Things get real when Neptune goes into retrograde (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Neptune moves into a retrograde from the July 1 until December 6.

A retrograde occurs when the nature of a planet’s orbit around Earth makes it look as though it is spinning backwards, albeit an optical illusion. Astrologically this reverses the planet’s influence, or blocks it.

Neptune is all about mystery, illusion, magic and the esoteric. The planet is linked to Pisces and fuels that sign’s empathetic, intuitive, even psychic, powers.

But, in a retrograde, this changes and Neptune’s influence fades which enables us to focus on more practical, material, tangible, factual details.

We can look at reality unvarnished and without illusion. We can see things as they really, truly are. It’s always better to work with reality than wishful thinking.

What reality check awaits you this Neptune retrograde? Let the tarot guide you.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Get that game face on (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Aries for this Neptune retrograde: Seven of Wands

Meaning: Know yourself as a competitor, as a rival, as the other side of the fence. Know how you come across to those you’re in competition with and what they see as your strengths… and weaknesses.

This knowledge could be mind-blowing and could change how you engage with competition in the future – either in work, sports, personal development, or wherever you pitch yourself against others.

The Seven of Wands shows you’re a natural winner, but you can always improve.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

You’ve come further than you think (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Taurus for this Neptune retrograde: Strength

Meaning: Taurus, what have you overcome and achieved in 2023? Look at your trajectory, your lessons, your struggles, and your victories.

Strength asks you to take a pause and review the journey of 2023, noting in particular the challenges faced and tackled. You are powerful, you are strong, you have grown new skills and powers this year. Recognise it. And use it.

Don’t take yourself for granted, you’re a wonderful work in progress, celebrate the recent gains.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Gemini, you do love change (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Gemini for this Neptune retrograde: Eight of Coins

Meaning: Consistency can be tricky for you because you love the shiny new ideas more than the projects already on the hob (and probably yielding problems).

Don’t lose sight of your current load. Don’t skip off into a new horizon. Don’t ditch the old for the new. The Eight of Coins asks you to dig in and press on, to keep going and persisting.

The rewards will come, I promise, but look with clear eyes at what needs doing and then blooming well get on and do it.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Know when to say goodbye (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Cancer for this Neptune retrograde: Eight of Cups

Meaning: It’s time to face a disappointment you have tried so hard to suppress, skip past, overlook, or suppress. You’ve been carrying a really heavy load, a burden, and denying that this has failed. You have made excuses, covered up, brushed over issues, and hoped for the best.

Put this load down. The Eight of Cups asks you to see it for what it is and admit defeat, surrender, and release the expectations.

Something better is coming along, something you deserve. Get rid of this weight.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Be your wonderful Leo self (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Leo for this Neptune retrograde: Knight of Wands

Meaning: Don’t try and hide your exuberant nature, your zest for life, your desire to explore, your wanderlust.

The Knight of Wands reveals you’ve been playing a cautious role, acting all serious and mature, and hiding the adventurous spirit you naturally possess. Why?

You are what you are, Leo, so let it all hang out. Pursue the interests you genuinely feel stirred by, let your passions lead you to places and people that excite you, put your heartfelt needs at the heart of what you do. Don’t play a fake role.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Are you looking at things clearly? (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Virgo for this Neptune retrograde: The Hanged Man

Meaning: Virgo, you hate being wrong and it takes a long time to admit when you are, with copious fact-checking along the way. Enough of this.

The Hanged Man shows that your stubborn refusal to accept the reality of something is just holding you in a painful limbo. Until you face the true facts, you will remain here, punished and thwarted.

Let your ego subside. Look at it all again with fresh eyes. Accept new opinions, look from another perspective. When you change your mind, you’ll progress.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Get ready to turn over a new leaf (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Libra for this Neptune retrograde: The Fool

Meaning: What’s needed this retrograde is a fresh start, a clean slate, a new adventure, a different pathway which you alone create and walk. Only you know what you most want to begin. Only you can make this happen.

The Fool shows you need confidence, and you probably need to stop listening to others and adapting to their needs, ideas, and demands. This is about you, Libra.

Make a realistic plan that mitigates the risks you can see (don’t worry about those you can’t) and take a leap! Do it this year, you’re ready, it starts now.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Find out the truth of the matter (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Scorpio for this Neptune retrograde: Two of Swords

Meaning: It’s time to re-assess a decision you’re faced with and get the true facts, get to the heart of the issue, dig and probe and find out what’s going on at root cause level.

When you have that information, the outcome will be obvious and your decision will almost be made for you. So, focus, zoom in, and place that laser-sharp gaze of yours on this issue.

You are the zodiac’s detective and researcher, there’s nothing you can’t find out. Go get your info.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Stand firm but don’t give them a reason to doubt you (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Sagittarius for this Neptune retrograde: Knight of Swords

Meaning: You have a fiery nature but you’re also more of a lover than a fighter and you like to get along with people.

This trait has led you into being taken advantage of by someone or something, and this retrograde you’re going to see it all for what it is… and possibly lose your temper!

The Knight of Swords asks you to be assertive not aggressive. Don’t add fuel to this fire. Simply make your demands and don’t budge. Stand up for yourself. Bite back and show them their lucky streak is over.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Go deeper and find a solution (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Capricorn for this Neptune retrograde: Five of Swords

Meaning: You finally see what has been driving a long-running feud or conflict that has bothered you this year. You finally understand the root causes and drivers. And this means you can bring things to a head, reach a resolution, find peace, and end this tension or pressure.

The Five of Swords shows the end is in sight. The faster you see the root cause, the faster you can get there.

So, listen well, try to understand, ask questions, be objective, accept you have played a role here too. Peace is in sight.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

It’s not easy being the zodiac’s innovator (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Aquarius for this Neptune retrograde: Three of Wands

Meaning: Your thirst for spontaneity, freedom, living in the moment and being beholden to no one is famous, if not infamous. However, it does have blowbacks on other people and can create issues in your relationships.

See yourself as a partner, close friend, colleague, family member might. Notice when you put yourself first and perhaps gloss over letting someone else down. You are a one off, a unique and adored individual. You don’t want to hurt others.

Notice when your independence has that side effect and think of ways to mitigate it. This will solve a lot of problems.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Don’t be a doormat (Picture: Getty/Metro.co.uk)

Tarot card for Pisces for this Neptune retrograde: Three of Swords

Meaning: Don’t let them get away with it, Pisces. Someone has been, frankly, quite sh**** towards you and they deserve to be called out on it and dealt with.

Stand up for yourself. See this for what it is. See their true colours. Don’t make excuses. The Three of Swords shows their behaviour has hurt you and that is valid, that needs attention, that should provoke action for you.

If necessary, get some space from this person, let them stew on their actions. You deserve better. Don’t settle for rubbish.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Kerry King, the tarot queen, uses tarot and star sign wisdom to create inspiring forecasts and insights, with over 25 years fortune telling experience, and many happy clients all over the world. You can book a personal, written reading, which comes as a beautifully illustrated brochure, through Etsy or join her new Tarot Club and get weekly forecasts and more for £5 a month.

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The transit lasts until December.