Born between February 19th and March 20th, this mutable Water sign embodies a free-flowing nature that is typically easy to get along with. Their heightened levels of sensitivity equip them to read the room. Sometimes this works to their advantage while, at other times, their ability to feel into the unseen can be extremely taxing. As one of the most empathic zodiac signs, Pisces has a tendency to absorb the emotions of others. If they're not clear in their own boundaries, they can quickly find themselves lost in the distress of other people.
Ruled by Neptune, there's no coincidence that these dreamy lovers often blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Given their idealistic approach to life they always see the best in others (even when those same people know they ain't sh*t). It is a Pisces' ministry to provide unconditional love and support—even for people undeserving of their devotion.
As the last sign of the zodiac, Pisces essentially embodies the essence of all of its predecessors. Often considered a Water sign, in some ideologies they're actually associated with Ether—that being the air beyond the clouds. While its sister sign Cancer rules the ocean and Scorpio governs fixed bodies of water, Pisces is the source that permeates all space much like our idea of God.
This is one of the reasons many Pisceans find themselves naturally drawn to spirituality. Given their malleable nature, they're likely to explore various spiritual paths throughout their lives. They're capable of connecting the dots between things that seem completely different. At the end of the day, Pisces' only concern is getting to the heart of the matter. Not one to get caught up in the details like their opposite sign Virgo, these intuitive individuals prefer to feel their way through life.
The Pisces Zodiac Sign: An Overview
Physiologically, Pisces governs the feet, toes, and lymphatic system. Given their emotionally-absorbent nature, it's important to not allow emotions to become stagnant which can sometimes result in illness. As an appreciator of nature's beauty, taking a relaxing stroll can be just what they need to keep their energy flowing and to keep them grounded in reality. They are notorious for having a vivid imagination and it's not uncommon for you to catch them glancing off into space with that dewey look in their eyes. Even though they are a spiritual being, they still have a physical body that needs to be treated like the temple that it is. Pisces can be extremely sensitive to certain foods which is why it's common for many of them to develop food allergies over time.
The Earthly realm can get pretty boring for Pisces which can push them to explore various forms of escapismwhether that be through music, books, and is severe cases—drugs. This indulgent zodiac sign, whose ancient ruler is Jupiter, can fall into patterns of addiction more easily than others. Their Neptunian influence lures them into a dreamworld in which everything is alright when in reality their lives may be total chaos. As innocent as they appear, Pisces does have a dark side to them.
There's a reason that their symbol is two fish (and not one). Although they can be some of the kindest people they can also hit below the belt with their self-righteousness. Known to play the victim, they have to be brutally honest with themselves (and grounded enough within reality) to recognize how they, too, play a role in the drama. Associated with the subconscious, they can fall into projecting their unhealed emotional wounds onto others. Shadow work is key for this dualistic sign to remain balanced.
Pisces Personality Traits
Best Pisces Traits:
- Sensitive
- Visionary
- Empathic
- Instinctive
- Artistic
Worst Pisces Traits:
- Elusive
- Addictive
- Paranoid
Pisces in Career
Dreamy Pisceans often have a difficulties adjusting to the norm of a 9-5. Due to their imaginative nature, they'll usually find more fulfillment in paving a path of their own that allows them to indulge their need for creative expression. With financial security not being a top priority for this free-spirited sign, it's common they bounce around from one place to the next in pursuit of an environment that can support their endeavors.
Many of them will go through a "starving artist" phase at some point before they recognize that their need for security is just as important as living out their purpose. Often born with an innate gift that cannot be taught, they just need to learn to leverage what they're naturally good at. A career in the healing and spiritual arts as well as music, acting, and writing are all paths that support what Pisces is best at. Given their compassionate nature, charity work is also suitable for them. For those that are a little more on the "secular" side of things, opening up a bar or getting into the liquor trade could be surprisingly lucrative.
Pisces in Love
As a mutable Water sign, Pisces can be a little difficult to figure out but that's also the allure about them. On one hand, they can be sympathetic and compassionate, while on the other hand they can be distrustful and wounded. Not one to dive in head first, they prefer to test the waters before taking the plunge. In the beginning, Pisces will only reveal but so much as they do possess a mystique about them.
Once you've passed the test, they'll happily reveal their innermost self to you. Given their power of subtle influence, they have the ability to get their needs met—usually without even being direct. This is a result of their mastered manipulative streak which can sabotage the growth of the authentic relationships they deeply crave. Their sacrificial nature and giant hearts make them a sucker for people who are suffering. They are weak to a good sob story and love to be the one to pick up the pieces.
