Pisces: Traits and Personality

Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and, in astrology, the one that carries a little of all the others. The Sun moves through Pisces from about February 19 to March 20, the end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, when one cycle closes and the next is about to begin. A mutable water sign, Pisces is ruled by Neptune in modern astrology and by Jupiter in the older tradition, and it lives through empathy, imagination and intuition.

The symbol of Pisces is two fish swimming in opposite directions, a picture of a sign pulled between dream and reality. Astrology describes Pisces as gentle, creative and deeply compassionate.

Strengths

• Compassion. Pisces feels with people, not just for them, and offers comfort without judgment.
• Imagination. Music, art, stories and dreams come naturally to Pisces.
• Intuition. Pisces often senses what is happening before anyone explains it.
• Adaptability. Pisces flows around obstacles rather than crashing into them.
• Kindness. Pisces gives people the benefit of the doubt and a second chance.

Weaknesses

• Escapism. When life gets hard, Pisces may retreat into daydreams or distractions.
• Weak boundaries. Absorbing everyone else's feelings can leave Pisces drained.
• Indecision. Seeing every possibility makes it hard to commit to one.
• Idealizing people. Pisces may see the best in someone long after the evidence says otherwise.

Pisces in love

Pisces is one of the most romantic signs of the zodiac. It loves with its whole heart, notices a partner's moods, and expresses affection through tenderness, creativity and devotion. Pisces is drawn to emotional and even spiritual connection, and it can make a partner feel truly understood.

The lesson for Pisces in relationships is to keep its own shape. Saying no, stating needs clearly and seeing a partner as they really are protect the love Pisces gives so freely.

Pisces at work

Pisces shines where empathy or imagination is the core of the job: the arts, music, film, writing, design, care and therapy, teaching, hospitality and charity work. It brings creativity and a gentle, healing presence to any team.

Harsh competition and rigid structure drain Pisces. It does best with meaningful work, a supportive environment and a colleague who helps with deadlines and practical detail.

Pisces compatibility

Astrological compatibility starts with the elements and the distance between two signs. These are the traditional pairings for Pisces; any real relationship depends on the two people in it.

• Pisces and Aries: neighbors who can balance each other: Aries gives direction, Pisces gives gentleness.
• Pisces and Taurus: a tender, romantic match: Taurus offers a safe harbor, Pisces brings imagination.
• Pisces and Gemini: a square of two mutable signs, imaginative and changeable. Clear plans help both.
• Pisces and Cancer: two water signs with deep emotional understanding and care for each other.
• Pisces and Leo: romance and generosity, balanced between Leo's directness and Pisces's sensitivity.
• Pisces and Virgo: opposite signs, imagination and order. They complete each other when both give a little.
• Pisces and Libra: gentle and idealistic; both love harmony, and someone has to make the decisions.
• Pisces and Scorpio: an intense, intuitive water match, devoted and emotionally deep.
• Pisces and Sagittarius: a square of two dreamers, both traditionally ruled by Jupiter. Inspiring, and in need of a plan.
• Pisces and Capricorn: a supportive pairing: Capricorn brings structure, Pisces brings softness and vision.
• Pisces and Aquarius: neighbors with two kinds of idealism, emotional and rational; kind and imaginative together.

Read the Pisces horoscope for today or learn more about the water signs.

Questions about Pisces

What are the Pisces dates?

The Sun is in Pisces from about February 19 to March 20. The exact start and end shift by up to a day from year to year; the zodiac sign calculator checks them for your birth year.

What is the ruling planet of Pisces?

Neptune in modern astrology, linked with imagination, dreams and compassion; Jupiter in traditional astrology.

What is the opposite sign of Pisces?

Virgo. Both are mutable signs; Pisces brings imagination and acceptance, Virgo order and detail.