Understanding Neptune - overwhelming emotions, premonitions and illusions

The subject of Neptune is very important me to, one of the reasons for that is Neptune being one of the strongest planet in my chart. To get in deeper contact with myself and my neptunian traits, I wanted to 'be prepared'. I've searched for descriptions, read books but ultimately couldn't find the answers for the questions I've been asking.

Why do I feel what I feel? Why do I feel the way I feel? Why am I getting into relations with people that clearly don't serve me? Where are these illusions coming from, why my intuition is failing me?

Unfortunately, Neptune doesn't provide an easy interpretation experience. No wonder, this planet is all about secrecy, indeterminacy and being described with words like: inspiration, intuition, fantasy, obsessions, fraud and many more. In the end, none of the descriptions satisfied me until one day (by 'coincidence' like it's always with Neptune) I've stumbled upon a text that 'was exactly something I needed'. With that moment, I've understood.

The article is dedicated to all that want to understand how Neptune influences our behaviour. I'll try to explain the meaning of confusion and delusion, for example, in love.  

It is not a comprehensive Neptune text, but only a starting point that, I hope, will help others in finding the answers to their own 'neptune questions'.

Enjoy the reading :-)

Neptune

It is difficult to tackle the nature of a planet that is all about being beyond every structure. Experiencing life through Neptune's lenses is based on very subtle feelings and personal attitude towards life. And within this experience there's a higher purpose, associated with spirituality.

Neptune represents a completely different way of seeing the world than the one based on the mind, intellect. In my opinion one can describe how Neptune functions, at least in his most physical manifestation. In order to do so one needs to start from the most basic human trait that is strengthened by Neptune - sensitivity for subtleties (commonly referred as intuition).

Sensitivity

What does it really mean and why it is mention when speaking about Neptune?

Human body is an 'decoder of information', processing the surrounding reality via the 5 senses. Our perception is largely based on the body - so we're experiencing life from the physical-sensing level. But it not the only way to perceive the world!

By depending solely on the senses .. we're actually limiting ourselves. There is a Higher Self in us that can perceive the world deeper than the senses alone allow. Just like there's the physical level of perception, there's also the emotional and mental level (and bodies corresponding to them, more subtle in nature than the physical one).

The placement of Neptune in our chart (by house, aspects with other planets, points) shows where borders between said levels have specific properties - they are exceptionally permeable, thus making it easier to recognize and use a plethora of various stimuli.

Thanks to this permeability, Neptune is associated with sensitivity (intuition) - ability to catch various stimuli (i.e emotions, energy vibrations) not associated with the sensual perception. But Neptune is only a bridge between all these levels - everyone of us can form a contact with his/her Higher Self, regardless of Neptune's placement, although the planet's position does show the place of 'least resistance' and easier access.

Here's an example how sensitivity can play out in the everyday life:

Imagine we want to use some of our vacation time at work. We've come up with an idea to rest in a lovely village somewhere close to the mountains but rooms for booking are only available three weeks from now. Now we're wondering when to go see our boss to get his approval and signature. However, currently there's a busy week at work and the boss is mostly elusive.

Suddenly we feel the need to take care of our matter immediately and not wait for the next week (because we still have time to inform the boss) when we're certain our boss will be more accessible. So we're patiently waiting for our boss' appearance and present him with our application for vacation.
Success, we're receiving the boss' signature (because we're conscientious employees, deserving a moment to relax). Next week we learn that our boss got sick and won't be at work for the next two weeks. We're thinking 'Hurray, my intuition has done wonders. I couldn't have predicted that and somehow I've known to act immediately'.

The simplest explanation of this whole intuition matter is assuming we're felt a glimpse of the future, have identified our hunch and acted accordingly, not waiting till the next week. 

That's our intuition. Our keen senses. 

But with Neptune ... nothing is obvious. Two people sensing the same thing does not make their intuition the same - this is because the sensitivity of Neptune can manifest on two basic levels.


And that makes a difference!

Neptune sensitivity - going inwards

The first level of Neptune is about making us sensitive - our capability to understand, to feel. In other words - with Neptune we experience life deeply. Neptune ALWAYS works this way, in natal charts and in transits - always 'stretching' our perception.

What exactly does it mean to make us sensitive? I would like to introduce a concept in order to explain this:

HSP, meaning High Sensitivity People, are a specific group of people with high sensitivity (sometimes even hypersensitivity) to stimuli. Every HSP has a sensitive nervous system, is well aware of the subtleties in his/her environment and easily feels overwhelmed when in highly stimulating environment. 