It's very common for Pisceans to wind up in codependent relationships that ultimately aren't serving either party involved. Once they stop trying to save other people and save themselves, they can connect with a partner that is truly their equal. Generally, other Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) and Taurus and Capricorn are good matches for this passionate free-spirit.
Famous Pisces Celebs
- Jhene Aiko
- Rihanna
- Erykah Badu
- Common
- Daniel Kaluuya
- Lupita Nyong'o
- Steph Curry
- Spike Lee
- Trevor Noah
Featured image by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Pandora Media Inc.
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Eva Marcille On Starring In 'Jason’s Lyric Live' & Being An Audacious Black Woman
Eva Marcille has taken her talents to the stage. The model-turned-actress is starring in her first play, Jason’s Lyric Live alongside Allen Payne, K. Michelle, Treach, and others.
The play, produced by Je’Caryous Johnson, is an adaptation of the film, which starred Allen Payne as Jason and Jada Pinkett Smith as Lyric. Allen reprised his role as Jason for the play and Eva plays Lyric.
While speaking to xoNecole, Eva shares that she’s a lot like the beloved 1994 character in many ways. “Lyric is so me. She's the odd flower. A flower nonetheless, but definitely not a peony,” she tells us.
“She's not the average flower you see presented, and so she reminds me of myself. I'm a sunflower, beautiful, but different. And what I loved about her character then, and even more so now, is that she was very sure of herself.
"Sure of what she wanted in life and okay to sacrifice her moments right now, to get what she knew she deserved later. And that is me. I'm not an instant gratification kind of a person. I am a long game. I'm not a sprinter, I'm a marathon.
America first fell in love with Eva when she graced our screens on cycle 3 of America’s Next Top Model in 2004, which she emerged as the winner. Since then, she's ventured into different avenues, from acting on various TV series like House of Payne to starring on Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Je-Caryous Johnson Entertainment
Eva praises her castmates and the play’s producer, Je’Caryous for her positive experience. “You know what? Je’Caryous fuels my audacity car daily, ‘cause I consider myself an extremely audacious woman, and I believe in what I know, even if no one else knows it, because God gave it to me. So I know what I know. That is who Je’Caryous is.”
But the mom of three isn’t the only one in the family who enjoys acting. Eva reveals her daughter Marley has also caught the acting bug.
“It is the most adorable thing you can ever see. She’s got a part in her school play. She's in her chorus, and she loves it,” she says. “I don't know if she loves it, because it's like, mommy does it, so maybe I should do it, but there is something about her.”
Overall, Eva hopes that her contribution to the role and the play as a whole serves as motivation for others to reach for the stars.
“I want them to walk out with hope. I want them to re-vision their dreams. Whatever they were. Whatever they are. To re-see them and then have that thing inside of them say, ‘You know what? I'm going to do that. Whatever dream you put on the back burner, go pick it up.
"Whatever dream you've accomplished, make a new dream, but continue to reach for the stars. Continue to reach for what is beyond what people say we can do, especially as [a] Black collective but especially as Black women. When it comes to us and who we are and what we accept and what we're worth, it's not about having seen it before. It's about knowing that I deserve it.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Okay, so let's start here. Did you know that approximately 75 percent of Americans suffer from dehydration? And, while you might think that this article is running during the summertime because that is when we tend to be outside and perspiring the most, the reality is this could actually be published any time of the year. Why?
Because there is no time on the calendar when our bodies don't need a good amount of fluids running through them—you know, being that we're made up of around 65 percent water ourselves.
When your body has the right amount of fluids running through it, not only can that help to keep you nice and cool, but it can also keep your muscles and joints working at their optimal levels (you know, like while you're swimming or taking long walks along the beach 'n stuff). Plus, spending a lot of time out in the sun can definitely put you on the road to being dehydrated—quick, fast, and in a hurry.
If you're wondering if you already are dehydrated, but you're not sure what signs to look for to confirm it, here are 10 that tend to get overlooked, far more than they ever should.
1. Thirst
If you've ever heard the saying, "If you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated," there is actually a significant amount of truth to that. When there is a lack of fluid in our system (or too much sodium in our body), the amount of water volume that we need in order for our body to work correctly drops, which makes us want to drink more.
You can stay on top of this by drinking 2-3 cups of water per hour (when you're awake, of course). If you do that, you should avoid feeling thirsty or parched. And, when it comes to your body "flowing" smoothly, that's a good thing.
