by Cole Exley
Take a deep breath, Aries risings, because Mars retrograde is finally coming to an end! Your chart ruler will finally be moving into Direct motion in your House of Exploration, rekindling your curiosity and need for experience. While it will be in its shadow period for a brief time, you can find solace knowing that the collective energy is revving back up. Start thinking big about what you can discover that would enhance your life and your sense of self. We do experience two different retrogrades this month, so it’s not all action yet. Mercury and Venus both will be retrograding in Aries and your First House, so sense of self is actually a big theme for you. In particular, you might have some introspective moments concerning your interpersonal habits. Do Aries traits of hot-headedness and impulsiveness come through when faced with conflict? Is there room for softness where you’d usually be combative or over-protective? Pisces rules your House of the Subconscious, so dive deep when it feels right. I know you’ve been doing a lot of inner work the past few seasons, but remember that Aries Season itself is right around the corner, bringing fresh starts and new adventures. Let Mars in Cancer guide you through your emotional ups and downs, and don’t let your frustration get the best of you.
Allies for the Season: Radical Love Rose Quartz Gem Essence, Howlite Tumble
This is a very liminal, dreamy month for Taurus risings. Pisces rules your House of Hopes and Friendships, which I think is a very sweet place to experience the softness of this sign. The world is not an easy place to be in right now, so make some extra room for optimism and togetherness this month. What are your wishes for the future, and how can you take care of yourself and your people right now so you all can see those wishes come to fruition? The abstract energy is amplified by Mercury and chart ruler Venus entering retrograde within your House of Pisces, guaranteeing some otherworldly introspection. Both of these planets will be in Aries, so consider how your sense of self externally aligns with who you are on your deepest levels. Do you communicate that feel authentic? Do you move in relationships intentionally or habitually? Tune in to your subconscious self and see what they have to say. Venus retrogrades can lead to the Venus-ruled feeling a little self-conscious, so pay attention to how that affects you, and remember that Pisces Season calls for giving yourself some grace. When this planet is ready to go Direct again, you can bask in the usual romantic, passionate qualities Venus in Aries brings in.
Allies for the Season: The Dreamer Anointing Oil, Fortune Teller Blackjack Candle, Purple Obsidian Tumble
Pisces Season is asking Gemini risings to look to the future. Your House of Career and Long-Term Goals is ruled by Pisces, an interesting combination that leads to both successful creativity and, at times, vagueness in planning. Retrogrades in Aries from both Mercury and Venus will help you get back in touch with your inner compass. These retrogrades occur within your House of Exploration and Philosophy, initiating introspection around what experiences you crave and value the most. Mercury retrogrades aren’t comfortable for Gemini risings, but I do find that they can be quite transformational for you. Gemini is a mutable sign, after all, and it is destined to take many different paths in life. Let the Pisces energy expand your imagination, and the Aries energy bring it to life. Venus’s retrograde can also help you connect with your self-worth and relationships - certainly some important things to consider when it comes to the future! What relationships would you like to see grow, and carried with you into the years to come? As a naturally social person, are there changes you can make to your social life that would further nurture your self esteem? Gemini risings tend to keep a lot of people around, finding all walks of life fascinating, but not all of them end up being truly beneficial relationships. If you’re feeling stuck, ask for some clarity as the Lunar Eclipse in Virgo approaches.
Allies for the Season: Coven Candle, Serpentine Bath Soak, Rose Quartz Tumble
Your Pisces-ruled House is the House of Expansion, and this season offers plenty of opportunity to grow. Mars in Cancer finally goes Direct in your First House, allowing your personal drives and passion to flow much more easily. If you’ve been feeling restless or stagnant, this is sure to be a relief for you. Where will you direct this new surplus of fiery energy? Meanwhile, Mercury and Venus in Aries go retrograde within your House of Career and Long Term Goals, calling for some consideration around your future. Harness that Martian energy and listen to where it’s telling you to go. Mercury’s retrograde offers information on what is truly going to be fascinating to you for the long haul, and what your mental capabilities are best suited to pursue. You’ll receive insight on where your most magnetic capabilities lie and where you can flourish from Venus. Near the end of the season, you’ll feel the effects of a Lunar Eclipse in Virgo, which will take place in your House of Communication and Mental Activity. Alongside Mercury retrograde, this may make you feel a little scattered or frazzled, but it can also really move things along in terms of personal growth. Dedicate yourself to your interests and your goals, and be open to any new insights that come your way!
