Scorpio is the fixed water sign. The symbol for Scorpio is the scorpion, and its horoscope glyph is a pointed tail that represents the scorpion’s stinger.
Like the other water signs Cancer and Pisces, Scorpio’s interaction with the world is driven by feeling. The feeling is expressed through a need to control the environment and Scorpio’s place in it. They are often very guarded, continually sussing out the environment, alert to anything that might feel like a threat.
The watchword here is security – Scorpios need to feel emotionally safe, and will go to great lengths to ensure it. Often this finds expression in the quest and retention of power–the power over others that helps them control their environment in a way that ensures their safety. You are guaranteed to find quite a few Scorpios in politics–Scorpios are highly adept at power games.
Another distinct trait of Scorpio is intensity. Emotions are felt so deeply and intensely that it is hard or impossible for a Scorpio to convey this to others. As a result, they keep things to themselves, which tends to give them an air of mystery. The saying “still waters run deep” must have surely originated from a Scorpio. They are famous for their secretiveness, for playing their cards very close to the vest.
On the other hand, because their feelings are held so tightly like in a pressure cooker, it vents in an explosive rush when they are pushed to the limit of containment. The last straw itself may be just some little thing, so to others this sudden explosive outburst of a Scorpio might seem to be totally out of proportion.
This depth of feeling draws Scorpios to explore the extremes of everything. There is no such thing as a shallow Scorpio, it’s simply not in their nature to do anything at a surface level or take anything at face value. Often this results in mistrust and suspicion of things that seem a little too easy, but on the flip side, this makes Scorpios excellent at detecting lies and fakery. They have a very accurate bullshit meter!
Productive Scorpios tend to regulate the release of their deep emotions via hard work. Because of the depth and intensity that they bring to bear, they can be extremely tough on others and on themselves, to the point of ruthlessness.
Love and affection are deeply felt, and there is scarcely anyone more emotionally loyal than Scorpio. They expect the same unstinting loyalty from their partners and friends, and consequently, they are always on guard for any sign of emotional lack, or even betrayal. Woe to the one who does wrong by a Scorpio – they are sure to feel the wrathful sting of the Scorpion, big time.
Through life, bit by bit, Scorpios are headed toward self-mastery and emotional self-sufficiency. They are the ultimate survivors.
Keywords for Scorpio: Emotional Security, Power, Control, Domination, Intensity, Depth, Passion, Secretive, Guarded, Ruthless, Self-mastery, Emotional Loyalty, Relentless, Deep Transformation, Exploring Extremes
Find out if any of the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, or Mars in your horoscope are in Scorpio. If the Sun or Moon are in Scorpio, understand which of the Scorpio qualities described in this post most resonate with you–the Sun and Moon color the entire personality. If Mercury, Venus, or Mars are in Scorpio, then you need to understand how certain Scorpio qualities might find expression in the way you communicate (Mercury), relate (Venus), or assert yourself (Mars). The post on Water Signs spells out more specifics for Mercury, Venus, and Mars expressions in the water signs.
Following are the personality sketches of a few public figures who have the Sun in Scorpio. See how Scorpio qualities permeate their lives.
Bill Gates. Co-Founder of Microsoft.
Started Microsoft when very young, growing it into a technology empire. Famously ruthless and competitive in business from the get go. In the widely publicized antitrust case in the late 90s, he gave deposition testimony that was characterized as evasive and obfuscatory, revealing as little as possible of Microsoft’s actions. Despite the unparalleled success of his business, he never felt totally secure, and was constantly checking on the competition over his shoulder.
Leonardo DiCaprio. Actor.
Known for playing intense, forceful roles that plumb the emotional depths of the character he portrays. He rarely gives interviews and is reluctant to discuss his private life. “I get unhappy doing things that I’m not passionate about.”… “I really hate relaxing.”
Margaret Atwood. Writer.
Novelist, literary critic, poet, and essayist. She has twice won the Booker Prize and a number of her works have been adapted for film and television. Her work encompass a variety of themes including the power of language, climate change, and power politics. “A word after a word after a word is power.”
