These people are natural seekers, but lack concentration and directness. Physically restless and mentally inattentive, they are strongly influenced by Venus, which is exalted in this sign, and seemingly by the Moon as well. Indeed, Pisces appears to be the most feminine and receptive of all the signs of the zodiac. It is the weakest in its response to material and intellectual affairs. As one of the so-called “double signs”, it often displays divided interests. In particularly weak examples, this almost amounts to an absence of moral character.
In general, the native with Pisces rising receives almost every impression that comes his way. He not only reflects these impressions like a mirror, but absorbs them like a sponge. His subconscious mind, typically Neptunian in nature, seems to have no conception of ordinary, everyday morality. For such people, truth is simply whatever they feel at any given moment. This is also true of the other water signs, especially their “weaker” representatives. The undeveloped Piscean type would scarcely trouble to explain his moral failings: he would simply fail to see anything wrong with them.
These people are so impressionable that they respond immediately to every influence; they cannot stand on their own. This sensitivity extends to every plane. The native seems to lack discernment and has no capacity to resist any body of ideas.
Yet this very adaptability to circumstances is the best guarantee of their survival. There is therefore little in particular that can be expected of this rising sign a priori. We shall find much more favourable indications in those areas of the horoscope concerned with the people the native encounters. Edgar Allan Poe, for instance, received the greatest support and assistance from friends, as is very clearly shown by the exact conjunction of his Sun and Mercury in Capricorn in the 11th house.
Beneath these general characteristics and this outward appearance, however, Pisces possesses something far deeper, something mysterious and sublime. The true soul of this sign dwells in a secret place of reflection that never finds outward expression. It would be going too far to call the native a born poet or mystic, but in his sensitivity and inner stillness he possesses the passive half of genius. There is always the possibility that genius may emerge when active or creative principles are at work in the individual. Even then, however, the form it takes depends upon his surroundings.
The more developed types possess an almost divine power to separate the subtle from the gross, making use only of the latter. Nature itself becomes malleable in their hands. We see this clearly in Luther Burbank, in whose hands even living things changed their nature as though under a magician’s spell.
Pisces seems to have an intimate understanding of the spiritual forces at work in any phenomenon. This extreme subtlety of perception often leads the native into danger. He is too inclined to mistake the shadow for the reality, and too readily confuses the material and spiritual planes. He has no rational conception of the relationship between cause and effect, which can lead him into absurd superstitions. Pisces always acts on impressions and experiences rather than rational judgement. He delights in the idea of being in communion with subtle worlds; unless sufficiently developed, however, he cannot distinguish the genuine higher spheres from the world of dreams, glamour and illusion.
Another consequence of the extreme sensitivity characteristic of Pisces is an excessive response to physical stimuli that would scarcely disturb the minds of more robust people. Alcohol is particularly dangerous for those with this rising sign, and the temptation to experiment with subtler and more potent drugs is even stronger. Their immediate effect is highly damaging, throwing the native off balance, while the strength of the temptation leads to habitual indulgence and eventual excess. Drugs draw out precisely what he is by nature, though without their influence he is not especially inclined to give it expression. They carry him into subtler worlds, which can be exceedingly dangerous when created by such artificial means.
Where money is concerned, Pisces can be remarkably carefree and is very likely to embark on spending without any rational consideration. It is not that he cannot be trusted with other people’s financial affairs, but he is certainly unreliable. He is honest, yet lacks wisdom in his honesty. He helps others without considering what might genuinely benefit them overall; thus, although his charity brings the recipient immediate satisfaction, it often does nothing to provide a lasting escape from their difficulties.
The native born with Pisces rising on the horizon is essentially lazy and among the most thoroughly “domesticated” people one could meet. He does little to help about the house, but is often so kind that he readily becomes the family favourite. He has a considerable gift for making those around him happy. He will never leave home of his own accord, since the motives that prompt others to do so, such as ambition, leave him entirely untouched. He lacks ambition and is happy where he is.
In love, he is exceedingly endearing. His devotion surpasses even that of Taurus, but his nature is much quieter and more tranquil. He has little inclination to pursue infidelity actively; on the other hand, one could hardly rely on his resistance should a new admirer appear who is attracted to him. Both men and women of this sign require constant attention, especially the women.
Women with this rising sign are usually very fertile. Both fathers and mothers are devoted to their children, but are too indulgent to make good parents.
In marriage, Piscean women are ideal wives from an Oriental perspective. The woman of the harem precisely embodies this sensual nature: her indolent enjoyment of emotion, her devotion to the “sweet side” of life, and her gracious response to the call of passion. Such a disposition is hardly desirable in countries where women are not kept under lock and key, for if the undeveloped Piscean woman is left too much to her own devices, her natural sensuality will assert itself, and she is unlikely to replace it with an active interest in intellectual pursuits. In more developed types, these tendencies express themselves as devotion and loyalty, though still with a trace of indolence and sweetness. The man will be deeply devoted and will spoil his wife, but he will be of little use in the practical duties of the household. Comfort matters more to him than anything else, yet he will make little effort to secure it. He is the worst kind of husband for an active woman.
In public affairs, Pisces will prove hopeless if ever entrusted with such responsibilities, as indeed rarely happens.
The subconscious is the finest part of this native’s mind, and may almost be said to govern his life. The world we see and touch is not, for him, the real world. Yet there is scarcely anything in his temperament that would allow him to connect his subconscious mind with his conscious awareness. His extraordinary abilities therefore bring him no benefit, for he has no natural gift for action. With the assistance of congenial partners, however, whether in business or public affairs, his insight and intuition can give him considerable power “behind the scenes”.
Pisces may achieve distinction in science through an understanding of subtle forces. For the same reason, he may also excel in philosophy. He is capable of making new discoveries. In religion, he may be a deeply devoted mystic, and is often richly endowed with clairvoyance. Less developed types will be conventionally and sentimentally religious. Even as a mystic, however, he lacks balance: he has no intellectual grounding and no conception of maintaining psychic equilibrium through the corrective influence of scepticism.
In friendship, this native is exceptionally warm, sometimes to the point of making others uncomfortable. Most people prefer friendships that resemble offensive or defensive alliances; Pisces tries to turn them into romances. Yet there is no better companion for dinner and an evening of blues. He understands the art of enjoyment exceedingly well, and his desire for completeness will not allow him to overlook a single ingredient of any pleasure.