Hey y’all,
Welcome to Pisces season, the season of the two fishes that are connected by a ribbon, swimming together in the primordial soup. As we move out of a month of Aquarian passion, desire, and an active weaving of interconnected parts, Pisces enters the stage along with the Human Design Gate of Abundance, aka the Gate of Spirit.
Pisces season is a time of surrender, intuition, deep emotions, and spiritual transformation. As the last sign of the Zodiac wheel, it represents both of endings and preparation for new beginnings. Pisces is the embodiment of the entire rest of the wheel of the year, including elements from every other sign. It is the culmination of the processes of life and death, growth and decay. I look at Aries-Virgo as the life stages of the Zodiac wheel, and Libra- Pisces as the death part of the cycle. Pisces is the rich, decadent, dank soil, the compost made of all the living beings from the past year… and the past millenia. Pisces is a sign of absorption, of a soil that can hold the waters of spring and provide the perfect conditions for the seeds of the new cycle to crack open and grow upward. Pisces is multitudes, is always moving, is quantum reality.
Happy Pisces Season.
In the I’Ching and Human Design wheel of the year, the story of Pisces season takes us on a journey from a feeling of ABUNDANCE & SPIRIT to HARMONY to DOUBT to GRACE to CRISIS to INNOCENCE, the place where an astrological and ecological new beginning happens, with the horned dicot sprouts of Aries the ram poking their heads up into the air with quivering anticipation for a new cycle. This is a beautiful story arc that will play out over the next month and tell the story of the fish in nuanced ways.
Pisces, a mutable water sign, is the season of the year when we are most able to recognize the undeniable importance of interdependence, most able to see the truth that boundaries and barriers between us are no more than figments of our imagination. At this stage of the cycle, Pisces reveals the ever-moving, ever-changing primordial stew that we all arose out of- and also reveals the truth that the stew itself is composed of the memories, dreams, and molecules of our ancestors, both human and more-than-human.
Over the past month, the archetype of Aquarius showed us the complex inner workings of the Saturnian underlying structure of a truly networked reality. Capricorn, also ruled by Saturn, gives us understanding of buildings and towers, while Aquarius shows us the structure of subway systems and wifi networks. Using the language of Human Design, Aquarius season did this through helping us identifying our personal needs and desires with the gates of Contraction, Wanting and Passion, and also through recognizing that our sovereign selves are part of a vast network of other sovereign selves, with the gates of Acceptance, Listening, and Revolution.
We enter Pisces season in the Gate of Abundance, aka Spirit, with a much deeper understanding about how there is no real distinction between me and we. We’ve gpme to great lengths to create a distinction, so that we can know where our boundaries are, but also we can now recognize that we’re a part of it all- we’re a participant observer, not just an observer of it all. The collective and the individual exist along a spectrum, and are not as binary as they might have seemed back in Libra season! Pisces brings us the nature of merging, of soil and water, the ever-shifting spectrum.
Welcome here.
This week’s highlights:
Tuesday, February 18: Pisces season begins
Sunday, February 23: Mars stations direct in Cancer (finally!!)
Human Design/I’Ching:
Mon- Tues: Gate 30, the Gate of Passion
Wed-Sunday: Gate 55:, the Gate of Abundance/Spirit
Our Place in the Wheel of the Year
Medicine Wheel Direction: EAST (Earth, Spring, Birth & Childhood, Physicality)
Wuxing Cycle Element: WOOD
Pagan Season: Imbolc
Zodiac Season: PISCES (Feb 18-March 20)
Moon Phase: Waning
I Ching Hexagram/Human Design: 30 (Mon-Tues), 55 (Wed-Sun)
30: Fire over Fire or " Clinging Fire", aka the Gate of FEELINGS or PASSION
55: Thunder over Fire, or “Abundance”, aka the Gate of SPIRIT
Tuesday: Pisces season begins with the Gate of Abundance, aka the Gate of Spirit
Gate 55 is associated with the energy of freedom and the emotional spectrum, especially in relation to the themes of abundance and the shadow of victimhood.
It’s a deep realization in the beginning of Pisces that there is a spectrum instead of a binary, an interconnection that focuses on the whole rather than the sum of parts. There is a certain consciousness to that that aligns with the astrological 12th house of the subconscious and spirituality, the house that is naturally ruled by Pisces. This place is so beyond individualistic identity that it is sometimes hard to see through the emotional oceanic darkness, and we can sometimes feel victims to this ocean… until we recognize that freedom is the obvious other option.
The first gate of Pisces, Gate 55, with its themes of abundance, freedom, and ecstasy, provides a potent pathway to emotional mastery. When paired with the Piscean energy, it can lead to deep self-awareness, spiritual enlightenment, and the freedom to experience life with an open heart, unburdened by the weight of past emotional patterns. Through understanding and working with this Gene Key, Pisces (or anyone influenced by its energy) can access a greater sense of personal liberation and spiritual connection.
