Pisces Constellation Esoteric Symbology

 The zodiac sign of Pisces (19 February – 20 March) is symbolised by the Fishes.

Pisces occupies a significant place within the wheel of the year, symbolising the transition from winter's quiet introspection to the awakening of spring's vitality. As the twelfth and final sign of the zodiac, Pisces embodies the culmination of a cycle, representing both endings and beginnings.

In the Northern Hemisphere, Pisces aligns with the final weeks of winter, a time when nature begins to stir. It serves as a bridge between the depths of winter's hibernation and the burgeoning life of spring. This period encourages reflection, introspection, and spiritual renewal as we prepare to emerge from the darkness into the light.

Pisces' influence encourages us to delve deep into the recesses of our subconscious, confronting unresolved emotions and embracing the wisdom gained from past experiences. It invites us to surrender to the flow of life, trusting in the unseen currents that guide us toward our true path.

Symbolised by two fish swimming in opposite directions, Pisces embodies duality and the interplay of opposing forces. It reminds us of the delicate balance between the conscious and unconscious mind, the material and spiritual realms, and the individual self and the collective consciousness.

As we swim through the waters of Pisces season, we are called to embrace empathy, compassion, and unconditional love. It is a time for forgiveness and healing. Through acts of kindness and selfless service, we can align with the higher vibrations of Piscean energy, transcending the limitations of the ego and connecting with the divine within ourselves and others.

Pisces heralds the approach of the vernal equinox, a time of rebirth, renewal, and the emergence of new life. It invites us to release the old and make way for the new, trusting in the inherent wisdom of nature's cycles.

As we bid farewell to Pisces and welcome the arrival of spring, we carry with us the lessons learnt and the blessings received during this introspective and transformative time. With hearts open and spirits renewed, we can look forward to the promise of growth, expansion, and infinite possibilities that lie ahead.

Pisces is located in the northern celestial hemisphere between Aquarius to the west and Aries to the east. Pisces is often depicted as two fish tied together by a cord, swimming in opposite directions.

While the astrological sign Pisces per definition runs from elliptical longitude 330° to 0°, this position is now mostly covered by the constellation of Aquarius, due to the precession from when the constellation and the sign coincided. Today, the First Point of Aries, or the vernal equinox is in the Pisces constellation.

There are no prominent stars in the constellation, with the brightest stars being of only fourth magnitude. One star in the constellation, Alpha Piscium, is also known as Alrescha which comes from  Arabic, meaning "the well rope," or "the cord." It is a binary star system, consisting of two stars orbiting each other.

The Pisces constellation contains several deep-sky objects catalogued by Charles Messier, including the spiral galaxies M74 and M77. These galaxies are relatively faint and require a telescope to observe. In the direction of Pisces lies a mysterious gravitational anomaly known as the Great Attractor. It is a gravitational focal point in space that influences the motion of galaxies within our cosmic neighbourhood.

Within the Pisces constellation, there is a dwarf galaxy known as the Pisces Dwarf. It is a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, located about 80,000 light-years away from Earth. There are two meteor showers associated with Pisces: the Piscids and the Pegasids. These meteor showers occur annually and are visible from Earth during specific times of the year.

The glyph represents two fish swimming in opposite directions which shows the fluid nature of the sign.

"Pisces" is the Latin word for "Fishes". It is one of the earliest zodiac signs on record, with the two fish appearing as far back as c. 10,000 BCE in India where various images have been found carved into rocks at Ratnagiri, and c. 2300 BCE on an Egyptian coffin lid.

Later the Indus Valley civilisation used fish to symbolise the divine source of life. Fish that resemble the ichthys with little fins or wings can be seen on many Indus Valley seals. They appear to represent the soul of ancestors, connecting the idea of fish with the afterlife and the gods.

This connection is also found in the Nommo, the ancestral spirits of the Dogon who we met briefly in Gemini Myths. The Nommo were described as amphibious fish-like creatures and were depicted with human bodies and a fish-tail. They were the first beings to be created by the sky god Amma, who sacrificed one of them and dismembered his body, scattering the parts around the world.

