Romantic confusion
Here’s what to do and not do when you have a Neptune Square Venus transit. Below that are some interesting things about this transit.
Avoid During This Transit
- Don’t start a new romantic relationship. Things might look dreamy now, but you could be seeing what you want to see, not what’s really there.
- Avoid making big decisions about love or money. Neptune squares can bring confusion, so it’s easy to get swept up in fantasies that don’t last.
- Don’t lend money to friends or lovers. Boundaries get blurry and you might not get it back (or feel too guilty to ask).
- Hold off on major beauty changes. Getting a dramatic new look or cosmetic procedure right now might not turn out the way you hoped.
- Don’t ignore red flags. If something feels off, trust your gut instead of glossing things over.
- Stay away from “too good to be true” offers. Whether it’s a business deal, purchase, or even just a social invitation, be skeptical.
- Avoid escapist habits. This can be a time when people want to numb out with alcohol, drugs, or even excessive daydreaming. Try not to get lost in unhealthy distractions.
- Don’t over-romanticize people or situations. You might be seeing them through rose-colored glasses right now.
- Avoid putting others on a pedestal. Idolizing someone can set you up for disappointment later.
- Don’t ignore your personal needs or boundaries. It’s easy to lose yourself in others under this transit, so stay true to yourself.
Do During This Transit
- Get creative- try painting, writing, music, or anything artsy that lets you express your feelings.
- Spend time exploring music, movies, or poetry that moves you emotionally.
- Practice self-care and compassion- treat yourself gently and with patience.
- Journal about your feelings in relationships, even if they’re confusing or mixed up right now.
- Let go of unrealistic expectations in love and friendships- be open to seeing people as they really are.
- Volunteer or help out someone in need; giving from the heart feels extra meaningful now.
- Meditate, pray, or explore spiritual practices that help you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.
- Work on forgiveness, whether it’s forgiving yourself or someone else.
- Explore dreams and symbols- keep a dream journal or look into dream meanings.
- Enjoy romantic or magical experiences just for the feeling, without pushing for long-term decisions.
- Spend more time near water (like beaches, lakes, or even long baths)- it’s soothing under this transit.
What’s Interesting About This Transit
- Dramatic shifts in aesthetic taste: According to Astrological Essays by Charles E. O. Carter (1945), Neptune square Venus can temporarily draw a person toward “artistic vagaries,” meaning sudden, sometimes baffling changes in what you find beautiful or stylish. Carter even notes a fascination with “decorative or ritualistic trinkets” that might fade after the transit.
- Secretive romances or hush-hush crushes: In The Principles of Astrology by Charles E. O. Carter (1925), there’s a reference to this transit leading to “connections of a concealed nature,” like falling for somebody in a situation where it must be kept quiet or private for some reason.
- The urge for ‘unearthly’ affection: Alan Leo, in his book The Art of Synthesis (1912), pointed out that Neptune-Venus squares may make someone crave “love not of this earth”- basically, seeking ideal or spiritual love that just doesn’t play out well in regular life.
- Romantic disillusion as a spiritual lesson: In Astrology: Your Place in the Sun (1941), Evangeline Adams wrote that disappointment in love during this transit could be a kind of “spiritual trial,” pushing you toward higher values or self-realization, especially if you’re feeling let down by people you love.
- Weird reactions to fragrances, music, or food: In The Astrologer’s Handbook by Sakoian & Acker (1973), people with this square sometimes find themselves “peculiarly averse or attracted to certain odors, melodies, or flavors,” which may feel random or inexplicable.
- Charity to a fault: Max Heindel in The Message of the Stars (1918) calls out “misplaced generosity” during hard Neptune-Venus transits, giving to charity or needy people to a degree that actually drains you or causes chaos in your own life.
- Magnetism to troubled creatives: In The Astrological Aspects (1947), Charles E. O. Carter connected Neptune square Venus with an attraction to people who are “artistic yet unstable,” so you might find yourself drawn to tortured artists or musicians whether or not they’re actually good for you.
- Hypersensitivity to social slights: In Astrological Dynamics (1974), Betty Lundsted says this transit can temporarily make someone feel “rejected or overlooked,” even if no slight was intended, leading to exaggerated feelings of being left out or forgotten.
- An oddly ‘haunted’ feeling in familiar places: Sepharial in Transits and Planetary Periods (1912) suggests Venus-Neptune squares can make people sense an “atmosphere of mystery or illusion” in everyday spots, making homes, cafes, or classrooms suddenly feel dreamy, strange, or emotionally loaded.
