Why Pisces, the Zodiac’s Natural-Born Artists, Should Never Work on a Deadline + More Advice From a Noted Astrologer

New York-based astrologer Lisa Stardust guides us through the season of emotions.

Welcome to Pisces season! On February 19, we entered the twelfth house and final sign in the zodiac calendar. No matter your sign, Pisces season is the time for daydreams, optimism, intuition, and creativity. We are all liable to get swept up in the swells of emotion, sensitivity, romance, and spirituality that characterize this sign.

Pisces is represented by two fish swimming in opposite directions, embodying the pull between fantasy and reality. Those born under Pisces (February 19–March 20) are the most intuitive and empathetic members of the zodiac. As the last house, Pisces has absorbed the experiences of all other 11 signs, making it the most emotionally complex.

Pisces are the natural-born artists of the zodiac, ruled by expansive Jupiter and fantastical Neptune (more on what that means below). Pisces are sometimes said to be unrealistic, but it’s more that they are guided by instinct and intuition over the strictures of the manmade world—so good luck asking one of them to work to a deadline.

Famous Pisces artists include Kehinde Wiley, Kazimir Malevich, Piet Mondrian, Michelangelo, Rosa Bonheur, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

To find out what’s in store for Pisces artists this zodiac season, we spoke with our friend Lisa Stardust, a New York City-based astrologist and the author of the best-selling book Saturn Return Survival Guide: Navigating This Cosmic Rite of Passage. Stardust, who just released a new astrology deck, gave us some insight into the Pisces artists in our lives.

Who are the quintessential Pisces artists?

Michelangelo is a Pisces, and so are Renoir and Mondrian. Here’s the thing: Pisces are really imaginative and sensitive. They are the artists of the zodiac. If we’re looking at the most creative signs, it would be Libra, Taurus, and Pisces.

Pisces is ruled by both Jupiter and Neptune. Jupiter is the traditional planetary ruler, which is really expansive. Neptune, its modern ruler, is the god of the sea and associated with fantasy, which is why Pisces get lost in their dreams. They stare at the ocean and are hypnotized by their visions. Often their vision of the world rivals other people’s perceptions of it. Because they are so imaginative, they’re the ones who will see the clouds as purple, not white.

What are Pisces’ strongest qualities as artists?

They think outside the box and they don’t compromise their visions. They are a water sign. Like the waves of the ocean, they whirr one day and are calm the next. Pisces are passionate and emotional and intuitive and that translates into their artwork.

Pisces sound like natural-born artists. What do you think their pitfalls as artists would be?

Well, they’re really stubborn! Pisces have their own viewpoints, but they swim away from confrontation and they’re really guarded. It’s hard to catch a fish, right? They slip through your hands. Fish like to swim away from chaos. I always make this joke, but imagine if you were to call a Pisces and they actually answered when you called them! Pisces can also get caught up in lies; they just don’t want to deal with reality. They’re very sensitive and absorbent of the energy around them and can take on a lot of other people’s anxieties and stress. Unfortunately, the way they cope is often through drugs or alcohol to dull their sensitivity to the world around them.

Is there a medium that Pisces would be particularly suited to?

Pisces are great at photography; Neptune is a known photographer. Pisces bring awareness of the world around them but they are also able to look at something and put their own interpretation on it. Sculpting also really suit Pisces because they like to use their hands to heal and to connect with the elements.

What’s the best way for a Pisces to get out of a creative rut?

They will get out of the rut when they feel like getting out of it. For Pisces, it’s really important not to get pushed to their limits. It’s also important for them to rest until they’re inspired by something new. They can’t just create to create; it has to be when the mood strikes. Just think about Michelangelo—he didn’t want to paint the Sistine Chapel because he only wanted to be a sculptor, so he was miserable throughout the process.

If an art career isn’t taking off right now, what would be the best day job for a Pisces?

Pisces are natural-born healers, so they’d be excellent as massage therapists, acupuncturists, social workers, teachers, doctors, veterinarians, or even musicians.

If a Pisces were going to date someone in the art world, who do you think they would be compatible with?

A Pisces would be with the head honcho, some big-time dealer with a million gallery locations. Pisces aren’t necessarily submissive, but they are okay with being with someone who is a little bit more dominant or take-charge. Pisces don’t want to have to worry about paying the bills week after week.

What are the dates that everyone should look out for this Pisces season?

We just had the new moon in Pisces, which signaled a really expansive time. On March 6, we’re having a Venus and Mars conjunction in Aquarius. That would be a really good time to dedicate your energy toward your art. We also have the full moon in Virgo on March 18, which is going to be a pragmatic time for all Pisces.