“Foggy thinking”
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Neptune Semisquare Mercury transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t make big decisions without double-checking all the facts- things might not be as clear as they seem.
- Avoid signing important contracts or agreements if you can help it. There’s a bigger risk of misunderstandings or missing details.
- Try not to gossip or spread rumors- you might not have the full story, and the truth could get blurry.
- Don’t ignore red flags if something feels off in conversations- it’s easier to get misled or deceived right now.
- Avoid over-idealizing people or situations. It’s easy to see things through rose-colored glasses during this transit.
- Try not to overthink or worry about things you can’t control. Neptune can make your imagination run a little wild.
- Don’t rely only on your memory or assumptions- write things down so you don’t forget or mix up details.
- Stay away from making promises you’re not sure you can keep. Intentions can get muddled.
- Don’t get lost in escapist activities (like binge-watching, daydreaming, or using substances) as a way to avoid reality.
- Try not to jump to conclusions. Take a pause before reacting to confusing or vague communications.
Do During This Transit
- Keep a dream journal- your imagination and dreams might send you cool messages now.
- Try creative writing, poetry, or journaling to channel your thoughts in artistic ways.
- Double-check important messages or emails to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
- Spend time meditating or enjoying quiet activities; your mind needs some downtime.
- Explore music or art- listening, creating, or just appreciating it can help you understand your feelings.
- Talk to a counselor or trusted friend if you’re feeling scattered or unsure about things.
- Trust your intuition, but don’t make big decisions based only on gut feelings right now.
- Set reminders for appointments or important tasks- you might feel extra forgetful.
- Slow down when reading or signing anything; details can slip past you during this time.
- Let go of trying to control everything- being flexible will go a long way with all the fuzzy energy around.
What’s Interesting About This Transit
- In “Astrological Essays” by Charles E. O. Carter (1928), Neptune in a challenging aspect to Mercury- like a semisquare- was said to create “diffused mentality.” Carter describes how the mind may become “ever so slightly porous,” which makes you pick up stray, random thoughts from others or the surrounding atmosphere. You might find yourself thinking things that don’t feel quite like your own.
- Alan Leo, in “The Key to Your Own Nativity” (1910), noted that a Neptune-Mercury conflict can produce “trouble with transportation of parcels and papers,” referencing literal mix-ups with mail, bills, or even rumors moving through social channels- basically, be on the lookout for lost or misunderstood communications.
- Sepharial, in his “Manual of Astrology” (1909), associated minor Neptune transits to Mercury with exposure to “double-dealing” or “secret enemies” via correspondence. According to him, you might get anonymous letters, cryptic messages, or accidentally stumble into gossip during this transit.
- In “Astrological Aspects” by Charles E. O. Carter (1930), this transit was described as making you susceptible to “psychic echo.” Carter believed you could unconsciously mirror the mental turmoil or confusion of people around you, almost like an emotional sponge- especially from siblings or neighbors (all Mercury stuff).
- The French astrologer Paul Choisnard, in “Interprétation scientifique des thèmes astrologiques” (1922), suggested Mercury-Neptune frictional aspects were linked to “imaginative misapprehension”: you might misread a map, confuse one place for another, or daydream at the wrong time, getting lost both literally and mentally.
- In his book “Practical Astrology” (1917), Comte de Saint-Germain wrote that Neptune afflicting Mercury could bring loss of “veracity in small matters,” meaning little white lies or absent-minded fibs come easier, sometimes without you noticing until much later.
- Dane Rudhyar, in “The Astrology of Personality” (1936), said such a transit could “sensitize the nervous system,” making you more prone to intuition, but also to nervous confusion or hypersensitivity to sounds- think mishearing things or feeling overwhelmed by music or voices.
- Ivy Goldstein-Jacobson, in “The Way of Astrology” (1967), described this as a “fog over paperwork”- delays, forgetting to sign forms, or accidentally sending the wrong document to the wrong person.
- Vivian E. Robson, in “The Influence of the Planets” (1937), warned that Mercury-Neptune hard transits could “breed credulity,” so you might fall for pranks, scams, or believe outlandish things during these weeks.
- Grant Lewi, in “Astrology for the Millions” (1940), associated this combo with “momentary flashes of genius, followed by long spells of vagueness”- so, if you get a wild idea, jot it down fast or it might just dissolve!