As mentioned before this was an allegory for the Serpent Bloodline who visited these tribes to impart them with knowledge. When arriving on boats on the horizon, it seemed like they were floating down from the sky, and they had evolved from aquatic apes, and spent a lot of time in the water and on the water in their boats, which is why they are associated with merman and mermaid type creatures. The dismembering of his body parts is an allegory for when our tribes mixed our genes with that of land apes and spread their genes all over the globe.

In Serbia, statues and figurines of river goddesses have been found in a settlement called Lepenski Vir. Dated between 9,500 and 6,000 BCE, it’s described as the first city in Europe which thrived on the banks of the Danube River where the people fished. The egg-shaped statue is called ‘Foremother’ and may represent a primaeval Mother goddess, dating to c. 7,000 BCE. She has a fish-like mouth and stands about half a metre high and was built into the stone floor of a house shrine.

The Piscean is seen as the most balanced of all the signs. This is why the two fishes are often shown in a yin-yang formation. The fish facing upwards away from the ecliptic is swimming towards the heavens or is seeking spiritual illumination. The other fish swims along the ecliptic, concerning itself with material matters.

Pisces is used to represent the Goddess much further back into the past because of its association with the Vesica Piscis. The curved H of the Pisces symbol converts into the Vesica Piscis when the curved sides are crossed to the opposite side of the central arm. Vesica Piscis means ‘bladder of a fish.’ This is derived from the intersection of two circles and represents the joining of two worlds: the divine and the human. The symbol represents the Great Mother goddess. It stands for the yoni, the entrance to the womb, which is also the entrance to the afterlife or spirit world.

Pisces is also sometimes represented as two dolphins, mermaids, whales and other sea mammals, and the dove. Non-animal symbols include wine and the vine. The Pisces being the most watery of all water signs, the sea is its domain.

In esoteric astrology, Venus was considered the ruler of Pisces, and prior to the discovery of Neptune in 1846, Jupiter was said to rule Pisces. Neptune is mostly considered the ruling planet of Pisces today because of its association with the Roman god of water and the sea, Neptune. The detriment, or the sign "opposite" to that which is deemed the ruling planet, is Mercury. Venus is exalted in Pisces, and Mercury falls in Pisces.

Many Christian symbols for Christ use the astrological symbol of Pisces, the fish. The figure Christ himself bears many of the temperaments and personality traits of a Pisces, and is thus considered an archetype of the Piscean. We are currently in the age of Pisces, once this age is over Jesus will no longer be the God of the age. Moreover, the twelve apostles were called the "fishers of men," early Christians called themselves "little fishes," and a code word for Jesus was the Greek word for fish, "Ikhthyes". With this, the start of the age, or the "Great Month of Pisces" is regarded as the beginning of the Christian religion. Saint Peter is recognized as the apostle of the Piscean sign.

Pisces has been called the "dying god," where its sign opposite in the night sky is Virgo, or, the Virgin Mary. When Jesus was asked by his disciples when the next Passover would be, he replied to them:

Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a water bearer pouring out water from a pitcher... follow them into the house where they entereth in.

—Jesus, Luke 22:10

This coincides with the changing of the ages, into the Age of Aquarius, as the personification of the constellation of Aquarius is a water bearer pouring out water from a pitcher, the water representing enlightenment for the people in the new age.

In Greek mythology, Pisces is often associated with the story of Aphrodite and Eros. According to one version of the myth, the goddess Aphrodite and her son Eros were pursued by the monster Typhon. To escape, they transformed into fish and tied themselves together with a cord. Zeus, impressed by their bravery, immortalized them by placing them among the stars as the constellation Pisces.

Typhon, the "father of all monsters" had been sent by Gaia to attack the gods, which led Pan to warn the others before himself changing into a goat-fish and jumping into the Euphrates. A similar myth, one which the fish "Pisces" carry Aphrodite and her son out of danger. Another myth is that an egg fell into the Euphrates river. It was then rolled to the shore by fishes. Doves sat on the egg until it hatched, out from which came Aphrodite. As a sign of gratitude towards the fishes, Aphrodite put the fish into the night sky. Because of these myths, the Pisces constellation was also known as "Venus et Cupido," and "Veneris Mater," the latter being the formal Latin term for mother.

The Greek myth on the origin of the sign of Pisces has been cited as an example of the fables that arose from the original astrological doctrine, and that the original intent of it was afterwards corrupted both by poets and priests.

