Neptune Retrograde Is A Reminder To Stay Grounded, Even As You Chase Your Fantasies

You don't have to be an astrology expert to know a bit about Mercury retrograde and how it can affect your relationships. Yet, folks who are less well-versed with the planets may not know that planetary retrograde is far from Mercury-exclusive. And, just as Mercury retrograde can have a major effect on your life, so can other planets going into retrograde. With the end of May, we kissed the dreaded Mercury retrograde goodbye, but that doesn't mean that we're in the clear from the planets' influence. Spoiler alert: we never actually are. 

When a planet enters retrograde, it means that the planet is slowing down the speed with which it's moving. All planets move in a retrograde cycle, which means that they all slow down at one point or another, just as they all speed back up again. Some planets move into retrograde more frequently than others. Mercury, Venus, and Mars are the inner planets, and they're in retrograde more often. The outer planets are Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, and you likely won't hear about them being in retrograde quite as frequently. 

What each planet being in retrograde means depends entirely on which planet it is, since each planet has different traits. June 30th will mark an important change in the zodiac as Neptune heads into retrograde. If you're wondering exactly what that means, don't worry; we've got you covered.

Starting June 30th, we'll be embarking on Neptune retrograde, and like each of the planets, Neptune has its own unique set of challenges and offerings. The last Mercury retrograde period went from April 21st to May 14th, and since we hear about Mercury retrograde most often, many of us expect an important planetary retrograde period to last for a month or less. Consequently, this Neptune retrograde period may be a rude awakening, since it'll last for nearly six months. Yes — you read that right: nearly six months. We'll be in Neptune retrograde from June 30th through December 6th, so it's time to get acquainted with what this period really means. 

Neptune revolves around imagination and perception. It's all about fantasies, intuition, spirituality, and inspiration, as well as indecision. Where on the zodiac a retrograde takes place is just as important as which planet is in retrograde, and this Neptune retrograde will be taking place in Pisces. Since this is where Neptune retrograde has been every year for nearly a decade, we shouldn't expect anything too new and unusual. 

But, what will Neptune retrograde feel like? Believe it or not, it's actually a positive period. Neptune retrograde offers understanding and confidence in dreams and decision-making. In areas of your life where you feel uncertainty or a lack of conviction in your own goals, morals, or hopes for the future, Neptune retrograde may help clear things up.

Not every planetary retrograde will make your life more difficult, and Neptune retrograde may actually help with some problems — that's some seriously good news. That said, Neptune is one of the aforementioned outer planets, and not only does this mean that its retrograde periods come along less frequently, but it also has a much milder impact. 

While Neptune retrograde is most likely to provide clarity and understanding, your mind also may run wild with fantasies, daydreams, and pipe dreams, potentially causing you to disconnect from the real world as a result. As we enter this period, it's important to stay focused on yourself and your actual goals. You'll want to reap the benefits of the clarity that the period offers without getting too wrapped up. Also, make sure not to let your discipline give way. Keep control of your vices and coping mechanisms, and redirect impulses toward focusing on your goals, thoughts, and self-care.

Getting swept away by fantasies and full-blown escapism is common during retrograde periods, so the main focus here is to keep yourself grounded and centered to avoid disconnection and indulgence. If you want to reap even more benefits from Neptune, understanding its placement in your birth chart can help you tap into your intuition all year round.