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February 19 - March 20

Basic Personality

Pisceans are sometimes described as the poets and dreamers of the Zodiac, but they are more complex than this. They seem to be drawn on the one hand by the desire to make a valuable contribution in the concrete world, particularly in the service of others, and yet they keep returning to the inner world of their sometimes idealistic and always fertile imaginations. This duality is suggested by the symbol for Pisces, the two fishes that appear to be swimming in opposite directions. Some astrologers see the playing out of this duality as a serious flaw in the Piscean personality, and focus on the need for Pisceans to 'face up to their responsibilities' in the 'real' world, especially that of developing their potential. However, the dual nature of Pisceans may be described more fruitfully as a tension of opposites. The two fishes that comprise the symbol for Pisces are often depicted as being connected by a cord, suggesting a 'tethered fluidity' concerning the twin aspects of the Piscean's personality. Thus, although they appear disconnected at times from the everyday world, the cord suggests they are still attached and simply slip or 'swim' easily between their two worlds.

Traditionally, Jupiter was Pisces ruling planet, but after Neptune was discovered in 1846, astrologers agreed that it was fitting that this new planet be given the rulership of Pisces. This was because of its 'watery' influence and its associations with cloudiness and unreality, associations that relate to only one of the two major aspects of the Piscean personality. In adverse conditions the imaginative side of the Piscean personality can undoubtedly draw the individual away from everyday life, clouding their objectivity and seducing some into complacency, others into pure escapism, so that they do not develop their creative or practical potential. However, most Pisceans seem to divide their time between their two worlds in such a way as to maintain a high degree of psychological health, although most do seem to struggle to reach their full creative potential. Generosity towards others and the desire to contribute in some way to their well-being, draws them back again into the concrete world after time spent in more introverted pursuits, which may include meditation, yoga, and tai chi, or reading, writing or just dreaming.

In intimate relationships, most Pisceans are more romantically and sentimentally inclined than they are passionate. They could be described as having a desire to merge with their partner, to 'lose themselves' in the act of love. Neptune may influence them towards an over-sensitivity, especially in intimate relationships, and something that they consider a slight or lack of consideration, the partner may consider a triviality, which may cause emotional upheavals. Or there could be problems if the partner is more inclined by temperament to enjoy adventurous romps or sexual experimentation, than a focus on romance. Generally, however, their partners enjoy the attention lavished upon them by the romantic affection of the Piscean, attentions that continue to be expressed in other ways outside the bedroom.

The Piscean desire to become one with the partner, is echoed in a proclivity to merge with the world around them, to return to the Garden of Eden, as it were, to be at one with the creation, where everything was in perfect harmony. This is echoed in their usually peaceful natures. Along with the symbol for Pisces, the metaphor of Eden can provide an alternative explanation for the duality of the classic Piscean personality - it is as though the Piscean 'remembers Eden' and keeps returning, only to be expelled again, called back each time into the world by necessity. This proclivity is, it seems,more an innate desire to be at one with everything and everyone, rather than to avoid being in the spotlight, although many Pisceans are shy. The greatest challenge for the Pisces individual is to learn to focus when a decision needs to be made, when circumstances become difficult, or when a natural tendency to worry tempts them to escape into the inner world of the imagination.