PISCES

Vacation Guide for Pisces

Pisces, you are an incurable romantic, so to fully enjoy your trip, try to find a place that has a touch of fairy-tale magic about it. Anything that smacks too much of real life‹traffic, ringing phones, billboards and so forth‹will dampen your spirit. Since Pisces is a water sign, an island or seashore setting could be a good choice.

Consider going to a sensual settings like Tahiti, Nantucket Island, Block Island, Niagara Falls or Montego Bay in Jamaica. Or, drive along the coast of California on Route 1 to see Big Sur, and stay overnight in Carmel‹arrive in time to see the sunset.

Look for a small hotel or vacation cottage that offers a view of the ocean‹the sound of the surf rolling in will soothe and comfort you, gentle Pisces. You tend to be more creative than athletic, you often shun strenuous sports when you go on vacation. Instead, you would probably favor swimming, sailing, rowing, snorkeling and long walks along the beach. Chartering a yacht or private boat to sightsee would likely to make a hit.

Your love of costume and fantasy might make a trip to New Orleans at Mardi Gras great fun. (Be careful however‹if things get too loud or boisterous, the Fish will quiver.) Revel in the canals of Venice, Italy, certainly a city that can provide you with all the sense of mystery, beauty, art and adventure.

Don't forget to take a camera or camcorder on your vacation. Your ruler, Neptune, rules photography and often bestows considerable visual talent to Pisces natives. Not only will you enjoy looking at all the shots you took, some of them are likely to be outstandingly special‹suitable for framing.

Your sign also rules the feet, so you might also enjoy having a chance to dance, particularly to slow tropical love songs! (Caribbean moonlight, anyone? Reggae music is irresistible!)

Also, you might consider a romantic cruise for your next trip. There is the three- day "trip to nowhere", or a cruise to Alaska where you would see all kinds of exciting wildlife and glacier splendors. Are you more in the mood for sun? Sail off to the Western Caribbean, and take in some of the fascinating, old landmarks of Mexico. If money is no object, take an elegant transatlantic sail to the Mediterranean or the Greek Islands on a cruise line that also boasts a pampering spa.

Neptune, ruling the mist and all bodies of water, teaches you to avoid structure and to prefer a more open type of vacation. In other words, you don't like to be confined, so design your trip with room for spontaneity and change. If you find something that interests you, you'll want to be able to linger and delve more deeply into the place.

Your sign is considered the most spiritual of all the signs, so some Pisces would love a visit to a new age retreat where they can meditate, exercise and enjoy nature in a serene setting. Or, consider a visit to a spiritual landmark, such as Lourdes, the Vatican or other historical religious sites.

Lastly, your rich imagination might also enjoy a visit to Hollywood‹a tour or the film sets, seeing the special effects on the Universal Studio tour sounds like fun! Leaning how "Tinsel Town" spins illusions in the movies could prove fascinating to such a creative sign!

The Pisces Man: February 19 - March 20
by Susan Miller

This man's vivid imagination and sensitivity (matched in intensity only by fellow water sign Cancer) will endear him to you quickly. Pisces' greatest strength is their creativity. Neptune makes them brilliant at expressing themselves in symbols and gestures. They therefore they make outstanding film makers, photographers, and dancers. Their empathetic nature will make you fall in love with him quickly, for it is possible you've never met a man who knows the inner you so well.

Your Challenge

Pisces sometimes loses himself in his work, especially if he's in a creative field. He needs a regular outlet to express his powerful emotions and insights on the world, so you will have to learn to be supportive of his efforts. At times he can be hard to pin down, but this is usually due to his not yet having made up his mind about an issue. Being a dual sign like Gemini, he likes to look at both sides of every situation before taking a stand.

How To Handle Him

When trying to persuade a Pisces man of anything, do not use facts or logic; appeal to his emotions and intuition. If you press any point too hard or become demanding, he will swim in the other direction. He is gentle to others and expects to be treated in kind. He hates ruts and constricting routines, so a free-form schedule in life is more to his liking.

Another important fact to remember is that Pisces will give freely of himself whenever he can, but if he feels he has been taken advantage of, he will retreat without warning. At that point, it is hard to win back his trust. The Pisces man needs to be appreciated.

This man is not materialistic or money-oriented--don't bug him to ask for a raise or question why he doesn't make more money. He realizes that possessions and money are only earth-bound, temporal things that don't matter much in the grand scheme. He is too spiritual to be concerned with such mundane matters. A deeply philosophical sign, money does not motivate him as much as self-expression and creativity do. (Money does have a way of finding a way to Pisces, nevertheless, so don't think this is a sign doomed to poverty!)

