cheating themselves out of what could be rightfully theirs.” -
Strange Accidents Due to Confusion:
French astrologer Paul Choisnard in Les influences planétaires (1912) connected this pair to “petites maladresses”- little slips, weird accidents or unexplainable mistakes, especially when handling sharp objects or during times of high stress. -
Erotic Fantasies Rooted in Guilt:
According to Vivian E. Robson, “Mars-Neptune in friction creates erotic daydreams mixed with shame or anxiety; this can sometimes manifest as secret infatuations or guilty pleasures.” (The Fixed Stars & Constellations in Astrology, 1923) -
Aptitude for Deception- of Self or Others:
Charles Carter also noted, “This aspect may lend a talent for ‘artistic’ forms of deception: white lies, embellishments, or self-delusion for comfort or gain.” (The Astrological Aspects, 1930)
Experiencing This Transit
This is a funky one. You’ve got Mars (your inner drive and fighting spirit) clashing with Neptune (dreaminess, confusion, and sometimes deception) by a pesky little semisquare. It’s not the worst transit, but it definitely makes things weird. You’ll probably feel like you want to get-going or act, but your motivation’s sort of foggy. You might second-guess yourself, get distracted, or find that you kick off something and lose steam halfway through.
Challenges during this transit
- Lack of Motivation or Energy: You might wake up most days feeling sluggish or unexcited about stuff you normally care about. Projects just don’t seem worth the trouble, and chores or workouts could feel especially pointless.
- Acting Without a Clear Plan: Mars wants to move fast, Neptune stirs up fantasies. So you might jump into things thinking, “This is gonna be epic!”… only to lose interest, hit dead ends, or realize you didn’t have enough details to begin with.
- Easily Misled or Scattered Focus: It’s easy to get sidetracked. Someone might convince you to help with their (not-so-realistic) dreams, or you might waste time researching one wild idea after another without actually doing anything.
- Passive Aggressive Frustration: If you get annoyed, it might bubble out sideways- maybe you sulk, gossip, or avoid direct conflict, instead of facing things head-on.
- Physical Fatigue: Some people just feel randomly tired, like you’re running on half-power. Sometimes your body mirrors your inner confusion- random headaches, restlessness, or weird sleep.
Opportunities during this transit
- Creative Inspiration: If you let yourself daydream, this is amazing for art, music, poetry, painting, designing, or even just doodling and brainstorming wild ideas. Your imagination is huge now.
- Learning to Flow: You’ll get better at not forcing things. If you’re normally super intense, this could teach you the magic of “going with the flow”- letting stuff happen naturally instead of pushing so hard.
- Healing Old Hurts: Sometimes, conflicts from the past pop up in strange ways so you can finally let them go. This is a great chance to release grudges, guilt, old disappointments, or blame- even if you’re not totally sure how.
- Developing Compassion: You might be drawn to help others, stand up for the vulnerable, or jump in with gentle, behind-the-scenes support. It’s a good time for volunteering, listening, or comforting a friend.
- Subtle Action: You can get a lot done right now if you work quietly- behind the scenes stuff, secret projects, or helping out without needing recognition. The results might not be flashy, but they’ll be meaningful.
How the Sign of Transiting Neptune Modifies This Transit Semisquare to Natal Mars
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Neptune.
- Transiting Neptune in Aries: You might notice bursts of confused energy, feeling like you want to jump into things but not being sure why or where it’s all going.
- Transiting Neptune in Taurus: There may be struggles with motivation tied to money, comfort, or security. It’s tough getting clear about what you’re fighting for.
- Transiting Neptune in Gemini: Communication gets tricky. Arguments or actions may come from mixed-up thoughts or misunderstandings. You might talk yourself into or out of things without really knowing why.
- Transiting Neptune in Cancer: Emotions run high, but it’s hard to act on them directly. You could feel defensive or get lost in family drama without even realizing what set it off.
- Transiting Neptune in Leo: Your creative mojo might feel foggy. You want to be recognized or admired, but your drive for attention can feel off or unreliable.
- Transiting Neptune in Virgo: It’s easy to get hung up on details that don’t make sense or feel overwhelmed by trying to fix everything. Your motivation can get lost in confusion or perfectionism.
- Transiting Neptune in Libra: Relationship issues might make you act in unclear ways. You may want peace but do things that actually lead to more confusion with others.
- Transiting Neptune in Scorpio: Passions are murky and motives hard to pin down. You may get wrapped up in secrets, power games, or temptations without really meaning to.
- Transiting Neptune in Sagittarius: You might feel restless for adventure but have no clear direction. Dreams of freedom or “something more” can lead to aimless or risky actions.
- Transiting Neptune in Capricorn: Ambitions and goals feel out of reach or get clouded by doubt. It’s tough to stick to plans, and working hard might not pay off like you expect.
- Transiting Neptune in Aquarius: Group projects or friendships could get confusing. You might want to help others but lose track of what needs to be done or who’s leading.
- Transiting Neptune in Pisces: Motivation can feel super low or scattered, like you’re trying to move through fog. Inspiration is strong, but it’s tough to turn dreams into real action.