- Buying objects ‘charged’ with emotion: Elsewhere in Sakoian & Acker’s Handbook, these transits can pull you toward buying secondhand things, vintage clothes, or jewelry that seem to carry an emotional charge or weird history, for better or worse.
Experiencing This Transit
So what’s it like when Neptune makes a tough square to your Venus? Basically, your senses- especially around love, friendship, money, and beauty- can get scrambled.
You might find yourself idealizing someone or something, seeing things through a foggy lens, or even falling for someone who isn’t totally honest with you (or maybe you’re the mysterious one right now). Normal stuff- like crushes, spending sprees, or wanting to escape- tends to get amped up. Everything feels more magical, but also just out of reach or confusing.
Challenges during this transit
- Disappointments in Love: You could realize that person you thought was “the one” is just a mirage. Sometimes, people vanish, ghost, or aren’t what they seemed at all.
- Misreading Signals: It’s super easy to misunderstand what someone really means- romantic texts, friendly gestures, or online dating can lead to big confusion. You’re just not seeing things clearly.
- Money Slips: You might spend money on stuff that feels magical at the time- art, beauty products, gifts, music festivals- only to regret it later when your bank account’s mysteriously empty.
- Addictive Escapes: Wanting to escape reality might show up as binge-watching, overindulging, or even diving into bad habits. It starts small then gets foggy fast.
- Loss of Creative Direction: If you’re an artist, you might feel blocked or your creative work goes in circles. Masterpieces, or just messes?
Opportunities during this transit
- Artistic Inspiration: If you embrace the strangeness, this transit can unlock new creative doors. Try painting, songwriting, photography- anything dreamy, surreal, or abstract. Forget “perfection.”
- Letting Go of Old Patterns: Maybe your usual patterns in love, friendships, or money aren’t working. This is a good time to release unhealthy attachments- kind of like throwing a dusty old sweater out the window.
- Compassion Grows: Neptune can open your heart wide- you might find yourself forgiving someone, volunteering, or just giving more hugs than usual.
- Heightened Intuition: Trust your gut. You may pick up on people’s feelings or subtle vibes more easily, even if you can’t explain why.
- Spiritual Discoveries: This is a window for meditation, Tarot, dream work, or exploring spirituality. Even if you don’t have all the answers, you can find comfort in the mystery.
How the Sign of Transiting Neptune Modifies This Transit Square to Natal Venus
Read the one for the current sign of transiting Neptune.
- Transiting Neptune in Aries: This adds a restless, impulsive energy. You might chase fantasy crushes or sudden whims in love, feeling eager for excitement but easily getting disappointed.
- Transiting Neptune in Taurus: The craving for beauty, comfort, or luxury gets stronger. You could idealize material pleasures or get confused about what really brings you stability or true pleasure in relationships.
- Transiting Neptune in Gemini: Communication and curiosity get foggy. Misunderstandings in love can multiply, and you might find yourself swept away by charming words- or telling little white lies yourself.
- Transiting Neptune in Cancer: Emotions run super deep and sensitive. You might feel nostalgic, longing for an idealized home life, or getting wrapped up in sentimental illusions about the past.
- Transiting Neptune in Leo: Drama, romance, and self-expression can get blown out of proportion. There’s a temptation to chase glamorous love affairs or to seek attention, sometimes for the sake of fantasy.
- Transiting Neptune in Virgo: You may get confused about boundaries when it comes to helping others. There’s a dreamy longing for “perfect” love or routine, and you might ignore practical realities in relationships.
- Transiting Neptune in Libra: You could idealize partnerships, looking for soulmate connections, but also getting lost in wishful thinking about fairness or harmony. Unrealistic expectations may crop up in relationships.
- Transiting Neptune in Scorpio: Desires and passions can be more mysterious or intense. Secrets and hidden motives become foggier, and deep emotional connections might feel both magical and confusing.
- Transiting Neptune in Sagittarius: You might want to escape into travel, philosophy, or big dreams with a partner. There’s a risk of being blinded by ideals about freedom or adventure in love.
- Transiting Neptune in Capricorn: There’s a tendency to get a little lost or disillusioned about ambitions or commitment in relationships. You could put too much faith in status or achievement for happiness.
- Transiting Neptune in Aquarius: You could get swept up in future dreams or friendships that blur into romance. There’s a longing for connection that breaks the rules, but boundaries with others may feel especially tricky.
- Transiting Neptune in Pisces: Feelings get super sensitive and intuitive. The urge for soulmates or spiritual love is strongest, but it’s also easy to lose touch with reality or to sacrifice too much for an ideal.