Neptune's Waves Throughout History

As Neptune enters Aries on Sunday, let's take a tour of Neptune's transits through the last 165 years

Mar 28, 2025

Neptune, the planet of dreams, illusions, spirituality, mysticism, imagination, and the subconscious is having it’s hot-girl-spring moment.

This Sunday, March 30, the ethereal outer planet moves into 0 degrees Aries after 14 years in it’s home sign of Pisces. The last time Neptune entered Aries was in 1861- coinciding exactly with the American Civil War. The alignments between the planets are different now than they were then, of course (the outer planets Pluto and Uranus are now making harmonious sextiles to Neptune, for example), so the energies of the blue gas giant will certainly show up a bit differently this time around. But still, it’s a wise move to look at the similarities in Neptunian themes now that the planet of the sea is returning to Aries- and the first degree of the entire Zodiac- after 165 years.

Neptune, the big blue planet of dreams and illusions. Source: Getty Images.

Neptune is the ruler of everything beyond the tangible, from our intuition to fantasies to our connection with the divine. Associated with the god Poseidon, Neptune dissolves boundaries, blurring the lines between reality and illusion, making it responsible for both profound spiritual enlightenment and deep confusion or deception.

The blue planet is associated with creativity, compassion, idealism, escapism, and altered states of consciousness (like meditation, dreams, and psychedelics). On one hand, Neptune inspires transcendence, artistry, and universal love. On the other, it can manifest as delusion, addiction, deception, or a loss of direction. Its influence is subtle, like mist rolling in, bringing mysterious enchantment or total disorientation. It all depends on how prepared we are to navigate through fog.

My own, personal, Neptune

As I write this, I’m currently just finishing up a mid-life transit of my Neptune Square AND in the midst of Neptune opposite my Mercury, so I feel deeply connected to (and curious about) the fog of Neptune.

The Neptune Square is a transit that we all go through at some point in our late 30s to early 40s, and it brings the energies of Neptune to the surface of our lived exerience in a deeply personal way. In my case, my natal Neptune in Sagittarius (in my 5th house) has been making a square angle to Neptune in the sky as it travels through the last degrees of Pisces (in my 8th house).

For the past year or so, there has been a palpable, dreamlike push-pull (with blurry boundaries) between my dreams and delusions regarding creative self-expression and spirituality/ (and it was during this time the time period that I started a (cosmically inspired) clothing line, deepened my studies of astrology & other esoteric practices, and launched my podcast Cycles of Time). And also felt like I was often trying to build an out-house on a sand dune as far as making decisions went… It all checks out.

With all this personal activation from the gods of the deep sea, curiosity got the best of me about how Neptune has showered it’s blessings on the world in years and decades past! Here is a run-down of Neptune’s trip around the sun over the past 165 years, since the last time it was in Aries.

Neptune through the Decades, TL;DR Edition:

Here’s the nitty gritty, the short-and-sweet of Neptune’s transits, looking back over the past 165 years:

2012–2025: Neptune in Pisces – Dissolution of boundaries, spiritual renaissance, and escapism
1998–2012: Neptune in Aquarius – Technological dreams, collective awakening, and futuristic ideals
1984–1998: Neptune in Capricorn – Structural/institutional shifts, material-spiritual integration, and restructuring traditions
1970–1984: Neptune in Sagittarius – Expansion of spiritual philosophies, global consciousness, and idealistic movements
1956–1970: Neptune in Scorpio – Deep transformation, esoteric exploration, and power dynamics
1942–1956: Neptune in Libra – Idealism in relationships, social justice, and artistic harmony.
1929–1942: Neptune in Virgo – Practical mysticism, refinement of systems, and focus on health and service
1915–1929: Neptune in Leo – Creativity, self-expression, glamour, and dramatic cultural shifts
1902–1915: Neptune in Cancer – Emotional depth, ancestral healing, and intuitive spiritual devotion
1889–1902: Neptune in Gemini – Esoteric communication, philosophical curiosity, and mystical storytelling
1875–1889: Neptune in Taurus – Embodied spirituality, nature-based mysticism, and materializing dreams
1861–1875: Neptune in Aries – Civil war, fiery leadership, bold vision, and radical new mysticism
Leave a comment

Read onward if you’d like to go a little deeper into each one of these transits!

Neptune in Pisces (2012–2025): A Retrospective

From 2012 to 2025, Neptune’s journey through Pisces brought a wave of collective spiritual awakening, heightened intuition, and a deepened connection to the mystical. This was a period of profound emotional and collective shifts, where the unseen realms (of both digital and spiritual varieties) became more deeply integrated into everyday life. Mysticism, meditation, and energy healing gained major mainstream attention, and mental health awareness and emotional well-being (aka self-care) took center stage in global conversations.