The term HSP, for the first time, has been introduced by dr. Elaine Aron in mid 90'. Every HSP processes information (stimuli from the environment) in deepen and broader way because of the nature of their central nervous system. These people strongly react to stimuli like pain, caffeine, hunger or loud noises. Dr. Aron thinks this sensitivity concerns 15-20% of the entire human population.

Most important to note is that dr Aron considers this high sensitivity as a natural human trait, not a disorder. For further information on the HSP subject, please visit dr. Elaine Aron's website.

Neptunians (people with several Neptune aspects to planets, especially to Sun, Moon or Neptune placement on the cardinal axis, houses) can be called Highly Sensitive People. Of course this is only a generalization as sensitivity for various stimulus is an individual matter, but every neptunian will be sensitive for his own specific stimuli - of physical, emotional and/or mental nature.

Most important information to remember about the first-level Neptunians:

- they process stimuli (not only emotions) differently and because of that ...
- ... perceive their reality in a different manner;
- experience their own reality in a deeper and broader

Neptune sensitivity - going outwards

Any contact with the energy of Neptune makes us more sensitive and reactive to stimuli of many kinds. But Neptune doesn't only make borders permeable between physical, emotional and mental levels; in some cases the planet's influence can cause these borders to dissolve to the point there's not really any division at all.

Dissolved borders allows the individual to consciously sense (in a deeper way) stimuli from various levels while not limiting oneself only to the physical senses. Such individuals can experience their own reality and .. the reality of others.

It is no coincidence that the energy of Neptune manifests as psychic abilities. People like empaths (emotional, physical etc.), clairvoyants have the ability to use the second level of Neptune - perception stretched enough to being able to feel stimuli that other people experience.

Previously I've mentioned that Neptune always makes one deeply sensitive on the level of individual (Neptune's first level). With HSP this is obvious, but with empaths and clairvoyants (second level) it is not.

Neptunians being empaths, clairvoyants are also HSP. There is no other way; in order to feel the stimuli of others in a more extrasensory way one has to have proper ability to do so - a deeper perception in general and a strong Neptune energy dissolving the borders between the physical, emotional and mental level to the point the reality of others (or generally other realities like the world of the dead) stand open. 

What is the difference between Neptunians?

Because it exists. Every neptunian has his own degree of sensitivity and though the results of Neptunian perceptions might be similar (they have senses something), each one of them has come to this state through different means.
With different means there are different methods of using Neptune! This fact becomes very important in case of emotional problems haunting the Neptunians. Imagine they begin searching for explanation and solutions to their issues, trying to achieve some sort of emotional balance (using, for example, affirmations, meditations) but their attempts ultimately are unsuccessful. Why? Not because these solutions do not work but because the solutions are dedicated to people of different sensitivity degree or people operating from a different level of Neptune.

HSP are sensitive for subtleties and function mainly from their OWN energy field. Same goes for people with strong enough Neptune like empaths (also being HSP) but this group we are dealing with more extrasensory perception, capable of receiving stimuli from sources other than their own field.

If you want to learn more on this subject, I strongly recommend visiting this website - https://chakracenter.org
The author brilliantly and in details describes and researches empaths and HSP.

To sum it up...

... the energy of Neptune manifest itself in two primary ways:

1. Making one's perception sensitive. One feels more deeply and broadly but is experiencing life through the prism of one's own condition emotional and instinctive reaction. This is the basic "mode of operation" Neptune, regarding every Neptunian.

At this level one does not feel the stimulus of other people (i.e their emotions), but only one's own idea of other's emotions, interpreted according to how the Neptunian feel at the moment.

2. Making one's perception sensitive enough to allow an actual and direct experience of other people's stimuli.

In practice, this means this particular type of Neptunian can directly sense stimuli processed by others, spontaneously feeling (from somewhere) i.e  anger, euphoria, sadness currently being felt by others. Such Neptunians can also detect stimuli closer to the physical level, feeling a wearing headache of another person in the same room.

Sometimes Neptunian is 'strong' enough that it can be considered as an empath, clairvoyant - a person who is able to constantly and consistently receive other stimuli.

I'll go back to the example with the boss and vacation time. Neptunian being an empath (operating from the second level of Neptune) will have a direct feeling of his boss' emotions, perhaps feeling on himself the fatigue, maybe even some sort of physical weakness. Such intuition is the result REAL feelings and real emotions of the boss.

Or maybe he has actually seen the future?

The intuition of Neptunian being an HSP (first level) has little to do with predicting the future and boss' disease, but with an deepen perception that allows to make assumption: boss is working hard, he's a person generally prone to sickness and such state is very likely to result in a disease. This particular scenario is less spectacular than the first one but still magical in nature - the ability to connect (and process) many different elements in such an accurate manner is a rare skill.