Since Pisces reads body language better than any other sign, don't be surprised if he just seems to know much more about you than you've ever told him. Of course, verbal communication is important too, but keep it delicate and poetic. When delivering criticism to him be diplomatic rather than direct. Pisces men never like anything too gritty and hard-hitting.

Things To Do, Gifts To Buy

An ideal evening to a Pisces man would be to have dinner in an exotic Indian or Asian restaurant, and have a double espresso afterwards in a tiny, dark patisserie, debating a particular moral or ethical issue until the sun comes up. Or take him to the movies--he can't seem to see enough of them.

Since Pisces rules the feet, why not delight your man by surprising him with some special peppermint foot cream and a relaxing foot massage? Their feet are the first area of their body to show signs of stress. Now, the Pisces man's first instinct is to pay attention to you first, so he will have to get used you lavishing attention of him. Be sure to tell him just looking at his body is a wonderful turn-on for you; the Pisces man has less vanity than most signs and may be surprised to hear you say this! Although he may not appear to need it, if you bolster his self-confidence in the bedroom he will turn into a dream lover for you!

A lush tropical island resort would be the perfect locale to seduce your Pisces beloved because he will feel refreshed and uninhibited near bodies of water. On the appointed day, tell him you've packed a picnic lunch and drive him out to the prettiest waterfall you can find on the island (do your research first). Bring along your Polaroid camera (Pisces rules photography) to capture some of the fun. Wearing only a thin T-shirt and string bikini bottom, dare him to follow as you run under the falls. Let yourself become totally drenched, hair and all. Do all this quickly to capture the element of surprise and allow him a moment or two to stare at you in your clingy, now see-though T and skimpy bottom, laughing and beckoning him to join you. Do you honestly not know how this scene ends?

The Pisces Woman: February 19 - March 20
by Susan Miller

The Pisces temperament is gentle, romantic, caring, compassionate, and spiritual. Pisces rules the subconscious mind, and so it follows that her dreams are vivid and meaningful, even prophetic. You've got quite a glamorous sparkler on your hands--Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone and Cindy Crawford are all dazzling Pisces, and each in their own way reflects the reserved and unpretentious Pisces nature. Your Pisces enchantress almost always has large and beautiful eyes which mirror her feelings openly and she could be prone to cry easily. Soft and ultra-feminine, she will put your needs ahead of hers.

Your Challenge

Her feelings are very sensitive and easily hurt, so be careful how you address her. In any relationship, she likes to proceed gradually, perhaps at a slower pace than you would like. But rush her and your little fish will disappear into the depths of the sea.

How To Handle Her

She's mystical and poetic and she needs a regular outlet for her creative expressions. Her sign rules all non-verbal communication--symbols, gesture, dance, art, and poetry--and the Pisces woman is highly intuitive. She trusts her feelings and she reads body language perfectly, so don't try to say one thing and mean another--she will catch on quickly. Pisces will need to be alone occasionally to recharge and refresh herself, so allow her time for that.

She's caring and sensitive to her man, but can easily be so self-effacing that she forgets her own needs. Her urge to relieve suffering in others is as strong as the life force and it is the single most important element of her nature to understand. Some people will sometimes take advantage of her good nature. Her man should help her by reminding her that it's OK to say no to favors others ask of her. At times the world can have a wearing-down effect on her self-confidence, which sometimes needs rebuilding in even the strongest Pisces women. When Pisces is hurt, she will build her own version of the world to protect herself, preferring to live in a world of dreams until she feels she is ready for re-entry into reality. Realize this is not a weakness--she will always come back--and the worst thing you could say to this fragile beauty is "Get real!"

Things To Do, Gifts To Buy

Don't be overtly sexual with Pisces--she is subtle and indirect. Come across brash and aggressive and she'll vanish. Instead, give her a book of romantic poetry, like that of Edna St. Vincent Millay or a beautiful black & white photograph of a couple kissing. Or give her music, perhaps something soothing and spiritual, such as Enya, Orion or Monks singing Gregorian chant.

Buy her clothing in one of her favorite shades of violet, blue or sea green. She loves lace, angora sweaters, and prefers flowing, soft chiffon-type fabrics over sharp tailoring. Silk is favored over crisp cotton. Sparkling jewels look especially beautiful on her, so consider surprising her with diamonds, amethysts or aquamarine stones. In choosing a restaurant, pick a dark, private, romantic place filled with flowers. She loves to dance (Pisces rules the feet) so take her to a club with a great band. She also loves the movies, for her ruler, Neptune, rules film and she can easily lose herself in the story. She will also adore tickets to the ballet, an art opening or a poetry reading. Finally, surprise her a deluxe shower head for her bathroom (Pisces is a water sign), promising her that the two of you will play under it soon.

