Both stations in Aries
Neptune retrograde
July 2026.
Neptune stations retrograde at 4°25′ Aries on July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC and stations direct at 1°37′ Aries on December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC. Pre-shadow begins March 16, 2026 at 08:55 UTC, the opposition is September 26, 2026 at 01:36 UTC, at 3°00′ Aries, and post-shadow ends April 2, 2027 at 19:00 UTC.
Dates below are UTC, to the minute.
Station dates
The five moments of the July 2026 Neptune cycle. Both stations are in Aries. The retrograde lasts 158 days.
| Phase | UTC | Your time | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow starts | Mar 16, 2026 · 08:55 | UTC only | — |
| Station retrograde | Jul 7, 2026 · 10:55 | UTC only | 4°25′ Aries |
| Opposition (opposite the Sun) | Sep 26, 2026 · 01:36 | UTC only | 3°00′ Aries |
| Station direct | Dec 12, 2026 · 22:18 | UTC only | 1°37′ Aries |
| Post-shadow ends | Apr 2, 2027 · 19:00 | UTC only | — |
The opposition is the minute Neptune stands opposite the Sun in ecliptic longitude, in the middle of the retrograde. Around it Neptune rises at sunset and is up all night. How these are timed.
Signs and degrees
Neptune retraces 2°48′ of the zodiac: it stations retrograde at 4°25′ Aries and backs up to 1°37′ Aries before it stations direct. The whole loop stays in Aries. Neptune first reaches 1°37′ Aries on March 16, 2026, 113 days before the station, and clears 4°25′ Aries again on April 2, 2027, 111 days after it turns direct: 382 days on these degrees in all. The opposition falls on day 82 of 158, at 3°00′ Aries.
The last Neptune retrograde station in Aries before this one was July 4, 2025 at 21:34 UTC, at 2°11′ Aries. The next one is July 9, 2027 at 22:41 UTC, at 6°40′ Aries.
What to do in each phase
| Phase | Dates | Traditional focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow | Mar 16, 2026 – Jul 7, 2026 | Pin down plans while the details still look sharp. |
| Retrograde | Jul 7, 2026 – Dec 12, 2026 | Check assumptions; a good time for rest, art and reflection. |
| Opposition | Sep 26, 2026 · 01:36 | Neptune at opposition: closest to Earth this year. |
| Post-shadow | Dec 12, 2026 – Apr 2, 2027 | Act on what became clear. |
Compared with the previous cycle
| July 2025 | This cycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Station retrograde | Jul 4, 2025 · 2°11′ Aries | Jul 7, 2026 · 4°25′ Aries |
| Station direct | Dec 10, 2025 · 29°22′ Pisces | Dec 12, 2026 · 1°37′ Aries |
| Signs | Aries → Pisces | Aries |
| Length | 159 days | 158 days |
| Retrograde arc | 2°49′ | 2°48′ |
Neptune moves direct for 209 days between the two retrogrades. This one lasts 158 days, 1 day shorter than the July 2025 cycle, and its retrograde station sits 2°14′ further along the zodiac than the previous one.
Other planets retrograde at the same time
Between July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC and December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC, 6 other planets are retrograde for at least part of the time:
- Mercury in Cancer, Jun 29, 2026 to Jul 23, 2026
- Mercury in Scorpio, Oct 24, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026
- Venus in Scorpio and Libra, Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 14, 2026
- Saturn in Aries, Jul 26, 2026 to Dec 10, 2026
- Uranus in Gemini, Sep 10, 2026 to Feb 8, 2027
- Pluto in Aquarius, May 6, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026
Questions
When is Neptune retrograde in July 2026?
Neptune stations retrograde at 4°25′ Aries on July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC and stations direct at 1°37′ Aries on December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC. Pre-shadow begins March 16, 2026 at 08:55 UTC, the opposition is September 26, 2026 at 01:36 UTC, at 3°00′ Aries, and post-shadow ends April 2, 2027 at 19:00 UTC.
When does the July 2026 Neptune retrograde end?
Neptune stations direct on December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC, at 1°37′ Aries, and post-shadow ends April 2, 2027 at 19:00 UTC.
When is the Neptune opposition in this retrograde?
The opposition is September 26, 2026 at 01:36 UTC, at 3°00′ Aries.
How long is this Neptune retrograde?
158 days from station to station in UTC calendar days, from July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC to December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC.
What sign is Neptune retrograde in, July 2026?
In Aries: both stations fall in the same sign, at 4°25′ Aries on July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC and at 1°37′ Aries on December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC.
When is the shadow of the July 2026 Neptune retrograde?
Pre-shadow runs 113 days, from March 16, 2026 at 08:55 UTC to the retrograde station; post-shadow runs 111 days, from the direct station to April 2, 2027 at 19:00 UTC. With the shadow, the cycle spans 382 days.
How does this Neptune retrograde compare with the previous one?
The previous one, July 2025, ran from July 4, 2025 at 21:34 UTC to December 10, 2025 at 12:24 UTC and lasted 159 days; this one lasts 158 days. Neptune moves direct for 209 days in between.
When was Neptune last retrograde in Aries?
The last Neptune retrograde station in Aries before this one was July 4, 2025 at 21:34 UTC, at 2°11′ Aries. The next one is July 9, 2027 at 22:41 UTC, at 6°40′ Aries.
Which other planets are retrograde during the July 2026 Neptune retrograde?
Between July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC and December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC: Mercury in Cancer, Jun 29, 2026 to Jul 23, 2026, Mercury in Scorpio, Oct 24, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026, Venus in Scorpio and Libra, Oct 3, 2026 to Nov 14, 2026, Saturn in Aries, Jul 26, 2026 to Dec 10, 2026, Uranus in Gemini, Sep 10, 2026 to Feb 8, 2027, and Pluto in Aquarius, May 6, 2026 to Oct 16, 2026.
What should I do during this Neptune retrograde?
From July 7, 2026 at 10:55 UTC to December 12, 2026 at 22:18 UTC: Check assumptions; a good time for rest, art and reflection.
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