It’s Pisces season – time to reflect and recalibrate our goals

Another year on our astrological calendar is coming to an end. Mystical Pisces season designates the last stop on the Zodiac wheel, before changing over to spring babe, Aries, next month.

Some spiritual types view this time of year as one for reflection and New Year’s resolutions in preparation for the Spring Solstice. If that’s you, or if you’re getting sky-curious about astrology, or if you’ve already abandoned your January resolve to get in shape for that marathon and need a reset, then we can all use the next few weeks to turn on “Auld Lang Syne” and recalibrate our goals for the upcoming astrological New Year.

If, however, queuing up that heartbreaking tune in February feels too bracing, then another strategy is just to go with the flow of Pisces season. That’s more in line with this sign’s nature, whose symbol is the Fishes. In the end, it’s about surfing for Pisces, not charging forth, like we see with Aries (the Ram), for example.

In terms of modality and element, Pisces is our mutable water sign. This tends to make Pisceans super empathetic and compassionate. One thing to be aware of this season could be absorbing the sorrows of the world more. If you’re feeling extra sensitive to the plight of people, places, or things, that has something to do, astrologically, with the influence of Pisces in our lives.

Yet, because Pisces is mutable, we could also find ourselves moving on from a sense of world-sorrow to hope, to joy, to disappointment, to curiosity, to morbid fascination, etc. Remember our image of surfing: the Fishes are always catching different mood-waves.

In terms of its ruling planets, Pisces has two, namely dreamy Neptune and expansive Jupiter. Neptune, the Sea God, rules the Unseen and the Unconscious. Jupiter, likewise, relates to religiosity, and spirituality, but also excess.

These two energies bequeath their sign with an otherworldly valence, such that Pisceans seem to dwell fundamentally elsewhere. We might be less connected to humdrum demands over the next few weeks: appointments not met, schedules forgotten, beaches visited, poetry read instead of work memos.

Pisces season dates of note

If this mystical, aquatic dreamworld is the general vibe of Pisces, there are nonetheless a few particular transits to help guide our navigation. To wit:

Just after the Sun enters the Fishes, it is followed forthwith by a New Moon there on February 20th. If you are interested in penning your astrological New Year’s resolutions, this would be the best date of the month to start writing them down in a journal of some sort.

Likewise, on February 20th, Venus moves out of Pisces, where it is exalted, and into brash and rash Aries, where it loses dignity. Love and romance might feel more tawdry around this date. Venus likes things soft and sweet. Aries hard and fast. You get the picture.

On March 2nd, another planet, Mercury (the Messenger), also loses dignity, as it shuttles into Pisces. Mercury is both in its “fall” and “detriment” here. Whereas Pisces is slower, watery, and directionless, Mercury likes to move quickly. Around this date, you could feel like the world is moving at summer’s pace, with important messages not being delivered or received.

The biggest date of the year to look out for is March 7th, when grim Saturn finally moves out of Aquarius and into Pisces. Saturn takes a few years to pass through each sign, so whenever it does, we should take note. Saturn was at “home” in Aquarius for the past three years, but it won’t be as comfortable as a house-guest in Pisces. Expect some awkward dinner conversation energy around this date, as sign and planet get to know each other.

And then, what about St. Patrick’s Day? On March 16th, Venus leaves Aries (bad placement) and enters Taurus, a sign it rules (great placement). So, the night before Paddy’s betokens nice romance – comfy and stable, with Venus at home.

On March 17th, Mercury enters fiery Aries. This is transit for rowdy talk and drinking pints. Luckily we have the whole weekend to recover this year!