Dates: February 19–March 20
Element: Water
Polarity: Yin
Quality: Mutable
Symbol: Fish
Ruler: Neptune, Jupiter
Pisces is the last water sign and the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac. She is a mutable sign, ushering in the spring season. In astrology it is said that Pisces marks the end of the individual personality and the beginning of the return to spirit. The intangible, feeling world is Pisces’s home, rather than the everyday material world. She is sensitive and psychically tuned in, seesawing between compassionate care for others and the tendency to always have her head in the clouds.
Pisces is one of the most spiritual signs. Her symbol is the two Fish tied together, and in many depictions one fish is above the water and in the light of day, while the other is under the sea and in darkness. Pisces’s imagination and artistic abilities come from these underwater depths. Emotional sensitivity is the hallmark of all water signs, but in Pisces it is especially acute. Pisces needs more rest and downtime than other signs do. Reality is often too abrasive, and she needs to recoup her energies often to stay happy and balanced.
In ancient times when astrologers first began observing the stars, there were only seven planets visible but twelve zodiac constellations. At that time Pisces was ruled by Jupiter, who is also Sagittarius’s ruler. Jupiter is called the Greater Benefic, and both Pisces and Sagittarius are blessed by his protection. The bountiful generosity of Jupiter and the desire to help humanity is part of the Piscean nature. In 1846 the planet Neptune was discovered, and after observation, astrologers assigned this misty planet as Pisces’s second ruler. Mist is a good metaphor for Pisces, who enjoys an inner world where there is a constant pink haze of emotion and creativity.
Neptune is also a planet that symbolizes spiritual hopes and dreams. In ancient mythology Neptune (known as Poseidon in Greek) was the god of the sea. The symbol for the planet Neptune in astrology is similar to the trident Neptune carried. Navigation in ancient times was precarious, and the changeable nature of Neptune held the fate of sailors in his hands. Would they reach dry land or be cast adrift into the depths? Such uncertainty could also be applied to Pisces. There is something elusive and a bit absentminded about Pisces that can be very endearing, yet some may feel they don’t quite understand her. If Pisces is in touch with her soul’s purpose and evolvement, she understands compassion more than any other sign does. If Pisces is adrift, however, then she tends to languish in her sensitivities and desires. These tendencies are also symbolized by the two Fish: one reaching upward toward the outside world, and the other downward, toward dreams and the inner self.
As a mutable sign, Pisces is flexible and goes with the flow. Instead of making a decision, Pisces may say “whatever.” Decisions will creep up on her before she realizes what she is going to do. This passive approach has some drawbacks for her self-care: it may be too easy for her to float along, rather than guide the ship. Typically, Pisces also has trouble with time schedules. She rarely wears a watch and has to be in the rhythm of something before she can get to appointments on time.
The first action in self-care for Pisces is to create comfort, order, color, and cleanliness in her home. Pisces is a natural at organization; this may be her way of creating a world on dry land that feels secure and controllable. Pisces can easily become overwhelmed by oceans of feelings, so knowing exactly where everything is soothes her.
A facet of the Pisces character that may be counterproductive to good self-care is that she can be easily swayed by the opinions of others. Unless she was raised with good nutrition and health habits, she takes a while to understand that taking care of herself requires effort and planning. She is particularly lax about eating regularly and though she is a water sign (and many water signs tend to prefer salty over sugary flavors), she can develop quite a sweet tooth. Additionally, Neptune, Pisces’s ruler, also rules all drugs and alcohol. Any of the signs can have a tendency toward overindulgence, but Pisces’s sensitivity and desire to retreat from the world can lead her to seek solutions or comfort in alcohol or other vices.
A far better way for Pisces to handle life’s stresses is through a commitment to natural and alternative health practices. The first step is to straighten out her diet and fill in any holes in her vitamin or nutrient needs with supplements. Self-care regarding diet is necessary for everyone, but due to Pisces’s especially sensitive system, she needs to take special care in good nutritional habits.
Another essential self-care practice for Pisces is to set aside “space out” time. This can be with music, meditation, or a walk in the country, or by coloring abstract designs in a coloring book. Pisces needs a controllable place to go for relaxation. While some signs flourish when spending a lot of their time socializing, Pisces quickly runs out of steam. To recoup her energies, she needs to be alone and in an unchallenging environment.
Pisces usually enjoys exercise as long as the surroundings are pleasant. She does well in sports because she has a natural sense of rhythm. Water sports are a great activity for her. She also enjoys horseback riding and aerobic dance, which also involve rhythm. In fact some of the greatest ballet dancers throughout history have been Pisces. Tai chi and gentle martial arts also appeal to her. Exercise such as this is where Pisces can effortlessly go with the flow.
Psychological self-care is also crucial for Pisces. Learning to articulate her feelings, such as through visits with a therapist, helps her move those feelings from silent worry to a definitive problem she can then solve. A sympathetic therapist who is in tune with Pisces’s sensitivity will ensure counseling has a good effect.
Pisces rules over the feet. As the sign most connected to spirituality, Pisces needs her feet to be healthy in order to stay grounded on the earth. Comfortable shoes are a number one self-care item. For a Pisces woman, high heels are the enemy; eventually her feet will suffer long-term effects. Choose comfort over glamour, and consider orthotics if your feet are especially prone to soreness.
A weekly foot rub is a very good self-care practice for Pisces. She should also consider trying reflexology. Targeting specific organs in the body through different pressure points on the feet, reflexology is a simple practice that can ease many aches, pains, and negative emotions. Pisces should also pamper her feet with regular pedicures. The goal here is for Pisces to feel as comfortable on the ground as she does in the imagination.
A potential pitfall to Pisces’s continuing self-care is her forgetfulness. Pisces just might forget what her program is, or become lost in a poem until hours have passed and she has missed dinner. A beeper clock or watch, or a special alarm on a smartphone, is a great solution. Pisces can also get a lot of use out of a smart watch that can be programmed to send out reminders. Besides keeping Pisces on schedule, a smart watch can keep track of how much of her time was spent doing certain things that day. This will help orient Pisces and give her an idea of how her daily schedule is working out.
A second pitfall to good self-care is dependence on drugs or alcohol. Ruled by Neptune, Pisces is prone to indulgence that can turn into dependence. She should be very mindful of how much she drinks, et cetera. By keeping track of this, she will be able to understand how often she turns to these substances and why. Working with a doctor can also be helpful if Pisces feels she is unable to determine whether she is using drugs or alcohol responsibly. The tendency to overuse drugs or alcohol is not due to a weakness in Pisces’s character. In fact it is the strength of her sensitivities in a world that does not always value feelings that can push Pisces toward these substances. By using her own sensitive feeling mechanism, Pisces can discover better ways to manage and express her individuality.
Lastly, for Pisces who are actively involved in caretaking professions such as nursing, social work, or counseling, it is easy to become overinvolved with other people’s problems. Not only is Pisces an effective caregiver, but she also absorbs the energies of the person she is working with, which depletes her own energies over time. Learning to release the lingering thoughts and feelings after work ensures that Pisces practices the self-care that she preaches to others.
Pisces offers the final gift of the zodiac with her compassion and service to others. When Pisces learns that serving herself can magnify her ability to both help others and feel good all around, she provides a perfect model of self-care for friends and family. So let’s take a look at some restorative self-care activities designed especially for you, Pisces.