Both stations in Aries
Neptune retrograde
July 2028.
Neptune stations retrograde at 8°54′ Aries on July 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC and stations direct at 6°06′ Aries on December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC. Pre-shadow begins March 20, 2028 at 07:53 UTC, the opposition is September 30, 2028 at 02:48 UTC, at 7°29′ Aries, and post-shadow ends April 6, 2029 at 20:58 UTC.
Dates below are UTC, to the minute.
Station dates
The five moments of the July 2028 Neptune cycle. Both stations are in Aries. The retrograde lasts 158 days.
| Phase | UTC | Your time | Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow starts | Mar 20, 2028 · 07:53 | UTC only | — |
| Station retrograde | Jul 11, 2028 · 13:04 | UTC only | 8°54′ Aries |
| Opposition (opposite the Sun) | Sep 30, 2028 · 02:48 | UTC only | 7°29′ Aries |
| Station direct | Dec 16, 2028 · 20:44 | UTC only | 6°06′ Aries |
| Post-shadow ends | Apr 6, 2029 · 20:58 | 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 8°54′ Aries and backs up to 6°06′ Aries before it stations direct. The whole loop stays in Aries. Neptune first reaches 6°06′ Aries on March 20, 2028, 113 days before the station, and clears 8°54′ Aries again on April 6, 2029, 111 days after it turns direct: 382 days on these degrees in all. The opposition falls on day 82 of 158, at 7°29′ Aries.
The last Neptune retrograde station in Aries before this one was July 9, 2027 at 22:41 UTC, at 6°40′ Aries. The next one is July 14, 2029 at 02:10 UTC, at 11°08′ Aries.
What to do in each phase
| Phase | Dates | Traditional focus |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow | Mar 20, 2028 – Jul 11, 2028 | Pin down plans while the details still look sharp. |
| Retrograde | Jul 11, 2028 – Dec 16, 2028 | Check assumptions; a good time for rest, art and reflection. |
| Opposition | Sep 30, 2028 · 02:48 | Neptune at opposition: closest to Earth this year. |
| Post-shadow | Dec 16, 2028 – Apr 6, 2029 | Act on what became clear. |
Compared with the previous cycle
| July 2027 | This cycle | |
|---|---|---|
| Station retrograde | Jul 9, 2027 · 6°40′ Aries | Jul 11, 2028 · 8°54′ Aries |
| Station direct | Dec 15, 2027 · 3°51′ Aries | Dec 16, 2028 · 6°06′ Aries |
| Signs | Aries | 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 2027 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 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC and December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC, 4 other planets are retrograde for at least part of the time:
- Mercury in Libra, Sep 19, 2028 to Oct 11, 2028
- Saturn in Taurus, Aug 22, 2028 to Jan 5, 2029
- Uranus in Gemini, Sep 19, 2028 to Feb 16, 2029
- Pluto in Aquarius, May 9, 2028 to Oct 19, 2028
Questions
When is Neptune retrograde in July 2028?
Neptune stations retrograde at 8°54′ Aries on July 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC and stations direct at 6°06′ Aries on December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC. Pre-shadow begins March 20, 2028 at 07:53 UTC, the opposition is September 30, 2028 at 02:48 UTC, at 7°29′ Aries, and post-shadow ends April 6, 2029 at 20:58 UTC.
When does the July 2028 Neptune retrograde end?
Neptune stations direct on December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC, at 6°06′ Aries, and post-shadow ends April 6, 2029 at 20:58 UTC.
When is the Neptune opposition in this retrograde?
The opposition is September 30, 2028 at 02:48 UTC, at 7°29′ Aries.
How long is this Neptune retrograde?
158 days from station to station in UTC calendar days, from July 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC to December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC.
What sign is Neptune retrograde in, July 2028?
In Aries: both stations fall in the same sign, at 8°54′ Aries on July 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC and at 6°06′ Aries on December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC.
When is the shadow of the July 2028 Neptune retrograde?
Pre-shadow runs 113 days, from March 20, 2028 at 07:53 UTC to the retrograde station; post-shadow runs 111 days, from the direct station to April 6, 2029 at 20:58 UTC. With the shadow, the cycle spans 382 days.
How does this Neptune retrograde compare with the previous one?
The previous one, July 2027, ran from July 9, 2027 at 22:41 UTC to December 15, 2027 at 09:07 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 9, 2027 at 22:41 UTC, at 6°40′ Aries. The next one is July 14, 2029 at 02:10 UTC, at 11°08′ Aries.
Which other planets are retrograde during the July 2028 Neptune retrograde?
Between July 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC and December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC: Mercury in Libra, Sep 19, 2028 to Oct 11, 2028, Saturn in Taurus, Aug 22, 2028 to Jan 5, 2029, Uranus in Gemini, Sep 19, 2028 to Feb 16, 2029, and Pluto in Aquarius, May 9, 2028 to Oct 19, 2028.
What should I do during this Neptune retrograde?
From July 11, 2028 at 13:04 UTC to December 16, 2028 at 20:44 UTC: Check assumptions; a good time for rest, art and reflection.
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