Neptune transiting 6th House: The Twilight Zone

So it's been almost a year since I have started this what I was hoping to be an insightful blog.  However, I have seemed to lost track of time and completely forgotten about this which is unusual since I am typically an avid blogger.  But I digress.....I'll blame it on Neptune transiting my 6th house.

In my previous post, I thought Neptune transiting my 5th house of pleasure, creativity, and romance to be a sword in love.  The thought of having this transit over a 14 year period to me made me think that I'd die sad and lonely....especially since that at the end of the transit, Uranus was (and is currently) transiting my 7th house.  But looking back, living in a romantic dream world was not all that bad.  Probably because natally my Neptune is not negatively aspected nor is the Ruler of my 5th house, Saturn.  I have Jupiter in my 5th house which is square my Moon and Venus which may explain the increased amount of over indulgences.  But overall, any hurts during that period were mostly imagined and I have a very humorous outlook on much of that time period.    It was like being in lalaland and not even caring about the ridiculousness that went on...just kind of pretending to care and being surprised when others took you seriously when I myself wasn't taking myself seriously.

I would tell people who have Neptune transiting their 5th house not to fear.  Go channel this energy by taking an acting class.  If you become dedicated, who knows, maybe you'll become an Oscar winner in a romantic drama.  The only thing you need to stay away from is self-deception.  Just be truthful about everything and maybe the fantasies in your head can play out in real life.

Anyways, enough about this scary planet being in the 5th house.  This post is about the 6th.  I mentioned the 5th because I'm learning that I actually liked Neptune there.  I'm going through a bit of nostalgia about "the good ole days".  Furthermore, my love life is pretty dry and unexciting.  With 14 years of Neptune in my 5th, romantic stability seems kind of boring.  But like I said, Uranus just entering my 7th should make up for it I'm sure.  lol.

As I will claim in most of my posts:

"The great thing about transits, especially long ones, is that I find that they can be divided into trimesters.  I have found that if you divide a long term transit into 3rds, the worst part of a questionable transit will occur in the 2nd trimester.  The first trimester is more like a ramp up, and by the end of the transit you have a handle on the situation.  Hence, a Neptune transit only really feels about 5 years long. You become an expert the life events that surround this transit.  And guess what? No one can tell you differently because after the end of the 2nd trimester, you will KNOW without any doubt how to leverage those situations.  And what is bad about that?"

1st Transit Trimester: (January 2011 - March 2014)

I must say, I HATE NEPTUNE IN THE 6TH HOUSE!!! Uggggh.  There is nothing more frustrating than having to wake up, go to a place that you spend a minimum of 40 hours a week, and deal with the most confusing coworkers you ever seen in your life!  This transit seems to be a lesson in how to navigate through very thick office politics all the while being confused about all your work situations.

I started this blog around the time I started my current job.  The reason I have not updated this because I spend the majority of my time trying to sort through my endless confusion about work.  It's not fun being confused about the source of your bill payments.  In fact, it's pretty scary.  Questions that have crossed my mind during this transit as it pertains to my current position:

1.  Who the hell is my manager?  I have no idea who I report to? And who is working in HR for me to not know this?
2.  What the hell is my job? I guess I'll make it up as I go along?
3.  Why are my coworkers always asking me to train them to do their job?  And why do I always jump up and comply to this need, who am I? Captain Save A Hoe?
4. Why is there 6 people working on this project who work in different departments and do not communicate to each other?  And why am I the one who has to sort it out?
5.  What did my supervisor mean at my performance review by the criticism he gave me? No matter how I slice it, I don't see what he was talking about? So how do I know what to improve on?
6.  Am I speaking Japanese when I say things, because it seems people take things the exact opposite?
7.  Am I too reserved at work or am I too aggressive cause I keep getting mixed signals?
8. I swear this coworker just insulted me, but I'm not sure.
9. I've always known my direction in life, so why all of a sudden when upper management asks me "where do you see yourself in your career" my answer is "I don't know, I just want to be useful".
10. Why do I feel I am constantly being manipulated about my position?