Sex to Pisces is spiritual. She simply cannot sleep with a man she isn't in love with. She's worth waiting for--her natural sense of rhythm and grace in body movement makes her a fabulous lover. This does not preclude her from having fun with her lover--that is a certainty--but she will need a full commitment of love from you before surrendering.

No other sign loves costume and fantasy as much as Pisces does, so when you get to know her well, suggest you both go shopping together for an outfit to wear in the bedroom--a French maid? Cleopatra? Elvira, Mistress of the Dark? Her rich imagination needs fantasy, so you will be on the right track. If she is a reserved Pisces, give her a gift-wrapped bottle of her favorite scent tucked inside the pocket of a new luxurious terry robe. She'll be happy to try her new robe on--just tell her the rules are that she wear nothing else. Then draw her close to you, turn on the water in the bath and take a long, passionate and steamy soak together. Afterwards, be sure to rub on some of the softy scented cream that you bought and let nature take its course!

Pisces Man

Your Pisces man is highly creative, sensitive and intensely introspective. Give him a semester of classes in Tai-Chi, perfect for Pisces because it combines philosophy with technique. Buy him a photograph by a master at auction. Or, print one of your own favorite photos on fiber paper, then sign, mat and frame it for him. Surprise him with a brand new 35 mm camera.

For his home, give him a collection of brilliant salt water fish in an aquarium. Or give him a terry bathrobe and a mirror that won't fog up in the shower. Speaking of showers, get him an adjustable shower head--something he will adore. Or take him to Cape Cod, and book a cottage which overlooks the ocean. If he sails, buy him a crafted, wooden model of a clipper ship to display in his study. Buy a membership to a gym that offers an Olympic sized pool. Choose a top night club and go dancing. Buy him a brand new pair of sneakers. He might like a pedometer to track how much he walks during a normal day. (Pisces rules the feet.)

Pisces Woman

Buy her a book on angels, classic love poems or a compendium of philosophy. She loves photography and art books, too or you could present her with an art print. Charm her with tickets to the best ballet company you can find--she likes a classic style.

Enchant her with a new silky nightgown in snow while silk. Find the most luscious lacy Wonderbra you can find with matching panties, in peach or raspberry. Get her jewels in her favorite color, violet--amethysts are perfect. She is a romantic, so enchant her by giving a whole collection of softly scented candles. Present her with her favorite scent in shower gel and perfume form, and sent it with a set of the best quality, thick and fluffy terry bath towels you can find. Buy her the best quality silver frame you can afford to house a photograph of the one she loves by her night stand. Her sign rules dreams and sleep, so present her with the most expensive down pillows (a set of two) that you can afford for her bed. Feeling flush? Buy her a primo down comforter in white to go with the pillows, or shop with her for a new set of designer sheets. Give her a Sound Soother--sounds of the ocean surf, bubbling brooks, summer evenings, or find other new age tapes that promise to calm her. The perfect bedtime read could be The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks (Warner Books) which is about a couple's life together--a perfect follow up to Bridges of Madison County, if she liked that story.

Buy her a new zoom lens for her camera, and supply her with plenty of fresh film. Or, if she doesn't have a Polaroid camera yet, get her one (the Captiva model would be perfect for her) or a palmtop camcorder. For her desk, get her a pretty snow globe of a winter scene or a frog prince! Since this sign adores costumes, magic and make-believe, she would greatly enjoy a trip to New Orleans at Mardi Gras time.

Pisces: Take Time to Dream

When a Pisces is under stress, all they want to do is hide under a banana leaf and hope the world disappears. The last thing you need is a highly structured life-style when you feel your nerves on edge--Pisces does not like to be confined. Ruled by Neptune, Pisces is a sign which absorbs the feelings of the world around them like a sponge. As such, Pisces needs to drop off cares of the world in much the same way they would drop a heavy coat from their shoulders. You are the only mutable sign of the water signs, and therefore the most flexible. Your very flexibility can give you problems coming to closure and making that final decision. Symbolized by a dual sign of two fishes swimming upstream and downstream at once, Pisces always sees both sides of every issue. Decide on an amount of time that you will devote to the decision-making process, then set a deadline for action.

