Surrender - Neptune and the Art of Letting Go

Surrender – letting go, relinquishing. Sometimes you just reach a point where you don’t know what to “do”.

I remember a time, a few years ago, when I was so full of fear financially. I was having thoughts about the possibility of living in my car. I figured I could give up my apartment, live in my car, keep my gym membership so I could take showers there, etc.

I was applying for jobs at the time as an IT project manager or Business Analyst mostly – I was networking at various professional organization chapter meetings and I was submitting my resume to recruiters. I was actually getting interviews and sometimes I would have several interviews with the same company. The most was 9 interviews at the same company – I really thought I had that one in the bag! Then there was another one that seemed as though it had been created for me – my skills and experience were a perfect match for it and the people were really cool – one of them even told me in an aside that they loved me and were pretty sure it was a done deal. And then as each one of these fell through, my faith plummeted and my fear grew to monstrous proportions.

At that point, I had what I call my “kitchen floor moment”. I had just hung up from the rejection of that second company with the perfect job, and I began cooking dinner. As I stirred the pot, the fear began to well up in my body as the tears welled up in my eyes, and I slumped to the floor with wracking sobs and succumbed to the total and complete fear and dejection. I could not see how I could get out of this mess and I felt that I had nothing to offer. I couldn’t see any options in front of me.

All I could do in that moment was to SURRENDER. To let it all go.

As soon as (and for several days after) I relinquished the idea of control, ideas began to come to me about my situation. I could “see” more opportunities and potential that I couldn’t when I was so tightly focused on a particular outcome. The sun came out (stayed tuned for next week when I discuss the concept of the Sun and illumination), and solutions appeared – I had options.

So, what is surrender anyway? What does it mean to let it go? It means letting go of the idea that we can control the situation. It is not giving up. It is a release of the manic micro-management of the situation, and the idea that we know how things are “supposed” to be or play out. The trick is to let go if the illusion of control, while maintaining an interest in the situation. This is often called detached engagement.

In astrology, Neptune asks us to surrender – to relinquish control of, to let go. The planet of dreams, mystery, escapism – films and all the “-isms”. Where Neptune touches key points in our personal charts, we can find a lack of clarity, a dreaminess, or idealization – not seeing things as they really are. At best it can also help us focus on our hopes and dreams, at worst it can lead us to escapism through alcohol drugs, sex, shopping, or other obsessions.

Over the next few weeks, we will have a strong Neptunian influence in the world and in our lives. This past Wednesday the Sun was conjunct (right next to) Neptune. The Sun, representing our ego, our conscious self and our will being influenced by the dreamy, idealistic quality of Neptune could play out as an opportunity to rest and recharge, meditate, journal and do more things that help you access your intuition. It could also be a good time to let go of things that you might be attempting to control and manipulate too much. Let it go and see if it sticks around – then you know it’s for you.

Yesterday, we had Venus conjunct Neptune, lending a sensitivity to relationships, promoting a sense of romance and connection. This is a great time for more establish relationships enabling more closeness, ease and comfort; but a warning for new relationships since this is also a time when we are wearing our “rose-colored glasses”, and perhaps not seeing what’s really there under the shiny veneer – those things that can come back to bite us later.

We are also under the influence of the New Moon in Pisces – a sign that represents the need to transcend earthly cares and bonds. This is a very visionary time and a great time to set the vision for the next year as Jupiter is exerting its influence and expanding and bestowing blessings on intentions set at this time.

And then, at the end of the months, we will have Mercury conjunct Neptune bringing a dreamy, fuzzy quality to our communications. There could be a lack of clarity and confusion, so watch out for that in your communications with others. It could also be a great time, if you are in tune with someone to have more intuitive, transcendental interactions as well.

So, I will leave you with this: In what area of your life are you holding on too tightly and trying to control and micro-manage? What would it be like if you could let go and relax a little around that area, and know that all is well and working out as it is meant to?

This new moon is quite remarkable for a few reasons. It is taking place in the sign of Aquarius and in Aquarius at the same time, we have 6 of the 7 visible planets all lending their energies to this New Moon. The Aquarius energy is very forward-looking and -thinking, especially in regard to the structures and systems we currently are in or utilize.

 It has both of the “benefic” planets right there with it. Venus and Jupiter are bringing in the energies of love, harmony, auspicious blessings and expansion of whatever you intend. Jupiter will cross over the point of the New Moon three times this coming year: April 1st, September 23rd and November 11th (check your chart location for which area of life this occurs in for you) – giving its gifts and blessings to the intentions set at this time, so that the effects of this new moon have a much longer-term effect than usual – that is, almost through the end of the year. We can expect to experience jumps in truth, understanding and awakening at these times as well.

Also, Saturn, the planet of time, patience and commitment is there as well, lending the energy of something that takes time to build, and requires commitment and discipline, but can be well worth it in the end. Saturn became reborn as a morning star yesterday, the 10th, and it is the ruler of the New Moon providing a structure and container for intentions set at this time. It can help provide insight and clarity that will help with Aquarius’ visionary quality.

Mercury has just been “reborn” out of the Sun – it is halfway through its retrograde period and has received its new mission. It is lending the energy of rebirth of information that will help to fertilize the soil for the growth of any intentions planted at this time. Mercury retrograde is giving the opportunity to review, revise, renew (all the “re-“words) the topic of intentions for this new moon. In Aquarius, this looks like out of the box thinking, new horizons, using new information in order to make new choices.

In summary, this is a great time for planting seeds for medium or long-term projects that have a visionary, humanitarian or social inclusion theme.

People with planets or points at 18 - 28 degrees of fixed signs – Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius in their charts, will feel the energies of this new moon most intently. For a consultation on how this personally affects you, click here to purchase a natal astrology reading.

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