Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac and is symbolised by the Scorpion. If you have a Scorpio Sun, Scorpio Moon or rising sign in Scorpio, it does not mean you’re some weird psychopathic hybrid of mass murderer meets sex maniac. Most Pluto-ruled Scorpios are decent, honest and hardworking citizens – most of the time. Scorpio-type qualities can also be seen in those who have an eighth house emphasis in their natal chart – particularly the Sun or Moon in the eighth house – or Pluto rising in the first house. So, what are those dark dangerous qualities that Scorpio is famed for?
Table of Contents
Scorpio: Energy Type
The zodiac signs represent fundamental energy types, and each sign determines how those energies are expressed – ‘how’ being the key word. When the Sun, Moon, planets, cardinal points and house cusps in your natal chart fall in Scorpio, they express in that sign’s unique style. The luminaries and planets represent ‘what’ is being expressed and the natal chart houses signify ‘where’, but the ‘how’ part of the equation is always governed by the zodiac sign’s particular qualities.
In astrology, energy types are defined by the zodiac sign’s element (fire, earth air or water). Each element has a characteristic form of motivation and influence on behaviour. In addition, elemental energy is expressed in a particular mode: energy is one thing, but how it’s applied is something else. Modality (cardinal, fixed, mutable) determines how the raw energy functions. And then there’s polarity: is the sign positive or negative? Polarity determines how energy is processed, by being externalised (extroverted) or internalised (introverted). Scorpio energy type is water-fixed-negative. What does that mean?
Scorpio: Key Qualities
Water
Water signs are intuitive, sensitive and emotional. Scorpio senses are highly tuned and a Scorpio can tell you what you’re thinking before you’ve even processed your thoughts. Scorpio is sensitive to undercurrents, motives and possibilities. Scorpio energy is emotionally based; emotions are deep, passionate and are rarely visible on the surface. Scorpio energy is often characterised a ‘still waters run deep’.
Fixed
Negative
Scorpio energy is expressed as negative energy, as it’s inwardly focused. That makes Scorpio energy subtle, but Scorpio subtlety is used to disguise the realm in which they feel most at home: the realm of power. Everything from naked manipulation to self mastery lies within the Scorpio domain.
The Scorpio Myth
In the northern hemisphere winter, the constellation Orion dominates the night sky.
Scorpio: Ruled by Pluto
Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, God of the Underworld. Now Pluto is a God who guards his realm well. You have to try extra hard to get into Hades – it’s not for the casual slacker. So, what is Pluto about? Despite the horror stories, Pluto is concerned with transformation and recognising we all have the power to effect great change – changes that are necessary for us to live our best and most authentic lives. If we fail to do so we end up destroying the potentials we were born with. So, it’s not just about sex and death, but something much more fundamental:
Scorpio Archetype: The Magician
Scorpio Character
Scorpio Keywords
The keywords associated with this sign provide you with a useful checklist of all of the qualities we associate with Scorpio. The keywords are categorised as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ and if you have planets or natal chart angles in this sign, the parts of your life that they represent will manifest in ways that accord with the keywords set out below. You will probably recognise many of those qualities in yourself.
Positive
Charismatic, Deep, Determined, Driven, Empathetic, Intuitive, Magnetic, Masterful, Observant, Passionate, Powerful, Proud, Psychologically aware, Reformer, Sensitive, Sexually aware, Spiritual, Strong, Survivor, Transformation.
Negative
Compulsive, Cruel, Destructive, Extreme, Fixated, Jealous, Manipulative, Obsessive, Possessive, Resentful, Secretive, Self-destructive, Suspicious minded, Vengeful, Vindictive.
Scorpio In Love
Scorpios live and die for love. Not always literally of course – but you will often feel as though your life depends on your loved one and you would die without them. This utterly Scorpio intense reaction to love can be very unsettling for you – after all, it makes you feel very vulnerable and you hate and fear vulnerability more than anything. This can make you very defensive in relationships – you may find it easy to attract partners, but just as easy to repel them too.
So Scorpio, what’s the solution? Well, the power that lies within. Quite simply, you have to inner resources to confront your own fear of vulnerability and letting your prospective partner access your soul. After all, what can they do to you? You’re the powerful one after all. Do this and you will achieve contentment and intimacy – the ultimate goal of any Scorpio, long tired of game playing, emotional scenes, ultimatums and betrayal of trust. Scorpio in love, you need to trust yourself so you can trust others.
Scorpio & Family
Scorpio & Money
Scorpio Careers
Scorpio: What To Look For
Crime, Murder, Thrillers, Film Noir, Detectives, Policemen, Uniforms, Undertakers, Emergency Services, Surgeons, Psychologists, Counsellors, Self Help, Power, Politics, Big Business, Insurance, Protection, Contraception, Sexual Health, Taboo, Sex workers, Evangelism, Religious sects, Zealots, Control, OCD.
Next: Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces | Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra
Go To: Planets in Scorpio
Further Reading
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Sara Shipman
Sara Shipman is an astrologer and writer. She created Starcrazypie.com in 2020 and writes the content on this site. Sara Shipman is the author of the Predictive Astrology and Real Life Astrology series of astrology books.
Picture Credit: Image by andrey_barsukov from Pixabay
© Sara Shipman