With Neptune in the 6th house, everyday feels like you are walking through the twilight zone and you begin to question if you are crazy or if the world is crazy.   You find more circumstances where you feel the need to be on guard of coworkers and very rapidly your life begins to resemble an episode of "The Good Wife".  Everyday the overall question coloring your life is "Who can I trust at work to ensure I can keep my job".  Taken from the most recent episode of "The Good Wife"...be on guard and keep in mind "the people who judge, lie the most".

It's come to a point that I have to walk around with a small weight in the palm of my hand to ensure that I'm grounded like in the movie Inception. lol.... not really, but it feels as if I should.

I also noticed that I get up out from my desk about five times a day.  Sticking to the the everyday routine is becoming increasing harder and harder.  Usually, I have been more than happy to plunk myself at my desk and stay there the rest of the day.  To help me focus, I now listen to audio books to keep my imagination moving while getting through the sometimes painstaking details of the day-to-day grind.

I have become very very accommodating toward my coworkers and have a hard time saying no.  So much so that my boss actually had to tell me to stop saving people.  In his words "For the next month, start vocalizing your concerns and see how good it feels".  The purpose of this sit down with my boss was to address the fact I felt I was being looked over and that others were taking credit for my ideas.  The gist of his advise was that I needed to set more boundaries and stop being so unconditionally helpful.  I still have not put his advice into practice since I feel guilty for not being there for others.  But baby steps right?

Sorting through the haze of my work life has become so incredibly exhausting and I feel that I am having a major life lesson in PATIENCE.  Everyday, the question that plagues my mind the most is: How long will this go on? And even though I feel like I'm a very blessed person, my soul aches for much more.

I have even gotten acquainted with my HR department.  I was raised to not be a snitch.  So going to HR for me was a very hard decision to make because I did not want to feel like I was throwing them under the bus. Furthermore, I just didn't want to be mean.  I reconciled the decision with myself by saying to myself "I am trying to find ways to keep everyone happy and I just want more clarity regarding my work situations".

As far as health is concerned, I haven't had any real experiences.  Just one small incident that I never found a  resolution to.  I went to see the doctor and I had no idea what he was talking about.  But the "ailment" came and went.  At the same point in time, I went to get my inhaler refilled only for this doctor to un-diagnose me and tell me I didn't have asthma after I have been dealing with it since college.  The only doctor's appointment that I had during this transit, left me distrustful of doctors.  I remember telling a friend, "Are the qualifications for doctors going down or something?".  Since then, I have relied on eating healthy and have made a complete lifestyle change in how I eat.  So far, I haven't really gotten sick (knock on wood). Because I know this transit is likely to make you tried weird diets, I did a lot of research before making the lifestyle change.  

Resolutions: (ideas to help you channel the energy of this transit trimester)

1. Listen to audio books while doing daily routine to help focus
2. Take a painting class
3. Decorate your office, desk, or place you spend most of your day to day time with artwork or flowers.  Get creative with your space.
4. Confide in few.  Bringing more opinions in the mix just makes the fog thicker.
5. Stop visiting the tarot readers and psychics.....see number 4.
6. If you are confused...say it.
7. Find a mentor but don't give them the tasks of saving you.  If they attempt to without you asking, remember it's an attempt...don't expect too much.
8. Join water aerobics
9. Volunteer
10. Choose to be optimistic (yes, indeed it's a choice)
11. I know this may sound weird but choose an animal that you want people to see you as (mine is swan) and put a picture of that animal on your desk....some ideas of animals to use can be found at the following site << The Animal in You >>
12. Utilize HR to help you maintain objectivity of your work situations.

