10a. Neptune in the Signs.
In the signs, Neptune represents how each generation expresses its idealism, its glamours and delusions; and individually, what needs to be refined to be more discerning.
Neptune in Aries (1862-1876, 2025-2039). The ideal to be achieved in the first sign Aries, is to produce free-thinking and innovative spiritual leaders and teachers who will guide their followers and faiths into more inclusive ways. However, in the masses, religious fanaticism will flourish along with the emergence of messiahs - true and false. The latter, they will encourage their people to believe that their group or country is the best, the strongest and bravest and to go out militantly to prove it. The Crusades in the Middle-Ages are of this type. On a personal level, the developmental task is to bring about spiritual rebirth or renewal in oneself, to see through illusion and to stand in one's truth.
Neptune in Taurus (1876-1890). In Taurus, the ideal is to dissolve the deep attachment to material life that is embedded in humanity and to refine its values. Artists, musicians and other creative workers all help in the higher task of spiritualising and beautifying humanity. In the process, old selfish attitudes and financial and business structures that do not serve the greater collective good will dissolve and new ones arise. So will new ideas and practical systems that allow for a freer flow of money and resources into areas of need. However, in the masses, values can be confused and greed enhanced so that materialistic people feel entitled to take as much as they can. On a personal level, the task is to resist the sensual lure of the “bull”, refine the desire life and spiritualise one's values.
Neptune in Gemini (1889-1902). The ideal to be achieved in Gemini, is to bring forwards new spiritual teachers who will communicate ideas that help humanity become a more inclusive, humanitarian civilisation. However, delusion in Gemini manifests as confusion, misinformation and misunderstandings. Fanatics, who incite hate and evil, coat their words in a glamorous facade so they appeal to man's lower nature - Adolf Hitler is an example. On a personal level, the task is to overcome illusion and hold the mind in the clear light of truth and reality, to enlighten the mind with inspired thought and higher esoteric teachings.
Neptune in Cancer (1916-1928). In Cancer, the ideal is to build the human family into a lighted house. This means refining the way we treat each other so there is greater empathy and compassion. It also means highlighting the vital role that family-life plays in the creation of a healthy and moral society - and giving the family unit and parents greater support. However, as long as selfishness dominates the national psyche, then feelings of entitlement about property and land will rise. World War I erupted in the last cycle as Germany tried to expand its boundaries. The personal task is to clear emotional confusion and transmute selfish desire into a sense of shared inclusiveness.
Neptune in Leo (1915-1928). Neptune's primary task is to bring forwards kind and compassionate leaders who will inspire the masses to follow civilization's highest ideals. However, as long as selfishness and greed dominate, dictators and autocrats will rise who believe they have a divine right to rule and take what they want. This happened in the last cycle and the masses followed in their wake. When Neptune re-enters Leo in 2080, a greater number of evolved souls will seek high-office and use their power to benefit the masses. At the personal level, the task is to be more sensitive to the soul (to love and wisdom) and less responsive to the arrogant ego; to be more inclusive and less autocratic.
Neptune in Virgo (1928-1942). Neptune's passage through Virgo will have a refining effect upon work and health conditions for the masses. For instance, the implementation of more liberal work conditions and subtle improvements in the health system. But Neptunc is in detriment in Virgo and under this transit materialism can deepen. For instance, a desire to increase one's material assets and lands, even if it means taking property that belongs to others. World War II started when the Nazis took possession of other countries. On a personal level, Neptune illumines the substance of the lower nature so that the Christ-Spirit (love and wisdom) can express itself through the mind and heart. As this proceeds, the attractions of the material life dissolve and new and higher ideals emerge.
Neptune in Libra (1942-1956). The ideal to be achieved in Libra, is improvement and liberalisation in right human relations and to this end, Neptune's transit refines relationships and sexual habits. It will also liberalise the justice system so that it can better meet the needs of the masses. Old out-dated laws will change and new ideals about marriage and sex will arise and be expressed. In the masses, the last transit gave rise to the liberalisation of sexual expression, which really played out in the 60's. On a personal level, the task is to refine and balance the way relationships are formed and conducted, to be more kind, just and compassionate with partners - intimate and professional. Many idealists who will want to change the laws on marriage and sexual intercourse will be born in this period.
Neptune in Scorpio (1956-1970). In Scorpio, the ideal is to dissolve the darkness that lies within human nature - the hatred and evil; and consequently, to heal people psychologically. Refinement of sexual expression and all matters to do with death are associated with this. Neptune has a distorting effect on those who are susceptible - twisted idealism and unhealthy tastes may rise so that monstrous things are done. Individually, the task is to refine emotional and sexual expression and overcome illusion. Scorpio's Eagle symbol gives the clue on how to do this - take flight like an eagle (rise up into the mind) and soar above the earth (view life from that elevated point of view).
Neptune in Sagittarius (1970-1984). Overall, this transit, has a spiritualising effect upon humanity. The new generation will search for truth, follow their ideals and seek their Holy Grail. In the deluded, Neptune feeds glamours such as religious fanaticism and militancy to achieve one's goals during the last cycle, terrorism took root. On a personal level, the task is to direct one's life towards the “mountain-top”, to always follow the highest ideal and to learn from life so that wisdom develops. In this period, many will find their way to the Spiritual Path and future spiritual teachers will be born - both true teachers and false.
Neptune in Capricorn (1984-1998). Neptune's higher task in this material sign is to dissolve humanity's deep attachment to the material life and to encourage the masses to seek out more subtle treasures and rewards. For instance, serving the greater good through ethical business practices. However, Neptune falls in this sign so its positive effect weakens. In the recent cycle in the USA, materially inspired politicians dissolved regulations that curbed unfair profiteering so that greed flourished. On a personal level, the task is to be ambitious for higher and finer things in life and to manifest these ideals practically.
Neptune in Aquarius (1998-2012). The ideal is to improve human society through science. But as always with a Neptune transit, the ideal is distorted in some. In the recent transit, scientists hired by corporate interests such as the tobacco industry, deliberately confused scientific facts for profit and gain. The same is being done with climate change. Many future scientists will have been born in this recent cycle and in the future, they will lead the way in solving serious problem facing mankind such as the climate problem. On a personal level, the task is to bring the heart and mind into union and to dissolve any impediments that prevent the expression of universal brotherhood. Raja Yoga, a scientific meditation technique would benefit this group.
Neptune in Pisces (2012-2025). Neptune's task in this universal sign, is to subtly redefine the ideals that drive the race forwards - spiritually and materially. As part of this, it will highlight the bad effects of greed so that there will ground-swell in the public to improve things. In the current cycle for instance, attention has been thrown onto corporate greed and the immoral practices of profiteering bankers and other money manipulators. In Pisces, Neptune deepens delusion in those who have not yet developed discrimination. Consequently, such people blindly follow bad leaders as if they were Messiah's. On a personal level, the task is to be more discerning - to overcome delusion and emotionalism and to stand in truth and reality.