Spirituality, economics, literature, music, utopian visions and endings. Who knew Neptune could be such a powerful influence in so many areas?
Neptune entered Pisces in early 2012. It remains in Pisces–the sign that it co-rules with Jupiter–through 2025. To get a sense of what this might mean for us, let’s consider what happened the last time Neptune transited Pisces, 1848-1861.
Spirituality
Several significant spiritual events occurred during Neptune’s prior visit to Pisces in the mid-1800s. Spiritualism, with its emphasis on communication with the dead, became wildly popular in the United States. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous at Lourdes, France. And spiritual maverick Rudolf Steiner, founder of the Anthroposophical Society, was born.
Neptune’s current transit of Pisces is one of the most important astrological factors accelerating spiritual awakening around the world. With a new Golden Age now blossoming, this period is already witnessing vast numbers of people awakening to their true spiritual nature. (As of 12/28/13, according to Oneness University, over 1.6 million people have awakened, and nearly nearly 800 million are experiencing awakened states.)
Those who are conscious of their true divine essence will function not as human beings having a spiritual experience, but as spiritual beings having a human experience. Having achieved this state, they will help uplift those around them as they naturally radiate unconditional love and compassion. Society will naturally evolve to reflect this growing unity and interdependence, since inner change always precedes outer transformation.
If spiritual awakening is on your wish list, use whatever metaphysical approach gets you there! All legitimate spiritual paths are getting juiced up as the veils between the worlds grow ever thinner. (These simple, powerful invocations have helped hundreds of people awaken more fully to their spiritual nature.)
Economics
Economic headlines of the mid-1800s trumpeted the Gold Rush. A financial crisis spread throughout Europe, caused by speculation in US railroad shares. And the first oil well was drilled at Titusville, PA.
A financial crisis in Europe: sound familiar? And in regard to oil, it makes a handy bookend that we are now seriously seeking alternatives to this toxic fuel during the first Neptune-in-Pisces era after it was first commercialized.
Literature
Many of the great masterworks of Western literature were written during Neptune’s last transit of Pisces. Charles Dickens published David Copperfield, Bleak House, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. Whitman’s Leaves of Grass and Flaubert’s Madame Bovary came off the presses.
Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Melville’s Moby-Dick, Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and Thoreau’s Walden all hit bookstores for the first time. In addition, notable literary births included Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde and Anton Chekhov.
Music
Opera dominated the musical achievements of this era. Wagner premiered Lohengrin and completed the text of the epic Ring Cycle. Verdi completed Rigoletto and La Traviata, and Gounoud finished Faust. And the groundwork for future musical masterworks was laid by the births of Puccini and Mahler.
Neptune and Pisces rule divinely inspired creativity. So don’t be surprised if the years 2012 thru 2025 are unusually fertile ones for writing, music, movies, and all other forms of creative expression!
Utopian Visions
Neptunian idealism was at the heart of Marx & Engels’ Communist Manifesto, published during the mid-1800s. The world was not yet ready to actualize such utopian ideals in their purest form. But we have powerful astrological support to create a more fair and egalitarian society during this Neptune in Pisces period.
Endings
Neptune, like Uranus and Pluto, is often associated with the dissolution of old structures that have outlived their usefulness. While this can bring a sense of loss, clinging to outmoded structures only creates suffering. The caterpillar must become a butterfly, no matter how fervently the powers-that-be try to keep it cocooned!
Challenges and Opportunities
Some people may experience some of Neptune’s more challenging manifestations. Addiction to drugs or alcohol, or escapist behavior that interferes with worldly responsibility, will tempt some. Disillusionment, loss of vitality, and becoming a victim or martyr are other negative possibilities.
But Neptune will have less energy available to cause you trouble if you keep it busy on the high side. Consciously choosing Neptune’s more life-affirming possibilities can keep it functioning as your ally.
Strive to be guided by your inner wisdom, and allow your creative inspirations to flower in the physical world. These kinds of actions will help keep Neptune and Pisces as positive forces in your life!
Originally published in the 1/30/12 newsletter as “The Astrology of 2012, Part 4: Neptune Enters Pisces.” Revised 12/28/13. Some of this article’s ideas originated with astrologer Eric Meyers, and are drawn with his permission from our joint “Big Change Now” presentations.
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