The Soul is the Middle Way as it stands between and mediates the primary polarity of life: Spirit and matter. The Soul therefore acts as an intermediary between the Essence of Life and its various forms of manifestation. Thus Soul provides the necessary channels through which consciousness may exteriorize and we may come to know ourselves. The grace of this knowing is that in the process, each of us comes to identify ourselves eventually as Divinity in manifestation. We learn this through the frequently painful process of transformation. We thus grow and develop until we finally realize that the quality of our consciousness, of our Soul, is Love. — A.O.
The principle duality of Pisces is reflected in its symbol: two semi-circles and a line that is drawn between them and a commonly used glyph for this sign reveals two fish connected by a rope or cord. Both of these representations signify the essential passion, suffering, and eventual redemption of humanity caused by the simultaneous attraction and separation of the Soul and the personality.
Pisces expresses the fact that until a very high initiatic level of consciousness is achieved, the struggle to fuse the lower and the Higher selves is always at work in our daily lives. The specific nature of this duality, as particularly expressed through Pisces, may be summarized through three fundamental principles:
Bondage or captivity: The Soul is imprisioned as it is intimately connected to form. It is not left free to experience its own nature without relating it to the outer life. Yet this has to be seen as an expression of the Law of Sacrifice, a cosmic Principle that in human terms leads to Grace. This sense of self-sacrifice comprises, for good or otherwise, an intimate dynamic in the character of the Pisces native. The word “sacrifice” comes from two Latin roots that mean “to make holy, to make whole.” In early stages of development, the Pisces individual is thus totally divided as the personality is not as yet under the magnetic control of the Higher Self. This comes at a later stage, one in which a fusion between the two Fish is becoming a reality and the pain of separation is giving way to the joy contained within a vision of Unity.
Renunciation or detachment: Until they realize the light and presence of this Unity, people who are born with either the Sun or rising sign in Pisces are very likely to be the victims of self-induced acts of personal sabotage. The urge is two-fold: 1) To release oneself from the burdens of the “weight” of responsibility that we all have in the material, every day world and as a result to “escape to heaven.” When immature, this urge to flee the world can take the form of drug use and other addictions. 2) To release oneself from the moral pressures that come from the realization of the incoming energies of the Soul. The urge here is to “escape from heaven” and release oneself from the inner pressure to grow and evolve. Thus orientation also leads to many serious forms of self-abuse. Humanity (as personality/matter) often has to reach its lowest point in order to begin its climb back to the Unity of the “Father’s House” (symbolized in soul-centered astrology as the exaltation of Neptune in Cancer). The presence of the Soul is the “light which ends forever the darkness of matter.” The rope or cord linking the two Fish is the Middle Way that allows Unity to replace duality. This cord has a name: the “antahkarana” (in Sanskrit) or the “Rainbow Bridge” as we tend to call it. This is the actual “Spiritual Path” that is formed by mind to link the Soul and the personality. Please remember that Mercury (mind) is the “Messenger of the Gods” and that its sign Gemini (II) in soul-centered astrology links opposites and does not cause dualities. The Fish’s rope, this Holy Thread, is held in the heart of the true spiritual warrior who goes forth into material life in order to do battle for the unfolding Purpose of Love.
Self-sacrifice and death: The Ancient Wisdom tells us that there is no such thing as death—there is only mutation and transformation of matter. This process allows for the release of consciousness for the evolutionary purpose of the Creator. Pisces teaches the lesson that when the personality is sacrificed (even through physical death), there is still a continuation of a life stream that carries us into the presence of the Soul and thus to an encounter with immortality. It is this transcendental sensibility that characterizes our more advanced Piscean brothers and sisters. The illusion of death as an ultimate state and the consequent fear of death (as well as the more generalized fears of loss or abandonment) are purified in the (baptismal) waters of Pisces. It is there that one dies only to the desires and karma that keep one on the wheel of rebirth. The promise of the Fish therefore is salvation from the never-ending turnings of the Mutable Cross.
