Ever find yourself lying awake in bed, going over every conversation you had during the day, wondering if you said the wrong thing, or if everyone might be mad at you? If so, then brace yourself and your mental musings. With Neptune going retrograde for basically the rest of the 2020, it’s going to be easier than ever to buy into the narratives of what we should have done or said, says Rachel Lang, intuitive astrologer and healer. The retrograde begins June 23 and ends November 28 and “deals with questions of truth versus illusion,” she says.
Neptune is an outer planet, and Lang says that when outer planets station retrograde, they don’t affect us as personally as the inner planets (think: Mercury, Venus, and Mars). “Our view can be skewed during these outer-planet retrogrades. They tend to represent more subtle personal shifts and growth we’re all experiencing at the same time,” she says. “You can expect a spotlight to be shone on your dreams, fantasies, and ideas.”
And as previously mentioned, the Neptune retrograde of 2020 could also trigger those aforementioned “coulda, woulda, shoulda” situations. “It’s not a time to feed unproductive or negative thoughts,” Lang says. “It’s also a time during which you might not be as clear about your past as other times. You could see an idealized version of your personal narrative that doesn’t reflect the whole picture.” To make the most of this time, work to have compassion for your past self and for others as you actively work to see the whole picture and learn accordingly—but do maintain healthy boundaries and practice healthy life-fulfilling habits. One idea is to tap into a dedicated spiritual practice, since Lang says Neptune retrograde is a “magical time.”
“Be honest with yourself and others; Neptune retrograde can introduce matters that relate to deception. As a collective, we might question truth versus illusion and wonder what’s real.” —astrologer Rachel Lang
Honesty is a recurring theme throughout this retrograde. “Be honest with yourself and others; Neptune retrograde can introduce matters that relate to deception.” Lang says. “As a collective, we might question truth versus illusion and wonder what’s real. This is a time to be real with yourself and others, and not to be dishonest about how you feel.”
Below, Lang breaks down what each of the 4 elements of the zodiac can expect from the Neptune retrograde of 2020.
Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
This retrograde cycle could be confusing for the fire signs. You may feel lower energy than usual, but that’s because your body is going through a reset. This is an excellent time to detox your body and mind, to practice yoga, meditate, and keep a dream journal. The more you turn inward to fine-tune your intuition, the more can trust yourself when others give mixed messages. Exercise healthy skepticism, too. Don’t jump head-first into any relationship or endeavor.
Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
This Neptune retrograde could lead the Earth signs to feel like strong among friends and family members. You’re the model for reliability and practicality. That said, you may need to give yourself a break from being everyone else’s rock and focus on your own self care. Feed your creative urges. A dedicated spiritual practice is key for you during this time.
Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Honesty is the name of the game for air signs especially during this the Neptune retrograde, so be honest with yourself. Ask yourself what you’re ignoring in your life. What issues have you put on the back burner? Raise your answers to conscious awareness now. Listen to others and pay attention to what’s not being said as much as the words that are being spoken. Pay attention to your dreams, too—they could hold important messages for you.
Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Your intuition will be way up during this time, water signs. That said, you may not trust it because this retrograde period could lead you to question yourself, in general. Self-acceptance and love will be primary lessons you’ll learn throughout this time. Work to be more empathic and in tune with others’ emotions, and try not to let them overwhelm you. If you can remain secure within yourself, you won’t be shaken. Also, take breaks from the news and center yourself. Grounding spiritual practices will be so important for you.
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