Neptune Retrograde 2024: What Is It and What It Means for You This Year

Mercury isn’t the only planet that gets fame from its retrograde status! Every single planet in astrology goes into retrograde, in addition to Chiron. The North and South Nodes are always retrograde as they travel backward compared to the prograde motion of our solar system. Only the Sun, Moon, and certain asteroids and mathematical points do not go retrograde in astrology. When a planet is in retrograde, it is a time to slow down and reflect on the lessons of that planet. Each year, Neptune is in retrograde for about five months.

Why Do Planets Go Retrograde?

A retrograde is a natural phenomenon that is accepted by both astrology and astronomy. During a retrograde, a planet appears to move backward in the sky. However, it’s not really moving backward. It has everything to do with our perspective here on Earth. Our planetary neighbors orbit the Sun in the same direction that we do but at different speeds. Every time that we pass the other planets, they appear to go backward because they are moving more slowly. The exceptions are Mercury and Venus, which are actually moving faster because they have smaller orbits and are closer to the Sun. When those planets go retrograde, it is because they are moving more quickly than us, rather than more slowly.

Retrogrades and Astrology

Retrogrades are a time when the planet’s powers are lessened. It is often seen as a time to stay home and reflect on life’s lessons, especially those relating to that planet. However, with a planet like Neptune in retrograde for nearly half the year, it would be impossible for many to just stay at home for all that time. Instead, you can bring your reflective practices into the world with you. During retrogrades, focus on noticing things and what lessons life is trying to teach you. It’s a time to internally integrate everything that has happened externally.

2024 Neptune Retrograde Dates and Meaning

This year, Neptune will go retrograde from July 2 to December 7. This retrograde overlaps with several of the other notable retrogrades of the year including:

• Pluto retrograde – May 2 to October 11, 2024
• Saturn retrograde – June 29 to November 15, 2024
• Uranus retrograde – September 1, 2024 to January 30, 2025
• Jupiter retrograde – October 9, 2024 to February 4, 2025
• Mercury retrograde – November 25 to December 15, 2024

Neptune’s retrograde will be happening in Pisces, where the planet has been transiting since 2011 and will remain until 2026. Staying so long in one sign makes Neptune more of a generational planet. Its retrogrades may have long-arching themes and incremental changes that are so small you hardly notice them until you really think about it.

Neptune, the planet of illusion, escape, dreams, mental health, and spirituality, is in domicile in Pisces, which rules over similar qualities. The learnings from retrogrades here may be felt most strongly in dreams, through meditation, or through spiritual experiences.

When Neptune retrogrades hit, you might be more tempted to turn to familiar and comfortable escapes or addictions. On the plus side, intuition often speaks louder during a period of Neptune retrograde, and you may find you are generally more sensitive and open. These louder emotions and intuitive hunches may make it harder for you to focus during this time.

All things Neptunian require a lot of alone time to sort through emotions. The planet seeks to erase boundaries between people and between the physical and spiritual worlds. So, when Neptune is in retrograde, you must be extra aware of owning your own “stuff” and discarding what belongs to other people. You must also remember to take care of your corporeal form on this earthly plane no matter how deep into spirituality or internal gaze you go.

Neptune is a dreamer and a romantic. It is what allows us to put people on a pedestal or envision our dream life. During Neptune retrograde, you may see the ugly truth of what things really are. But, you have to remember: both things can be true at the same time. People and situations are multifaceted. Things can be wonderful in some ways, and not so great in others.

Which Signs Will Be Most Affected By The 2024 Neptune Retrograde

People with strong Pisces placements, especially those closest to the exact degrees of Neptune’s retrograde in the sign, will feel this retrograde the most. If your chart ruler is Neptune, you may also feel this retrograde more strongly than others.

What To Avoid During Neptune Retrograde

• Don’t be afraid of change. As the unclear situations of your life resolve to clarity, things will almost certainly change. It is easy to want to hold onto the past and keep things the way they are, but the lesson of most retrogrades is to go with the flow. Change resulting from a retrograde is ultimately a good thing, even if its a bit rocky.
• Don’t ignore your gut instinct. As Neptune’s curtain rises to reveal the truth, your gut will tell you if a situation is unhealthy. Listen to it!
• Don’t over-schedule yourself. People are encouraged to take it easy during retrogrades. With retrogrades occurring constantly from July to December, it’s not possible to fully stay home and rest for six months straight. But keep gaps in your schedule for self-care and reflection.

What To Focus on During Neptune Retrograde

• Lean into your spiritual or self-help practices. These activities will help you identify your emotions and own your own baggage and release what belongs to other people. Things like journaling, meditation, and therapy are prime Neptune retrograde activities.
• Look at your shadow. Own your own part in things. Look at where you could do better next time. Don’t shy away from a dark or difficult truth about yourself.
• Rely on your community. While Neptune in retrograde is often a period about isolation and alone time, don’t forget that when things get hard you do have the support of your community to rely upon. Friends, family, counselors, religious leaders, teachers, coaches, and others can support you.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/3quarks