Practical Magic: Neptune enters Aries
crises of masculinity, the rise of spiritual warriors and the climate calvary
I don’t think we need astrology to tell us that the U.S. is getting more spooky ooky by the day. But we can use astrology and the history of specific transits, transits we are embarking on this year, to perhaps better prepare ourselves for what may come.
In the last Practical Magic newsletter I wrote about Pluto entering Aquarius. Now I want to talk to you about Neptune entering Aries. This transit begins on March 30th of this year, and will last until March of 2039.
But first, a little astrology 101.
Neptune: The Cosmic Fog Machine
Picture Neptune as the universe's greatest illusionist as it rules over magic and mystery. It governs over everything fluid – that includes gender, the tears I shed during that late night rom-com, the ocean… actually, all bodies of water: rain, ice, and any liquids. Its hobby is dissolving physical and metaphysical boundaries. Neptune is the planetary patron of all artists, and dreamers. Which means it rules over all creative pursuits, including photography, film, music, painting, and poetry. This is why it can also be described as the planet of escapism and addiction.
While Neptune can elevate you to new spiritual heights and psychological breakthroughs (yes it also houses spirituality and the subconscious), it can also make you very gullible (remember the illusion part). So its influence can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, deception, deep fakes… you get the vibes. It is considered the higher octave of Venus, and makes rose colored glasses feel like prescription ones. One can say Neptune is the sponsor of all things delulu. It is the modern ruler of Pisces and the 12th house.
Aries: The Baby (With a Warrior Spirit)
Now, let's talk about Aries. As the firstborn of the zodiac, Aries embodies that "I can do it myself!" energy of a determined toddler, combined with the strategic brilliance of a military commander (thanks to its ruler, Mars). Because of the planet of action, Aries represents courage, boldness, leadership and enthusiasm… as well as war, forcefulness and masculine energy (the good, the bad, and the ugly). Because it governs over the first house, it is usually preoccupied with the self, and not others.
As for their temperament, an Aries might declare war on you one minute and invite you to lunch the next, completely forgetting they were ever mad. It's not personal; it's just their Mars-powered processor working at full speed. Unlike its counterpart, Libra, who is concerned with diplomacy and tact, Aries energy is reactionary, and often impulsive.
What does this mean for us now…
Well, astrology is cyclical and we can use historical knowledge combined with the current cultural and geopolitical climate to hypothesize the potential themes we’ll come across as a global society. The last time Neptune was in Aries was from 1861 - 1875. These years gave us the Civil War & Reconstruction, the rise of new national myths and imperialism, as well as shifts in religious and philosophical ideologies. The themes we saw then were idealistic or extremist movements, war-related disillusionment, and fervent nationalism.
I will also add that Neptune is currently at 28°in Pisces. When a planet is transiting a sign, it travels from 0° through 29°. In astrology speak, Neptune already has one toe dipped in Aries. So I am not surprised we are feeling the intensity of what I share with you below.
The first thing that came to mind with this transit was the crisis of masculinity and the rise of fascism.
Neptune in Aries will likely distort ideals of masculinity, heroism, and power. Men like Trump, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are harvesting the seeds that were planted around both topics with the rise of the #MeToo and #BLM movements.
With growing economic instability (look at the job market + play on tariffs), men (especially young men) could be drawn to hyper-masculine, militaristic identities—seeing themselves as warriors, protectors, or avengers. Think of the rise of the "alpha male" narrative, but on steroids—rejecting anything seen as "feminine" or "soft" in favor of brute strength, violence, and conquest. Just look at the latest news coming out of El Salvador and President Bukele. A prime example of this archetype.
The astrology is poised for young men who are already feeling “marginalized” to be recruited into paramilitary groups or “defense” militias. And after seeing the President of the US pardon those from January 6, it furthers the idea that these groups are “untouchable.” Making them more desirable and marketable.
Figures like Trump, Musk, and others will continue to fuel the idea that "real men" are being oppressed by feminism, diversity, and liberal values. Making way for “strongman” politics to flourish, as authoritarian leaders position themselves as the saviors of “traditional masculinity.” Corporations (remember who was standing behind Trump at his inauguration) will lean into this culture war, rewarding influencers who push hyper-masculine narratives.
Neptune in Aries will challenge traditional ideas of family, parenting, and gender roles, just like it did the last time, when single mothers, widows, and women took on new roles during the Civil War. It will transform how women and femmes define autonomy, leadership, and power. We will likely see a rise in polyamorous families, communal parenting, and chosen family models; as well as mutual aid and co-parenting networks forming as alternatives to the nuclear family.