2nd Transit Trimester: (March 2014 - May 2018)

Last I updated this post was on April 22, 2012 when I wrote about the 1st trimester of Neptune in the 6th house. I must say that my theory holds true. That the prominent part of any transit is the 2nd trimester. It takes a certain level of vigilance and planning during this time, particularly if there are any afflictions. As mentioned, the 6th house deals with your day-to-day routines, your job, your coworkers, and your health. All have been tremendously impacted during this transit....and I am exhausted. I want to get out of this part of this transit ASAP. I'm counting down the days....about 2.5 years to go (this is posted on December 10, 2015). Blah! I am drained by people and the emotional service I've been asked to provide them...I officially wish I was rich enough to live on my own island but this transit pushes you to be involved with people. I want to escape but you might as well just start calling me Cinderelly!

During this transit, I have had six jobs. I was laid off on two and terminated from one. The other jobs, I resigned because of very heavy, deceptive politics which would have resulted in either a lay off or termination. Being true to Neptune, I now have an imaginary job. LOL. Did anyone watch the show Martin? There was a character on Martin named Tommy who used to pretend he was going to work, when he mentioned he was going to work the rest of the cast would turn and say "Tommy, you aint got no job!". I was a contractor working on a government contract. The contract recently came to an end because the company I worked for could not produce the quality of work in the statement of work to the client. But, I have told everyone I know that I work from home. I recently got a roommate to help with the bills since I am unemployed, but the roommate believes I work from home everyday. I hide my mail from the department of labor and told him the mailbox key copy I made for him somehow doesn't work so I must get a new one made. Poor guy!

Just to clarify, I have a well aspected 10th house and aspects to Saturn. So I am not in anyway a slacker or poor job performer. Also, my 6th house is Aquarius and is ruled by Uranus. My Uranus is natally well-aspected as well. I approach work in a progressive way and am very universal and inclusive of coworkers. Most of my coworkers have become long time friends. I have had a string of managers who have all been pathological liars which I did not react to fast enough. If you are currently undergoing this transit and are in the 2nd trimester, whoever you report to is most likely someone who cannot be trusted. If you feel they are out for you, do not let Neptune convince you it's just your imagination, because they are! Neptune is in Pisces. Use the Piscean strengths to help with this transit - don't lolly gag and trust your intuition. Use your Neptune power and escape as soon as it's apparent. Become your own version of a hologram if you must! Or when all else fails....LIE! lol I must learn that my progressively ruled 6th house should become muted (transit Neptune is square my Uranus) and I need to find a balance between pursuing my own independent interest versus pursuing the interest of others in my quest to change the world.

I do not feel like a victim which a Neptune transit often suggest. Rather, I feel I'm surrounded by victims. I feel that on the day-to-day, I am constantly in service to others who are constantly playing the victim. My "best friend" spent MY birthday celebration looking for reassurance as to whether or not she was smart enough to hang with my other friends. She has also spent most of this year crashing on my couch. I recently bought a house. She offered to throw a party to celebrate. When I showed up to the celebration, it was actually a set up so she could get me to help her build a website (she brought herself a new laptop, when we went out to eat afterwards, me and her brother paid for the whole dinner). There are other stories involving friends and family members but I won't detail them today. Not all involve someone being  a little bit deceptive, but empathizing with others and always providing some service to them can be exhausting nonetheless. It seems I am surrounded by takers but I could learn to put up more boundaries.

I don't feel like I'm in a fog or twilight zone as I did in the 1st trimester. I think that I've become more discouraged regarding the lack of compassion of others. Don't worry, during this transit health has become a central issue. I have my psychologist on speed dial! lol. I see her every other week. Not only have I had a focus on my mental health but my physical health as well. Most astrological text say that this transit brings about mysterious ailments. Whelp....they were surely right about that! This year I have experienced 3 different physical health issues. 2 have been resolved but 1 is remaining. They have an idea of what they think it is (I have moderate chronic pain in my left side but all test are clear) but have not been diagnosed with anything. Without a solid diagnosis, insurance companies will not cover certain medications. Sooooo....at the suggestion of my doctors surprisingly, I have gone a more holistic approach for pain management. I take up to 4 different type of supplements a day and have had to change my diet (no more red wine...wahhhhhhh!!!) buuutt....the holistic route has been working! I can finally get back to exercising again because the pain has significantly decreased.

