Neptune in the astrological context represents the collective conscious mindset of a generation. Neptune stays in a sign roughly 14 years. While Neptune has not been discussed much in Vedic/Jyotish writings, modern Western astrologers have given much importance to the outer planets(Uranus,Neptune,Pluto). The reason that it wasn't given much importance in the classics is simply because the outer planets were especially hard to follow... somehow it worked out perfectly for the craft... as imo dual ownership of signs works much better than using the outer planets as house lords in a persons chart. Still though I think of them as being important, as I sort of view them as being higher octaves of the inner planets(Neptune being Jupiter, Uranus being Saturn, Pluto being Mars). In Western Astrology Neptune is given the lordship of Pisces, which I do feel resonates with the planet very well. Still though, there is something far less personal about the outer planets and something far more collective.
Exaltation in Western astrology differs from source to source. Some say that it is exaltation in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn. Others say it is exalted in Leo and debilitated in Aquarius. I believe the latter, though I will just flat out say that Neptune does horrible in Saturn signs. This is due to the universal/collective mindset being fixated on hyper-real/external themes. In Capricorn, society becomes fixated on everything with status. It is a period where people generally worship celebrities, and accept their role as being plebian bystanders.
In Aquarius however, society becomes hyper connected and dogmatic. It as if society spent so much time watching the rich and famous parade around, that they want to bring every single individual to the same level. There is something quite paradoxical and incomprehensible Neptune's transit through here. For every bit of progress towards bringing everyone to the same level an annoyance occurs, and even more progress has to be made. Neptune in Aquarius cannot fundamentally accept that people are different, and so badly wants to accept that everyone is different, yet it is always in the terms of Saturn's rigid purifying ideals. For example, a person is overweight. Group A says to the person that they are fat and need to lose weight. Group B comes along and says that they shouldn't be discriminatory towards people with problems that are obviously causing their weight issues. Group C thinks calling this a problem is discriminatory as all bodies are beautiful. Group D says that being discriminatory against discrimination is a form of discrimination and hence supports Group As right to free speech. Group E(perhaps one the previous groups) rejects this and says that people have a right to act against the things that they deem offensive. This goes on and on... until you get to a point where society pretty much wants to rip it's own skin off. Society is pretty much like a computer running hot right now. Eventually it will burn itself out, as Neptune goes from Aquarius into Pisces... which marked the start of the Civil War, where in Pisces society breaks down and dissolve
Exaltation in Western astrology differs from source to source. Some say that it is exaltation in Cancer and debilitated in Capricorn. Others say it is exalted in Leo and debilitated in Aquarius. I believe the latter, though I will just flat out say that Neptune does horrible in Saturn signs. This is due to the universal/collective mindset being fixated on hyper-real/external themes. In Capricorn, society becomes fixated on everything with status. It is a period where people generally worship celebrities, and accept their role as being plebian bystanders.
In Aquarius however, society becomes hyper connected and dogmatic. It as if society spent so much time watching the rich and famous parade around, that they want to bring every single individual to the same level. There is something quite paradoxical and incomprehensible Neptune's transit through here. For every bit of progress towards bringing everyone to the same level an annoyance occurs, and even more progress has to be made. Neptune in Aquarius cannot fundamentally accept that people are different, and so badly wants to accept that everyone is different, yet it is always in the terms of Saturn's rigid purifying ideals. For example, a person is overweight. Group A says to the person that they are fat and need to lose weight. Group B comes along and says that they shouldn't be discriminatory towards people with problems that are obviously causing their weight issues. Group C thinks calling this a problem is discriminatory as all bodies are beautiful. Group D says that being discriminatory against discrimination is a form of discrimination and hence supports Group As right to free speech. Group E(perhaps one the previous groups) rejects this and says that people have a right to act against the things that they deem offensive. This goes on and on... until you get to a point where society pretty much wants to rip it's own skin off. Society is pretty much like a computer running hot right now. Eventually it will burn itself out, as Neptune goes from Aquarius into Pisces... which marked the start of the Civil War, where in Pisces society breaks down and dissolve