Although Aries is martial, aggressive, and independent—historically associated with male warriors, we can expect a redefining of what being a “warrior” means for women and femmes due to Neptunes power of dissolving gender lines. This can look like a rise in militant feminist & queer movements, where more direct action against oppressive policies, especially in reproductive rights and bodily autonomy are taken. Women will create and invest in alternative economic models that benefit them. Neptune in Pisces (2012–2025) encouraged martyrdom and self-sacrifice. Aries won’t tolerate that. Instead we will get bolder and louder.
On the topic of war-related disillusionment, when the Civil War began in 1861, both the Union and Confederacy were filled with patriotic fervor. Young men eagerly enlisted, believing in glorious battles and quick victories—a very Aries trait. Politicians, newspapers, and everyday people romanticized the war as a noble cause. BUT for the first time ever, photographs of dead soldiers were being printed and widely circulated. Mathew Brady & Alexander Gardner’s war photography shattered illusions by showing unfiltered death and destruction. The public was horrified—this was not the heroic, honorable war they had imagined. We might see a version of this again, where tech (AI, drones, VR warfare) will make it feel “clean” and distant at first. But eventually the collective, including pro-MAGA supporters, will see that none of what was promised is actually valiant or righteous.
Okay, that was … intense, I know. But acknowledging the problems that are already knocking at our door can lead us to solutions.
So, how do we counter this?
First, we reclaim masculinity from the right. The left cannot afford to abandon discussions of masculinity or let the far-right define it. There needs to be an alternative vision of strength that values courage, emotional intelligence, accountability, and community-building over domination and control.
We expose the economic roots of male anger. Many men turning to fascism aren’t inherently evil—they are angry, alienated, and financially insecure. Instead of letting the right weaponize their pain, the left needs to highlight how capitalism, corporate greed, and billionaires like Musk and Trump are fucking them over. Labor movements & union organizing have been powerful spaces where working-class men rediscover masculinity through solidarity instead of domination.
We disrupt recruitment pipelines. Social media algorithms are radicalizing young men. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Discord funnel them from fitness content to misogynistic influencers to full-on neo-Nazi propaganda. There needs to be counter-recruitment efforts—youth programs, cultural interventions, and mentorship spaces that intercept this radicalization before it takes hold.
We need visible cultural figures who model a healthier, expansive version of masculinity—not performative allies, but people who embody strength in ways that don’t rely on oppression. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but preferably men who are charismatic and can keep a crowd via a screen (think Hasan Piker).
As fascist movements grow, so will violence against marginalized communities. Mutual aid groups will need to incorporate self-defense training, legal defense funds, and crisis response teams. Groups like the John Brown Gun Club could become more widespread. (Brown was a 19th-century abolitionist who was part of the Underground Railroad and helped create the League of Gileadites, which helped protect escaped enslaved people from slave catchers). The JBGC is a decentralized organization that, among many things, trains marginalized communities in self-defense.
The second thing that came to mind was climate driven migration and crisis.
Remember that Neptune rules oceans, and all things liquid, while Aries (ruled by Mars) governs fire, heat, and war—this combination could lead to many problems, from ice sheets and glaciers melting at an unprecedented rate to rising sea levels causing coastal cities to flood. We could see more frequent and severe hurricanes due to warmer ocean temperatures, and freshwater shortages as melting ice disrupts global water cycles. This can also translate to contaminated water issues. Add mega-droughts across North America, the Middle East, and Africa. Leading to massive wildfires like the one we just experienced in LA.
I know, I’m sorry to have to write any of this.
Neptune in Aries will blur the line between environmental crises, war, and ideology. Aries is the sign of action, battle, and conquest, while Neptune dissolves boundaries and creates confusion, idealization, and mass movements. When applied to climate disasters, this could lead to militarized or ideological responses in several ways.
Governments, especially in right-wing regimes, might use natural disasters to justify military crackdowns, emergency powers, and restrictions on civil liberties. We could see the National Guard and private security companies being deployed to control displaced populations rather than help them. Nations might respond to climate migration by militarizing their borders instead of addressing the root causes. We are already seeing what Trump is doing with ICE once more, and he doesn’t even believe in climate change.