Later on, the myth evolved again and the Ichthyes were re-imagined as Aphros and Bythos, the fish-tailed Ichthyocentaurs, or sea-centaurs, who brought Aphrodite to shore after she was born from the sea foam.

The ruler of Pisces is Neptune (for Romans) or Poseidon in Greece. Poseidon was originally an earthy fertility god and only later became associated with the sea. His other domains included earthquakes, floods, drought, and horses. Dolphins were his sacred animal and he was depicted with a trident on a chariot pulled by two hippocampi – horses with a fish-tail. He was known as the ‘husband of Earth’, in other words, the consort of the Mother goddess, which gives us a clue as to what happened.

In Mycenaean inscriptions, Poseidon is sometimes referred to in the feminine as Posedeia. She was the personification of the saltwater ocean. Amphitrite gave birth to the seals and dolphins, and ruled the sea with the Nereids – until Zeus gave dominion of the sea to his brother, Poseidon, and she was demoted to wife status.

Nereids belong to the category of Undines, elemental beings, or nymphs, associated predominantly with water. This group encompasses mermaids, naiads, and other female figures. Nereids specifically are sea nymphs often found in the company of Amphitrite and Poseidon, and are commonly depicted alongside dolphins and hippocampi. Generally beneficial to sailors, Nereids contrast with other undines who may be less reliable. Naiads, for example, are freshwater nymphs with a tendency towards jealousy, posing a potential danger. Bound to their specific bodies of water, they perish if their source dries up.

Undines, though human-like in appearance, lack human souls, necessitating marriage to a human for immortality. However, such unions typically end tragically for the mortal partner, as infidelity results in their demise. Committing to an undine lover entails accepting the prospect of a watery fate.

In Babylonian mythology, the constellation Pisces was depicted as a bird and a fish connected by a cord. The bird was known as ‘The Swallow’ and followed the line of the ecliptic, while the fish swam upwards. Together they were known as ‘The Tails’ or the ‘Tail of the Swallow.’ and were associated with the goddess Anunitum, also known as the Lady of the Heaven. She was often depicted as a fish goddess or mermaid and was revered for her protective and nurturing qualities.

The bird symbology comes from a Syrian myth. The story which is much like the Greek one tells of two fish who found an egg in the Euphrates and pushed it onto the land. A dove settled on the egg and it hatched, and out came Astarte, the Syrian version of Ishtar. In another version, the goddess who emerged from the egg was Atargatis.

Atargatis was the Syrian fish goddess of water and fertility and was also often depicted as a mermaid. Fish and doves were her sacred animals, and she had a son called Ichthys who was also a fish. She was worshipped with ecstatic rites by priests who did violence to themselves, like biting or cutting their own arms. They also castrated themselves and dressed as women.

In Hindu mythology, the constellation Pisces is associated with the Matsya Avatar, the first incarnation of the god Vishnu. According to the myth, Vishnu took the form of a fish to save the world from a great flood. He guided King Manu's boat to safety and later retrieved the Vedas, the sacred texts of Hinduism, which had been lost in the flood.

In Chinese mythology, Pisces is often associated with the legend of the Carps Leaping over the Dragon Gate. According to the myth, carp that successfully leap over the Dragon Gate waterfall are transformed into dragons. This symbolizes perseverance, determination, and the attainment of success against all odds.

Various indigenous cultures around the world have their own interpretations of the Pisces constellation. For example, in some Native American traditions, Pisces is associated with fish that bring messages of wisdom and guidance to those who listen.

Pisces is the compassionate mystic and dreamer of the zodiac. Symbolized by the two fish swimming in opposite directions yet bound together, Pisces embodies empathy, intuition, and the transcendence of earthly boundaries. Ruled by Neptune, the planet of spirituality and imagination, Pisces channels the ethereal energies of creativity, intuition, and spiritual awakening.

Pisces symbolizes the journey of spiritual evolution—the dissolution of the ego and the merging of individual consciousness with the divine whole. Like the fish swimming in the boundless ocean of consciousness, Pisces invites us to transcend the limitations of the material world and unite with the infinite cosmic flow.

