Neptune’s War

Living Symbols

On the morning of March 8, I woke up after a vivid dream. I was sat on a hillside with an unknown person who I thought of as an old man. We were watching a procession of Napoleon’s troops marching on their way to war. They drew a chariot containing a huge ship. Myself and my invisible companion were discussing how it’s always ‘the common man’ (a turn of phrase meaning the public), that pays the price of war. There was an air of ‘here we go again.’

I don’t know much about Napoleon aside from what I was taught at school, and I’d never looked at his chart, so I’m staggered to see Mars conjunct Neptune. Here is a signature reminiscent of our own times - Neptune disposited by Mars! The conjunction is in Virgo, a sign associated with the military in mundane astrology. Not to mention that the transiting South Node in Virgo is currently exactly conjunct Napoleon’s Neptune whilst being activated by transiting Mars! In a brief glance I see his progressed Ascendant is right on my natal Ascendant. It’s like he just rounded the corner into our timeline. ‘Just dropping in to say hi’ he says, waving his famous bicorne hat. And with a flourish he’s gone. I feel unsettled. I also suddenly realise that I used a painting called ‘Bonaparte before the Sphinx’ as the illustration to last week’s weekly forecast!

The astrology has been vivid - the predictions of war from a multitude of astrologers including myself manifesting on the dates we all said to watch. It feels like the world is yelling in symbols. For years I’ve called Pisces, the place of Gods and monsters because this is where everything dissolves, every wish, every horror, everything that mankind could dream of eventually arrives back in the great sea of the collective unconscious. And with red hot Mars here now, the waters are boiling and monsters are surfacing. I trust the Gods are right behind them.

The solar eclipse in Aquarius in February was in Trump’s 6^th house, conjunct his Descendant, square his MC and opposite his natal Mars. The eclipse degree was activated by Mars running over it on March 1. The 6^th house is the house of health in the natal chart but in mundane astrology, it’s connected to the services, i.e. the military. This is a glaring example of how a natal chart of someone prominent on the world stage also takes on mundane meanings because they have influence over events that affect lots of people.

So, the upshot of this eclipse was, as we know, Trump attacked Iran on February 28, calling the mission, Operation Epic Fury. Remember Mars is the RED planet. We talk about ‘seeing red’ when we are furious! Meanwhile Israel, who are partnering with the U.S., labelled the mission ‘Operation Roaring Lion’ – hello Trump’s natal Mars in Leo!

I glance at the beginning of the war chart to see asteroid Alice conjunct the Ascendant and White Rabbit is conjunct the Sun – falling down rabbit holes indeed. Nothing is as it seems but of course it isn’t with Neptune in charge. Given Alice entering a dream-like state, there’s also a soft reference to Neptune via her presence. The time conscious white rabbit is Old Father TIME (Saturn). Generally, we see the 4^th house of this chart full of the planets from the Pisces/Aries pile up. It makes sense given that the 4^th house is about the land itself. And then there’s the glaring Mercury retrograde issue. Old lore suggests it’s not a good idea to begin a conflict under Mercury retrograde. Then again, we could also see this as ‘returning’ to the same conflict given the U.S. attacked Iran last year too. It’s possible that as Mercury is retrograde, the war might be over by the time it goes direct – a best-case scenario. But given all the other indicators, I would think that any repercussions might be much longer lived.

As Mars clipped the eclipse degree, transiting Neptune conjoined the U.S. natal I.C., also on March 1. The conjunction between Saturn and Neptune on the very root of the U.S. chart was already a strong signal that foundations are crumbling. Neptune erodes Saturn’s structures, just as the sea erodes the land. Note that on March 2, a photo appeared in the news of Trump with a large and angry rash on his neck (hello 6^th house eclipse!). But I’m struck again by the symbolism because maybe this ‘pain in the neck’ is caused by ‘rash action.’ Everything connects. Now we’re in March, named after Mars, God of War. My mouth drops open when I discover that Trump named many of the U.S. bombs after U.S. sailors – Neptune in Aries.

Mars, the ruler of Aries, is currently moving through Pisces, Neptune’s sign. Just as Mars was conjunct the North Node (the Dragon’s head) in Pisces, the U.K. sent a warship called HMS Dragon (!) to Cyprus to support defences there. Mars and Neptune are currently in mutual reception, a special relationship where each is working for the other.

