Since very old times, people have been searching for answers regarding our existence and everything that has to do with it, both on a major and a minor plan. The most complex to our comprehension are probably ourselves and also the ways we function in this world.
We cannot actually understand why we like one person and not the other. We would give thousands of logical explanations, though sometimes they were not enough.
All the confusion and beauty of human societies come from the complexity of an individual and the diversity amongst us. We could try to understand those fine bonds that connect us and divide us on many levels.
Astrology could give us valuable answers and direct us towards a new way of thinking about it.
Today we are going to talk about the comparative astrology and, more specifically, about one concrete example of astrological aspects found within it, Mercury square Neptune aspect in synastry.
Astrology is an ancient discipline that reads human destinies from the stars, to put it extremely simply. It analyzes celestial patterns and puts them into perspective of a human being.
Astrology claims our destinies and lives must have been influenced by the planetary movement; it is not difficult to accept this opinion, since we are, indeed, a part of this huge and possibly infinite universe.
Official sciences also prove planets in our Solar systems affect the life on earth. Astrology, however, claims they also affect a human as an individual.
According to astrology, planetary position at the time a person was born determines that individual’s personality and life path, for one part, at least. When an astrologer creates a natal chart, it is not a prediction; your natal chart does not tell you how things are exactly going to be and what kind of person you are in totality.
Natal charts give you an insight into one’s potentials as a person and potentials related to specific areas of life. Thus, your natal chart should serve as guidance, not as a prediction.
We are talking about natal charts here, since they are extremely important when it comes to comparative astrology and synastry reports.
What is Synastry?
Synastry represents a comparison between natal charts. Although you could compare more than two charts, the most common practice is a romantic relationship synastry, a comparison between two charts of people who are in a relationship or potentially in a relationship.
Synastry reveals the interplay between planets in both charts gives the insight into aspects they create and thus explains the ‘nature’ of such a relationship.
Synastry is different from the composite chart, which represents charts merged into one, with results that could be seen as a final outcome of the connection.
Before an astrologer looks into synastry, it is important separately to analyze both charts involved.
It is as if a third part expert meets both persons and thus makes conclusions regarding their (possible) relationship.
Mercury in Mythology and Astrology – The Importance in Synastry
Mercury or Hermes, in Greek mythology, was a one of the major Greco-Roman deities, the protector of shepherds, travel by land, merchants, rhetoric and all of the written word, poetry, athletics and thieves, as well.
Hermes or Mercury was the messenger of gods, known for his cleverness and cunningness. He was a deity of travel, communication, curiosity, and youth.
The planet Mercury is the smallest one in the Solar system and closest to the Sun. Its quality is cold and dry, neutral and flexible in terms of astrological categories. Mercury is neither positive nor negative planet, so its influence depends on the sign it occupies and aspects it creates with other planets in an astrological chart or in synastry.
Its neutrality is present within the division of planets on day and night planets, as well as the division on male and female ones. Mercury rules the signs of Gemini and Virgo and is exalted in Virgo. It descends in Pisces and it is exiled in Sagittarius.
It is a personal planet and it affects one’s intellect, logic, perception, learning and communication skills, and movement.
People with dominant Mercury in their horoscope are witty, clever, and intellectual. They love to explore, learn, and gather information, although they focus rather on practical aspect.
They constantly think about all kinds of things, but they do not go into great depths; otherwise, so much of information would consume them. They know what to say in every situation.
It is interesting to note that Mercury in an aspect with another planet imitates the characteristic of that one. Mercury is not stable; it is playful, moving, and restless.
If in good aspects, a person would be extremely skillful with words, resourceful and flexible. If in bad aspects, there could be communication problems.
Since this is an imitative and communication planet, one could easily see how important Mercury aspects could be in synastry.
Neptune in Mythology and Astrology – The Importance in Synastry
Neptune is the second of transcendental planets, far away from our Earth.
One might believe its influence is negligible, since this planet is so distant; however, as soon as we get an insight into its symbolism and astrological meanings, we could see how its influence was intertwined with our destinies as a whole.
Neptune, the blue planet, is associated with Poseidon (Roman Neptune), god of all waters.
Neptune was believed to be an unpredictable, impulsive deity, responsible for devastating earthquakes.
It was also believed he would determine the outcome of a sea battle; once at sea, one is at Neptune’s mercy. In horoscope, Neptune is closely associated with the element of water. It rules the sign of Pisces.
In astrology, Neptune represents the planet of subtle sensations, romance, symbolism, art, imagination. It is called the planet of illusions, the planet of fancy, of psychic abilities, intuition, everything that is hidden and confusing, deep within.