The level of Neptune matters A LOT

One of Neptune's keywords is 'confusion', visible especially during it's transits. 
Confusion is not the same for everyone.

Imagine a neptunian or a person being under Neptune's transit (thus becoming a Neptunian for the time being) that doesn't know where to go with his life, feeling completely lost.

If this person operates from the second level of Neptune, the main reason for his state lies in the environment - energetic field of one person or people influences the energetic field of the Neptunian. Such Neptunian will feel the emotions of another person while simultaneously reacting to them in a deeper way, which can overwhelm him. Living out the mixture of one's own and others emotions results in disorientation and the Neptunian becomes disoriented to the point of not knowing how he feels. Confusion.

Neptunian operating from the first level (HSP) has an overclocked nervous system, constantly processing stimuli without even knowing it consciously. The stimuli-emotions are not a matter of environment but about living out, intensively!!, one's own emotional world. 

Maybe a new supervisor has been appointed at work and many personnel changes are undergoing and the Neptunian is so frightened that he intensively lives out his strong emotions i.e fear, uncertainty. Such 'high gears' state influences the general judgment.

It is easier to solve neptune problems knowing if they regard the environment or the Neptunian himself (or both)! In my opinion, finding an answer (even a partial one) to this question is the first thing that should be done when trying to handle Neptune.

Neptune and deceptive love

Another keyword for Neptune's experiences are illusions.

Dealing with these types of issues requires objective self-analysis, ability to get in close contact with oneself in order to accurately identify the root of one's emotions. The roots, though, differ greatly depending on the Neptunian's level ...
Neptunians on the HSP level have troubles in accurately reading other's emotions. The reason for it lies in the Neptunian's reactive emotional world, overshadowing input from the outside. These people are actually tuned to their own stimuli and emotions. Such Neptunians very often create stories in their heads, explaining why others behave the way they behave. The 'story' depends greatly on the emotional state of the Neptunian.

With HSP's, illusions (and everything deceptive) starts with the individual thinking he's working on a level he is not!

Let's take a look at a classical example - a person helplessly falling in love while under a Neptune transit (thus becoming a Neptunian). In this specific 'state of love' it little matters whether the other person reciprocates feelings (love) the Neptunian has. This Neptunian, if working from the first level, has a tendency to project his feelings to the other while assuming the other loves back equally intense, or at least feels similar). However with time, first level Neptunians project even more love, trying to live out their intense inner world in the outer world. At some point, HSP stop to sense the emotions of the other person, stop correctly interpreting the signals the other is giving. 

Ultimately the Neptunian changes the focal point of love from the other... to himself. Instead of feeling love to the other, he's feeling more and more of that love ... created in his own emotional world. And from there's only a small step to disappointment of unfulfilled love, becoming deceived. The thing is, it is the Neptunian himself that has done the deceiving by assuming he's feeling the emotion of the other (second level) why he's living out his own intensive emotional world (first level). There's a thin line between these two levels.

This self-deception mechanism is not only about love. Feel free to use world like 'fear', 'anger' and the mechanism stays the same.

How to live with Neptune?

Few tips for everyone that want to confront the Neptune issues:

- stay self-aware, especially ...
- ... try to identify what level of Neptune you're operating from;
- hold back from creating your own story about what others feel of you, why they feel the way they feel
- it is not that the feelings are deceptive and painful, but mostly your interpretation of them;
-accepting what you feel helps not to project your needs to others
- the awareness of one's emotional state helps to separate you, your emotions long enough to allow you to identify one's true emotions
-Neptune is not devil incarnate, you're just intensively experiencing life, be it sadness or joy!

Summary

Neptune's position in the horoscope always says where and to what we react the most intensely. Such stop in the chart has great sensitivity, allowing us to experience the world broader than the senses allow.

To experience the power and intuition of Neptune one does not need it to be special in the natal chart. It takes just one Neptune transit to become sensitive for a period of time - to become a Neptunian.

Neptune always sharpens our perception - our nervous system is more sensitive, catches more stimuli, thus we experience reality deeply and richly. In some cases, the influence of Neptune 'goes beyond' and we can directly sense the emotions of others in an extrasensory way.

It's hard to be sure whether a person is operating on one of the other level of Neptune. Neptunians often jump from one level to another, without even knowing it. This further contributes to feeling confused - when one just cannot define oneself.

Neptune is the planet of chaos and illusions. Our every contact with this energy is a test of us being grounded or not, test of our life foundations robustness and our composure.

For me, Neptune is also the planet of magic. And it's not about the ability to sense the emotions of others. Magic is Neptune opening our perception not only of the outer world but for our inner world - for ourselves.


Perhaps to be Neptunian means to see more, feel deeper and experience life with every color it has to offer.