Pisces is associated with spirituality. Neptune in Aries already had the signature of conflicts over spiritual beliefs. This Iran conflict has all the hallmarks of a holy war. Extremist cleric Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, Iran’s supreme leader, was killed in the conflict. We in the west tend to have a lot to say, with good cause, about leaders who rule with an iron fist behind a mask of piety. But we don’t have to look too far from home to see similar ugly themes at work. There are stories floating around the internet about religious extremism in the U.S. military along with a disturbing real photo of people praying over Trump. It’s extra odd considering Trump himself has just said he’s unlikely to get into heaven. What pray tell, did you do Mr. Trump that would make your God wash his hands of you? What could possibly be bad enough for that to happen hmm? Still it seems Trump isn’t averse to using a bit of God glamour to keep his followers onside. After all, it looks great on camera. ‘Smile! shouts Neptune.

The Guardian newspaper in the U.K. just wrote a piece on Pete Hesgeth, the rebranded ‘Secretary of War’, saying that he ‘has rapidly transformed the Pentagon into the staging ground for an ideological and religious crusade.’ Hello Neptune in Aries…again. And that’s not to mention the recent White House social media video, that showed clips of Gladiator, Braveheart, Superman, and similar movies interspersed with real clips of Iranian bombings…like it’s just a movie, a glamorous idealisation of war, oh the wonders of the manosphere! All these films are highly descriptive of the archetypal symbolism associated with visionary Neptune in masculine, brave Aries. Trump, with 29 Leo Rising has a huge instinct to act the part…or to put it in Neptune’s terms ‘fake it ‘til you make it’.

The horror lurches in my stomach as I think about the Iranian school that was bombed killing over a hundred children in attendance as well as adults. Real children. Real people. Real homes destroyed. Real lives lost. Real grief. Real sorrow. These too are keywords of Saturn conjunct Neptune.

Saturn also speaks about restriction and Neptune is the ruler of the oceans. We can see how the narrow Strait of Hormuz could be implied in this symbolism. And as Neptune rules oil, well – the astrology is as literal as Saturn would like. The BBC wrote an article about the costs of war and how - ‘This new wave of inflation from the Gulf will wash up on the shores of the rest of the globe, including here in the UK.’ The language is perfectly Neptune in Aries.

The price of oil is now through the roof, over $100 a barrel, up to $120 at one point. When the cost of oil goes over $100 it’s generally considered to be a warning sign of potential system collapse because everything runs on oil. It’s a fundamental raw material – from transportation (petrol and aviation fuel) to generating heating and lighting and manufacturing every day materials. Without oil, everything grinds to a halt. Iran have taken perhaps one of the most obvious routes of reprisal, stopping any and all western boats from passing through the strait of Hormuz. Images of ships on fire after being attacked by Iran are of course in keeping with marine Neptune in fiery Aries imagery.

As a consequence of the restriction over the waters, The International Energy Agency unanimously agreed to an unprecedented release of government oil reserves.

400 million barrels of emergency reserve, a third of the reserves, have been released to ensure everything keeps running. I imagine I’m not the only one to be shocked to discover that 400 million barrels of oil is what we use in 4 days. FOUR DAYS on planet Earth. No wonder our world is choking. I glance at Neptune again, still in a sextile to Pluto, the talent triangle with Uranus soon to be even more a feature of our skies. In my piece on Pluto in Aquarius, I spoke about the potential for new energy sources. Dear science, it’s about time now please.

As an aside, the International Energy Agency is based in Paris. Last year, I wrote about how asteroid Paris has been in a long running conversation with Uranus, forming three conjunctions due to retrograde action. I noted in that post that the last conjunction is on April 1, 2026. Yes – April Fool’s Day. The conversation came about after a robbery attempt at the Louvre where a crown was dropped. I thought then that the symbolism was stark, especially as Andrew has since lost his titles. But perhaps there is more of a story here, other ‘kings’ losing their crowns. The Ayatollah is the latest leader no longer relevant to the times to fall away.

I think it would be wise to note that Uranus will enter the anaretic degree of Taurus on April 6 until April 25/26 (depending on time zone) when Uranus enters Gemini. Uranus on the critical last degree of Taurus may indicate instability and price shocks around our resources. Don’t forget that Chiron is also headed into Taurus this year so despite Uranus leaving this sign, we’re likely to get many other stories about global financial/resource issues not to mention possibly significant issues with crops and agriculture. Chiron will enter Taurus on June 20, 2026, squaring the building Jupiter-Pluto opposition. There’s more to come with that story.

Below are a list of critical dates and suggested astrological movements to watch.

UNITED STATES NATION CHART

Saturn square Venus
March 12, 2026 – one hit

Uncomfortable. Dislike. Hard negotiations.

Neptune square Venus
April 26, 2026, September 22, 2026, and February 26, 2027

Venus in mundane astrology is associated with diplomacy, especially in the U.S. 7^th house of foreign affairs. The hard aspect in play here would suggests disappearing ties, fantasy partners, unreal expectations, skating around diplomatic efforts towards peace. I also wonder about bankrolling certain people or organisations that are invisible to the collective. Oil partners as well are indicated here with Neptune especially.