This was all well and good... but this period of Neptune in Pisces also definitely blurred the lines between reality and illusion. The quick rise of AI, deepfakes, and widespread misinformation made it harder and harder to discern truth from fiction. While many folks sought transcendence through spirituality and creativity, others fell into escapism, addiction, and disillusionment, hiding in the virtual reality of their smartphones. The longing for unity and compassion was felt as a main theme of this transit, but it sometimes clashed with the challenges of deception, misinformation, and disconnection from the tangible world of the flesh.

2012-2025 has echoed previous Neptune in Pisces cycles, which were marked by artistic and spiritual renaissances. (Last time Neptune was in Pisces brought the rise of transcendentalism with Helena Blavatsky, Ralph Waldo Emerson & Henry David Thoreau; American writers like Walt Whitman, Edgar Allan Poe & Herman Melville, the golden age of opera, and the birth of photography!) This time around, there was an explosion of digital art and consciousness, a big resurgence of psychedelics for healing, a huge uptick in interest in astrology, human design, and other esoteric practices, and an overall yearning for a more interconnected world. All of this has reflected the sign of the fishes’ boundless, dreamy, and deeply compassionate nature.

Now, as Neptune prepares to shift into Aries, the question arises: what will we do with the dreams we’ve stirred up in Pisces’ primordial soup?

As astrology is a great clock that tracks cycles of time, a great place to start to get an idea of what Neptune’s next residency will stir up is looking at the last time Neptune was in Aries: 1861-1875.

The Last Time Neptune was in Aries (1861–1875)

Themes:

Individualized spiritual warriorship, war, revolution, pioneering spirit

Historical Events:

The American Civil War (1861–1865) – A stark example of Neptune in Aries themes of ideological battles, sovereignty, and upheaval.
The abolition of slavery in the U.S. (1865) – A fight for freedom and human dignity.
The rise of new spiritual movements like Spiritualism and Theosophy, which sought direct mystical experiences beyond traditional religion.
Industrial acceleration—massive changes in transportation (railroads, steamships) and warfare technology.

There is major division as Neptune enters the Mars-ruled sign of war once again… but it looks a lot different this time. Source: Getty Images

Collective Energy:

A fiery resurgence of individualism—spirituality became more about direct experience than institutional dogma.
The rise of spiritual activism—people fought for their beliefs with passion and conviction.
Exploration and new frontiers—both in the material world (westward expansion, industrial revolution) and in consciousness.
Breaking illusions—a challenge to outdated traditions and institutions.
Conflict as transformation—spiritual growth through struggle and initiation.

Neptune’s Return to Aries in 2025 - 2039

As Neptune re-enters Aries, the dreamer meets the warrior. This period will likely bring bold spiritual movements, a renewed sense of individual sovereignty, and revolutionary changes in belief systems. Ideals will demand action, and collective dreams will become battle cries. However, this era may also see spiritual conflicts, ideological extremism, and the challenge of balancing vision with responsible leadership.
Potential themes: A rise in spiritual activism, AI and technology-driven revolutions, bold artistic expression, and new paradigms in leadership and personal autonomy.

Let’s put it in context:

Going backwards from 2012 when Neptune entered in Pisces, here are the themes of how Neptune made waves through all the signs over the last 165 years.

Neptune in Aquarius (1998–2012)

Neptune’s transit through Aquarius revolutionized technology, community, and the collective dream of a more interconnected world. The internet boom, social media, and advancements in science and space exploration reflected Aquarius’ visionary nature. While this era promised freedom and innovation, it also created new illusions, disconnecting people even as they were more "connected" than ever before.

Key events: The rise of the internet and social media, the tech boom, globalization, and the push for humanitarian and progressive ideals.

Neptune in Capricorn (1984–1998)

With Neptune in Capricorn, dreams became more structured, focusing on ambition, institutions, and the blending of spirituality with material success. This was a period of corporate mysticism, idealistic political restructuring, and the disillusionment of authority figures. While some sought to integrate spiritual ideals into practical systems, others became lost in illusions of power and control.
Key events: The fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), the rise of globalization, corporate expansion, and the spiritualization of capitalism.

