Pisces Season: Cleansing Renewal
As the final constellation of the Zodiac, Pisces Season, February 19th-March 20th, closes the story with a magical finale, meant to allow us to let go of the reality we know, and transcend us into a new life.
Neither alive nor reborn, we enter the astral realm and all the ways it finds expression in the body and world.
This water sign is symbolized by the boundless depths of the ocean, and offers us a glimpse into how the life-giving waters mirror the infinite expansion of the human soul.
The previous season of Aquarius, an air sign, helped us to think forward and dream big. As we move into Pisces, the focus shifts from the mind to the heart, inviting us to dive deep into our subconscious, nurtured by our emotions and spirit.
This transition teaches us the importance of balancing our logical thoughts with our intuitive feelings, guiding us towards a more holistic understanding of our place in the universe, and the wisdom of our body. This is the place in the cycle where the body meets God and becomes the Universe.
In fact, Pisces and its lessons, represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, exists on the axis of body and soul. On one hand, we learn how our body allows us to navigate the physical, tangible aspects of life; on the other, our souls teach us to explore what cannot be known by seeing, but only by feeling and believing.
During this mystical season, the focus shifts dramatically towards the latter, encouraging us to look beyond our material possessions and reality, and to think about those more pesky existential questions.
The ocean, vast and unfathomable, is a perfect metaphor for this journey. Just as the ocean's surface hides the depths below, our conscious minds often obscure the truths that lie in our subconscious. It's a time to let go of the shores of certainty and swim in the currents of mystery and intuition. Who knows what we might find? Pisces season urges us to dive in wholeheartedly, to explore both our body and souls’ innate wisdom.
Mythology
A loving sacrifice, An Intuitive Guide
The most popular tale of the two fish originates from the story of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love and beauty, and her son Eros, who found themselves threatened by Typhon.
In a desperate bid to escape the monstrous Titan of Chaos, they leapt into the River Euphrates, sacrificing their divine forms by transforming into fish. To ensure they wouldn't lose each other amidst the turbulent waters, they tied their tails together with a cord, symbolizing an unbreakable bond of love between mother and child, creator and creation, soul and body.
Their leap into the River Euphrates is a moment of crisis that leads to a miraculous transformation. As they turn into two fish, this act symbolizes more than an escape into new life; it represents the fluidity and adaptability of the soul when faced with adversity.
Mutable Water
Pisces is a transitional season. It is meant to help us adapt and get ready for the coming new, vibrant, and awakened life.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the intense landscapes of Winter begin to soften, with snow gradually melting away, revealing the first hints of Spring on the way. The days slowly grow longer, and the Sun, with a gentle warmth, begins to reclaim its dominance in the sky. This is the last phase of the cold, water ruled Yin phases of the Yearly cycle.
Bears begin to awaken from their winter slumber, a powerful symbol of rebirth and new beginnings as the keepers of the medicine.
In fact, the full moon of this month is known to the Ojibwe Anishnaabe as the Bear Moon, the time when bear cubs are born. The increasing activity of squirrels, rabbits, and birds busily foraging for food, even though it is just emerging, mirrors the mutable aspects of this sign, who is preparing us to explore out into a new world in the coming season. The plant world also awakens, with the earliest of bloomers even emerging in the snow, bringing colorful dreams back to the natural world.
Body Astrology
Pisces is deeply connected to the fluidity and flow of the body as a water sign. Much like the vastness of the ocean, Pisces rules over body fluids and their movement, echoing the endless, ever-changing waters of the sea.
The Feet
The feet, as the foundation of our physical movement, symbolize how we stand in the world and move through our spiritual and emotional landscapes. They literally carry us forward, adapting us to various terrains, and maintaining our balance.
The energetic roots of our body are also anchored in our feet, with several meridians or energy pathways either beginning or ending in the feet, linking them to the organs and systems within the body. For instance, the liver meridian starts at the big toe, while the spleen and kidney meridians are rooted in the foot's arch. This network of meridians makes the feet a huge focal point for affecting the overall body.
The Lymphatic Drainage System
The lymphatic system, mirrors the emotional flow, playing a crucial role in our body’s fluid balance and immune response. It is a network of vessels and nodes that transport lymph, a fluid that contains white blood cells, throughout the body. Lymphatic drainage, a massage technique, helps with the flow of lymph, support the body as it removes toxins and waste products, and is a great practice for this season.
This process of eliminating what the body doesn't need is parallel to the emotional cleansing often associated with Pisces season. Just as lymphatic drainage lets the body get rid of what it does need, Pisces season can be a time for emotional purging, helping us let go of emotional baggage and negative feelings.
Pisces Herbs and Recipes
Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea)
The Blue Lotus, also known as the Egyptian Lotus or Sacred Blue Lily, originated along the Nile River in Egypt.