There is good news with this transit (I read my post and think 'dannnngg I have some bad juju'). I made a career change into the healthcare field and finished my Masters in Health Science. I did not pursue this simply because of the transit but, somehow that is where my journey has led me. I used to be in marketing so it's such a switch but so far, in spite of the crazy work environments, I feel a lot more engaged in the work that I do. I feel I have found connection to a higher purpose.

I also started a business in reading birth charts and astrology consultations during this transit (will provide link to up and coming website).

Spiritualism has also been a focus. Natally, I have Mars square Neptune which often hinders your self-confidence. With this transit, however, my confidence has been tested enough to be strengthened (or perhaps its just the influence of getting older). I am agnostic. For anyone who is agnostic, some times it feels like you have to 'come out the closet' so to speak. Especially if the majority of people (i.e. family) you interact with are frequent church goers. I have been asked and probed about my religious beliefs during this transit. I have always felt embarrassed about being agnostic but during this transit, I've learned to express it and stand by it. So you could say, this transit has brought about a personal spiritual evolution. Many people have been pretty open while simultaneously trying to convert me. lol. But the experience has not been all that bad. I have also taken an interest in Buddhism, which is non theistic, but haven't really delve too deep into it...we will see where this goes....I am not quite sure if this occurrence is due to my Neptune in 6th or if I should be giving thanks to transit Jupiter in my 12th???

During this transit, it is noted that you will want to be around animals and I must say, I have been obsessed with getting a puppy!

Just a quick note...as with any transit, it is important to look at transit aspects to natal aspects at any given point in time. It is also just as important to look at the aspects to your house ruler - specifically if you do not have any natal planets in this house. These could provide clues as to what you could do to either embrace or mitigate the energies of a transit. For instance, a guy I used to date also has an Ascendant in Virgo just like me. So our transits through the houses run neck and neck. However, although similar issues arise in our lives, they play out in different ways.

My 6th house ruler, Uranus, is for the most part, well-aspected except it is square my Ascendant. I have a rebellious streak on the surface. This aspect is also 'activated' by the Neptune transit which squares my Uranus. I may need to take extra care not to push for my independence as it will negatively impact my 6th house activities. I have seen how this has played out within my work environment. It has not been anything overly dramatic but some places you work just are not ready to take the leap into a more progressive version of themselves. It would probably be useful to pace myself to prevent constant and sudden change.

The guy I used to date has a Uranus that squares his Moon, semi-squares Pluto and a Moon (since it's involved with Uranus) that squares Saturn. He could be a little bit ruthless about his independence/uniqueness and in his domestic life had an impulse to dominate in a Uranian way. It was difficult for him to take accountability because of his defensiveness. These lunar influences impacted his work, although we think of the Moon impacting us more domestically. During this transit, he was suspended from his job as a police officer twice (in 2 different relationships) for disruptive disputes outside of work. He was surprised by the lack of comraderie from his coworkers and had to use Neptune's power of deception to wiggle his way out of trouble. Since Saturn is brought in the mix through these connected aspects, this impacted him negatively financially (Saturn transiting the 2nd).

I've decided to post transit resolutions for each trimester instead of the transit as a whole since based on my own experience, it seems it differs as the transit progresses.

Resolutions: (ideas to help you channel the energy of this transit trimester)

1. Get a psychologist
2. Get a dog (or pet) - particularly a breed that is considered a service animal, while you are servicing others your dog could fill the missing void
3. Wear a necklace with your lucky number
4. Keep your own counsel regarding your daily affairs
5. Work out
6. React to your intuition with a sense of urgency

3rd Transit Trimester: (May 2018 - February 2023)