As the Sun rides higher in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere, the days get progressively longer. Throughout this change, we are still within the dark or yin half of the year. The image is of teetering toward the cusp where light will take over at the Equinox, heralding the light half of the year.
Ancient astrologers carefully observed the skies, the seasons, nature and the corresponding effects on the people over hundreds and hundreds of years. From these observations they formulated their understandings of the archetypes which became the basis for their divinatory language, but also, the underpinnings of their philosophical teachings.
This season called Pisces they saw as one of “awaiting salvation”, referring to the return of the light. There is a restlessness, a divine discontent, a sense of being “close but not quite there yet” mirrored in some of the themes of the Piscean symbolism. This is an especially strong theme born of this season and it manifests in many ways. Pisces is, for these reasons, associated with ideals of hope, faith, redemption but also self-sacrifice, escapism and surrealism, just to name a few. (Each season’s themes were given both higher and lower expressions and much depends on individual experience).
This season’s image is two fish swimming in opposite directions; one facing east and up to “spirit” and the other facing west and down toward “embodiment”. Sometimes the fish are pictured as swimming in a circle, highlighting Pisces hyper-awareness of the alternation between dark and light. Either way, the ancient astrologers understood the Piscean signature contains a strong sense of being pulled in two directions at the same time. For example, wanting to have ecstatic, unifying, spiritual experiences but getting pulled back into the realities of physical life. They attribute this symbolism to feeling so close to the light while retaining consciousness of still being in the dark.
Ultimately what the ancients were describing is a human need to reconcile living in a physical body as a spiritual being – the reconciliation of spirit and matter. Taken a little further, it touches on themes of union vs. separation. The ancients saw this as a divine paradox which goes to the heart of an important Piscean task. By moving into an understanding of the validity of restlessness, discontent and longing through identifying the archetype, one may also come into awareness of a path forward. This involves learning that union is found within separation. There is a choice: finding a way to a more fluid communion between matter and spirit or getting torn apart by existential longings. It can be amazingly comforting to know the paradox is real, a human experience, as well as there being a way to live with it, even if it is not an easy one.
For example, think of how children have the ability for remembering that they are made up of spiritual as well as earthly matter. For them, this is an effortless entry and exit from daytime reality many adults seem to leave behind. Imagination does not negate reality and being an adult doesn’t mean one cannot enjoy a childlike imagination. Singing, dancing, playing move humans closer to spirit at any age.
Another tool we have is meditation. Try meditating on the Piscean fish symbolism and letting yourself become aware of the tension between the light and the dark. Looking at how this may play out in your life, the benefits and the difficulties may become more apparent. Addressing the archetype paradox directly, bringing it into awareness, means it cannot unconsciously tug at your emotions, making more room for peaceful understanding of the beauty and goodness of all the seasons of our lives.