Mental fog or confusion
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Neptune Square Mercury transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t make big decisions without double-checking the facts. Your thinking can get cloudy and details might slip by.
- Avoid signing important contracts or legal documents unless you’re absolutely sure about what you’re getting into.
- Try not to start any major new projects that depend on clear communication or sharp mental focus.
- Don’t believe every rumor, story, or promise you hear – people might not be telling the full truth, even if they don’t mean to mislead.
- Avoid overpromising or saying you’ll do things you’re not sure you can deliver on.
- Refrain from gossip or spreading information you haven’t verified, as misunderstandings are easy now.
- Try not to dwell too much on worries or paranoid thoughts; your imagination might run wild during this time.
- Avoid escapist habits like overindulging in social media, daydreaming, or substances if you use them to run from reality.
- Don’t let yourself get pulled into schemes, scams, or anything that sounds way too good to be true.
- Avoid confrontational arguments- people (including you!) might be extra sensitive or misinterpret what’s being said.
Do During This Transit
- Keep a dream journal – your dreams can be extra vivid and might give you interesting insights now.
- Explore creative writing, poetry, or art. Let your imagination flow – logic isn’t as strong as creativity right now.
- Practice meditation or mindfulness to help quiet your mind and clear mental fog.
- Read inspiring or spiritual books. This transit is great for exploring big ideas and philosophies.
- Listen to music that lifts your spirits, or try making your own playlist for daydreaming.
- Double-check important messages before sending – but don’t stress out about misunderstandings; just clarify if needed.
- Give yourself permission to take mental breaks when you need them. It’s okay if your focus isn’t perfect.
- Spend time near water (like lakes, rivers, or even a long bath) to relax and let thoughts settle.
- Trust your intuition, but if something feels too good (or weird) to be true, get a second opinion.
- Be gentle with yourself, especially if you’re feeling scatterbrained. This phase won’t last forever!
What’s Interesting About This Transit
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“Nervous pollution and the psychic fog” (Sepharial, 1920):
The British astrologer Sepharial wrote that Neptune squaring Mercury could make everyday thoughts “subject to trespass by images from other realities,” almost like psychic interference messing with the mind’s radio. It’s not just confusion, but a feeling like ideas aren’t even your own- they leak in from some unseen dimension. (Sepharial, “The Science of Foreknowledge,” 1920) -
“The thief of memory’s detail” (Isabel M. Hickey, 1975):
Hickey described this transit as a time when “memory misplaces the trivial, but remembers the mystical,” meaning you might forget where you put your keys but recall vivid dreams or odd symbols from your subconscious. Everyday facts slip through your fingers, but your dreams become much more colorful. (Isabel M. Hickey, “Astrology: A Cosmic Science,” 1975) -
“The liar’s window” (Marc Edmund Jones, 1941):
Jones warned that under Neptune square Mercury people “unwittingly deceive or are deceived, especially in trifles”- so it’s not that you’re a grand liar, but there’s a tendency to twist small details or be misled by others on unimportant topics. It’s like playing a game of telephone with reality. (Marc Edmund Jones, “The Guide to Horoscope Interpretation,” 1941) -
“Ink that disappears” (Ivy M. Goldstein-Jacobson, 1960):
Goldstein-Jacobson compared this transit to “writing with vanishing ink”- communications you make under this influence seem to fade out, become misunderstood, or even ignored, as if Neptune is erasing Mercury’s message before it reaches its target. (Ivy M. Goldstein-Jacobson, “Simplified Scientific Astrology,” 1960) -
“The minor madness of rumors” (Harold Wigglesworth, 1939):
He called this aspect “the breath of rumor,” saying that people often get caught up in gossip or wild stories- nothing sticks but everything stirs up old doubts or new confusions. (Harold Wigglesworth, “The Psychology of the Planets,” 1939) -
“The drifting pen” (Grant Lewi, 1940):
Lewi pointed out that Mercury-Neptune squares could spark creative writing, but “words float beyond your command,” meaning it’s easier to write poetry or dream journals than business emails. Your logic drifts, but your imagination soars. (Grant Lewi, “Astrology for the Millions,” 1940) -
“Hermes at the crossroads” (Charles E.O. Carter, 1928):
Carter said this transit is a classic for spiritual searchers: “The mind runs astray seeking strange doctrines,” so you might suddenly be drawn to weird philosophies, alternative truths, or esoteric ideas. Your curiosity gets mystical or even a little lost. (Charles E.O. Carter, “The Principles of Astrology,” 1928)
Experiencing This Transit
If Neptune is squaring your natal Mercury, it can feel a bit like walking around with your own internal fog machine. Mercury governs how you think, talk, write, and process info, while Neptune loves dreams, illusions, and mystery. When they clash, stuff gets weird. You might notice your thoughts are scattered, communication is less clear, and you could be more sensitive to vibes or even feel like reality’s a bit slippery.