Experiencing This Transit
When Neptune forms a semisquare to your natal Mercury, it’s like your brain is trying to tune into two radio stations at once. Things get fuzzy. You might feel pretty distracted, find it hard to focus, or discover that even simple communication feels… odd. Your thoughts can drift off into daydreams at the worst possible times. The transit isn’t necessarily dramatic, but it has a sneaky way of blurring the line between fact and fantasy.
Challenges during this transit
- Mental Confusion: It’s easy to get mixed up with details. You could find yourself forgetting appointments, spacing out during important talks, or losing the thread of what you were saying mid-sentence.
- Miscommunication: Emails might get misread, texts get sent to the wrong person, or people just don’t “get” your point. Rumors and misunderstandings spread easily now.
- Scattered Thinking: You might struggle with focusing on school work, job tasks, or anything that needs clear thinking. It’s like living in a mild brain fog.
- Impractical Ideas: While your imagination runs wild, it’s easy to jump into things that aren’t realistic. Buying stuff you don’t need based on a vibe, or saying yes to super vague plans that never happen.
- Being Gullible: There’s a tendency to believe things that aren’t actually true, to get caught up in scams or little lies- especially if they sound poetic or mysterious.
- Difficulties with Technology: Messages might not send, apps glitch out, or you type something weird without noticing until it’s too late.
Opportunities during this transit
- Boosted Creativity: All that daydreaming can fuel poetry, art, songwriting, or any creative project that needs an imaginative twist. It’s easier to think outside the box.
- Deepened Intuition: If you pay attention, your gut feelings and subtle hints can guide you better than logic right now. Trust your instincts on people and situations.
- Inspiration in Unusual Places: You might get great ideas from dreams, music, or even random conversations. Some of your best inspiration could hit when you’re spacing out.
- Heightened Compassion: It’s easier to imagine what others are feeling, so you might find yourself reaching out to help, listen, or just show kindness.
- Learning through Letting Go: This transit is a good time to let go of mental perfectionism or the need to be right. Admitting you don’t know something can feel kind of freeing.
- Finding Magic in the Everyday: You might notice beautiful little moments or subtle synchronicities you usually overlook. Life can feel more enchanted.
How the Sign of Transiting Neptune Modifies This Transit Semisquare to Natal Mercury
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Neptune.
- Transiting Neptune in Aries: Brings restless energy to your mind- your thoughts get unpredictable and you might feel impulsive or easily distracted.
- Transiting Neptune in Taurus: Makes you daydream about comfort, money, or security; you might get stuck in stubborn thinking or find it hard to see practical details.
- Transiting Neptune in Gemini: Scatters your focus- too many ideas at once and it’s tough to pin things down. Communication can get fuzzy or misunderstood.
- Transiting Neptune in Cancer: Heightens emotional thinking, so memories, feelings, and “gut instincts” shape your thoughts more than usual, sometimes making logical decisions tricky.
- Transiting Neptune in Leo: Inspires grand ideas but may cloud judgment about what’s realistic. You might get caught up in creative fantasies or want attention for your imagination.
- Transiting Neptune in Virgo: Brings confusion to details and routines. You may feel overwhelmed by small tasks, miss important facts, or doubt your abilities at organizing.
- Transiting Neptune in Libra: Fogs your thinking in relationships- you might idealize others, avoid conflicts, or get indecisive about what’s fair or right.
- Transiting Neptune in Scorpio: Stirs intense ideas and secret obsessions. Your mind may be drawn to mysteries, taboo topics, or reading between the lines (even when there’s nothing there).
- Transiting Neptune in Sagittarius: Makes you dream big- sometimes too big. You could confuse beliefs with facts or get lost in far-fetched concepts and big promises.
- Transiting Neptune in Capricorn: Clouds your judgment around goals, authority, and traditions; you might question your direction or struggle to see the realistic steps you need to take.
- Transiting Neptune in Aquarius: Leads to idealistic or unconventional thinking, possibly confusing your goals with collective causes or trends. It’s easy to get swept up in group fantasies.
- Transiting Neptune in Pisces: Doubles down on imagination and intuition, but also confusion. Boundaries blur, and it’s easy to absorb others’ thoughts or get lost in your own mind.
