Everything You Need to About the Pisces Personality

A Pisces is basically a mermaid in a bathtub drinking a glass of red wine. (That way, they keep both their halves wet.) They are dreamy, glamorous and otherworldly. As the last sign of the zodiac, they represent the culmination of every other sign’s karmic evolution, and thus they are the hardest to define. Pisces energy is all about breaking down the barriers between people, reality and dreams, so they resist definition. But that doesn’t mean we won’t try to break down the basics below.

Your sun sign: Pisces.

Your element: Water. Water is the element of our emotions, and signs in this family tend to be unusually perceptive when it comes to what’s unspoken. Water signs are often deep, complex individuals with high levels of emotional intelligence. While they can be dramatic and volatile, they are also some of the most nurturing, warm and creative signs in the zodiac…at least once you’re in their good graces.

Your quality: Mutable. Mutability is the principle of mediation between phases. It’s change itself, and the signs under this modality fall at the end of a season, preparing for the change. All mutable signs are dual in nature, as their power is to interpret, translate and carry meaning between other parties.

Your ruling planet: Neptune. The god of the ocean is mighty and terrifying. Neptunian allure is powerful, and when this planet transits your chart, he casts a dreamy haze over that part of your life. He’s the higher octave of Venus, so he takes the elements of love and beauty and elevates them to heights of intoxicating glamour. Neptune can make you see other worlds, so you might feel a little disconnected from reality. If you can keep your feet on the ground, you usually gain valuable insights and connect to new parts of yourself (and others).

Your symbol: The fish.

Key phrase: “I believe.”

Your one-word mantra: “Solid.” (See all the other zodiac signs’ mantras.)

Best traits: Pisces aren’t just brilliant—they are emotionally brilliant, and their imaginative powers are unparalleled in the zodiac. Their creativity can literally change the world and inspire others to unlock their own potential. Unlike Aquarians, who know they are right and are waiting for you to realize it too, Pisces are adept at persuading the heart alongside the mind. They are the ultimate influencers (to borrow a modern concept) and never need to posture to win admiration. Their magic is 100 percent real and cannot be replicated, no matter how many try.

Worst traits: Because the nature of Pisces is to dissolve boundaries, it can be difficult for them to assert their own. Their capacity for empathy is so large, they absorb the feelings and priorities of others like a sponge (empath much?). But by the time they realize they haven’t asked for what they need, it’s too late, and their mood can turn on a dime. At their worst, they can give in to extremes, and having the imaginations that they do, it’s easy for them to escalate a small misunderstanding into an epic struggle. Because they are prone to deceiving themselves, they can easily lie to others too.

Best careers: As the visionaries of the zodiac, Pisces tend to do well in artistic or humanitarian fields. They are often visual artists, musicians, fashion designers, nonprofit organizers, politicians or even religious leaders. Because they believe so strongly in whatever they do, they inspire others as well, and they can inspire loyalty from followers or fans throughout generations.

As a friend: Pisces friends are natural healers, and there is no better shoulder to cry on when you just need to unload. They give the best advice, even if they don’t have direct experience with the problem in front of them. Their wisdom, imagination and empathy combine to make them absolute experts, and their perspective is highly sought after. Not only that, but they are also the ultimate cool-without-trying-to-be, and they somehow always know the best music, plays and TV shows before they become ubiquitous. Still, Pisces are never snobs; they are happy to share their prescient good taste with anyone in their inner circle.

As a parent: Pisces parents are Ph.D.s in moody temperaments, and they tend to intuitively understand how to manage them (because they are often the moodiest people they know). That insight makes them particularly equipped to raise children through those difficult middle years. They will impose high standards, because Pisces can be perfectionists, but they will always have their kids’ backs—and their kids will know it too.

As a partner: Pisces are devoted partners, and they tend to easily fall into caretaking roles. While they can be introverted and slow to warm up to large groups of people, they love staying up all night talking to their mates. As the sign of glamour, they can be infinitely alluring, even after decades of being together. Pisces are deep and complex, and to their partners, it may feel like they are always on the cusp of knowing them completely. It doesn’t matter that they’ll never get there, because the fun is in the trying.

Secret traits no one realizes: The archetype of Pisces is dreamy and fluid, so it’s often shocking when they come at you with hard analysis. But don’t sleep on the sharpness of a Piscean mind; they are visionaries, remember, which means they see things no one else can. You may never see their feedback coming, but you’ll realize later it was spot-on.

Kiki O’Keeffe is an astrology writer in Brooklyn. You can sign up for her newsletter, I Don’t Believe in Astrology, or follow her on Twitter @alexkiki.

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