The Age of Pisces is well known to us as the Age of the World Savior. It was (and in many ways, still is) an Age of religious duality (“good vs. evil”), religious fervor and intolerance (the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades, the current religious wars being fought in the Middle East), and religious fanaticism (suicide bombers). Yet there is hope! The Age of Aquarius is the age of humanity. Its promise is that the Soul, the Consciousness, of the World Savior will enter into and merge with the collective consciousness of humanity—and some of us already know that this promise can become a reality. As this Holy Sacrifice of the World Savior (in whatever name one wishes to call Him—Christ, Krishna, Mahdi, or Messiah), is sensed and perceived by the masses of people, an Age of peaceful, global cooperation will become possible. Will this happen? There are many groups and individuals working diligently towards this end. This great ideal only can occur as more of us recognize the Inner Light of Unity and live our lives accordingly.
Now let’s take a look at the meaning of the planets when they are in the sign of the Fish in the natal horoscope:
Sun: The Sun in Pisces produces individuals of many sizes and shapes, but there are two types that seem to predominate: the dolphin and the whale. It is obvious that the whale-Pisces tends to be a large person both in terms of physical stature and emotional self-expression. This means that very often, such Pisces natives will have a distinct lack of boundaries. As they swim through life they frequently encounter situations in which they feel invaded by others and others feel invaded by them (although in terms of the latter, the Pisces-Whales would plead total innocence). The Pisces-Whale is not the most comfortable creature on land (Earth, the material life). She often moves about with considerable awkwardness as if looking for the right direction in which to swim. She is basically a gentle soul (unless really aggravated!), one whose emotional turbulence is beneath the surface of her often massive physical and/or emotional body. (Please remember that although some Pisces-Whales may be small on the outside, they are always huge on the level of their feelings.)
The Pisces-Dolphin is the epitome of agility, grace, and intelligence. The dolphin is the dancer, the musician, the artist, and sometimes the mystic. The dolphin used to be a land mammal and this species of Pisces has not forgotten how to swim outside of the waters of her imagination and dreams, usually doing quite well on both land and sea (even though there is a distinct preference for the latter).
All people with the Sun in Pisces require freedom of movement and are incredibly sensitive to any kind or confinement either real or imaginary. And yet, it is Pisces who feel the most alienated of all the signs, often imposing regular periods of “disappearance” and self-induced retreat and retirement. It is frequently the case that when you are with a Pisces they are either so close to you as to be inside of you or totally off somewhere, swimming on a totally different current of their own inner ocean.
Moon: This lunar placement gives a distinct tendency to universal compassion and understanding. The Moon in Pisces may easily lead an emotionally and spiritually mature individual into some form of humanitarian or charitable work. It is also a lunar position that is frequently found in the horoscopes of psychologists, massage therapists, and other types of healers. The senses are also quite heightened with the Moon in this position. It is no wonder then that the Moon in this sign is a significator for artists, film makers, musicians, actors, and interior decorators. When afflicted or if the individual is not emotionally mature, this position may indicate one who is too sensitive and empathetic. It may thus indicate that the person experiences the world around her too intimately, causing the need for periodic withdrawals from people. To an undisciplined personality, the Moon in Pisces can easily contribute a definite state of continual emotional chaos, one in which the forms of emotional response to life are in constant motion. The key to success here is a one-pointed focus on some aspect of devotion such as to one’s belief system balanced by a clear and objective mind. In this case, the Moon in Pisces works out very well in the life of someone who has the Moon in good aspects with Saturn and/or Mercury.
Mercury: On the level of the personality, this position can be somewhat troublesome as it makes logical thinking and precision of thought quite difficult. Yet it is a wonderful placement for a writer of fiction, poet, or film maker. If in good aspect with a mental planet (such as Uranus or Saturn), especially in Capricorn or in a fixed sign (Taurus or Scorpio), positive returns are likely in the areas of research, strategy or diplomacy, physics, or laboratory technology. In some cases (such as that of Edgar Cayce), it can give rise to a highly developed psychic nature.
Venus: As its exaltation sign, this position tends to bring a distinctly compassionate nature into the relationship life. There is a definite identification with the oppressed and a distinct sympathy for those in need. The appreciation for music, beauty and the arts is often distinctly present in life, often leading to professions in this area (especially if Taurus or Libra is on the 6th or 10th house cusp). Yet some people with this position find that they are continually searching for new sensual experiences leading them into a rather promiscuous and emotionally unfulfilled lifestyle. In the life of a soul-centered individual, this position requires that Love must conquer all divisions and oppositions. In essence, such individuals become “Teachers of Love/ Consciousness.”
