“I have to re-create the universe every morning when I wake up. And kill it in the evening, which is a bit outrageous, but there you go. Heee! Well, maybe not every morning, but maybe twice a year I have to destroy everything.
— Bjork (Sun ☉, Moon ☽, Neptune ♆, and Ascendant in Scorpio ♏)
As the Sun glides towards a sobering conjunction with Saturn in Scorpio, things might seem a bit more serious for some as the realities of our deepest self are called into focus. Unlike preceding sign, Libra, Scorpio is acutely aware that life isn’t always so beautiful. Yet, could this actually be advantageous? The evolved Scorpio has knowledge that having the courage to face and let go of life’s darkest issues is a path to healing and transformation. And those who ignore the call for change? Well, that’s a very different story.
On October 22 at 7:14pm, our Sun transitions from aesthetic, romantic, and diplomatic Libra into transformational, penetrating, and intimate Scorpio. If Libra represents compromise and the initial romantic stages of a relationship, Scorpio is where the relationship deepens through intimacy and shared resources. Sometimes this increase in depth equates to struggles of power or positive and permanent new levels of understanding. Furthermore, realistic Saturn’s recent shift into Scorpio emphasizes the key lessons of the eighth sign of the zodiac: transformation, sexuality, death, rebirth, and power summarized by the keywords of “I Desire”.
Traditional astrology possesses strong words for Scorpio as a fixed water sign, often depicting it as dark, possessive, vengeful, and controlling. Like Cancer, its watery crustacean counterpart, Scorpio is also modeled after a creature with an exoskeleton indicating that the watery emotional nature of those with strong Scorpio energy is oftentimes concealed, yet fully present.
“This means that Scorpio, regardless of his habitual smokescreens – and make no mistake about it, Scorpio has the best smokescreens of any of the signs – is a sign of profound feeling and sensitivity, easily affected by the emotional currents inside him and around him, susceptible to the feelings of others, easily hurt, sympathetic, compassionate, often intensely lonely, and driven by an almost voracious need for relationship. [1]
However, Scorpio is secretly one of my favorite signs as it holds several of the most difficult yet valuable lessons I’ve learned in my life of all twelve signs. Learn the lessons of Scorpio and you have the courage to transform and heal yourself and others. The truth is that all signs have a dark side. Scorpio is just typically more aware of this within everyone and its ability to see deeply into other people and situations is a unique gift which translates well into the realm of depth psychology, research, and detective work. Therefore, I think that the set of keywords “I Perceive” is most fitting for Scorpio.
“In order to penetrate it must first draw towards it: Scorpio doesn’t walk into your territory, it doesn’t flirt and cajole, it merely let’s its own energy attract, and when penetrating your secrets it does so having lured you to a place where resistance is low. Like Virgo, Scorpio has an analytical gift: it probes the depths, breaks apart, identifies the dross and eliminates the wasteful or insincere.” [1]
Scorpio ♏, Mars ♂, and Pluto ♇, and House VIII – Passion and Power
The most widely referenced myth of Scorpio stems from the inflated ego of Orion, who once bragged that he could hunt and kill every wild beast on earth. Normally Artemis, goddess of hunting, would take a stand against this but was a bit inhibited by her crush on Orion. Therefore, it was Apollo God of the herds who conspired with Gaia to send a giant scorpion after Orion. Different versions of the story state that is was either the scorpion who killed Orion or Artemis who accidentally shot him in the head while aiming for the Scorpion.
In ancient astrology, Mars was the ruler of Scorpio and Aries indicative of the sign’s tremendous drive and determination. Where fiery Aries represents the more extroverted and outwardly combative side of Mars, Scorpio highlights the receptive facets of the water sign associated with strategy and defense.