Corresponding to the human body, Pisces governs the feet, lymphatic system, and pineal gland—areas rich in symbolic significance within esoteric teachings. The feet, symbolic of the connection to the earth and the divine, represent the pathway to spiritual liberation. It is through the feet that we ground ourselves in the present moment, anchoring our consciousness in the physical realm while remaining open to the higher realms of spirit.

The lymphatic system, symbolic of purification and detoxification, represents the cleansing of the body-mind-spirit complex. Like the gentle flow of the ocean tides, the lymphatic system removes toxins and negative energies, purifying the vessel and preparing it for spiritual transformation.

The pineal gland, symbolic of spiritual insight and higher consciousness, represents the gateway to the divine. Located at the centre of the brain, the pineal gland is regarded as the seat of the soul and the connection point between the physical and spiritual dimensions. It is through the activation of the pineal gland that we awaken to our true nature as spiritual beings, transcending the illusions of the material world and uniting with the divine source of all creation.

In esoteric lore, Pisces is associated with the dissolution of ego boundaries and the merging of individual consciousness with the cosmic ocean of consciousness. It is through the energies of Pisces that we surrender to the flow of divine grace, allowing ourselves to be guided by intuition, empathy, and spiritual insight.

Through the energy of Pisces, we can embrace the path of spiritual surrender and divine union, to dissolve the ego's illusions and awaken to the truth. As we honour the esoteric essence of Pisces, we recognize the sacredness of our journey—the eternal quest for unity, love, and transcendence in the boundless ocean of cosmic consciousness.

Cancer Constellation Esoteric Symbology

The zodiac sign of Cancer (21 June – 21 July) is symbolised by the Crab.

Cancer corresponds to the period between Litha (the summer solstice) and Lughnasadh (also known as Lammas), marking the transition from the height of summer to the beginning of the harvest season. As the sun reaches its peak and begins its descent, Cancer symbolizes a time of introspection, nurturing, and connecting with family and community.

Cancer is a relatively faint constellation located in the northern celestial hemisphere. It lies between Gemini to the west and Leo to the east. Its brightest stars form a distinctive pattern resembling a backwards question mark or a crab. The constellation of Cancer is often associated with a crab due to its resemblance to the creature.

The brightest star in Cancer is Beta Cancri, also known as Al Tarf or Tarf. It is an orange giant star located around 290 light-years away from Earth. Other notable stars in the constellation include Delta Cancri (Asellus Australis) and Gamma Cancri (Asellus Borealis).

One of the most famous deep-sky objects within the constellation of Cancer is the Beehive Cluster, also known as Messier 44 or M44. This open cluster contains hundreds of stars and is visible to the naked eye under dark skies. It is located near the centre of the constellation.

The glyph represents a woman’s breasts which show the nurturing qualities of the sign.

In Greek mythology, Cancer is linked to one of the Twelve Labours of Hercules. During his battle with the Hydra, a multi-headed serpent-like creature, Hercules was aided by the goddess Hera, who sent a giant crab to distract him. Hercules crushed the crab under his foot, and Hera immortalized it by placing it among the stars as the constellation Cancer.

In Hindu mythology, Cancer is known as "Karkata" and is associated with the story of Daksha, a mythical king. According to legend, Daksha's daughter, Sati, immolated herself in a sacrificial fire after her father insulted her husband, the god Shiva. In grief, Shiva danced the cosmic dance of destruction, known as the Tandava, causing chaos. To calm him, Vishnu dismembered Sati's body, and her parts fell to Earth. Daksha is said to have been reborn as a crab, symbolizing regeneration and rebirth.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Cancer was not associated with a crab but with the scarab beetle, an emblem of transformation and renewal. The scarab beetle, often depicted rolling a ball of dung, represented the Sun's daily journey across the sky and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Chinese mythology also features stories about the Cancer constellation. One legend tells of a Crab-General who served the Jade Emperor, ruler of heaven. The Crab-General was tasked with protecting the heavens but was eventually punished for causing trouble. As a result, he was banished to the bottom of the Milky Way, where he transformed into the Cancer constellation.

Indigenous Australian cultures also have interpretations of the stars. Some Aboriginal groups see the Cancer constellation as a crab, while others perceive it as a water rat. These interpretations often vary among different Aboriginal tribes, each with its own unique oral traditions and stories.

