Understanding your Pisces rising sign and how it fits in with your Sun and Moon signs can be a bit confusing.
This is why I have created a separate article on the Rising Sign Meaning, which you can check out here.
In short, the zodiac sign, which stands as a rising sign in your horoscope determines the specific manner in which the energies and qualities of your Sun sign will be manifested in your lifetime.
For example, someone with a Cancer Sun sign and a Pisces rising will have the chance to manifest their caring, nurturing, protective nature a lot more easily, because they will be driven by the inner motivation to be self-sacrificial, devoted, sympathetic – all qualities of their Pisces rising sign.
The very same person would find it a lot harder to realize this Cancer-driven nature with an Aquarius ascendant, which would make them a lot more freedom-oriented.
This is why one of the very first things to be analyzed in a natal chart is how harmonious the interaction between the rising sign and the Sun sign is. Whether they are placed in signs that complement or contradict each other.
In addition, we should also consider and closely examine the planet, which rules the Ascendant and therefore the whole natal chart (in the case of Pisces rising, the ruler is Neptune); where this planet is placed by sign and by house, and how it interconnects with the Sun and Rising signs.
Usually your physical characteristics are determined by the combined influences of the signs, where the Sun, Moon, rising, and the ascendant ruler are placed.
For example, if you are a Virgo with a Sagittarius rising and a Leo Moon, and your Jupiter (the ruler of your ascendant) is placed in Gemini, we will say that your Sun sign is Virgo, your Moon is in Leo, your Rising is in Sagittarius, and your horoscope and ascendant ruler is in Gemini. The latter will further color the characteristics of your rising sign.
The rising sign is something that you need to manifest and demonstrate gradually throughout your life, and this is why some of the traits and characteristics of this sign can be overemphasized and more obvious than some of the qualities of your Sun sign.
For example, someone with a Leo rising is ‘more Leo than the Leos’. They wish to be noticed at all cost, and they suffer if they don’t receive the attention they seek. Their strong desire to be the center of attention provokes their inventiveness, but their manners would also be a bit more demonstrative than those of a Leo Sun sign. In comparison, someone with a Leo Sun has the calm confidence that they are the king and he or she receives the attention they deserve with dignity. A Leo Sun attracts this attention effortlessly.
To learn all the meanings of each zodiac sign, planet, and house, Download The Fast Track To Astrology Cheat Sheets.
Now that you have a good idea of the meaning and significance of the rising sign, let’s move on to
Pisces Rising Appearance
Pisces as a rising sign gives a special finesse.
The skin is tender, soft, often light. Their walk is smooth, the gestures are soft.
There is something elusive, subtle and mysterious in the Pisces rising gestures and demeanor.
The physical characteristics of Pisces are written on the face of those born with this rising sign. You can read in their eyes the dreaminess, distraction, idealism, romanticism and a certain type of mystery.
Their eyes are big and round. Their facial features are soft and smooth.
This sign is characterized by great variability. Therefore, facial expressions can vary in a wide range, depending on the emotional state.
Some Pisces rising have such a helpless expression on their face that others come to their aid without even being asked to.
Pisces Rising Meaning – An Overview
Also read all about Moon in Pisces
Pisces, as a rising sign gives the individual even more sensitivity and psychic abilities than the Pisces sun sign. Pisces rising are delicate, calm, and quiet, and they are open to inspiration and influences from the invisible worlds.
In some rare cases when the individual is unevolved Pisces rising can be obsessed by lower influences and become addicted to alcohol, drugs, smoking – and in the worst case scenario – they lose their identity and become a channel for lower forces, which act through them.
Pisces rising often have to show mercy in their lives, which are often associated with caring for sick, helpless and speechless creatures.
Pisces Rising Traits – Psychological Motivation
Since the ascendant is the motivating factor that puts the individual into action in life, we can ask the question – what type of motivation do those, born with the most elusive and barely perceptible rising sign have?
Their driving mechanisms can also be ephemeral, as is the nature of this sign of Pisces.
Traditional astrology books claim that those born with a Pisces rising are great dreamers and idealists. That they spend most of their time in their fictional, illusory world. Because most Pisces rising do not like the external reality, they decide to create a fictional reality and live fully in it. Over time, they begin to sincerely believe that the reality they have invented is real. This is how they may lose contact with the world around them.
Pisces is the last sign of the Zodiac. It has to do with the way things end. The first sign (Aries) is has the mission to be an initiator, to start things; the second (Taurus) – to incorporate and build things in the material reality; the third (Gemini) – to make sense and analyze, etc.
The last sign of the zodiac has the mission to complete the cycle.
The detached ego makes its journey consistently through every sign of the zodiac. In its own way, it evolves, learning various life lessons. Finally, it reaches such a high level in the evolutionary spiral that it dissolves back to the world’s ‘ocean of oneness’, from where all souls originated. This process takes place in the last sign of the Zodiac – Pisces.
There is a great contradiction in the fact the Pisces must act as an ascendant. On the one hand, the rising sign has the task of building the ego. It defines what is here to motivate us and bring us to the initial movement of life.
