Last time we looked at the ancient story of Pisces, the season of the winter thaw and the spawning of fresh water fishes in the northern hemisphere where this mythos began with the stars as seen from this part of the planet. And we looked at the Pisces Sun sign Archetype. Now let’s take a quick look at the Decans of Pisces, and the astrological weather, so to speak, in Pisces Season 2026.
Western Tropical astrology as we know it today is believed to have originated in what is now modern Iraq, back in 2700-3000 BC/BCE. While the Mesopotamians (Babylon and Sumeria) were developing the signs of the zodiac and the concept of natal astrology, the astrologers in Egypt were developing the system of the decans.
Each of the 12 signs of the zodiac (Wheel of Life) represents 30 degrees of the 360-degree wheel of the zodiac, tracking the course of the Sun over a year. Each sign is subdivided into three parts of ten degrees each. These are the decans from the Greek word “deka” meaning ten. Each zodiac sign contains three decans, aka three blocks of ten days or so, and each decan has a different planetary co-ruler.
The Egyptians used Decans not only to tell time, but also to read the early celestial signs of seasonal changes, not least for guiding the governance of critical agricultural activities. Then the Greek astrologers adopted the decans around the 2nd century BCE, associating each decan with a planetary ruler, pairing them with stories and meanings related to the gods and mythologies in Hellenistic culture. This was codified by Claudius Ptolemy, an Egyptian astrologer of Greek descent, who referenced the decans and their planetary rulers in his work, the Tetrabiblos, in the 2nd century AD/CE, thereby enshrining their place in Western astrology.
The decans are not considered particularly significant by astrologers in general. Or not at the collective level, except for timing purposes. But in terms of a natal chart they do supply further clues, nuance and texture, supplying extra insights in respect of situation, stakes, character and potential destiny.
“If you’ve ever wondered why people born in the same sign seem different, the decans can help answer this puzzle,” – astrologer Rachel Lang.
I have found that using decans in Tarot cards readings may assist in attempting timings in forecasting. If I draw The Moon card or The Hanged Man, we may be looking at developments detected as likely to be occurring in Pisces season. But if I draw the Eight of Cups, we may be able to narrow it down to the first ten days of Pisces Season, i.e; 18/19 – 28/29 February. And so on.
Indian (Vedic) astrology, uses similar but distinct systems… like the nakshatras (lunar mansions), which divide the ecliptic differently.
First Decan Pisces
Pisces- Pisces
Dates: 19 Feb-29 Feb
Planetary rulers: Jupiter/Saturn
Tarot card: Eight of Cups
Card meanings: Walking away, moving on, cutting ones losses, leaving something behind, but not in anger. Reversed: disillusionment, regret
The first decan of any sign is considered the most archetypal or typical. Pisces makes for versatility and adaptability, while Neptune presents a yielding manner or appearance. This Pisces decan is rarely directly confrontational. This doesn’t mean they do not find ways to get their own way. But there is a sense of a push and pull going on here, just as the two fish of Pisces are pictured, joined by a starry cord, while swimming away from one another. On the one hand Jupiter, the original ruler of Pisces, means Pisces thinks big and steps forward. On the other hand, Neptune means Pisces is secretive, swims in circles, or hides in the weeds. Fish may be hunters too, of course, and lie in wait in ambush.
This Pisces native connects with other people on an unconscious level, almost hearing what they are thinking. Maybe they haven’t noticed this about themselves yet, or they take their telepathy for granted, but if this is you, watch out for the signs. Pisces, the sun sign ruler of the Twelfth House, is associated with endings, and all that is mysterious and unknowable. Including ghosts.
While Pisces may seem self-contained…and they are…this Pisces especially, has deep passions and their love life can be tempestuous. Their ideal partner will be lively and communicative with a can-do approach, but the first decan Pisces tends to go on a lot of detours before arriving or settling in their happy place or rightful destination.
They often look younger than their age, but they need to be especially aware of their dietary and other habits in order to protect their health; mood, and the chest, lungs and the feet in particular. Pisces is extra-sensitive to infection, food poisoning (dirty water) and the effects of overindulgence of alcohol or mood- altering drugs.
Second Decan Pisces
Pisces-Cancer
Dates: 1-10 March (approx.)
Planetary ruler: Jupiter/Moon
Tarot card: Nine of Cups
Card Meanings: the wish card, dreams come true, food and drink, the hospitality industry. Reversed: overindulgence, complacency, self-satisfaction
The sub-influence for this decan is Cancer, ruled by The Moon. Cancer is the natural ruler of the fourth house of home, family and security. These Pisces subjects are devoted family members, possibly more inclined than any other sign, excepting Cancer, to stay physically closer to birth family members. They may struggle to loosen parental ties, becoming fully independent, but must do so if they want to progress and develop and become the adult in the room (Saturn in Pisces.)
The zone of the sky from March 1 –10 houses the stars of the water of Aquarius, Eridanus The River, and the westernmost fish of Pisces. These are the faintest, most elusive stars. Now you see them, now you don’t.
These Pisceans blend in anywhere. Sensitive and psychic, like moss, this decan absorbs and retains what is happening around them. The undercurrents too. For the same reason these highly empathic people need to choose their company with special care.
Third Decan Pisces
Pisces-Scorpio
Dates: 11 March-20 March
Planetary rulers: Mars/Pluto
Tarot card– Ten of Cups
Card Meanings: contentment, completion, arrival, family life, stability, safety and security, team effort, a happy home Reversed: losses, family conflicts, break-ups, unhappiness
The sub-influences for this decan are Scorpio and its rulers, traditional Mars or modern Pluto. Energetic Mars and Scorpio – natural ruler of the eighth house of desire, willpower, drive and determination – bestows extra charisma, and the drive and determination to push forward. This Pisces native has the artistic creativity of Pisces/Neptune with extra sticking power to turn dreams into realities.