Cancer is the nurturing guardian of the zodiac, embodying the essence of home, family, and emotional security. Symbolized by the crab, Cancer retreats into its protective shell, shielding itself and those it loves from life's tumultuous currents. Ruled by the Moon, the celestial luminary of intuition and emotions, Cancer channels the ebb and flow of the tides, guiding us through the depths of the subconscious.

Cancer energy grapples with a mother complex, it fundamentally reflects an innate longing to rediscover the divine feminine essence. This inclination often manifests as a quest for external sources to provide nurturing and a sense of belonging. However, true emotional security and rootedness can only be cultivated from within. The crucial shift lies not in regressing backwards but in moving forward toward recognizing one's intrinsic divine nature.

Beyond its surface traits, Cancer holds a profound esoteric significance. At its core, Cancer symbolizes the journey of the soul—the quest for emotional fulfilment and spiritual nourishment amidst the ever-changing tides of existence. Like the crab navigating the shoreline, Cancer allows us to delve into the depths of our psyche, exploring the hidden realms of memory, intuition, and ancestral wisdom.

Corresponding to the human body, Cancer governs the chest, breasts, and stomach—a region rich in symbolic significance within esoteric teachings. The chest serves as the sanctuary of the heart, the seat of our deepest emotions and most cherished memories. It is here that we hold the imprints of our past experiences, the echoes of our joys and sorrows, and the tender yearnings of our soul.

The breasts, symbols of nurturing and nourishment, embody the maternal instinct of Cancer—the impulse to protect, nurture, and sustain life. Like the moon's gentle embrace, the breasts offer solace and comfort, providing a source of sustenance and security to those in need.

In esoteric lore, the stomach is regarded as the centre of emotional digestion—the crucible where our experiences are assimilated, transformed, and integrated into the fabric of our being. It is here that we confront our deepest fears, heal our emotional wounds, and cultivate a sense of inner peace and equilibrium.

Through the energy of Cancer, we are called to honour the sacred rhythms of the soul—to embrace the healing power of emotional vulnerability, to cultivate compassion and empathy for ourselves and others, and to create a sanctuary of love and belonging within our own hearts.

As we align ourselves with the esoteric essence of Cancer, we recognize the sacredness of our emotional landscape—the wellspring of our intuition, the cradle of our deepest longings, and the gateway to our spiritual evolution. In nurturing the tender tendrils of our soul, we discover the true meaning of home—a sanctuary of love, acceptance, and belonging that resides within the depths of our own being.

Taurus Constellation Esoteric Symbology

The zodiac sign of Taurus (21 April – 21 May) is symbolised by the Bull.

Taurus aligns with the season of Beltane, a festival celebrated in early May in the Northern Hemisphere. Beltane marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and is associated with the height of spring and the blossoming of life.

The brightest star in the constellation of Taurus is Aldebaran, also known as Alpha Tauri. Aldebaran is an orange giant star located approximately 65 light-years away from Earth and serves as the "eye" of the bull.

Within the constellation of Taurus lies the Hyades star cluster, one of the closest open clusters to Earth. The Hyades is easily visible to the naked eye and forms the V-shaped head of the celestial bull.

Taurus is also home to the famous Crab Nebula (Messier 1), a supernova remnant located approximately 6,500 light-years away. The Crab Nebula is one of the most studied and photographed objects in the night sky, representing the remnants of a massive stellar explosion observed by Chinese astronomers in 1054 AD.

The glyph represents the bull’s head which shows the determination of the sign.

The Taurus constellation, with its iconic image of the bull, has inspired myths and legends across various cultures throughout history.

The constellation was recognised during the Palaeolithic, as shown by cave paintings at Lascaux which date to around 15,000 BCE.

The dots positioned above the depiction of the female aurochs at the centre are thought to symbolize the Pleiades, commonly known as the Seven Sisters, a star cluster within the constellation of Taurus. For the ancient hunters who crafted these images, the Pleiades held significance in the seasonal patterns of the aurochs, potentially aiding them in marking important dates of their calendars.

Even more ancient is the Venus of Laussel, dating back approximately 25,000 years. Carved into limestone in the Dordogne region of France, this artefact portrays a curvaceous nude female figure holding a bull horn adorned with 13 notches. These notches represent the number of moon cycles in a year, suggesting that this may be one of the earliest lunar calendars. Initially utilized for tracking human fertility cycles, it later served as a guide for agricultural activities such as crop planting.

