Neptune Retrograde in Aries 2026: Dates, Meaning, & Horoscopes

How Does Neptune Behave in Aries?

Neptune shapes generational motivations. This retrograde in Aries brings with it aggressiveness, daringness, and entitlement. This hyper receptiveness will make it feel like we are putting our lives on hold. Neptune is most at home in Pisces, where it can realize its dream, but Aries’s speed doesn’t allow for the slowness that daydreaming is comforted by. When Aries was last in Neptune, we had the U.S. Civil War, the opening of the New York Stock Exchange, and the unveiling of the first Subway in London – to name a few. As our collective ideology shifts from dreamy Pisces energies, we are thrust into the jarring action-oriented Aries. Neptune in tarot aligns with the High Priestess, The Star, and the Moon of the Major Arcana. The energy of these cards invites introspection to move forward in better personal self-discovery. Avoid feeling let down by the pathways you can’t control. This is a good time to focus and put energy into your communities and the minor things that can be controlled. This will lead to better improvement not just for you, but for others, too.

Learn everything about planets in retrograde.

Exact Dates and Degrees for this Retrograde:

Neptune enters the pre-retrograde zone on March 16, 2026,  at 1° Aries 37′

Neptune begins its retrograde journey on July 7, 2026,  at 4° Aries 25′ Rx

Neptune retrograde ends on December 12, 2026, at 1° Aries 37′

Neptune completes the post-retrograde  zone on April 2, 2027, at 4° Aries 25′

Key Aspect for Neptune During this Transit:

Feb 20, 2026: Neptune Conjunct Saturn – This conjunction puts what we see as fact or reality and weighs it against our dreams. The reality and practicality of Saturn shake our core belief system. The blurry fantasies we often have have an opportunity to be brought into the world, but it does require a bit of effort. If you put in the work, your plans will pay off. 

How This Transit Influences Each Sign:

Most Intense for: 

Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

As you step onto unfamiliar paths, you will find yourself reflecting on your authentic self. How can you better align with your intuition? Reassessing your ideal requires courage and awareness through refined action. Thinking before acting will help quiet the anxieties this shift is causing. Holding yourself to unrealistic expectations will keep you from pursuing personal growth and spiritual alignment.

Most Challenging for:

Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

Holding everything in doesn’t hold you accountable to your life’s vision. Reflecting on vs moving backwards requires you to name your goals. Reconnecting with your home space through redecorating or organizing will help keep you from wallowing in uncertainty. Doing things in the physical is going to help you feel as though you are working towards your vision, even if you are a bit stagnant. 

Most beneficial for:

Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius)

All your life, you’ve been dreaming of the day when you could live out your dreams. Now, you finally can. The caveat is that you must move towards your visions and desires with no pushback or worry resulting from your fears. Move towards personal enlightenment. 

Neptune Retrograde in Aries Horoscopes:

Aries 

If you’re unhappy with the connections around you, consider that you have really verbalised your expectations. You can’t cry lack of support without questioning if you even bothered to ask for it in the first place. Having others show up for you requires you to show up in return. Leave the self-doubt at the door. Being authentic is how you shake off this moment of despair.

Taurus 

This transit feels like the completion of a lot of cycles. As you consider your next move, don’t forget to celebrate how far you have come. Action will be required sooner rather than later. Rushing into the next thing will only burn you out. Celebrating is not all bad, leaving a sense of fulfillment.

Gemini 

Putting in time and energy into something is never a waste. IT is the focus you have on reconsidering your spiritual alignments and friendship that will help you connect to a more realistic space. Stick to the vision and consider inviting others along for the journey.

Cancer 

Love, career, and your dreams are all up in the air. Avoiding taking action in your life is just going to delay the inevitable. During this period, consider how to become a more active vs passive participant in your daily life. The people in your world can only offer so much compassion when you repeatedly put yourself in the same position.

Leo 

Not all transits will be favorable, and it’s a bit of a rite of passage to overcome certain obstacles. Facing hardship is one thing, but remember to invite ease to the process. Just because it has to happen doesn’t mean you can’t move through the process with compassion and intention..  

Virgo 

You have more resources than you realize. You have been investing much time and energy into things, but they’re not turning out how you envisioned. As you go back and reset, consider how others might help. Reaching out to your support systems brings a different kind of security and stability.  

Libra 

Reclaiming your energy and time will be spiritually grounding. There is strength in communicating your truth. Others will listen as you process the changes to your routine and structure. It is never wrong to give back to oneself; it will help you show up better for others.

Scorpio 

Being escapist or a perfectionist during this time will come back to haunt you. Let go a little. Taking a step away from things will invite in the balance you have been missing in your connection with others and yourself, especially on a spiritual level. Your work so far is paying off; allow yourself and the people around you some grace as things flow without so much interference.

Sagittarius 

You’re seeking a lot right now. This may be the time to start taking those classes you have been considering. Expanding your knowledge will help your creative flow. Embrace the curiosity of the moment. If you don’t want to take a class, consider picking up a hobby at home. Whatever it is, seek out the knowledge before the drive leaves your body.

Capricorn 

This is not a time to be down on yourself. Lacking self-confidence and perpetuating damage to your self-esteem will harm your well-being. You can fulfill your needs, and you end up in this space by pushing yourself beyond your limits. Give yourself a minute to process all you need to do and then create an action plan. Overwhelming yourself by stressing your nervous system will have you crashing and burning as soon as possible.

Aquarius 

You love to challenge tradition and lead a slightly unconventional lifestyle. This sense of self often comes at the cost of others not always fully understanding where you’re coming from. Write out those frustrations or podcast to yourself via voice notes. Getting these frustrations out will help keep you from exploding at others.

Pisces 

Creative blocks and a general sense of stuckness come from your needing to reassess your values. If you’re holding too tightly to old ideals about your self-worth, how can you possibly invite growth? Postpone judgment and do a little journaling or meditating on what old beliefs no longer serve you. Trust the process.