Pluto brings depth. Mars brings speed and energy of attack. This Pisces native needs to keep busy, with plenty of energy outlets. Pisces marks the completion of the zodiac wheel. This final decan marks the point at which we move into Aries, the cycle starts over again and Aries too, is ruled by energetic Mars. What these Pisces natives start, they finish.
These Pisces natives, like the other decans, are enormously attuned to their environment, but there is a tendency to stay somewhat more aloof and watchful, while less likely to blend in. They are highly observant, natural detectives, disciplined, well-suited to police work, and like its opposite number Virgo, this Piscean is not only super intuitive…while potentially pretty stubborn…but highly analytical, numerate, with a talent for investigative work. Pisces-Scorpio listens between the lines, homing in on what is not being said.
The Cusps of Pisces
Pisces is Pisces. But still, one may be more of an Aquarian Pisces, or more of an Arian Pisces.
Aquarius-Pisces: February 15-21
Aquarius-Pisces: This is a Pisces native with Aquarius tendencies; a person of high principles, quiet, refined, and with strong likes and dislikes. This Pisces native is likely to do a lot of travelling. They have executive capabilities and can earn or make a lot of money, but tend to become bored quite easily. This native as a young adult needs to be careful not to get trapped, committing too soon in a relationship that really doesn’t work well for them, simply out of a fear of being left on their own.
Pisces-Aries: March 17-23
Born on the Pisces-Aries cusp, this native is especially instinctive and brave. This mix of energy combines physical and moral courage with compassion for others which can make this Pisces individual a successful leader. This person is loyal to friends and colleagues and they are also generous, and eager to see others do well.
Famous Pisces subjects
Michelangelo, Copernicus, George 111, Albert Einstein, Neville Chamberlain, Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Taylor, Yuri Gagarin, Michael Gorbachev, Osama Bin Laden, Steve Irwin, Steve Jobs, President Erdogan of Turkey
Pisces Season 2026
Pluto in Aquarius, and Saturn and Neptune, both now in Aries since February 20, are now the evolving biggest picture for the collective, the universal background, the supra-personal continuum, while the year of the Fire Horse only adds to the speed and impetus on the global stage this year in particular.
The Fire Horse denotes action, force and momentum, courage and above all, stamina. Much emphasis is placed on the Fire Horse this year, given the extra powerful Aries conjunction of Neptune and Saturn in Aries signifying a reset to Zero, Spring, fresh new starts. The Individual. The Emperor. The rise of new Empires.
The Fire Horse, if viewed as Aries, symbolizes the power of governance and Heads of States. But…but…the horse may be a lead mare, or a lead stallion, but still, the horse is a herd animal. A herd of horses moves as one. Or a people moves as one.
A few dates to watch for this Pisces Season 2026…
February 27: Look up this evening for a stunning sight if the skies are clear. Jupiter will be right beside the waxing Moon, which will be above Gemini, with its “Twin” stars, Castor and Pollux.
February 27/28: Sun conjunction north node in Pisces, good for clear and productive exchanges.
February 28: Mercury (retrograde in Pisces since 26 February) is conjunct Venus in the second Mercury conjunction this year. The first conjunction was in cerebral Aquarius on January 29. With Mercury retrograde in Venus, we need to think again, to revisit what we first thought – and the emphasis is on thought, given that the first conjunction was in airy Aquarius. Now, other feelings surface that prompts a question to the heart.
March 1: Mercury sextile Juno in Capricorn.
March 2: Mars into Pisces until April 9. May work best for the third decan Pisces native. Read about it here at Cafe Astrology
March 3: Full Moon/Blood Moon/lunar eclipse in Virgo. The Moon will slip into Earth’s shadow in the early hours, turning a reddish colour as viewed across much of the United States. The Sun, Earth, and Moon are lined up perfectly, with Earth in the middle, and rather than going completely dark, the Moon glows red as the sunlight bends through our atmosphere, softly lighting the surface of the Moon just as the same effect gives us red sunrises and sunsets on Earth. No telescope needed.
March 11/12: Jupiter goes direct in Cancer at 15°05′ signalling the end of a four-month retrograde period which began on November 11, 2025, at 25° Cancer. Jupiter will be staying in Cancer until June 30, 2026 and it is exalted in Cancer, the Fourth House of Home and Hearth, kith and kin, homeland and shared heritage. Tarot card is the Three of Cups. Happy times. Get togethers. Old friends. Good for home relationships and a renewed momentum with delayed opportunities in learning, teaching and travel.
March 18-19: New Moon in Pisces at 28 degrees. Beginning anew, powerful memories, dreams, ghosts. Something wistful, perhaps even a little sad. Inspirations, visions, perhaps a time to revisit and look again with a fresh eye at something we used to do, used to love; a cherished project. Memories of kith and kin. Nostalgia or regret. This is not only occurring at a degree in the last decan of Pisces, this New Moon, but in the last decan of the Zodiac.
Tarot card: The Ten of Cups. Mars in Pisces. The meaning and power of legacy.
March 20-April 19: Sun in Aries.
Many Happy Returns, Pisces. Saturn’s new two-year visit in your sector of income, and Mars surging through your sign in early spring, says your energy, passion, time and talent counts or translates in terms of new or added sources of income and reputation. There is what you can afford to share generously and freely, and what you may choose to keep in reserve, costed and protected in ways that honour your time, talent and artistic gifts. From July and August there may be a change in tempo, and likely some happy times around young people, or new pets or other animals During August, the North Node enters your twelfth House of Aquarius, and you find yourself balancing your obligations with a need for quiet time.
Take care, and thank you for reading.
Back soon 🙂
True Tarot Tales 