2. Fatigue
Word on the street is that when you're at the point of dehydration, you've already lost somewhere between 2-3 percent of your own body fluid. If that happens, it makes total sense that you would start to feel tired, drained, lethargic, and fatigued. When there isn't enough fluid in your system, your blood volume drops, and that keeps your brain from getting all of the blood (and oxygen) that it needs.
Plus, dehydration makes your heart pump faster than it needs to as well. So yeah, if you want an energy pick-me-up, drinking more fluids is a surefire way to go.
3. A “Pop Off” Spirit
If you feel like you're about to snap on somebody, drink something first. A couple of glasses of water, if you can. While it might sound crazy on the surface, another bona fide indication of dehydration is that you're in a bad mood. How do the two dots connect?
When your fluid levels are low, the neurons in your brain are able to easily detect that. As a result, they will signal to other parts of your brain what's up, including the area that regulates your moods. Hmph. Considering 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated, it makes you wonder how many are irritable, short-tempered, and just plain mean, simply because they don't have as much fluid in their body as they should, huh?
4. Blurred Vision
Have you ever had moments when, while scrolling through your Instagram or trying to watch television, your eyes suddenly became blurry? Before you freak out, drink more. Our eyes need fluids in order to remain moist and comfortable. This means that when we are dehydrated and our body fluid levels drop, that can result in dry and irritated eyes. This is just one more reason why drinking more water is such a good idea.
5. Sugar Cravings
If you want to get a grasp of just how serious sugar addiction in this country is, check out Healthline's "America's Deadly Sugar Addiction Has Reached Epidemic Levels." But if you're typically not someone who is big on sugar, and yet, you find yourself having moments when you can't seem to get enough of it, this could be another sign that you're dehydrated.
Something that our organs need is a healthy amount of glucose. Well, when we don't have enough liquid in our body, that can make it difficult for organs like our liver to release glucose and provide our bodies with an energy boost. As a result, we might think that we need a sugar rush when really, all we need is to drink more. How crazy is that?
6. Unexplainable Breakouts
Whenever I get pimples that have nothing to do with my period, it's usually a heads-up for me that I need to drink more water. Something else that drinking more does is flush toxins out of our system and help to keep sebum from clogging up our pores. A lot of us are out here thinking that if we put everything under the sun on top of our zits that they'll go away. But the reality is, if we drank more good ole' H20, we probably wouldn't have so many pimples to deal with in the first place.
7. Bad Breath
There is someone I went to high school with who had the worst breath ever. Well, she and a guy I went to college with actually ran neck and neck with this particular "award." In hindsight, something that I realize they had in common is that I rarely, if ever, saw them drinking water. It was juice, soda—anything but. Here's the thing about that—when we don't get enough fluid into our system, that keeps us from producing the amount of saliva that we need in order to flush out oral bacteria.
When bacteria linger, not only does that create a breeding ground for tooth decay, but it can make our breath smell pretty damn tart as well. Just one more reason to drink more; more specifically, drink more water. For your sake and the sake of those around you.
8. Constipation
Quiet as it's kept, one of the leading causes of constipation is dehydration. We eat our food, it goes into our colon, and, if we don't have enough fluids in our body, our colon takes in the water from the food waste, making it harder for the waste to pass through us.
Constipation can ultimately lead to everything from hemorrhoids (from straining to having a bowel movement) and stomach aches to a lack of appetite and bad breakouts. All of it sucks. Avoid this by getting at least 6-8 glasses of water in on a daily basis.
9. Muscle Cramps
Do you ever get random Charley horses in your leg? Aren't they the absolute worst, especially if they happen in the middle of the night? That used to happen to me until I got more water into my system. What I discovered is that whenever I'm dehydrated, the lack of water (and sodium) that my muscles need can result in them tightening up in a way that oftentimes feels just like cramps.
This is really important to keep in mind, especially if you work out (and sweat) a lot or you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors where you'll lose a fair amount of body fluid.
10. Dry Skin
As we age, something that we definitely need to do is get more fluids into our system. When we don't, our skin starts to lose elasticity, which can lead to sagginess and wrinkles. Not to mention the fact that if our skin's pores don't get enough fluid, the natural sebum that we produce can decrease, resulting in our skin becoming mad parched and looking super dry.
So, if you want your skin to be soft, supple, and moist, you already know what I'm gonna say, right? Water will help to prevent your skin from looking and feeling parched, which can keep you looking younger than ever for longer than expected. Drink up, sis.
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Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images
Originally published on July 8, 2020