This flower has been a part of Egyptian cultural and spiritual life for thousands of years, drawn in ancient artworks and hieroglyphs, often associated with the sun, rebirth, and the divine. It was believed that at night, the flower would retreat into the water, only to re-emerge with the sunrise – a cycle that echoed the journey of the Sun God Ra.
Traditionally, the Blue Lotus was used for its psychoactive properties during religious ceremonies to induce states of heightened awareness and consciousness. The flower was also revered for its aphrodisiac qualities and as a symbol of fertility.
The ancient Egyptians weren’t the only culture to value this plant; it was used in various parts of Africa and the Indian subcontinent for both spiritual and medicinal purposes.
Modern research has begun to understand just why this flower was so treasured. It contains compounds like nuciferine and aporphine, which have mild sedative effects, helping to alleviate stress and anxiety, meaning we can sleep deeper and feel relaxed. It is also rich in antioxidants, which are crucial for fighting free radicals, cancer, and rapid aging.
RECIPE: Blue Lotus Infusion
Boil the water and let it cool for a minute or two. The ideal water temperature is around 200°F, as boiling water can destroy some of the delicate compounds in the flowers.
Place the dried Blue Lotus flowers in a teapot or cup.
Pour the hot water over the flowers and let them steep for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the flavor and effects.
Strain the tea to remove the flowers, pour it into a cup, and enjoy. You can add honey or lemon for extra flavor.
Kelp
Kelp, a type of large brown seaweed, thrives in the nutrient-rich, shallow parts of the ocean.
Indigenous coastal communities across the globe, from the Japanese to the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest, have long harnessed kelp's nutritional and medicinal properties.
Traditionally, it has been used as a dietary staple, a rich source of minerals, and even as a natural remedy for sickness. For these communities, kelp was not just food but a crucial part of their cultural and spiritual heritage, deeply intertwined with their connection to the sea.
This seaweed is a powerhouse of nutrition, boasting a wide array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and iodine. Its high iodine content is essential for thyroid function, which regulates metabolism.
Kelp is also rich in vitamin K1, beneficial for bone health, and fucoidan, a unique type of fiber with anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, its antioxidant compounds help combat oxidative stress and support heart and brain health.
RECIPE: Kelp Noodle Salad
Rinse kelp noodles under cold water and drain.
In a large bowl, combine cucumber, carrot, and red bell pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and honey or maple syrup
Add the kelp noodles to the vegetables, pour the dressing over the top, and toss to combine.
Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus)
This plant is native to the northern and eastern regions of China, as well as Mongolia and Korea. For over two millennia, it has been a cornerstone in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), used for its immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and vitality-enhancing properties.
In TCM, Astragalus is known as Huang Qi, which roughly translates to 'Yellow Leader,' which speaks to just how special it is, and the yellow color of its root.
Astragalus is renowned for its immune-boosting properties. It’s believed to increase the body’s production of white blood cells, which are crucial for fighting infections and cancer.
As an adaptogen, Astragalus helps the body combat and adapt to stress, reducing the adverse effects of being in a fight or flight state for a long period of time.
RECIPE: Astragalus Root Infusion
In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Add 1-2 dried Astragalus root slices to the boiling water.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Strain the tea into a cup, removing the root slices.
Add honey or lemon to taste, if desired.
Irish Sea Moss (Chondrus crispus)
Irish Sea Moss is a nutritional powerhouse. It contains an impressive array of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
It's also a fantastic source of soluble fiber, making it great for digestive health. The high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties also helps in skin care and overall immune health.
Traditionally, Irish Sea Moss has been a staple in the diets of coastal communities. In Ireland, it was boiled in milk and consumed as a nourishing drink. This was share with Jamaicans, who have also used it for generations, typically in a drink known as Irish Moss, which combines the seaweed with various ingredients like milk, nuts, and spices.
RECIPE: Irish Sea Moss Gel
Begin by thoroughly rinsing the Irish Sea Moss in cold water to remove any sand or debris.
Soak the cleaned Sea Moss in filtered water for at least 4 hours, or overnight. It will expand and soften.
Drain the soaked Sea Moss and place it in a blender. Add just enough fresh water to cover it.
Blend until smooth. The mixture should have a gel-like consistency.
Store your Sea Moss Gel in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be kept for up to two weeks.
Poppy (Papaver somniferum)
Indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean region, the use of poppy seeds has been traced back to ancient civilizations like the Sumerians and Egyptians.
Traditionally, poppy seeds were used for their sedative properties, derived from the small amounts of opium alkaloids found in the seeds.
In various cultures, from ancient Greece to India, they have been used in rituals and healing practices, often linked to sleep, fertility, and health.
Despite their minuscule size, poppy seeds are a powerhouse of nutrients. They are rich in linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, and contain a good amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion.
Poppy seeds are also a source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc, supporting bone health and immune function. They also contain oleic acid, which can benefit heart health and help in managing cholesterol levels.
RECIPE: Poppy Seed Dressing
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Salt and pepper, to taste
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