The Pisces Full Moon, exact at 1:22 am (EDT), is a sensitive yet ambitious one. The ongoing theme in the lunations (all New and Full Moons, including Eclipses) of 2020 continues at this Full Moon, with no planets in Air signs and an over-emphasis on Water and Earth signs. 

What does this mean? There’s a noticeable imbalance in our lives, with fairly little of the imaginative, fun-loving “stuff,” making us feel fearful—or, at the very least, as if we’re (practically) drowning in the toxic sea of humidity re: the more, ahem, practical and mundane aspects of life. 

Though as empathic, intuitive—and, yes, inspirational—as the Pisces Moon can be, its opposition to the Virgo Sun can all-too-easily turn (generous) inspirations to (selfish) aspirations. And with Mars in Aries only a week away from stationing Retrograde, at a very tight, tense angle to Saturn in Capricorn no less, it’ll be crucial to examine whatever true (possibly cruel) intentions are motivating us to do our best. 

Do we secretly want to punish someone else? Are we being too hard on ourselves? The Devil’s in the Details now, yet the Moon, Midheaven and Neptune in Pisces push us to make our dreams reality, too. 

So before you get lost in the balancing act of making do/due, it’s best not to forget to ask yourself these questions, as they’re of primary importance—lest we find ourselves drowning in the deluge of practicalities demanding our attention as we approach this potent Pisces Full Moon. 

Pisces Moon Opposite Virgo Sun: Lost in the Forest or the Trees?

The Full Moon occurs at 10° Pisces exactly opposite the Sun at 10° Virgo, emphasizing the polarity between the naturally intuitive Pisces Moon with the down-to-earth level headedness characteristic of the shy (but equally sensitive) Virgo Sun. 

Though they’re opposite signs, Virgo and Pisces share much in common, as all opposite Zodiac signs do: both are Mutable, and thus able to adapt well to changing circumstances; on the flip side, though, these two typically have a harder time when it comes to (solo) decision-making skills.

On the plus side, both Virgo and Pisces are known for their unwavering work ethics, often working themselves to the point of exhaustion. Though no matter how hard-working they may be, even if Virgo/Pisces secretly desire recognition (or even fame) for what they do, both signs are, perhaps ironically, most at ease when working behind the scenes. 

Speaking of Work, both Virgo and Pisces usually stake their entire identity (if not existence) on their ability to earn, and in turn help others learn how to be self-sufficient when it comes to balancing their checkbooks, filing their taxes, and in general managing all those pesky practicalities of life. 

Where these two differ is in their respective conceptions of Time and Space. Pisces, the Zodiac’s wisest Sage, is forever lost in thought, dreaming up surprisingly practical plans for the far distant future. That said, there’s no word more effective than “Retirement” to snap them out of their seemingly-distracted, notoriously glazed-over gaze. 

Virgo, though, is the master of the moment, and those born under this Sun sign are precise, detail-oriented thinkers with sharp, critical minds. And though Virgo might sometimes seem to be an overly-formulaic bore, rarely is this the case in actuality.

Just look at Warren Buffet or Beyonce—both Virgo Suns who may seem one way on the surface but always seem to have that creative Ace up their sleeves. The fact that these two are both Virgo Suns may be surprising to those unfamiliar with Astrology but it’s what’s beneath the surface that counts most when it comes to Virgo, as Virgo is rarely what they seem. So though it may seem that Queen Bey and King Buffet have zilch in common, aren’t both of them featured at least annually in that magazine...what’s it called again? Oh right—Forbes. 

The key difference when discussing the Virgo-Pisces axis is not how they feel about Practicality, but how these two get lost in it. Virgo, on the one hand, is notorious for losing sight of the Forest for the Trees, constantly checking and re-checking their map, making sure they have water in their knapsack, and stopping to pull out their magnifying glass (“Is this a Redwood, or a Pine? I know it’s one of the coniferous ones...but hold on, let me check…”).

Pisces, on the other, finds an entirely different way of getting themselves lost, constantly forgetting what time it is or trying to remember whether they brought (or where they dropped) their compass after dreamily gazing at the stars as they wonder at/wander in the vastness of the Forest, rarely noticing whether it’s made of Gumdrops or of Trees (“Trees? What trees”?). 

So, you see, it’s easy to get lost, no matter how different the way the idea of Work is conceptualized. This is especially true when it comes to the role of Communication here, with Virgo getting caught up in responding to every email, snail mail, tweet and DM that it’d make the average Pisces’ head spin. 

Mercury Trine Saturn-Pluto: Sense and Sensibility 

Mercury’s tight trine to Saturn in Capricorn only adds to the theme of rational, sound judgment, soothing the normally-nervous vibe of Mercury in Virgo. Saturn trine Mercury gives a clear set of objectives and talking points. So your To-Do List pad ready, make sure you have plenty of pens, paper and Post-Its—Virgo has a thing for Post-Its (don’t ask)—because you’ll be making a lot of them at this Full Moon. 

