by Lynn Hayes
Neptune retrogrades around midnight tonight EDT, and Chiron follows on Friday. These two planets have been linked since last summer although their tightest connection occurred this week. (You can find other articles on the Chiron/Neptune conjunction
here.)
The outer planets are considered the “transformational” planets because they create big change at the foundational level. They also retrograde once a year, so it is not an unusual event to have Chiron and Neptune turning retrograde. What makes this event more significant is that Chiron and Neptune are turning retrograde just at the point where they are as close to a conjunction (14 minutes apart) as they will be until they unite next February, and they are both changing direction on the same day.
When planets turn retrograde (meaning they appear to move backward from our perspective on Earth) their apparent motion slows down to a crawl in preparation for their retrograde turn and it is at these times, along with the slowdown before they change direction to move forward again, that their influence is at its most powerful.
When transiting planets are retrograde they urge us to look back and experience the matters of that planet on a more internal level. The externalized experiences of our life become less important than the inner ones, so with Neptune retrograde we are drawn more into a personal relationship with spirituality and a practice that connects us more soulfully into our lives. When Chiron is retrograde we have greater access to our inner emotional experiences. Chiron encourages us to feel, feel, feel – and often forces the issue by pulling our blinders off where necessary to confront something painful within us. With Chiron retrograde this experience becomes more personal and more internalized.
Any time Neptune is involved things can get confusing; Neptune is the planet of illusion and confusion as well as spiritual yearning. It’s hard to define situations when Neptune is at work, and this is true as Chiron and Neptune continue to dance together over the next couple of months. On a personal level this seems to be manifesting for some people as a call to the soul – a yearning to break free of old ways of living that are not authentic for the person we have become. For some there has been the eruption of old painful experiences that need to be healed, such as the scandal in Ireland over the abuse of the reform school children.
As these two planets retrograde their influence will gradually wane as they move farther and farther apart but Chiron, Neptune and Jupiter will continue to be tightly conjunct until the beginning of August. This is a fabulous planetary event for anyone on a spiritual path or a path of self-knowledge, because these planets work on a soul level to connect us deeply to the Divine Self within as well as outside of ourselves.
Sure, it’s not easy, but what worthwhile thing is?!
posted May 28, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Hi Lynn–
You wrote “What makes this event more significant is that Chiron and Neptune are turning retrograde just at the point where they are as close to a conjunction (14 degrees apart)…”
didn’t you mean that they ARE CONJUNCT NOW–at 26 Aquarius–along with Jupiter… and they are all changing direction simultaneously.
Jupiter will retro on June 15.
I’ve been watching this conjunction in my own chart. Jup-Nep-Chi is quincunx both my Moon and my Jupiter and it is a painful re-alignment of body-mind-spirit.
Thanks again for a wonderful column!
posted May 28, 2009 at 9:08 pm
HI EVERYONE! CHIRON and NEPTUNE are conjunct and they are 14 MINUTES apart not degrees. Mercury is still RETRO so these little mistakes still seem to pop up out of nowhere!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hope everyone is wonderful and REALLY enjoying these wonderful energies that are being presented at this time…………AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE YOU LOTS, JOAN XO
posted May 28, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I have too much Virgo for my own good, but I’m sure that’s a typo–Mercury is still retrograde–Chiron and Neptune are 14 MINUTES of arc apart.
posted May 28, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Chiron and Neptune are both sitting on my N. Venus (26 Aq). Saturn is moving back into my 2nd house. Would you guess that I have $$$ issues?!
So the way I decided to solve this is to try to earn (2nd house) money playing accordion shows for senior citizens (Saturn). But my Aquarius Moon (too darn rational!) doesn’t know how to take advantage of Chiron & Neptune on Venus!
Any ideas, anyone?
posted May 29, 2009 at 2:36 am
As nothing that is difficult is worth the bother of doing, this is a good time to stay in bed.
posted May 29, 2009 at 9:45 am
On a personal level this seems to be manifesting for me as a call to the soul – a yearning to break free of old ways of living that are not authentic for the person I have become.
My soul has been yearning to live in the regions like United States of America and the European Union; where, I feel my capabilities may be more productive and prolific.
posted May 29, 2009 at 10:56 am
As far as story of Chiron is concerned, an anonymous poet describes following lines depicting the pain of Wounded-Healer:
When I narrated my story, why do you weep?
Destruction happened to my heart, why do you weep?
It is my own lamentation & sadness, why do you bear them?
Why do my tears are flowing from your eyes?
The fire of lamentation is mine, why you weep?
posted May 29, 2009 at 1:57 pm
LOL @ Charles!
posted May 29, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for your vigilance! I knew that.
posted May 29, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Southeast, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it!
posted May 29, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Hey Cimbalok,
You must take advantage of the glamour of transiting Neptune, just like Adam Lambert did on American Idol!
posted May 30, 2009 at 3:16 am
Thank you, Ms. Lynn Hayes.
posted May 30, 2009 at 3:43 am
Thank you for your understanding, Ms. Lynn Hayes!
posted May 30, 2009 at 11:04 am
Thank you Shawn! I will milk it like a Slovakian sheep!
posted May 30, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I have to say… Today I received a compliment today about my writing that meant the world to me. It came from a seasoned and accomplished writer. And, ah, it just made my heart soar.
Still does. It couldn’t have arrived at a better time.