Neptune’s influence is always under the surface, mysterious, difficult to catch, very characteristic.
Neptune confuses, deceives, tricks; it plays with our mind and our fancy. Its influence is very tricky. On one side, Neptune inspires great creativity, psychic abilities, supports and nurtures the intuition, gives us spirituality, while on the other, Neptune would cause delusional thinking, confusion, indecisiveness, escapism, addictive behaviors, proneness to vices.
People who have strong Neptune in their horoscope are often addicted to travelling, they dive deep into the spiritual realm, are very imaginative and creative, but the other side of that coin leads to aimless wandering, vices, fraud and trickery.
When in a negative aspect, Neptune could badly affect one’s psyche and cause psychiatric disorders.
Square Aspect in Astrology – Synastry
The square is considered one of the heavier aspects in astrology. It is an aspect that relates to tension, inner tension, in particular. It is difficult, but not static, since it forces one to move and resolve the problem.
The square aspect calls for tolerance, finding balance, understanding the tension and its causes. It challenges, it puts you before restrictions, boundaries and troubles.
Squares in astrology lead to crises, challenges, limitations, rejection and troubles of all sorts that could actually help you grow once you bring awareness into it.
We could compare squares with physical challenges; the person invests effort into overcoming their own limitations. In synastry, square would require the same effort.
Mercury Square Neptune Synastry – General Information
Mercury square Neptune is one of the challenging aspects, but let us see what it means. These planets seem to be very different in terms of communication.
Mercury, direct, witted, direct and communicative is in contrast with the mysterious, confusing, uncatchable Neptune, when we take a look into these planets aside synastry or a natal chart.
This could be a tricky combination, when in synastry, especially when you have a challenging square aspect between them.
Mercury always asks questions, waning to know this and that, while mysterious Neptune is not of such a sort that gives straightforward answers at all. Neptune, in general, does not ‘like’ the logical approach of Mercury.
It is very unlikely Neptune would provide Mercury with the type of answers Mercury one wants to hear; Mercury insists on logical, practical, active information, to say, while Neptune fantasizes, daydreams and is often lost within its own inner world and deep thoughts.
If Neptune would offer Mercury what Mercury would love to hear, it would end up with trickery and deception.
Neptune does that often; enjoying the attention, the Neptune partner would try to present itself in a light the first one sees it. It is an unintentional trickery that usually plays around when Neptune is in an aspect with personal planets.
In synastry, it is very problematic, since it eventually leads to mistrust, deception and misunderstanding.
Mercury Square Neptune Synastry – Challenges
The Neptune partner would do the best in order to inspire logical, though willing to learn and adventurous Mercury. However, that is not the kind of inspiration that easily works with Mercury, if in a difficult aspect. We could say that this aspect makes a real challenge.
Of course, it is not something you could never manage, though it requires tons of patience and tolerance.
Mercury square Neptune aspect, however, cannot obscure the mutually shared love for exploration, travel and learning, although they use very, very different channels. If you realize it is a common place, you could work the connection in such a direction.
When Neptune is in an aspect in a synastry, the best advice, though not easy to follow, is to try to be realistic about the relationship.
Neptune partner should try to be more aware of that unconscious attention to fit to the partner’s vision. The thing is, Neptune loves to keep things beautiful, even if it requires an illusion, a play, a deception.
This is a very sensitive ground. It rarely happens that a Neptune person does this on purpose; in any case, the outcome could be negative.
Mercury square Neptune – The Good and the Bad
We have pinpointed the negative sides and risks of this challenging aspect. Whit Mercury square Neptune, problems of mutual understanding are likely to arise.
It could be a lot of confusion and misunderstanding, so it is crucial to try to keep your communication very clear. Otherwise, mistrust and suspicion would develop.
On a good side, even with a heavy aspect, this connection could be greatly inspiring. This aspect awakens the imaginative perspective and creative processes. Neptune gives sentiment to Mercury and Mercury some logic to Neptune.
Of course, it would be delightful with an easy aspect; here it requires effort in order to be recognized and useful.
Neptune’s dreaminess and desire to remain in an imaginary realm would confuse Mercury. Depending on other aspects, the lack of concrete and straightforward answers from Neptune partner could annoy Mercury person.
Neptune might think of Mercury’s logic as limiting and confining. Although troublesome, this is not an unmanageable aspect.
However, it requires an effort from both partners. As the square aspect itself should make you realize the problem and trying to resolve the tension, through tolerance and understanding, you should try to understand each other’s channels of communication and the manner of expressing thoughts.