Neptune in Sagittarius (1970–1984)

Neptune in Sagittarius expanded the world’s horizons, igniting a thirst for spiritual exploration, global consciousness, and adventurous ideals. This was a time of philosophical awakenings, religious movements, and a push for freedom ((both physically and mentally)). However, blind faith and utopian thinking also led to disillusionment, as people chased ideals that often proved unsustainable.
Key events: The New Age movement, the rise of cults, the personal development boom, and the expansion of space exploration.

Neptune in Scorpio (1957–1970)

Neptune’s passage through Scorpio intensified themes of power, secrecy, and transformation. This was an era of deep psychological exploration, sexual liberation, and a fascination with the occult and the unknown. The world grappled with hidden fears, conspiracy theories, and radical cultural shifts, as well as a growing awareness of death, rebirth, and the shadow side of human nature.
Key events: The counterculture revolution, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and the rise of espionage and Cold War paranoia.

Neptune in Libra (1943–1957)

With Neptune in Libra, themes of peace, diplomacy, and relationship ideals took center stage. The world longed for balance and harmony in the aftermath of war, leading to both genuine efforts at cooperation and illusions of peace that masked deeper tensions. This was a period of artistic refinement, legal advancements, and shifting societal expectations around love, beauty, and justice.
Key events: The formation of the United Nations (1945), the start of the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement beginnings, and the rise of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Neptune in Virgo (1929–1943)

Virgo’s analytical and practical energy sobered Neptune’s dreams, bringing a harsh reality check after the illusions of the previous cycle. This was a time of economic hardship, meticulous rebuilding, and a focus on service, health, and collective duty. While some sought order and discipline, others fell into paranoia and fear, leading to authoritarian control. The spiritual idealism of this period often came in the form of sacrifice and pragmatism.
Key events: The Great Depression, the rise of fascism, World War II (1939–1945), and advancements in medicine and labor reforms.

Neptune in Leo (1916–1929)

Neptune’s transit through Leo brought a dramatic, creative, and larger-than-life energy to the world. The arts flourished, Hollywood was born, and collective dreams became grander than ever before. However, this period also saw illusions of power and extravagance leading to financial overconfidence, setting the stage for an eventual reckoning. It was a time of golden-age creativity but also of ego-driven fantasies that couldn’t last.
Key events: The Roaring Twenties, the Harlem Renaissance, the rise of the film industry, and the stock market crash of 1929.

Neptune in Cancer (1902–1916)

Neptune in Cancer deepened collective emotions, emphasizing home, family, and national identity. This was a time of both nostalgia and upheaval, as traditional structures dissolved in the face of new ideals. Sentimentality and patriotism ran high, fueling both a longing for security and a tendency to retreat into illusions of the past. The world grappled with deep emotional currents, leading to transformative social and political shifts.
Key events: The sinking of the Titanic (1912), the rise of nationalism, women’s suffrage movements, and the beginning of World War I (1914).

Neptune in Gemini (1889–1902)

Neptune in Gemini infused the world with a fascination for communication, new ideas, and technological breakthroughs. The spread of information accelerated, bringing both innovation and deception, as propaganda and media manipulation became more powerful tools. This era emphasized intellectual exploration, spiritual curiosity, and new forms of storytelling, but also a growing sense of social fragmentation.
Key events: The invention of the radio (1895), the rise of mass media, the popularity of spiritualism and Theosophy, and the Spanish-American War (1898).

Neptune in Taurus (1875–1889)

With Neptune in Taurus, dreams became more grounded in material reality, shifting focus toward wealth, nature, and sensual experiences. This period inspired artistic movements, utopian communities, and a desire to merge spirituality with tangible comforts. However, financial illusions and instability also emerged, reminding the collective of the fleeting nature of material security. It was a time of artistic and financial transformation, planting seeds for the industrialized world.
Key events: The Second Industrial Revolution, the rise of the Gilded Age, the founding of Theosophy (1875), and increased interest in nature-based spirituality.

Back to Neptune in Aries (1861–1875)

As I stated above, Neptune’s last transit through Aries ignited a spirit of radical change and pioneering movements. Aries’ warrior energy combined with Neptune’s idealism fueled revolutionary ideals, new spiritual frontiers, and a fight for collective dreams. This was a time of breaking old paradigms, but also of disillusionment when visions clashed with harsh realities. The era saw both courageous action and chaotic upheaval, setting the stage for the modern world.
Key events: American Civil War (1861–1865), the unification of Italy (1861), the rise of spiritualism, and early feminist movements.

Looking at history through an astrological lens and noting the cycles of the outer, generational planets can be truly revealing and give a lot of perspective to our place in the swirls of time!

Do you have any premonitions or ideas about what Neptune in Aries will bring over the next decade and a half?

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?