Allies for the Season: Manifestation & Transformation Zine, Pyrite Tumble, Harvest Moon Incense
Pisces Season is an alchemical process for all the Leo Risings out there. Pisces rules your House of Transformation, a mystical combination of whimsy and shadow. Meanwhile, Mercury and Venus in Aries both enter retrograde in your House of Higher Learning. Your task for the month is to release baggage that’s been heavy on your shoulders and set your sights higher than before. Pisces is Mutable water, constantly shifting and changing shape, so it is a great time to embrace a new chapter. In the spirit of retrograde introspection, you’ll have to do an internal inventory before you can reach a new form. This is healthy for any Fixed sign such as Leo to explore anyways. Look at yourself from a bird’s eye view, especially your self-beliefs and habits, and prepare to let them go. A cleansing ritual could be helpful, or a cord-cutting for the things that make it harder to say goodbye. The next step is considering what you’d like to redirect that energy towards. Mercury suggests fresh learning experiences and dedication to beliefs that elevate your sense of purpose. Venus guides you to self care rituals and ways of moving about the world that will make you feel divine. Their retrogrades aren’t easy, but they can be tools to recalibrate yourself towards a more fulfilling state of being. If you’re willing to do this work, you’ll come out the other side elevated and empowered.
Allies for the Season: Move Along Moldavite Gem Essence, Mermaid Candle, Healing the Liminal
Pisces Season is bringing light to areas of your life that need more balance. This sign is the opposite to Virgo, and it rules your House of Relationships. Virgo Risings tend to be productive, independent people who focus on the things that bring them a sense of purpose. The lesson of Pisces Season is that this sense of purpose can be far more fulfilling when you have connections that feel valuable, and with whom you can find new meaning. Mercury and Venus heighten the importance of strong ties as they go retrograde in your House of Intimacy. These planets will be in Aries while occupying this Mars-ruled House, so new passions and drives are bound to be awoken. Of course, retrograde energy does call for some introspection, so make some time to reflect on how you respond to vulnerability. Remember that intimacy is worth the risks, and that it can truly heighten what you gain from your relationships. Wrapping up the season, we will experience a Lunar Eclipse in Virgo, solidifying this transformation you’ve been working towards. In the spirit of Pisces Season, let go and let flow, and put your intentions out there for the new form you’ll be taking on. Bonus points for performing a spell with your community or just spending the night with them!
Allies for the Season: Spell For A Tender Heart, Strawberry Obsidian Tumble, A Safe Space For Us Deck
What do you prioritize in your relationships, Libra risings? Pisces Season calls for some reflection on how you look out for your own wellbeing within your social life this year - an important thing for any Libra placement to consider! Pisces rules your House of Self Care and Service, where we have to balance nurturing ourselves and our communities. Evaluate how you feel useful to others, and if this eclipses your own values or mental health. If there are any extra tasks you can do to show yourself some extra TLC, now’s the time. Your chart ruler, Venus, goes retrograde this season, so self care is certainly necessary. Venus retrogrades in your House of Libra, which is all about partnership and the balance required within them. Alongside this transit is Mercury’s own retrograde in the same House, so some serious reflection in these areas is bound to come up. Libras are givers and, at times, people-pleasers, so examine how this shows up in your relationships. These two planets will be in your opposite sign, Aries, so channel some of your inner fire as you consider how to better establish equilibrium. What are your personal motivations, and, if you’ve been overcompensating in relationships, can you redirect that energy into these passions?
Allies for the Season: Catch Fire Carnelian Gem Essence, Libra Season Rose Quartz Pendulum, Chamomile Candle
It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for, Scorpio risings! Mars is finally returning to its Direct motion this month, and the Mars-ruled can once again charge forward with passion. Pisces rules your House of Romance and Creativity, so it’s a wonderful time for passion, anyways. Art projects, cute dates, and group endeavors that have been put on the back burner are ready for some attention. All that pent-up energy from the retrograde should be danced, sang, written, and painted out. We do have two more retrogrades coming our way this month, with Mercury and Venus in Aries. These retrogrades occur within your House of Service and Self Care, so some time would be well-spent nurturing yourself and your community, too. Pisces is oriented towards the collective and its role within it - fill your cup and pour into the people who need it. Be weary of Mars’s Direct motion combined with these retrogrades - you might end up doing something rash or impulsive. Instead, try to intentionally channel excess emotion and energy into Mercurial journaling or venting, and Venusian creativity.
Allies for the Season: The Adventurer Anointing Oil, Hearth Candle
As the adventurers of the Zodiac, it makes sense that Sagittarius risings’s House of the Home and Family is in the constantly shifting sign of Pisces. Sag placements create a natural need to wander and explore, rather than a need to settle down. There’s beauty and innocence to this, reminiscent of The Fool tarot card or the inner child we all possess. This is an energy Pisces is familiar with as well. As Mercury and Venus retrograde in your House of Play, it’s time to fully connect with your inner child and learn how to best nurture them. This may require you to reflect upon your past and come to terms with memories that continue to weigh you down. Not easy, of course, but the less baggage you carry, the more freely you can move about the world. Mercurial energy may help you process these things and even learn to express some of the vulnerable feelings that come up. Venus will help you see the beauty in this process and allow you to harness inspiration from it. As you reconnect with this youthful and playful energy, unburdening it of old feelings, get excited about where it could lead you from here.
Allies for the Season: Opalite Tumble, The Lioness Oracle Deck, Yellow Color Magick Taper Candle
Pisces Season holds some interesting energy for Capricorn risings this year. Pisces rules your House of Communication, which makes you dreamy and intuitive in conversation. You may find that you can build bridges and bring people together with your words of wisdom. However, to be the clearest conduit, you must be able to turn this insight inwards - this is your task for the season. Mercury and Venus both go retrograde within your House of Memories and Emotions, taking you on a deep-dive into your inner world. The fascinating part of this is that this is your House of Cancer, which is the sign opposite to Capricorn. As a Capricorn rising, you find most of your fulfillment in external success, and through building a respectable reputation. Cancers, however, need dependable communities and reciprocal love in their inner circles. Each sign can learn a lot from its polarity. As these retrogrades occur within your House of Cancer, consider how to lean into the yin to your yang. This is nurturing, emotional energy that waxes and wanes, and balances out your ambitious, enterprising drive. Mercury can help you intertwine your emotions and expression, making you a more effective communicator. Venus offers assistance in establishing emotional balance and getting in touch with your softer interpersonal side. Hopefully, this practice will have you feeling more well-rounded by the end of the month.
Allies for the Season: Rainbow Moonstone Tumble, The Oracle Anointing Oil, The Bitches of Eastwick Sugar Spell Scrub
Aquarius is an Air sign, so communication and intellect are important skills you possess. The most difficult thing for Aquarius risings to communicate effectively is your emotions. Pisces is on the opposite end of the spectrum, a Water sign that practically overflows with feeling. Allow this sign to teach you as you move through its season. Pisces rules your House of Resources, so the capability is well within your reach - you just have to make space for it. Mercury, planet of communication, will be retrograding this month, and in its own House. During this period of introspection, ask yourself how you can help yourself bridge the gap between expression and emotion. Sure, feelings are messy and illogical (not Aquarius’s thing), but connecting with and releasing them can bring inspiration (definitely Aquarius’s thing). Venus also retrogrades in the same House, so the energy is right to consider how your emotional expression affects other people and your relationships. Do you tend to shut people out, or keep everything in until you explode? Do you rant and ramble over your upsets? Everyone has their own habits with these things, and now’s the time to make some changes without judging yourself too harshly!
Allies for the Season: Spirits Calling Kyanite Gem Essence, Lepidolite Tumble, Dark Blue Color Magic Taper Candle
It’s your season, Pisces risings, and it’s time to celebrate who you are! Mercury and Venus will be going retrograde this month, both in Aries and your House of Resources. Take this opportunity to give yourself some credit for all of the skills you possess. A Pisces rising is naturally imaginative, affable, and whimsical. What are your dreamiest, most Piscean qualities? Expanding upon that, consider your communication skills (Mercury) and your powers of attraction (Venus). What makes you attractive and likeable? If that little voice in your head scoffs at the question, tell it to get lost; you need self-love way more than self-judgment. It could also be helpful to get some input from friends and family. Ask them what their favorite quality of yours might be. Oftentimes, other people can see the magic in Pisces risings much more clearly than they can see it for themselves. Take your findings and turn them into affirmations to remind yourself of your worth when you’re feeling low. If that’s not your thing, a work of art or just a list would do the job, too. Recognize your magic, Pisces risings, you deserve it!
Allies for the Season: Pisces Astrology Essence, Radiance Oil, Gratitude & Universal Love Color Meditation Print