The U.S. could face internal migration crises, similar to the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, where a series of severe dust storms occurred in the Midwest states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas. It was caused by a combination of natural and manmade factors, including drought, soil erosion, and the Great Depression. Thousands of people relocated west to California to find work and stability.
Neptune in Aries can fuel extreme ideologies around environmentalism, where people believe that force is the only way to address the crisis. We could experience a rise of eco-terrorist groups who use direct attacks on corporations, oil refineries, or infrastructure. And an increase in "climate nationalism"—where countries justify wars over resources like water, farmland, or energy.
So again, what can we do to counter ?
First, let’s work through our eco-anxiety. I know I have big feelings around this myself. The LA fires of January really did a number on my mental health, and I’m still working through those feelings via my writing. Joining a community like the Good Grief Network, which focuses on “helping people process collective distress from climate trauma and systemic injustice through peer support”, could be helpful.
We can also invest in underground networks for climate refugees—safe houses, legal aid, and support groups that can help people escape dangerous regions.
Seeing first hand the way people have shown up for each other in LA through the Palisades and Eaton fires, where a plethora of mutual aid networks were put in motion, was a reminder that we have each other. The next 14 years of Neptune in Aries are going to dissolve a lot of things that were already in decay (especially big systems like banking — although this is more about Saturn entering Aries), and we’ll have to invest in what keeps us grounded and clear headed through all the fall out.
Alright, now for the good that Neptune in Aries can bring us (gotta close this on a high note)
1. A New Era of Spiritual Warriors & Ethical Leadership
Neptune in Aries can birth a new type of warrior—not one of violence, but of purpose, courage, and ethics. This can look like:
People fighting for justice with deep moral conviction, blending spiritual beliefs with direct action (think MLK and Joan of Arc!).
More whistleblowers, rebels, and truth-tellers exposing injustice.
Politicians and organizers who actually put their values into action.
2. Innovation in Healing & Medicine
Neptune rules medicine, altered states, and healing, while Aries is about trailblazing innovation. Together, they can bring:
Plant medicines becoming more mainstream for treating trauma, depression, and PTSD (like Psilocybin, MDMA).
A return to martial arts, body-focused therapy, and movement-based healing practices (I joined the gym!).
Faster responses to injuries, new surgical techniques, and AI-assisted trauma care.
3. The Climate Calvary
If Neptune in Aries brings climate disasters, it will also bring fighters willing to stand up against environmental destruction. Something like:
More people willing to physically defend land, water, and ecosystems from corporate and governmental destruction.
Moving away from industrial farming and moving towards self-sustaining, community-led food production.
Massive global movements to stop water privatization, preserve access, and clean up pollution (because why tf is one bottle of water $5?).
4. A Renaissance of Bold Art & Culture
Aries is about raw expression, and Neptune fuels imagination. This could lead to:
Music, film, and literature that channel rage, resistance, and revolution (look at Chappell Roan’s Grammy’s speech).
Stories (written, on film, podcasts) that break away from outdated, hyper-masculine warrior myths and introduce new hero archetypes.
Consumers rejecting over-commercialized, AI-generated content in favor of work that is raw, imperfect, and real.
5. A Fire Under the Collective to ACT
Neptune in Pisces (2012–2025) made activism dreamy, idealistic, and often passive—lots of hashtags (remember the black squares?), but not enough action. Aries is different. Its anthem is ‘Knuck if you Buck’. We will see:
People taking matters into their own hands instead of relying on broken institutions.
New forms of organizing, governing, and problem-solving. We will have to be okay if it’s not perfect, the point is to try something new.
Less "love & light", more spiritual warriors engaging with the real world.
This new era, kicking off in March, will have us experience a battle between two versions of reality: one that glorifies conflict, dominance, and control and one that channels warrior energy into protection, innovation, and liberation. While governments and corporations may try to use these crises to tighten control and consolidate power, history shows that grassroots movements, decentralized networks, and radical imagination can create alternative futures.
And remember, if you are feeling overwhelmed about what is happening now or what might happen in the future, groups with built in strategies on what to do already exist, they just need us to support and amplify what they offer.
Check out Mobilize.us to get started.
We can let man made disasters be weaponized against us, or build a system where communities thrive despite it.
Big tight hug for now,
Yari B.
PS: In the next Practical Magic I will share a few spells for self-care, as well as a Healing Packet given to me during trumps last presidency.
This was so insightful, thank you!
Omg! This was so eye opening! Subscribed!