On the other hand, the task of Pisces is to gradually erase and dissolve the ego in the collective self. Hence the desire of Pisces rising people to work exclusively in the background and to put their personal needs and desires in the service of others.
Those born with a Pisces rising usually have an ego, which is initially difficult to notice. From the very beginning, they adapt to the needs and desires of the people around them. They seem to be become part of the environment and disappear. It is possible that their personal needs are so depersonalized that other people either do not notice them at all, or take them for granted and show no respect or gratitude at all.
However, without the personal sacrifice of Pisces rising, a huge void would appear in public society. Their function is to work invisibly in the background, offering help and support to others. It is not their job to be in the spotlight.
It is not difficult to understand that in order for this play called “life” to be successfully performed, we need a good variety of people. It’s not just the actors, who are on stage. An army of people is needed to work impersonally behind the scenes.
Therefore, Pisces rising born people should not underestimate and belittle themselves both in their own eyes and in the eyes of others. They need to see and properly assess their true and important role in life.
For a full list of words and phrases, associated with Pisces and all other signs, planets, and houses, Download the Fast Track to Astrology Cheatsheets.
Pisces Rising Challenges
The lack of self-confidence, as well as an unrealistic assessment of their own strength go hand in hand with the energies coming from Pisces.
Naturally, it would be wrong to think that these people are called to play the role of Rambo, for example, but for one reason or another they have not yet realized their potential in life. Their mission is far from this kind of open combat.
Most Pisces rising were not born to be formal leaders, even in a very local context. However, their function is to provide support, understanding, empathy and moral backing to those called to be leaders. And without this important role that takes place invisibly in the background of world history, even the most ‘informal’ leader would not succeed.
Those born with a Pisces rising are destined to serve others. Pisces is generally characterized by a very strong spiritual connection with God. This sign helps the soul to touch the Source and its true home, from where it is temporarily detached.
Therefore, these people are often born with an inherent feeling of sadness and loneliness, which they carefully hide. They have an absolute need to spend part of their time in solitude and isolation. This is how they can re-charge.
The vibrations of the planet Earth often turns out to be too harsh compared to the subtle energies, emanating from the spirit world. Pisces rising may find it too difficult to deal with these overly raw and unpleasant energies.
The owners of this ascendant are designed for a much finer type of vibration. That’s why they feel the need to shut themselves in and live in their own fictional world. It’s much easier for them to deal with problems in this way.
Still it is imperative for Pisces rising to face their earthly problems and fight to solve them. Otherwise, it would be difficult to realize even a small part of the potential given to them by birth.
Astrology could help them a lot in this regard. One of the most important purposes of this science is to give us real self-knowledge and objective judgment of ourselves. Therefore, these people would greatly benefit from a realistic and objective acquaintance with their own personality.
In order to do that, however, they need to show desire and enough ambition to get out of their beautiful illusory world at least for a while. If they do this, they will gain much more confidence in their strengths, significance and capabilities. As a result, they could benefit significantly more from their introspection than any other rising sign.
For a full list of words and phrases, associated with Pisces and all other signs, planets, and houses, Download the Fast Track to Astrology Cheatsheets.
Two Groups of Pisces Rising
The symbol of this astrological sign is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, connected by a strong thread. One fish swims downstream while the other swims upstream.
This is why two types of personalities are born with a Pisces rising.
The first type of the ones, who leave themselves to the course of life’s circumstances. They shut themselves in their own fictional world to escape the harsh reality.
This group is easily susceptible to the use of all sorts of ways to escape from reality. The most common of these are smoking, alcohol and drugs. The Pisces rising, who belong to this group are literally wasting their lives, trying by all means to escape from responsibilities and obligations.
They are afraid to face reality, because they have a very low opinion of their own strengths and abilities. They shut themselves in their illusory world of dreams or resort to opiates. This is how the people around them form a low opinion about them and understand that they cannot be relied on. This further undermines the already low self-esteem of Pisces rising.
Thankfully, there is another category of individuals born with a Pisces rising – those who swim against the stream. They do not adapt to life’s circumstances, but try to fight them. Among them are US president Theodore Roosevelt, film director Jerry Zucker, musician Ringo Starr and the founder of psychosynthesis in astrology Bruno Huber.
This group of Pisces rising also goes beyond their own ego and draws inspiration from the invisible words.
Pisces Rising Traits – The Three Main Types Of Characters
The rising sign of Pisces is manifested mainly through three main types of characters – the victim, the savior, and the man of art.
The victim is the type, who is afraid of the reality around them.
Often they are either incapable of dealing with life or they simply refuse to face the challenges presented to them. This type of person envelops themselves in their own world and becomes a victim to the circumstances or the people around them. He or she needs support in life and therefore remains faithful to his or her partner, even if they may not respect and love each other.
Drug addiction and crime often go hand in hand. That is why this type of Pisces rising is also known for their connections with the criminal world. Some of them spend part of their time imprisoned or isolated in various institutions.
The second type of Pisces rising is the savior.
They are willing to sacrifice their personal interests to save someone in need.
