Pisces, The Fish

The Fishes shine one higher than the other, 

From each of them extends as 't were a band 

That fastens tail to tail, as wide it floats, 

And one star large and brilliant clasps its ends, 

The Heavenly Knot 't is called.

February 19 - March 20

Pisces is the twelfth sign of the zodiac and final sign in the zodiacal cycle. It is a mutable watery sign that arrives at the coldest and darkest time of the year. It is a time that is neither Winter nor Spring, a time to ready oneself for an entirely new cycle.  Pisces rules the twelfth house, that part of the zodiac that represents memories, secrets, matters that are hidden, dreams, and imagination. It is the seat of the unconscious.  It also rules over places of confinement such as prisons or monasteries. It is the key to everything that has gone before. Pisces can be otherworldly and spiritual or just plain escapist. It can be compassionate and artistic or lonely and confused.

The constellation of Pisces is located in an area of the sky known as 'the Sea' or 'the Water', which is full of water related constellations. The astrological symbol of Pisces is two fishes, a considerable distance apart, swimming in opposite directions, bound by a cord. According to legend, the fish represent the goddess Aphrodite and her son, Eros,  who had turned themselves into fish in order to escape from the monster Typhon. They then connected themselves together with a ribbon in order not to be separated.

Jupiter is the ancient ruler, now is a co-ruler with Neptune. Neptune was known to the Greeks as Poseidon, god of the sea, a brother of Jupiter and Pluto. As a water sign, Neptune is connected to artistic and spiritual inspiration, both of which are Piscean concerns. Neptune is also about everything that isn't quite real, both illusion and disillusionment. He is the poet and the dreamer. Jupiter, the benevolent, the largest of the planets, was the king of the gods. As co-ruler of Pisces, Jupiter is considered to be 'dignified' here. Simply put, this means there  is a basic harmony between the nature of that planet and the nature of the sign it falls in, thus signifying the strength it holds in the chart--weak or strong.  Jupiter's influence is humanitarian and broad in outlook and fits well with the selfless service of Pisces, who tries to work for the good of all. Jupiter gives Pisces its emphasis on wisdom and the deeper concepts of life.

The Babylonians, Syrians, Persians, Turks, and Greeks all regarded this star group as representing two Fishes. The Arabs called the Western Fish  'Al-Hut,' the Fish, and considered the stars in the Northern Fish as part of the constellation, Andromeda. In the olden days, Persians it was known as Mahlik and the Turks as Balik. The Babylonians called them  Nunu. The Syrians considered fish as holy animals and eating of fish was regarded as a sin. A Syrian myth tells of a large and mysterious egg appearing on the Euphrates river, where two fish named Aphros and Bythos brought the egg to shore and helped it hatch. Inside the egg was Astarte, the Syrian counterpart of Aphrodite. 

According to the Egyptians this sign denoted the approach of spring and the season for fishing. It is also claimed that the name of the Fishes was derived from the fact that, at the time when the sun entered Pisces, fishes were considered as fattest and most in season for use. According to Chaldean astrology, each sign represented a different nation. Pisces, the sign of the fish, represented Amurru, which included Syria and Palestine. 

In the Hebrew zodiac, Pisces was believed to represent the tribe of Simeon, and the Two Fishes were considered the national constellation of the Jews, as well as a tribal symbol. A fish was always the symbol of the early Christian faith, and the figure appears in many of the stained glass windows in the Christian churches of today. When each sign of the zodiac was assigned to one of the twelve Apostles, the Fishes were said to represent St. Matthias.

Pisceans are well known for being sensitive, emotional and artistic. Deeply sensitive, their moods are often affected by the moods of others around them.  They are very easily hurt, talented and temperamental.  The Sun in Pisces person is compassionate. Introspective and in tune with their surroundings, the Piscean may need to retreat and spend time alone to maintain their equilibrium. As a mutable sign, Pisceans have the ability to easily adapt to change. This trait can be both a strength because it is a survival mechanism, and a weakness because it makes them vulnerable to the demands and influence of other people.

With Neptune, the planet of escapism as its ruler, Pisces is one sign that can be drawn to alcohol or drugs all too easily, including over the counter drugs.  Hence, Pisceans must pay lose attention to their body's intolerance to toxic substances.

Technically, I was born under the sign of Aries, but I am not, what you would call a true Aries. My birth falls on the cusp of Pisces and Aries. (Cusps are the borders between the twelve astrological signs. You are considered to be 'on the cusp' if you were born within a day or two of the beginning or end of any sign). I've always considered myself more of a Piscean than anything else.  You'll rarely see the Fire in me, but my watery, emotional side is usually quite visible. Rather than shine in the spotlight I've always been more comfortable 'going with the flow', so to speak.  

Add a Cancer ascendant to this picture, and you have someone who has been over emotional throughout their life.  Was a time where I would cry at the drop of a hat.  Today I use all that pent-up emotion and sensitivity to heal, to help others release their pain.  Sometimes it can become overwhelming, and during many a session, I've shared a tear with my clients.  Tears are healing, for them as well as for me. Tears are associated with the Water element.

This month, along with my regular posts, I will be honoring the element of water....its spiritual and emotional connections, the water spirits, colors, crystals associated with this element, its deities.  Hoping you will all bear with me as I try something new.

We are born at a given moment, in a given place and, like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season of which we are born. Astrology does not lay claim to anything more. 

 -Carl Gustav Jung-