Mars: On the level of the personality, this may not be the easiest position for Mars (nor for the person with Mars in Pisces in the natal chart!). The natural martial drive for self-assertion is often expressed inconsistently and with lack of cohesive direction. There is a tendency to allow one’s desires to be the cause for action. In some cases, Mars in Pisces leads to blind, idealistic, and romantic devotion, the consequences of which are chaotic. There are some individuals with this placement who have learned how to use Mars in Pisces to focus on many fronts simultaneously and they are thus excellent strategists who are at their best when functioning from clandestine positions. The sexual nature is strongly linked to the emotions and in some cases, there can be an excessive sensual self-indulgence leading to many personal difficulties.
Jupiter: This is one of the best sign placements for Jupiter as it allows the person to be open and interested in all forms of religious and philosophical studies. It also contributes to a broad, compassionate and universal life perspective helping to produce an individual of great faith and spiritual resourcefulness. When afflicted or in the horoscope of the emotionally immature, Jupiter in the sign of the Fish can easily tend to extraordinary sensual self-indulgence. This would be especially the case should Jupiter in this sign be square or opposed to Venus, then we have the personification of the “live for today” mentality. In other cases, Jupiter afflicted in this sign can produce a “spiritual wanderer or exile,” a person who is never “at home” in any religion or spiritual path. This is thus the type of individual who feels a very deep spiritual calling but can never quite clearly hear the “voice” who is making the call..
Saturn: This is a rather challenging sign for Saturn: Pisces is the sign of the infinite ocean while Saturn is the planet of finite limitations. Unless otherwise mitigated by good aspects from other planets, especially Mercury or Uranus (in which case this position is excellent for scientific endeavors), Saturn in the Fish is a combination that creates walls and barriers without logical explanation. One may feel on the verge of being continuously trapped or restricted without any outside indication of same. Yet on the Soul level, Pluto (esoteric ruler of Pisces) joins with Saturn to pierce the veils of illusion that block the passage of consciousness into the material world. Thus this individual is capable of uncovering many of the subconscious problems and fears that plague humanity and once uncovered, destroy and transmute them.
Uranus: The last time Uranus was in Pisces was between 1920 and 1927. This was the time of the rise of militaristic fascism in Japan and Italy as well as the beginning of the terrors produced by Germany. It was a period in which idealistic, religious and political doctrines replaced all common sense and compassion. The same can be said (although the countries are different) for the period of the current passage of Uranus through this sign (2003-2010). The revolutionary zeal of Uranus is made even more excessive when placed in the sign of the Fish and expression on the level of the personality both by individuals and nations. Yet on the level of the Soul, the Consciousness of the World Savior can be infused into the collective consciousness of humanity through the various activities of men and women of Goodwill all over the planet.
Neptune: The next appearance of this combination is from 2012-2025. The last time it occurred coincided with the end of slavery (ruled by Pisces) in this country during the Civil War. It is quite obvious that from the Soul level, this Neptune in Pisces can produce a great many lovers and saviors of our planet from the ranks of humanity—and it appears that we are in desperate need of such individuals to arise. Could this be the “army” of the World Savior that emerges without having to burn anyone in the fires of self-righteous political or religious fundamentalism or impale anyone on the swords of martial Christianity or Islam? Is it possible that a generation will be born that may embody a living devotion to the indwelling Love Principle of the Soul? Or will Neptune in Pisces only augment and exacerbate an already overburdened humanity plagued by intolerance, exclusivity, and devotional fanaticism? We shall soon see…
Pluto: This position spans the middle of the twenty-first century and will be experienced as a trine to the Pluto-in-Scorpio generation born from 1984-1996. I can only hope that the soul-centered relationship between Pluto, Scorpio and Pisces bears its most conscious fruit. We are taught that death in Scorpio leads to the resurrection of the indwelling Christ Principle of love/consciousness in the sign of the Fish. The promise here (and it is only a promise!) is for the actualization of the Soul-in-Man itself to appear. On the level of human consciousness, this means that this placement of Pluto can bring out the best from the Pluto-in-Scorpio generation. It may also see the birth of certain individuals who will be eager and ready to continue within the humanitarian context of the Aquarian Age, the Work of the One Who is Love incarnate. It is, at the very least, a lovely thought and a soul-centered aspiration on the part of your writer who himself has Venus in Pisces.
|