“It’s worth remembering that, as much as it may seem a contradiction, Scorpios strongest line of attack is always in defence, where their fixidity brings enduring patience and determination, and their natural resilience makes them seem practically impassable. Consider the role of scorpion gods in ancient symbolism and myth; invariably their function is to act as guardians, custodians and protectors; oblivious to external distraction but ferocious in the cruel retribution unleashed on those who break their sentinel.” [2]
The red planet is also known for its sexual nature, representing desire and libido. Similarly, it’s not uncommon to recognize a Scorpio through their highly sexual nature although it is not always apparent. Most people will not initially the grasp the depth and passion that exists within these human beings. Overall, Scorpio is a sign that prefers to appear unassuming, away from the center of attention. However, maintaining a sense of control over life events is certainly a motivating factor for many scorpions. There are many legends about how scorpions, when tightly surrounded by a ring of fire, have been known to sting themselves to death. Astrologer Liz Greene claims to have witnessed a similar scenario.
“Once in the south of France I watched a group of children surround a small brown scorpion with sticks, so that it was completely trapped. It committed suicide.” The message here is that Scorpio would rather destroy himself, and go down in flames by his own hand – literally or psychologically – than submit to another’s ultimatum or control. It’s that damnable pride again. [1]
The more recent discovery of Pluto led to the assignment of Scorpio as its ruler. Pluto is known as the god of the underworld and similarly, transits involving Pluto are concerned with subconscious psychological issues that may be brought into the light from beneath the surface of our psyches. Although in modern astronomy Pluto is known as a dwarf planet, the influence of Pluto in astrology is undeniable with themes such as the transformation, power, destruction, and renewal.
“By house, the position of Pluto shows where individuals search for truths and deeper meaning. This area of life may be associated with change, upheaval, power struggles, and issues of control. Pluto in aspect to other planets in the chart colors those energies with obsessive qualities, power struggles, the need to find deeper meanings, and willingness to explore and examine. Where we find Pluto in the chart is where we either seek change and transformation, or have it thrust upon us if we refuse to accept our deepest needs.” [5]
Scorpio is also associated with the eighth house in astrology, a division of a natal chart that deals with subconscious psychological themes, crisis, sexuality, death, and shared resources. These issues sound particularly heated and painful, but they serve a crucial function which allows an individual to transform themselves in order to reach a heightened perspective. Therefore, one could say that the ultimate goal of Scorpio is transcendence.
“If the 7th house describes relationships forged through equality, in the 8th house we suffer (or profit from) relationships based on inequality. When others enter the intimate waters of this house, they get some power over us. Whether it’s the bank, our parents, the IRS, our sexual partners, even a stranger who happens to push our buttons, and let’s not forget the scythe-master Death—through the 8th we become painfully aware of forces beyond our manipulation and control.” [3]
Scorpio ♏ Vs. Taurus ♉ – Intensity Vs. Tranquility
It’s often said that is polarity that Taurus and Scorpio create is the most intense of all of the signs of the zodiac. As the product to two fixed signs and from personal experience, there seems to be truth in this statement. Students of astrology know all about the tranquil, easygoing, and preserving nature of Taurus. Therefore, it’s no wonder that the themes of Scorpio are well matched in opposition to those of Taurus. A key symbolization of the functions of Scorpio originate from the area of the body that it rules; the groins. Here, processes of attraction, creation, destruction, and regeneration all occur. Taureans are known for exuding a solid, grounded, and stabilizing influence, while Scorpio is known for undergoing periods of deep change and transformation.
Scorpio is the only zodiac sign represented by multiple creatures. In ancient astrology, Scorpio was represented by the serpent, a creature that sheds its skin and was once believed to possess regenerative powers. Next is the phoenix, a powerful creature which represents the crucial Scorpionic themes of death and rebirth. Lastly, the eighth sign has been known to be related to the piercing stare and ability of the Eagle to soar above circumstance.