Some will call you escapist, but it is your secret weapon in a sometimes cruel and uncaring world. You need to create your own reality when life just gets too hard to take. As long as you don't find solace in alcohol and drugs (two substances ruled by now-you-see-it-now-you-don't Neptune) your ability to daydream and visualize better times is your strongest suit. Creative visualization is one of the most positive ways to deal with change and Pisces is more adept at this than most signs. Give yourself private time every day to indulge in daydreaming--and make it a playful process rather than "work."

While Cancer offers food to show their love, and Scorpio offers sex, Pisces offers friends, family, and even people they hardly know, the deepest compassion from the very depths of their soul. Few signs would be as willing to forgo personal pleasure on behalf of another. Yet all this giving can wear out a Pisces over time, and sometimes they simply don't know how to stop giving. When you feel stretched, take private time to go to a place near water. A perfect place to go would be to an island like Nantucket, where few distractions of modern life intrude, a place where you can hear the sea at night. There you will find time to meditate and center yourself. Go alone or with one person who supports you emotionally. Give yourself space to breathe.

Can't get away? Then take frequent baths or sensuous showers (complete with a good, rich body shampoo), swim regularly in a heated pool, soak in a Jacuzzi or hot tub. Or buy some brilliantly colored tropical fish to stare at now and then during the day. Pisces regains their sense of self and regains their inner motivation when near water--nothing else is as powerful a natural tranquilizer.

Many Pisces love the movies (Neptune rules film and photography) and quite a few feel jittery if they can't regularly duck into the Cineplex. The character Mia Farrow played in Woody Allen's Purple Rose of Cairo must have been a Pisces, so dearly did she love the stories and the characters in the movies! Pisces loves them all--current blockbusters, foreign flicks, American classics.

Pisces rules the feet, quite fittingly because this sign bears the weight of the entire body (zodiac) on their feet. Pisces loves to buy shoes--treat yourself to a new pair for an instant lift. Women Pisces should treat themselves to a pedicure, and either sex should ask their lovers to gently rub their feet with peppermint cream at night before they sleep. If you can get a professional reflexology treatment, all the better. Dancing is another great idea, even if you only dance a slow dance (like to Natalie Cole's 'Unforgettable') with your lover in your living room. Pisces likes romance, complete with candlelight.

Your sign rules the subconscious and dreams. If you feel stressed-out, make your bed more comfortable. If you haven't treated yourself to a squishy goose down pillow, get one. Some new sheets--crisp cotton in the summer or cozy flannel in winter--could make sleeping enjoyable again and stop you from pacing the floor. Keep a dream journal near your bed--Pisces should rely on their dream diaries for clues to solving everyday dilemmas. Women Pisces love lingerie, so perhaps treat yourself to a new nightgown. Neptune also rules liquids of all kinds, so spraying on a light fragrance or rubbing on a body cream after your shower could help you sleep more restfully.

Music is also under the domain of Father Neptune, so don't discount the mood-enhancing possibilities of man's oldest form of tranquilizer--or energizer. One Pisces we know is energized and soothed at the same time by listening to the latest top 40's tunes, turned up full volume. The point is that the music doesn't have to be classical (but it could be). Try out a jazz, country, or anything you haven't been listening to lately.

If you decide to try exercise to unwind, your sign doesn't usually like competitive games or sports. Do something with music attached to the activity, such an aerobics class or step video. Your spiritual side might enjoy t'ai chi chuan, the gentlest of the martial arts, and the one which has been called mediation in motion. It involves exercising your inner energy ("chi") which results in strengthening both your mind and body. This discipline is said to cure insomnia and stress, and build flexibility, muscle strength and overall balance.

When tense, Pisces usually does not like to fuss too much in the kitchen. Choose a restaurant that will transport you to a new locale. (Pisces has a very rich imagination). Try Indian, Thai, Vietnamese, or other Asian cuisine (Pisces rules the Orient), and be sure the restaurant has great ambiance. A highly visual sign, the environment will have as much effect on you as the food. If the restaurant is softly lit, even dark, and plays music of the particular culture, so much the better.

Hang out with people who are as sympathetic as you are when you are going through a hard time. Sagittarius may be too direct for you now, and both Aries and Leo may lack the patience to hear you talk things out. Choose instead a fellow water sign (Cancer, Scorpio) or a serene earth sign (Taurus, Capricorn or even Virgo if the latter isn't too critical of you). Air signs will tend to be too analytical and too cerebral for your mood. What you need most is heart--someone to give you the support and confidence you need to help you help yourself. Biting realism will only hurt your feelings, adding to your anxiety.