This type is relatively easy to be deceived and misled by others. It is enough for someone to cry and shrug his shoulder and they are ready to give their last cents in order to help.
This group of Pisces rising should understand that suffering has a purpose. It is a powerful tool for the development and evolution of an individual. Therefore, the fight against someone else’s suffering at any cost is not only unnecessary, but even downright harmful. Perhaps the greatest evil that can be inflicted on humanity is the elimination of suffering.
Therefore, this type of Pisces rising should acquire selectivity towards the people they help. While some distressed people really need compassion and support, others may simply use their naivety and kind heart exclusively for personal benefit.
But for Pisces rising, it is not easy to make that distinction. Therefore, they should diligently suppress some of their natural instincts until they are convinced that the person in front of them is not a charlatan or a deceiver, ready to use their good heart for purely selfish purposes.
The ego of this category of people also outgrows the personal framework. It is dissolved into something much bigger than the individual human personality. It draws energy from the vast ocean of the universal self. There is no difference between Me and You, between Us and Them. There everything is merged together. Therefore, the pain of the other is experienced as a personal pain, the suffering of others is experienced as personal suffering.
Pisces rising cannot achieve personal happiness, if in the world there is even a single representative of the human race, who is unhappy. Hence their inner need to help and give. At best, by acting selectively, they are able to alleviate the pain and suffering of those who really need help.
In this case, the body of those born with a Pisces ascendant can become a powerful channel through which the energy of the Source can flow into the bodies of those, who need it. They can become gifted healers and mediums.
The third type of Pisces rising are the artists.
Pisces is the only sign of the Zodiac that carries a direct connection with the Creator.
However, by definition, this gift is given exclusively to this sign. That is why the representatives of Pisces are distinguished by a certain blurring and vagueness of their thoughts and statements. When Pisces rises on the eastern horizon, which means that a person’s energy comes directly from God, the energies emanating from the spirit world are too subtle and almost imperceptible. This energy is quite different from the powerful, material one, inherent to Aries.
But also the areas which Pisces rising consciously or subconsciously get in touch with are of a very different spiritual, and one might say divine nature. So, how can they pass on to others this feeling and the vague sense of contact with the divine world? This is something that cannot be conveyed in words. And even if it is described, it cannot be understood by the other signs of the Zodiac. This is because they have never experienced anything like it.
Therefore, the only way to convey at least some of this divine radiance in a form that is somehow understandable to others is art.
Pisces rising is powered by the need to write music, paint pictures, make movies, etc. In this way, like healers, they can also heal us, but in an imperceptible and subtle way. Their personal presence is too often depersonalized and not always clearly visible in the final product.
You cannot find the identity of the individual musician when you listen to, for example, the performance of an orchestra. His personality, however, together with those of many others, is dissolved in the harmony of the vibrations that caress and nurture your soul.
Yes, the artistic type of people born with a Pisces rising play their very important and significant role for the evolution of humanity.
In any case, we see that in all three types of personalities born with this ascendant, there is one motive, and it consists in dissolving and sacrificing the desires of one’s own ego. However, before we are filled with regret in the face of such a sacrificial fate in life, we should ask ourselves the following questions.
Is this placement karmic?
Has this person done something in a previous life that now requires them to voluntarily give up the desires, emanating from his or her personal ego?
Or maybe it is a personal sacrifice that the soul has agreed to before coming to earth?
Most likely we will answer all these questions in the affirmative.
Pisces Rising Greatest Strengths
The greatest power of Pisces rising is their direct connection with God. They are governed directly by the spirit world, whether they realize it or not. And spiritual power is much more powerful than anything that is known to us in material terms.
The spiritual gives rise to the material and governs it in its development. We see that although Pisces rising might look weak on the outside and do not always develop their full potential, they actually have great power. However, it is of a spiritual, not material nature.
It depends entirely on the individual on whether they use it properly for the good of others, or direct it for their personal self-destruction.
For a full list of words and phrases, associated with Pisces and all other signs, planets, and houses, Download the Fast Track to Astrology Cheatsheets.
Pisces rising Compatibility
The opposite sign of Pisces is Virgo. Because the Pisces rising are closed in their own world of dreams and illusions, they need a partner of the earthly type, such as Virgo, to push them to concrete actions in the material world.
The sign of Pisces is interested in the common ocean of the collective ego, but Virgo dissects and analyzes every single aspect of material life. While Pisces has a tendency to soar in the clouds, Virgo works tirelessly to perfect material reality.
A Virgo-type partner of (but not necessarily of this zodiac sign) would be useful for those born with a Pisces rising.
This sign is ruled by Neptune, which is a personal planet of Pisces rising, and its position in the horoscope by home and aspects is extremely important.
Please remember that Sun Moon and Rising signs are not enough to properly evaluate compatibility or one’s personality.
You can see a very accurate and beginner-friendly step-by-step guide on how to check compatibility with your partner, taking into consideration the most important elements in the birth chart here.
And if you wish to order a full in-depth analysis of your natal chart that examines the interrelatedness of all elements and also provides a report with remedies on how to overcome your weakest points and challenges, you can do so here.