In ancient Sumerian mythology, the constellation of Taurus is often associated with the myth of the Bull of Heaven. According to the epic of Gilgamesh, the goddess Ishtar sends the Bull of Heaven to wreak havoc upon the earth as punishment. However, the hero Gilgamesh and his companion Enkidu slay the bull, leading to a series of adventures and ultimately Enkidu's demise.

One of the most famous myths associated with Taurus comes from Greek mythology and involves the abduction of Europa by Zeus in the form of a bull. According to the myth, Europa, a Phoenician princess, was gathering flowers when she encountered Zeus disguised as a magnificent white bull. Enchanted by his beauty, Europa climbed onto his back, and Zeus carried her away to the island of Crete, where they became the parents of Minos, the legendary king.

Taurus is also linked to the myth of the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. In this myth, King Minos of Crete commissions the construction of a labyrinth to house the Minotaur, which he feeds with human sacrifices. Theseus, the Athenian hero, eventually enters the labyrinth and slays the Minotaur, freeing the people of Athens from its tyranny.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the constellation of Taurus is associated with Hathor the cow-headed goddess of motherhood, love and joy, and her fertility cults predate the dynastic kings of Egypt. She was connected to the earth but was also a sky goddess and was associated with the Milky Way, along with the goddess Nut. Her son was the deity Apis, a sacred bull worshipped as a symbol of fertility, strength, and resurrection. Apis was believed to be the earthly manifestation of the god Ptah and was revered as a divine intermediary between the gods and humanity. Hathor also had the Seven Hathors, usually depicted as seven cows, sometimes with a bull. These relate to the Pleiades.

Bull worship, particularly the veneration of Nandi, holds significant importance in Hinduism. Nandi is the sacred bull that serves as the divine vehicle and gatekeeper of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The practice of bull worship is rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures and has evolved into various rituals and traditions over time.

The bull is revered in Hinduism as a symbol of power, fertility, and righteousness. Nandi embodies these qualities and is revered as a divine being. His association with Lord Shiva represents the harmonious relationship between the spiritual and the earthly realms, as well as the inseparable bond between the deity and his devotee.

Bull worship extends beyond religious practices and holds cultural significance in many parts of India. In regions where agriculture is prevalent, bulls are revered as symbols of agricultural prosperity and are honoured during festivals.

Taurus is a steadfast anchor amidst the ever-changing currents of the cosmos. Symbolized by the enduring bull, this earthy sign embodies stability, security, and sensual indulgence. Governed by Venus, the planet of love and beauty, Taurus exudes an aura of tranquillity and material abundance.

Beyond its earthly pleasures and tangible comforts, Taurus holds a deeper esoteric significance. At its core, Taurus represents the divine principle of manifestation—the alchemical process through which spirit is transmuted into matter. Like the fertile soil awaiting the seed, Taurus is the fertile ground where dreams take root and aspirations come to fruition.

Corresponding to the human body, Taurus governs the throat and neck—an area of profound importance in esoteric teachings. The throat chakra, situated in this region, is the bridge between thought and expression, facilitating the flow of communication and creativity. Just as Taurus is associated with steadfastness and determination, the throat chakra empowers us to articulate our truth with conviction and integrity.

In esoteric lore, the neck is often regarded as the conduit through which the divine breath of life animates the physical form. It is here that the sacred sound of creation resonates, shaping our reality and harmonizing our being with the cosmic symphony of existence.

Like the bull ploughing the fertile earth, Taurus asks us to cultivate our inner landscape, nurture the seeds of our aspirations, and embody the divine essence within. Through the energy of Taurus, we are reminded of the sacredness of embodiment—the profound gift of experiencing the divine through the senses and the physical form.

As we honour the esoteric essence of Taurus, we embrace the timeless wisdom of the bull—the steadfastness of purpose, the reverence for the earth, and the unwavering commitment to growth and evolution. In aligning with the cosmic rhythm of Taurus, we discover the power of manifestation, the beauty of simplicity, and the profound truth that abundance flows effortlessly when we attune ourselves to the rhythms of the universe.