Your mind will be wide open this Monday, April 29—which is saying a lot for your already imaginative sign! For the first time in two years, fiery Mars bumps into your ruling planet, compassionate Neptune. With both planets cruising through Pisces, a difficult situation may compel you to stand up for yourself in a bolder manner than you normally might. Don’t try to sidestep drama and keep the peace by caving in. If you do, it will probably achieve the opposite effect. This planetary pairing can empower you to bravely slay the dragon. You might be pleasantly surprised by your own inner strength. This celestial blend points out the need for setting firmer limits. You don’t have to be cruel, but you also don’t have to be sweet if it subjects you to the impulses of someone who has taken advantage of your kindheartedness before. And it won’t require you to lose your cool in the process, Pisces. Maybe you’ll simply reiterate your unequivocal position until the message is received loud and clear. In facing your fears, your greatest gifts may appear. Transform a challenging experience into something beautiful, like an insightful Instagram post, a song or a painting. You’ll show people that you can be both tough (Mars) and tender (Neptune), all in the same key or brush stroke.
Has your crew come unglued? You can bring the band back together starting this Monday, when affable Venus zips into Taurus and your outgoing third house. Between now and May 23, you could find yourself at the center of a buzzing hive. Just try not to accept EVERY tempting invitation or you could quickly overload yourself. But if an event sounds “too good to cancel,” make it your business to be there. Even if you’ve been a little sluggish lately, your energy stores will refill in the company of inspiring, uplifting people. Since the third house governs local happenings, the action may be a mere Lyft ride away. Check the calendars at all the local venues. From wine tastings to trivia nights, you could get your fill of fun AND add some fabulous new friends to your database. Have you been stuck in a tense holding pattern with someone you adore? If there’s an issue you need to bring out in the open, this transit of diplomatic Venus can make the initial awkwardness a lot easier.
On Tuesday, April 30, you’ll wave bye-bye to high-octane Mars. While this can feel like sugar crash, fear not! As the motivational planet marches into Aries and your second house of work and money until June 9, you’re in prime manifesting mode. This once-every-two-years cycle is the time you bring structure to those fantasies and sit down with a spreadsheet to see which ideas, if any, have legs. “Practical” and “concrete” are your buzzwords now. The hardest part could be trying to explain your high-concept vision to conservative, cost-conscious types whose eyes are on the bottom line. Focus on how this is ahead of its time and how it can benefit THEM. You’re up for this kind of challenge, Fish, but you may have to slip into “suit” mentality to communicate in a language they’ll understand. Come at them with facts, figures, statistics and projections you can back up. In your personal life, put your credit cards under lock and key. This Martian cycle gives you the urge to splurge, something your sign is particularly skillful at. In the past your itchy trigger finger has led to pricey bouts of retail therapy, which may have set you back on a practical savings plan. The “go for it” red planet will increase your lust for luxury. We’re not saying you can’t treat yourself to anything—just that you need to do a little budget analysis before you let yourself loose.
As IF a Pisces ever needed an invitation to go any further inward, on Thursday, May 2, transformational Pluto turns retrograde in Aquarius and your twelfth house (AKA the Pisces house) of dreams, mysticism and introspection until September 1. While Venus is sure to prevent you from become a total loner, you may find yourself fishing for excuses to skip out on social obligations, preferring to do a solo deep dive through your own inner seascape. On September 1, the planet of passion and action will revert into Capricorn and your collaborative eleventh house for the remainder of its backspin (until October 11). Spending time with close friends and working closely on a team project will inspire you, but you’ll reach a point—and you always know when—that you simply need to detach and do your own thing. Fluff up the pillows at Chateau Pisces and add soothing touches to make your home feel like a peaceful oasis. If you’ve been grieving—or NOT grieving—a loss, this is a perfect time to let yourself go there. During this intensified five-month cycle, you can achieve some deep healing. Any kind of therapeutic work is favored now, so if you’ve been waiting for a sign to work with a new healer or explore a new modality, this is it. In this highly receptive state—and since the twelfth house rules the subconscious—you might have stunning results with hypnotherapy, shamanic journeying or energy work. Conversely, if you’ve been doing all that and more and have hit a plateau, take a timeout. Immerse yourself in nature and art instead, and let time do its bit with this healing.
