On April 29th 2024, we experienced Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces – at 28˚ 52′ of that sign. Mars has been racing around the zodiac, energising the planets that have been bundled together in just a few signs, and it’s contact with Neptune is significant because it comes at a time when Neptune is coming to the end of its long transit through Pisces. This adds an extra dimension to what is, in astrological terms, a regular occurrence. Mars makes a conjunct aspect to Neptune every two years and the last meeting of these two planets took place in May 2022.
Looking back at 2022, Covid-19 regulations were being relaxed in many countries – yet North Korea admitted to its first infections; crypto-currency rates plummeted and Elon Musk was in the process of deciding whether or not to acquire Twitter. Those ‘will he, won’t he’ moments of indecision and the desire to push forwards being undermined by uncertainty (or plain old reality) are often characteristic of Mars – Neptune encounters. When Mars conjuncts Neptune, it seems to trigger uncertainty.
In this post, I’m going to look at the significance of this transiting conjunction of Mars and Neptune this time around and – more generally – what Mars conjunct Neptune means, should you have this conjunction in your birth chart. In a predictive chart, such as a solar return chart, the Mars – Neptune conjunction will affect those of you with birthdays around this time of year, according to the house in which it appears in your solar return chart. Mars conjunct Neptune will also make a transiting aspect to any planets close to the conjunction’s degree in your natal chart – so take note of any planets or points that are in contact with this conjunction.
Mars Conjunct Neptune in Pisces 2024
I mentioned in the introduction that Mars conjunct Neptune triggers uncertainty. How accurate is that? The most recent meeting of Mars and Neptune just a few days ago, has occurred at a time of turbulence and uncertainty – almost inevitable in a year of great change. However, the significance of this transit is due to the point. that Neptune has reached in its long transit through Pisces, the sign of its rulership. Just a few days after the Mars – Neptune conjunction, Neptune entered Pisces’s final degree – the anaretic degree – and that is a powerful moment for any transiting planet.
So, whatever happens while Neptune draws out its ‘grand finale’, it’s likely to have been triggered by Mars. Mars is the cue for the closing scenes to begin (whatever they may be) and this Mars – Neptune conjunction is the sign that we are actively at ‘the beginning of the end’. All things progress (Mars) towards a conclusion – even if we are not sure about what the conclusion may be (Neptune). When planets pass through the last degree of Pisces, it symbolises the end of an old cycle and the beginning of a new one. It’s the ending that is happening now.
Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces in 2024 is a sign of things winding up, winding down and of being forced (Mars) to let go (Neptune) of things that have reached the end of their viability – even if that’s hard to acknowledge. It’s worth remembering that this combination also symbolises vigorous denial as well as active idealism. During the period of this conjunction being active, we saw student protests occur in many university campuses across the world. The issue in most of them was war (Mars) and peace (Neptune) with the war in Gaza being of specific concern. The war of ideals is a reality with Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces.
The protests meet the symbolism of Mars conjunct Neptune: youthful idealism (Mars) is met with force that some would describe as ‘overstepping the mark’. Neptune is famous for its lack of boundaries, so how do you enforce (Mars) them? Critics point at the naivety (Neptune) of youth (Mars) and those in favour of protest support the fight for peaceful ideals. In astrological terms, both sides are unconsciously (Neptune, Pisces) acting out the dynamics of Mars conjunct Neptune. And both sides cling to their ideals as articles of faith – actively ignoring what they do not want to see.
So, if you sense (Neptune) that there is some force (Mars) that is propelling your life (or the world in general) into unchartered waters, your Neptunian senses are probably sharp (Mars) and working well. You may feel that ‘things cannot continue as they are’ – there must be something better. It’s that dream of something better – no matter how illusory – that is triggered when Mars conjuncts Neptune in Pisces. In 2024, we may chase the dream – and that is symbolic of Mars conjunct Neptune in Pisces more than anything else at this time. However will dreams ever become real?