Gene Key 55: Victimhood > Freedom > Ecstasy
Gene Key 55 corresponds to the I Ching hexagram 55, which is known as Abundance or Feng, meaning to be filled with the energy of abundance in all areas of life. This Gene Key’s primary focus is on the emotional spectrum and the state of consciousness that we embody when navigating through life. Its three primary frequencies are:
Shadow - Victimhood: The low frequency of this Gene Key is the shadow of victimhood. This represents a sense of helplessness, as though life is being imposed upon you, leading to feelings of emotional depletion, emotional manipulation, or a sense of being overwhelmed by circumstances, like you’re drowning in the ocean or suffocating underground. It can be quite a harsh transition from the interconnection of Aquarius season to the abundant everythingness of Pisces season. It can be easy to feel trapped by your emotions or life situation when this shadow is in play.
Gift - Freedom: The Gift frequency is that of freedom, where one transcends the lower, reactive emotional states and moves toward emotional maturity and empowerment. Freedom in this sense means emotional liberation, where one is no longer controlled by feelings of victimization, but rather understands the ebb and flow of emotions and uses them as a source of insight and transformation.
Siddhi - Ecstasy: At the highest frequency, the Siddhi of Gene Key 55 is ecstasy. This represents a state of emotional transcendence and bliss, where you are in perfect harmony with the flow of the universe, experiencing joy and peace at a profound, soul-deep level.
I Ching Hexagram 55
The I Ching hexagram associated with Gene Key 55 is hexagram 55, Abundance, which represents a moment of great opportunity and intensity. The hexagram emphasizes the abundance that arises from a time of emotional growth, understanding, and the release of old patterns. The message of the hexagram is that abundance doesn’t come through force or striving; instead, it arises naturally when you let go of the need to control and simply allow yourself to be present with the emotions and experiences of life.
In the I Ching, hexagram 55 is composed of the trigrams Thunder over Fire. It suggests that periods of abundance require maturity and responsibility to truly embrace the fullness of life. It’s a call to let go of self-imposed limitations and open up to the vast emotional and spiritual potential within. It gives the image of lightning piercing through clouds, showing how success can strike with incredible speed and force. It is a reminder to celebrate your achievements while also making prudent decisions for the future.
This hexagram is also known as “Abounding” and “Expansion of Awareness”, as the translation of “Abundance” between Chinese and English may lack parts of the definition of abundance in the original texts of the I’Ching. This quote from Gopi Krishna about Kundalini energy captures the essence of Abundance in this sense:
Suddenly, with a roar like that of a waterfall, I felt a stream of liquid light entering my brain through the spinal cord ... The illumination grew brighter and brighter, the roaring louder, I experienced a rocking sensation and then felt myself slipping out of my body, entirely enveloped in a halo of light ... I was no longer myself, or to be more accurate, no longer as I knew myself to be, a small point of awareness confined in a body, but instead was a vast circle of consciousness in which the body was but a point, bathed in light and in a state of exaltation and happiness impossible to describe.
Gopi Krishna --Kundalini, the Evolutionary Energy in Man
Sunday: Mars stations direct in Cancer
Mars has been retrograde in Cancer for a while (since January), which may be why I’ve been feeling so….crabby… since the beginning of the year. Now it's finally going direct, -still in it’s fall in Cancer until April 19- but at least the planet of action is getting to move forward starting on Sunday. This shift brings a ton of emotional energy, especially when we know that it’s forward motion is beginning when the sun is in Gate 55, the Gate of Abundance. It’s all about emotional freedom, faith, and letting go of control, and when these two energies combine, we get a huge opportunity to release old emotional baggage and step into our power.
Here’s what’s happening:
Emotional Power and Release – Gate 55 is all about riding emotional waves and allowing deep shifts to occur, and Mars going direct in Cancer pushes us to confront and release suppressed emotions. This is the time to break free from old emotional patterns and reclaim that sense of emotional power.
From Reactivity to Trust – Cancer can be super protective and sensitive, so Mars going direct here can stir up defensiveness or impulsive reactions. Gate 55, though, reminds us that emotional freedom isn’t about controlling our feelings—it’s about trusting life to unfold as it will. Instead of reacting, we get to choose to trust.
Liberation from the Past – Cancer is tied to ancestry, memories, and emotional history, and Mars moving direct here signals a chance to break free from old emotional cycles. Gate 55 helps by shifting us out of victimhood and into an energy of abundance, reminding us that surrendering to life’s flow brings freedom.
Faith Over Fear – While Mars direct in Cancer can stir up emotional intensity, it also encourages us to follow our intuition and act based on our emotional truth. Gate 55 takes this a step further, showing us that when we lean into faith instead of fear, we align with abundance. The more we trust the bigger picture, the more emotional peace we can experience, even in turbulent times.