Clarity and precision of thought is what comes with any Mercury-Saturn aspect, especially in Earth signs. The only potential downside is that Saturn’s cold, precise logic can feel both soothing and supportive in the clarity it brings and on the other hand depressing or overwhelming if there’s just, well, too many tasks to tend to, conversations to have, emails to answer, errands to run, contracts to sign—or whatever. 

Mercury in Virgo trines Pluto in Capricorn as well, which works well to offset the scatterbrained, superficial tendencies endemic to the Earth signs, intensifying our focus and depth of insight into our relationships with family, friends and colleagues alike, fortifying existing partnerships and offering opportunity to connect and create new ones. 

But what’s most crucial to countering an overly-obsessive focus on partnerships and the emotional/financial security they can provide is Mercury’s placement in the intuitive 4th house and its tight sextile to Venus in Cancer, inspiring our minds to make cautious, practical decisions that benefit ourselves while working cooperatively with others. 

Though the Sun is in the more timid, shy Virgo Decan 1 at this Full Moon, Mercury is in Virgo Decan 3, sub-ruled by Venus, imbuing us with the common sense, realism and practicality of Earthy Virgo yet with an artistic flair not characteristic of the earlier degrees of the sign. In addition, with Mercury in a harmonious sextile to Venus in Cancer, compromise, sensitivity and compassion soften our style of self-expression. 

Venus-Saturn Square Mars in Aries: Booby-Trapped

Cancer is a harmonious, nurturing sign placement for Venus, so you’ll certainly know you’ve “got it” when it comes to the Power to Attract. But the question of whether you choose to pursue true compromise or rely on your talent for subtle manipulation via persuasion, suggestion or subterfuge is ultimately up to you at this Full Moon. 

Sweet Venus, though, is afflicted in this Pisces Full Moon chart, forming a tight opposition to stern Saturn in Capricorn, besieging us with restriction, rejection and rules that make us feel less satisfied and safe than seriously, well, sad.

Yes, Venus in Cancer can, at worst, be prone to cultivating relationships based on codependency. But Saturn in Capricorn, at worst, is prone to shutting everyone out, all in the name of maintaining their precious Boundaries. 

What happens, then, when Boundaries abound? Well, it doesn’t leave much room for truth or authentic self-expression, much less the nurturing and romance Venus in Cancer usually requires. Consequently we may be feeling rejected, pressured or put-upon if we take the Boundary Game too far.

Venus and Mars in harsh aspect to Saturn in Capricorn implies romantic and financial blockages or limitations (Venus opposite Saturn) as well as frustration or, in extreme cases, even overt cruelty (Mars square Saturn) if we don’t get whatever or whoever it is we’re after. 

In other words? We have clear insight into our (short-term) objectives combined with an acute sense of what others want to hear. But this may very well may tempt us to rely a little too heavily on subtle suggestion (read: manipulation, passive-aggression, or even peer pressure) to see how much we can get from others. 

On the other hand we should be wary of falling prey to this, should we be on the receiving end of what we sense as manipulative action on the part of (so-called significant) others. 

So as much as the practical demands of life might require reaching out to family members or significant others for support, it’s best to keep even these private dealings as professional as possible, if only to avoid (unconsciously) trying to “use” people just to get our way.

Because, as Pisces knows, It’s better in the long run to succumb, maintain transparency and willingly offer our help to others as we go about paying our personal dues. 

The heavy emphasis on Earth and Water elements in this chart implies a certain degree of secrecy (or opacity) of thought and feeling. So it’s best not to use our sentimentality to capitalize on the weaknesses or dependencies of others, as this will only breed mutual resentment in the end.

Neptune + Midheaven in Pisces: Sweet Dreams…

Just keep in mind that while short-term objectives might feel quite clear to you with this Full Moon, with Neptune conjunct the Midheaven in Pisces, none of us are sure where we’re headed in the long-term yet. Keeping this in the background of our thoughts will help us plan—and avoid the toxic booby trap of assuming others will do whatever we say we want. 

Striking a balance between relying too heavily on others at best or, at worst, using or manipulating others to get what we want and trying to do everything ourselves, shutting out any feedback and refusing to converse is challenging. 

Because while there’s likely to be plenty of opportunity to fortify current alliances and even move forward with forging new ones with Jupiter in Capricorn exactly sextile the Pisces Midheaven, it’s not worth risking the stability we’ve got by alienating our current partners (or ourselves) by pushing forward with goals and dreams still incubating in the corners of our mind’s eye. 

But if you want to succeed in the long run and avoid alienating yourself from your own long-term goals? It’ll be in your best interest to keep things aboveboard. So if you need help? Ask for it. If you messed up, miscalculated or “come up short”? Everyone will understand. Just put one foot in front of the other, as they say. And avoid any toxic humidity that might be clouding your judgment now—lest you end up booby trapped.