Mars Conjunct Neptune: The Essentials
A conjunction brings together the essential principles of both planets – as you can observe in the example above. In astrology, Mars is regarded as the lesser malefic, but that’s often unfair, as Mars is the force that enables you to get things done. Without Mars’s spark and initiative, there would be no forward motion, no progress and no new beginnings. Those Mars qualities can make the combination of Mars and Neptune a difficult one – and when you look closely at Neptune, you can understand why. Action and inertia do not sit well together.
Neptune is vague, diffuse, misleading, foggy (often literally) and that’s not helpful. In close contact with Neptune, Mars can lose its sense of direction, yet Mars energy needs steady direction, as it’s so prone to burn-out. When Mars and Neptune get together, it may be difficult for the spark to ignite: if you ever tried to strike a match in the rain, you will know what that feels like. Neptune undermines, so the energy we associate with Mars may dissipate before it’s even been aroused. This can be a lazy combination – but without Mars conjunct Neptune, there would be appreciation of the things in this life that are worth fighting for.
However, there is another side to this: in some circumstances, Mars may enliven Neptune’s propensity for dreams, imagination and creativity. Unless you act (Mars) on your hunches, intuition or inspiration (Neptune), nothing new, moving or profoundly beautiful will come into being. It’s a pairing that can be either profoundly frustrating – as energy potentials may go to waste – or it can be the spark of inspirational creative genius. It’s a combination that chases transcendental visions, faith and romance – and the chase often ends when illusions are confronted by reality.
Mars Conjunct Neptune in Your Natal Chart
In your natal chart, Mars conjunct Neptune is an important part of you. Your drive, assertiveness and aggressive Mars qualities will always be modified by the influence of Neptune – and often that is a good thing. Mars’s brash nature becomes more gentle and refined; the self-serving impulse is put to the service of everyone, as Neptune dissolves the boundaries between the self and others. You act on your dreams, and your motivation is often inspired by a deep faith or vision that seems to come from the spiritual domain. This can be a mesmerising combination; beauty, glamour and sexual attractiveness are not uncommon.
However, Mars conjunct Neptune may be the root cause of certain problems: you may be misguided, particularly when it comes to more mundane matters, as your actions may appear unfathomable and unrealistic to those of a more practical disposition. Your impulses may take you down some unnavigable roads and that may put you in danger – and you may not see that danger for what it is. That’s particularly so in those areas for which Neptune is famous: drugs, alcohol and addictions of all kinds (including sexual) are a risk with this placement. You won’t hesitate to dive in – but you may not resurface.
Mars Conjunct Neptune in Predictive Astrology
A transiting conjunction of Mars and Neptune will make an impact on your birth chart according to the house in which it’s found – and if it aspects any planets and points in your natal chart. When that occurs, you will need to be aware that you could undermine your own efforts in the house where the Mars – Neptune conjunction has influence, or you could be deceived by others or led astray. For example, Mars conjunct Neptune can indicate issues like sexual infection or passive aggression. More positively, you may inspired to help others. You may do some voluntary work, as giving your energy away to benefit others accords with the principles of Mars conjunct Neptune.
Unless Mars is stationary/retrograde, the transiting conjunction of Mars – Neptune will pass soon enough, but in a solar return chart, the influence will impact on you for a year. The dynamics associated with Mars conjunct Neptune will appear in your life in a more concentrated form – often associated with events or occurrences that resonate with Mars – Neptune in the house of your solar return chart in which they appear. It’s not unusual to have to combat deceptive influences, or feel as if your efforts are getting you nowhere with Mars conjunct Neptune in a solar return chart. So, relax and listen to some beautiful music – it may be all you can do.
Further Reading
Sara Shipman | Astrology Books
The Big 2024 Horoscope: The Year Ahead
Mars in the Natal Chart Houses
Neptune in Pisces: It’s A Seriously Bad Trip
Neptune Transits Pisces: The Big Lie
Neptune and the Ocean of Dreams
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© Sara Shipman 2024
Picture Credit: Image by Iván Tamás from Pixabay
I am sometimes wondering whether my Mars and Neptune are within-orb of being conjunct. Mars is at 24 Libra and Neptune is at 2 Scorpio. Both are trine Moon in Aquarius. Do you consider this a conjunction?