Challenges during this transit
- Mental Confusion: You might find it really hard to focus, forget what you were about to say, or get words mixed up. It’s easy to miss details or leave out important info.
- Misinformation & Misunderstandings: Mishearing directions, misunderstanding texts or emails, or having conversations where things get lost in translation are very common. For students, you might read a whole chapter and realize you didn’t take in a single thing!
- Being Gullible: Watch out for scams, rumors, or anything that seems a little too good to be true. During this transit, it’s way easier to get suckered in by conspiracy theories or wishful thinking.
- Overactive Imagination: It’s not all bad, but if you’re a worrier, the imagination can run wild with worst-case scenarios, making ordinary worries seem much bigger than they are.
- Difficulty Speaking Up: Some people find it tough to say what they mean, or their minds just go blank when it’s time to speak up in class, at work, or with friends.
- Sensitivity to Criticism: Neptune can make your brain almost “porous”- things soak in more easily, so you might take words to heart that wouldn’t normally bother you.
Opportunities during this transit
- Deepened Creativity: Even if regular thinking is tough, your creative side wakes up! It’s a great time for poetry, songwriting, art, or any creative writing. You might get inspired in unexpected ways.
- Intuitive Insights: Sometimes, logic takes a backseat and flashes of intuition come through. You might find yourself “just knowing” things or sensing what others feel, even when words don’t make sense.
- Spiritual Exploration: If you’re into meditation, prayer, or mystical subjects, this transit opens your mind to layers of meaning and subtle truths you’d normally overlook.
- Letting Go of Rigid Thinking: If you tend to overanalyze, Neptune can help melt those mental rigidities. You might embrace paradox, uncertainty, or find new ways of seeing old problems.
- Empathy and Compassion: You’re likely to pick up on others’ moods and feel more compassionate. This can make you a better listener and friend, even if you’re not 100% on top of your own stuff.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Because Mercury’s in “dream mode,” solutions can come from left field. If you’re stuck, try daydreaming or brainstorming instead of logical analysis.
How the Sign of Transiting Neptune Modifies This Transit Square to Natal Mercury
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Neptune.
- Transiting Neptune in Aries: Your thoughts might get dreamy but more impulsive, so you could start things on a whim or believe big ideas before checking the facts.
- Transiting Neptune in Taurus: You might have trouble seeing money matters or practical things clearly and could daydream about comfort or stability, making you less grounded than usual.
- Transiting Neptune in Gemini: Communication goes extra fuzzy- expect mixed signals, gossip, or misunderstanding what people say, especially in texts or emails.
- Transiting Neptune in Cancer: Memories and feelings can blur into your thinking, causing nostalgia, confusion about family stuff, or getting lost in the past.
- Transiting Neptune in Leo: Creativity runs wild but you might over-romanticize your ideas or crave praise, risking disappointment if reality doesn’t match your dreams.
- Transiting Neptune in Virgo: You might get obsessed with perfecting details but lose track of what’s real or important, making everyday routines seem more complicated or scattered.
- Transiting Neptune in Libra: Relationships and fairness might get foggy, so making choices with others can be tricky due to mixed motives or unclear boundaries.
- Transiting Neptune in Scorpio: Thoughts can get tangled with secret stuff, mysteries, or intense feelings, so watch out for paranoia or reading too much between the lines.
- Transiting Neptune in Sagittarius: Big beliefs or ideals might cloud your thinking; it’s easy to be gullible about philosophies, teachers, or “the big picture.”
- Transiting Neptune in Capricorn: There can be confusion around status, rules, or career plans, so you might misread authority figures or what you should be working toward.
- Transiting Neptune in Aquarius: New ideas or trends can scatter your focus, and it’s tough to tell which groups or causes are genuine, leading to idealism around friendships or social circles.
- Transiting Neptune in Pisces: It’s super easy to get lost in imagination, intuition, or spiritual stuff, but hard to separate dreams from reality or keep your mind clear- watch for getting too spacey or distracted.