A highly creative sign, Pisces excels with symbols because it is a very right-brain sign (unlike their opposite sign of Virgo, which is highly left-brain.) Pick up your camera and try to express your feelings on film. Working in a darkroom can be a sensuous experience, where time flies as you work in the cool, dark room with your photographs. Alternatively, you could also try your hand at poetry--with surprisingly fine results. Researchers have found poetry can send the brain profound messages through symbolism and can be actually therapeutic. If you don't feel like writing poetry, reading it can also have a the same effect. Scan the bookstore for a poetry book by someone new, or take an evening class (Spanish poets, modern poets, a class on Yates or romantic poets, for example). Read it slowly and let the images and symbolism touch you, stimulating your thinking. Anything too literal is not going to help you in times of stress, so poetry could be the perfect anecdote.

Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, is thought to be highly spiritual. Find peace in prayer and mediation. Go on a retreat, whether a traditionally religious one or one of the new age retreats complete with instructors who will teach you how to meditate or offer soothing massage. Don't feel compelled to leave a string of phone numbers for your boss and family to reach you. Or to get out of yourself, volunteer your services at a local charity, perhaps something that will bring you in contact with children or those confined to hospitals. Refocusing on the plight of others is a sure way for Pisces to forget their own troubles.

Fitness for Pisces

Your Ruling Planet: Neptune, the planet governing dance, dreams, and meditation. Ancient astrologers also believed Pisces had a co-ruler: the happy, optimistic planet Jupiter.

The Part Of The Body Your Sign Rules: Pisces rules the feet.

Your Metabolism: Low

Your Health Profile:

Modern-day culture's emphasis on a slim, fit body is a bit odd for Pisces, who often lives so fully in their imagination. Your mind is so active that sometimes you're a little shocked to remember you have a body you have to care for. When you are in one of your intense, creative modes, you can be light-years away from your physical self. But this doesn't have to be a problem: try one of the new virtual reality workout programs: they're new, and you can use your rich imagination to keep you motivated!

If you want to lose weight, again, give yourself a goal you can visualize in your mind: put a Polaroid of the way you look now or a photo of someone who's physique you admire up on the fridge (over the ice cream!) Pisces are masters of creative visualization--use this to your advantage!

Pisces isn't interested in exercise for exercise's sake. Thumping along in silent misery is pointless! To keep you interested, you'll want an additional payoff, like lively, rhythmic music (your sign rules music and dance), or good-looking workout clothes that make you feel sexy instead of dumpy (your sign is also highly visual.) So for all you Pisces who must exercise solo: stick a tape of Sergeant Pepper or Carmen in the boom box and sing along while you chug away on the stairmaster, treadmill or rowing machine.

Your sign has a heightened sensuality, so whatever you do for your body has to "feel good." This is one reason Pisces overeat. They fall in love with the tastes of the food and forget they are no longer hungry. Treat yourself to a sensuous aromatherapy massage after a workout, or buy some good body products to enjoy in the shower. Don't forget to bring your radio or CD player with earphones to the gym.

Swimming, ice skating, canoeing, rowing, water skiing, surfing might appeal to the Fish, as could aqua-aerobics classes. Hate water? Run along a pretty beach. Be sure your shoes that fit properly because Pisces' feet is their weakest part of their body. Shoe sizes change over time, even years after we've "grown up"! Step aerobic classes could also be a good bet. Since Pisces is the ruler of the feet, try ballet, jazz or other type of dance as a natural way to work out--but remember, if you feel pain you may have to decide between your natural ability and your natural vulnerability.

Always helpful to others, caring Pisces absorbs other's feelings like a sponge, and negativity can wear you down. You need time alone to center yourself. Exercise could become your most precious time for yourself. The quiet, meditative qualities of yoga could appeal to Fish. Pisces is also interested in all things from the Orient, including Tai chi.

Because your ruler Neptune also governs drugs, you could experience confusion about the side effects of various medicines. Ask first before you take anything new. Water retention is a problem for Pisces, and since most Fish love salt, the problem only gets worse. Avoid alcohol in excess too because it will dehydrate you.

Your Biggest Asset:

Amazing grace and coordination with almost no puffed-up vanity because of it. Enjoy!

What Drives You Crazy:

You don't like having people watch you exercise--especially if they then critique your performance. You want privacy. Allow instruction and guidance from your coach or personal trainer, but tell your friends to hold their two cents.

Health Risks:

An occasional lack of self-discipline can fall in the way of your fitness program or healthful diet. Also, don't let lack of confidence stop you from trying something new. Everyone looks silly sometimes--who cares? If you doubt me, check out professional athletes and dancers--they miss, slice, strikeout, fall and fumble all the time in their quest for perfection!