So, together, Gate 55 and Mars direct in Cancer are calling for an emotional breakthrough. It’s time to trust our instincts, let go of what no longer serves us, and move forward with faith, not fear. This is the perfect moment to step into your inner strength and embrace emotional wisdom. Life’s abundance is waiting—just trust the process.
The 6 Human Design Gates of Pisces Season
Here are the 6 gates ahead that tell the story of the season of the fishes.
GATE 55 – The Gate of Abundance/Spirit
I Ching Hexagram 55: Feng (Abundance)
Gene Key 55: Shadow – Victimization → Gift – Freedom → Siddhi – Ecstacy
Theme: Gate 55 is the gate of faith, emotional transformation, and trust in abundance. Pisces energy enhances this gate’s message of letting go of control and embracing the unknown. The Gene Key 55 speaks of shifting from a victim mindset (Shadow) to emotional freedom (Gift and Siddhi)—where true abundance is found in surrendering to life’s flow.
GATE 37 – The Gate of Harmony
I Ching Hexagram 37: Jia Ren (The Family)
Gene Key 37: Shadow – Weakness → Gift – Equality → Siddhi – Tenderness
Theme: Gate 37 represents the power of emotional connection, family, and balanced relationships. Pisces amplifies this gate’s need for unity, compassion, and the harmony of giving and receiving. The Gene Key 37 evolves from dependency and imbalance (Shadow) into mutual respect (Gift), ultimately reaching tenderness (Siddhi)—the realization that true strength comes from love and softness.
GATE 63 – The Gate of Doubt
I Ching Hexagram 63: Ji Ji (After Completion)
Gene Key 63: Shadow – Doubt → Gift – Inquiry → Siddhi – Truth
Theme: Gate 63 carries the energy of questioning, curiosity, and the search for higher truth. Pisces enhances the spiritual side of this gate, teaching that doubt is part of the path to wisdom. The Gene Key 63 moves from mental agitation (Shadow) to the gift of inquiry, where doubt fuels exploration, eventually leading to absolute truth (Siddhi)—a state beyond the mind’s limitations.
GATE 22 – The Gate of Grace
I Ching Hexagram 22: Bi (Grace)
Gene Key 22: Shadow – Dishonor → Gift – Graciousness → Siddhi – Grace
Theme: Gate 22 is about emotional refinement, grace, and surrendering to divine timing. Pisces season deepens this energy, calling for compassion, forgiveness, and emotional mastery. The Gene Key 22 transforms emotional suffering (Shadow) into graciousness (Gift), and ultimately into divine grace (Siddhi)—where one embodies unconditional love and spiritual elegance.
GATE 36 – The Gate of Crisis
I Ching Hexagram 36: Ming Yi (Darkening of the Light)
Gene Key 36: Shadow – Turbulence → Gift – Humanity → Siddhi – Compassion
Theme: Gate 36 represents emotional depth, turbulence, and transformation through hardship. Pisces amplifies the theme of embracing the darkest emotions as a gateway to light. The Gene Key 36 moves from chaos and suffering (Shadow) to deep empathy for humanity (Gift), ultimately reaching compassion (Siddhi)—where one sees pain as a doorway to divine love.
GATE 25 – The Gate of the Spirit of the Self, or Innocence (Cusp between Pisces & Aries)
I Ching Hexagram 25: Wu Wang (Innocence)
Gene Key 25: Shadow – Constriction → Gift – Acceptance → Siddhi – Universal Love
Theme: Gate 25 embodies pure love, trust, and surrender to the divine. As Pisces transitions into Aries, this gate teaches fearlessness and the power of an open heart. The Gene Key 25 shifts from emotional constriction (Shadow) into full acceptance (Gift), ultimately reaching universal love (Siddhi)—a state of pure connection with life itself.
Pisces Season and the Journey of Spiritual Surrender
Each of these gates reflects Pisces’ themes of faith, intuition, surrender, and deep emotional wisdom. Whether through the trust of Gate 55, the connection of Gate 37, the inquiry of Gate 63, the grace of Gate 22, the emotional depth of Gate 36, or the universal love of Gate 25, Pisces season guides us toward letting go of control and embracing the infinite flow of existence.
Have a beautiful week ahead, transforming that passion of late Aquarius season into the abundant spirit of early Pisces season.
I’ll talk to you again next week, where we’ll dive into the Gate of Harmony/Family and Venus retrograde in Aries.
xoxxo,
Alison
I always love to hear how this is landing with you- do you have Gate 55 or Pisces active in your chart? Let me know in the comments!
Check out my Cycles of Time Google Calendar that I have available as a digital download on my Etsy store! If you’d like to follow along with the cycles I talk about here on the pod in a deeper way, you can import the calendar with detailed descriptions of the major Astrology/Human Design/Wheel of the Year transits as a digital download, and that can be imported into your Google Calendar.
It helps me so much to be able to look at the transits alongside my calendar’s obligations and appointments- I hope you find it useful too!
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