Saturn square Sun
June 15, 2026. September 6, 2026. March 2, 2027.

In mundane astrology, Saturn can represent the elderly, and the Sun can represent the ‘King’. or in this case the President. Trump is getting slower, his support is dwindling, his health is failing, he’s clearly aging, he’s stuck, he’s on his way out – metaphorically/literally. The Sun is in the 8^th house of the U.S. chart which speaks of mortality rates and also financial relations with other countries. The Sun in the 8^th house could also be a reference to how America is seen as the most powerful country in the world and therefore its leader is the most powerful leader in the world. I would imagine that as the 4^th house (where Saturn and Neptune are transiting) is about opposing the government, perhaps congress are able to bring in some kind of restrictions or the people of the land themselves are resisting, Saturn speaks of resistance.

In case you’re wondering, as Neptune moves at a much slower rate than Saturn, the square between Neptune and the natal U.S. Sun doesn’t occur until 2030-32. That will consist of five hits and will explore questions around a loss of identity and the American dream.

Saturn enters 5^th house.
June 2, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026 - preview

The 5^th house is connected to theatres, sports, gambling, all forms of the entertainment industry. It catches my eye given that the U.S. is meant to be hosting the World Cup. Will Saturn bring an over-ruling or is it just a lack of support given where it is taking place? This could also speak of a lower birth rate and difficulties for or with ambassadors. Saturn will return to the 4^th house on September 20 where it will continue to speak of heavy opposition to the government and low public mood.

Pluto conjunct South Node
March 17, 2027
July 1, 2027
January 20, 2028
September 22, 2028
November 14, 2028

This takes place in the 2^nd house of money – the nation’s wealth and the stock exchange/resources generally. This may produce a significant drain on national resources. Jupiter by transit travelling through the 8^th house, opposing the U.S. natal Pluto position in the 2^nd house may also serve as a double warning here. Massive investment in other countries may mean less money at home.

Jupiter enters 9^th house.
August 25, 2026 – September 21, 2027

This COULD be a more positive influence as Jupiter is much happier in this house. Long distance travel and international communications may flow more easily with Jupiter here.

DONALD TRUMP’S CHART

Uranus enters 10^th house - square Ascendant-Descendant – final hit of three.
April 25, 2026
Shaky public image. Unstable reputation. Splitting away from partnerships. Sudden changes of direction. New policies. Shock change of approach – or role. Revolutions.

Saturn square Mercury
April 28, 2026
August 11, 2026
January 11, 2027

Communication difficulties. Restricted speech. Restricted reach. Refusing to talk. Ideas over-ruled. A struggle to be heard. Negative thinking. Pushed to take responsibility for what was said or for ideas. Slow decisions.

South Node conjunct Ascendant
July 27, 2026

Feeling on the losing side. Health matters. Old karma. Having to look at the past. Letting go of a certain way of seeing the world. Surrender.

GENERAL TRANSITS 2026 TO WATCH

Yes, it’s the first half of the year that is most vibrant.

April 6 2026 to April 26, 2026 Uranus anaretic in Taurus
April 26, 2026 Uranus enters Gemini
May 28, 2026 Chiron anaretic in Aries.
June 19, 2026 Chiron enters Taurus.
June 30 2026 Jupiter enters Leo.
July 20, 2026 Jupiter opposite Pluto.
July 2, 2026 Jupiter square Chiron.

If you’ve made it to the end, firstly well done, secondly sorry, I know all this is super heavy. But I also find it extraordinary that the astrology has manifested in such clearly definable - and predictable, ways. But here’s what all this leaves me thinking. Yes, these are tough times and there is more to come with these challenging aspects in play. But don’t forget, these great cycles ARE great cycles. The things that we are trying to fix cannot be fixed in a day, no matter how much we or Neptune (!) might wish it.

But Saturn always shows us where the work is needed and in Aries, it’s right here, in our own skin, in cultivating a quiet certainly that we will survive and the world will march on. Yes, there is instability now but the youth of today, the next generation, are marking every movement we make and storing away this knowledge for the times ahead when they become the leaders, movers, and shakers. Our mistakes will become their cautionary tales from which they will take wise counsel. Sadly, not all wrongs can be righted. We cannot glory away the loss of lives and lands. But we can hold space in our hearts that one day, future generations will rise, tutored in the best that Saturn conjunct Neptune in Aries can bring – compassionate leadership born from personal integrity.

Painting - Defeat of the Spanish Armada, by Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg.