Everything you need to know about Pisces, the psychic empaths of the zodiac

P isces (February 18 to March 20) are the psychics of the zodiac wheel, who tend to give more than they receive. When they do receive, though, it isn't always to a positive effect. I lived with a Pisces for four years, and thanks to our close proximity and her strong sense of empathy, she caught a lot of my bad moods. Even when we were happy together and her natural state of being (funny, personable) was in tact, she was able to sense when something was really, really wrong.

And she's hardly the only empathetic pisces of the world with super-psychic tendencies. So to better understand what makes these twin fish tick, below, learn about Pisces personality traits. Then get clear on how those traits translate to careers in which they thrive and types of people with whom they best connect.

Key Pisces personality traits

Mystical Pisces' personality traits are generally linked to their ruler Neptune, the planet of spirituality. They're the empaths of the cosmos, profoundly intuitive and psychic. Their strength is in their ability to feel deeply and be tuned in to others in a way that nobody else can touch. “Because of this, they make great chameleons who can get along with a wide variety of people and find a way to flow with whatever life brings to them,” says astrologer Rachel Lang. “They are gracefully resilient and adaptable.”

“Pisces make great chameleons who can get along with a wide variety of people and find a way to flow with whatever life brings to them. ” —Astrologist Rachel Lang

To add another dimension to their gift of connecting, Pisces are known for being exceptionally selfless and nurturing. But on the flip side, they may play the victim card if they feel that the love they offer isn't being sent back to them. While greatly intuitive, Pisces often have trouble discerning between good and bad people, because they want to see the best in everyone. Sometimes this optimism opens them up to relationships that don't serve them, which can lend itself to codependency issues.

“They can lose themselves in relationships,” Lang says. “They may become disillusioned. They see the best in others and expect them to act accordingly. When others don't live up to Pisces' ideas of who they are, Pisces can feel blindsided and betrayed.”

Pisces are also incredibly creative, and able to channel the flow of their water-sign energy into something beautiful. As natural performers, it makes sense why the likes of Liza Minelli, Rihanna, and Kurt Cobain are all twin fish. But while they are able to create excellent work, that drive may lead them to crash as they chase a big dream without first caring for themselves. So basically, if you have a hardworking Pisces friend working on their next big masterpiece, make sure they're sleeping and staying hydrated.

How to get along with a Pisces

Given that key Pisces personality traits are that they tend to be sensitive to energy, and particularly energy that skews negative, the name of the game is to go with the flow and be honest. “If you're having a bad day or something's off for you, tell them,” says Lang. “Otherwise, Pisces may personalize your low energy or inadvertently take it on. They need to know the truth, or they will make up a story for why you didn't call them right back. Be direct, but gentle. Honest, but kind . “

Also know that Pisces love to have fun. Since “feeling” is their superpower, they want to zap up joyful, playful energy. If you can make a Pisces double over with giggles, you'll likely have a forever friend in them.

What Pisces needs in order to be happy

Generally speaking, Pisces needs someone to ground them and to respect their more eccentric whims. Reciprocity is another key component for Pisces happiness; their most successful and healthy relationships are bidirectional in terms of affection and respect.

“Pisces needs strong, solid relationships — ones that allow them to be their authentic selves. They need to be free to express themselves. ” —Lang

“Pisces needs strong, solid relationships — ones that allow them to be their authentic selves , “says Lang. “They need to be free to express themselves, no matter how weird or out there they may seem.”

Pisces and romantic compatibility

These fish tend to be play nice in the pool with fellow water signs, Cancer and Scorpio, which likely has to do with all three of these signs being more emotionally oriented. “Pisces also gets along well with earth signs Capricorn and Taurus because the signs can be a grounding influence for Pisces, helping them keep a foot in the practical world,” says Lang. “I see a lot of great Pisces-Capricorn or Pisces-Taurus couples with long-lasting, healthy relationships.”

Of course, astrological compatibility is much more complex than comparing sun signs alone, so these are just broad-strokes guidelines in lieu of a more detailed natal-chart analysis.

Pisces-approved careers

Given that Pisces are givers and healers, jobs that utilize those skills are often a natural fit. Therapist, nurse, alternative-medicine practitioner, or anyone in helping profession are great options. “Pisces make natural healers and have the compassion to be able to work with just about anyone. They make excellent caregivers,” says Lang. “Pisces also make excellent artists, dancers, actors, and musicians.”

And they can also use their power to feel and predict as a means to sell something. “I've seen Pisces thrive in sales professions, like car sales, medical sales, and even real estate,” Lang says. “They have an intuition that helps them know the right words to say to close a deal.”

Published February 28, 2020; updated February 19, 2021

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