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Pisces
is called Ichtyes which means the fishes by the Greeks, "Pisces"
being the Latin translation.
The constellation Pisces lies between Aquarius to the west and Aries
to the east. |
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In the constellation of Pisces there's a big fish and a little fish.
Aphrodite and her son, Ichthus (some versions say the god Eros was
her son), were being pursued by a huge monster fish by the name
of Typhon. In order to escape their nasty, monstrous pursuer, Aphrodite
turned herself and her son into fishes. Together they then hid from
the monster fish, Typhon, in the Euphrates River. Aphrodite (symbolising
in this case "the great mother") is the big fish and Ichthus
is the small fish. |
History
Almost every ancient civilisation saw the constellation of Pisces, some
saw it as a single fish, others saw it as a pair. This constellation most
likely first originated in Mesopotamia. The Babylonians had a constellation
of two fish joined by a cord in this area of the sky known as Nunu. It
was known by the Persians as Mahik, and the Turks as Balik, all meaning
"Fish." The Arabs also knew Pisces as Al Samakatain, or "the Two Fishes."
The constellation resembles two roundish objects each of which is tied
to the same point by a long length of string. Generally the objects have
been considered as fish, although since by including fainter stars visible
to the naked eye, the strings themself take on the appearance of stick-figure
bodies (with the roundish objects thus becoming heads). Some forms of
early Greek mythology viewed it as men bound to a point. It is generally
thought that in earlier depictions, only the constellation Piscis Austrinus
was considered to be a fish.
Mythology
As mentioned above, in Greek mythology, Pisces represented the fish
into which Aphrodite and Eros transformed in order to escape the monstrous
Typhon. The two fishes are often depicted tied together with a cord,
to make sure they do not lose one another.
Another version, states that since the binding point is below the ecliptic,
and thus considered to represent being in the underworld, that one of
the figures (the one on the left) appears to escape, but the other (on
the right) seems to head back toward the ecliptic, then, joins with
Cetus (the Whale, another constellation in the Zodiac sign of Pisces),
this version may have formed the basis of the myth about the capture
of Cerberus, one of 'The Twelve Labours of Herakles'.
Astrology
The Western astrological sign Pisces of the tropical zodiac (February 19 - March 20) differs from the astronomical constellation and the Hindu astrological sign of the sidereal zodiac (March 12 - April 18). |
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It is the domicile of Jupiter (since its discovery Neptune has been considered Pisces' ruling or co-ruling planet by many modern astrologers) and the exaltation of Venus. It is also one of the four Mutable signs (along with Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius), and is said to rule over the feet. It is associated with the Twelfth house of the horoscope, and therefore is also said to rule over drugs, secrets, and large institutions, such as prisons, hospitals, and even business or governmental organisations.
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