“Transcendence from the crawling scorpion to the soaring eagle, still predatory, still conveying the essence of patience and penetration, but capable of flight and height, brings together the theme of destruction and renewal as a story of evolution. …All Scorpios feel themselves to be on this spiritual quest of transformation and it should be remembered that their depth of mind is as equally attracted to higher philosophy as it is to depth psychology.” [2]
Saturn in House VIII – Death is a Transference of Energy
From when I was much younger, I have vivid memories of how uncomfortable the prospect of death made me feel. Any talk of life after death would bring me and my Cancerian ascendant to tears. Today, it’s quite the opposite. Three of my immediate family members have passed in the last ten years beginning at the age of twelve and the fact that I remain here on earth, advancing my life is a testament to the reserves of empowerment that I discovered during such trying times. Traditional astrology has some very strong and negative words about my natal placement of Saturn in the eighth house, but as I’ve always said there are no inherently negative placements in my opinion. I like to think that I’ve absorbed the lessons of Saturn in this house well. Some of the astrology books say that individuals born with Saturn in eighth do great in occupations that relate with Scorpionic themes such as death or psychology. As my progessed Sun moves into Gemini, I want to do many things (hence the problem) but I’ve always relished the idea of being a therapist in some way.
Death has been an important theme in my life in so many ways, and the eighth house has served as a reflection of my evolving attitude concerning it. In this way, it also becomes important to think of eighth house decay literally and figuratively is it can oftentimes mean the death of an idea, a process, or an attitude and not just a person. When we let go and allow the things we’ve been holding onto to die, they are then able to transform into something greater that we may have never imagined.
As a Taurus I uphold the typically unusual value that it’s important to reinvent myself, and I owe this belief to the lessons of Scorpio. It’s no secret that Taureans are usually deeply unsettled by change, but with natal Pluto opposite my natal Sun, I almost have no choice but to relent to events that occur outside of my control. There are tremendous reserves of strength and mobilization that await every Taurus who actively face the resistance to change that lies within themselves. I think that what most mattered for me is that I’ve had so many defining events in my life occur outside of the jurisdiction of my control.
Lastly, I want to part ways with this wonderful reference to the nature of Scorpio from Liz Greene. It stems from a reference of Hercules’s battle with the hydra, a creature with nine heads.
“Scorpio is a sign of intense desire; and the hydra’s many heads can mean the many desires of the uncivilized human heart. Left to grow in the darkness, they can become poisonous, and begin to destroy others. But they cannot be dealt with by repression. They must be understood, held up to the light, respected as part of oneself. And although vanquished, it is a good idea to remember that one immortal head. For Scorpio, all human beings carry within them the seeds of good and evil. Evil is not an abstract thing, or somebody else’s fault; it is in everyone. Human brutality cannot be blamed on society, but ultimately only on oneself. It is relevant to realize that Freud, the great founder of modern depth psychology, had Scorpio rising. Therein lies the deepest meaning of Scorpio’s myth: come to terms with the hydra in yourself, and you redeem the world.” [6]
Famous Scorpios via CafeAstrology
Ed Asner (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Ascendant in Scorpio), Lauren Bessette (Sun, Moon, and Mercury in Scorpio), Bjork (Sun and Moon in Scorpio), Lisa Bonet (Sun and Mercury in Scorpio), John Cleese (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio), Jamie Lee Curtis, Danny DeVito, Leonardo DiCaprio (Sun, Venus, and Mars in Scorpio), Richard Dreyfuss (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio), Sally Field, Bill Gates, Calista Flockhart, Jodie Foster (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio), Whoopi Goldberg (Sun, Moon, and Mercury in Scorpio), John Gotti (organized crime boss – Sun and Mercury in Scorpio), Harry Hamlin (Sun, Moon, and Mercury in Scorpio), Ethan Hawke (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio, Shere Hite (who published the Hite Report on Sexuality – Sun, Venus, and Mars in Scorpio),Rock Hudson, Demi Moore (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio), Pablo Picasso, Prince Charles, Puff Daddy (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio), Julia Roberts (Sun and Mercury in Scorpio), Meg Ryan (Sun, Mercury, and Venus in Scorpio), David Schwimmer (Sun, Moon, and Venus in Scorpio), Nicolette Sheridan, Maria Shriver
Andy Hull of Machester Orchestra was born on November 7, 1986 under the fixed water sign of Scorpio ♏
Notes
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