Neptune goes around the Zodiac in 165 years, spending about 14 years in each sign. It entered Pisces in February 2012 and will remain there until Jan 2026.

A planet is discovered when humanity is ready to integrate its principles. To understand what Neptune rules, it is important to go back to what was happening at the time we became aware of its existence namely September 1846. When we realize that towards the end of the XIXth century, spiritualism started exploding in the US: the oui-ja board, mediums invoking to the spirits of the dead, hypnotism... this gives us profound indications on the deeper meaning of Neptune.

Neptune is probably the most elusive planet of all. The higher octave of Venus, it rules pure, selfless, universal love, psychic sensitivity, clairvoyance, clairaudience, subtle emotional attunement to higher levels of consciousness and mysticism.

It also rules beauty, and anything taking root in our inner life: music, painting, danse, photography, film, dreams, contemplation, meditation, as well as romantic states of reverie.

In Greek mythology, Neptune was the God of the seas. We all know that a drop of ink dropped into the ocean immediately disappears. Neptune inspires us to dissolve the boundaries of our ego and merge in oneness with all that is. It is thus the planet of actors, mediums, psychics, artists in general, but also of those who selflessly volunteer in charitable organizations and have deep compassion for the underpriviledged.

Each planet rules a specific sign meaning that this planet has a deep affinity with that sign. Because Neptune rules Pisces. The fact that since 2012 until 2026, Neptune is in its own sign intensifies the qualities of Neptune, but also brings to light its darker side.

Neptune is also connected to drugs, oil, gas, alcohol, cosmetics, illusions, habits of self-undoing, lies, mysteries, secrets, scams and frauds.

How interesting that during that cycle, emerged a virus that came from the sea, makes us lose our sense of taste and smell, and can be transmitted by someone who shows no symptom.

How revealing also that impractical solutions have been developing such as hoarding toilet paper for example.

As people have more time and less money, get-rich -quick frauds as well as romance scams preying on people's credulity are flourishing.

During that time, much disillusion started taking place. As the world entered confinement, we realized that what we called "reality" was maybe a prison of sorts.

Once we didn't need to commute to work every day and had more time to think, we also became more acutely aware of our dreams, gained insight into what could make our lives more meaningful.

Instead of being slaves to the rat race, we started wanting to follow our bliss: maybe move to the countryside, begin an independent business, develop an artistic talent, create beauty around us....

Because Neptune is not a particularly materialistic planet, making a ton of money, being respected by society seems a little less important than being happy.

Yet, an increased awareness of the higher frequencies remains castles in the sky if we don't back our visions with hard, practical work. It is so easy when Neptune is in Pisces to confuse wishes with reality, so easy for the greatest American novel of all times to remain the book nobody will ever read because it is forever floating in our head.

We could also retreat in oblivion, sleep a lot, use drugs or alcohol to escape a reality deemed too harsh, and need to get away from it all.

Because we are highly impressionable during that transit, spending quality time in Nature is definitely a good use of this cycle, as well as surrounding ourselves with beauty, reading inspiring books, watching feel-good movies, and turning to faith in a higher power, as well as meditation.

Yet discriminating what is real from what-is-not could be a challenge.

This is also the time -when false prophets, healers-who-haven't-healed themselves are emerging left and right, -when we became aware of fake news, -when honest journalism got infiltrated by made-up stories, images created in a studio and films extracted from video games, and -masses of people got seduced by fear-induced bizarre experiments.

It is easy to lack discrimination and out of the subliminal fear of confronting the emptiness of our own self-delusion, start following questionable characters who claim to have the truth, just because we need to believe in something, anything.

How well we integrate the subtle energies brought in by Neptune depends on - how honest, courageous and practical we are. -How well established our boundaries are. -How willing we are to work towards the actualization of our ideals. -How clear we are on what is real and what is just wishful thinking. -How respectful we are of Universal Laws. -and How aware we are of our place in the Divine order.

It should come as no surprise that during this cycle concerns would turn towards water. the pollution of the oceans. The droughts in some parts of the world while others are getting flooded.

No surprise either that gender, race, religious, cultural differences are increasingly getting erased... The first time ever that the entire world experienced similar conditions simultaneously that led to confusion, uncertainty and the disintegration of what had previously seemed to be unshakable patterns of life. //

Aspects of our own personality are unraveling. And if our psychic balance is not strong enough, we could experience feelings of disconnect and even psychological disturbances.

Seeking an ideal that doesn't exist is not the answer. Looking for a picture-perfect reality is not the solution.

This is the time of a real, global spiritual awakening, of returning to true faith in our Creator and anchoring in physical reality selfless acts of generosity, kindness, compassion and tolerance.
Neptune in Pisces is in an intangible force beyond our conscious control that tends to drown our willpower. Its effects cannot be understood by our logical mind. They can only be understood by surrendering to our intuition, and incorporating this awareness in our daily reality with honesty and diligence.

If ever there was a chance to return to the deeper meaning of our lives, now is the time. We should pay special attention to our dreams at night that have become quite vivid and even prophetic.

In Loving Light.

Michelle Karén, M.A., D.F.Astrol.S.

www.MichelleKaren.com

www.YouTube.com/c/michellekarenastrologershaman