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Scorpio is the eighth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Scorpius. In western astrology, the sign is no longer aligned with the constellation as a result of the precession of the equinoxes. Scorpio is considered a water sign, and is one of four fixed signs. Like the rest of the watery signs, Scorpio is considered a "negative", feminine sign, which in Astrology means it is rather introvert.


Zodiac Symbol.........................................Scorpion
Birth Dates (Tropical).......October 24 - November 22
Birth Dates (Sidereal) November 16 - December 15
Constellation............................................Scorpius
Zodiac Element............................................Water
Zodiac Quality..............................................Fixed
Domicile...............Pluto (modern), Mars (traditional)
Detriment....................................................Venus
Exaltation..................................................Uranus
Fall.............................................................Moon

Individuals born when the Sun was in this sign are considered Scorpio individuals. Under the tropical zodiac, the Sun enters Scorpio around October 23-24 and exits around November 21-22. Under the sidereal zodiac, it is currently there roughly from November 16 through December 15. People born on these juncture dates would have to have an astrological chart drawn if they wished to determine which sign the sun was in at the exact time of their birth.

Astrological qualities and associations

Being a water sign, Scorpio is considered highly passionate, imaginative, determined, persevering, inflexible and self-confident.

Traditionally, the planet Mars has been considered to be the ruler of Scorpio, and since its discovery, Pluto has been considered a modern ruler of this sign. Some modern astrologers consider Pluto to be a more appropriate ruler over the sign, citing the reason for Mars having initially ruled the sign being that Pluto had not yet been discovered. In 2006 Pluto was reclassified by astronomers as a "dwarf planet", and though no longer considered a planet in astronomy, this has not reduced its significance to astrologers as the modern ruler of Scorpio.

As the eighth sign in the zodiac, Scorpio is associated with the astrological house number 8, which is associated with natural Scorpio matters - birth, death, transformation, deeply committed relationships of all kinds, and the occult and psychic matters.

Scorpio also has associations with three animal symbols: the scorpion, the snake, and the phoenix. Each sign represents different levels of power related to personal strength, individual power, and even intimidation based on cultural associations with these different animals. All three symbols indicate the fierce determination of the Scorpio symbol to triumph over odds and to be ruthless in pursuing goals, traits that are evident in the personality characteristics attributed to Scorpio individuals.

Mythology

In mythology Scorpio is often associated with Hades, Lord of the Underworld, who was known in Roman mythology as Pluto, and Orpheus from the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Scorpio is also associated with the Greco-Roman gods Ares/Mars. The constellation is also associated with the scorpion that killed Orion.

Associated traits

* Intense

* Powerful

* Determined / tenacious / persevering

* Emotional / sensitive

* Calm but seething

* Reserved / withdrawn

* Secretive

* Deep / profound

* Passionate / sexual

* Loyal / devotional

* Ambitious

* Extreme

* Willful / fanatical

* Mysterious / magnetic

* Deeply resentful / brooding / potentially destructive

Attributes
Likes - activity, mysteries, secrets, winning, being acknowledged, strategy,

Dislikes - being analyzed, being asked personal questions, people who think they
know more than Scorpios do, too many compliments, having to trust a stranger.

Suitable occupations - Anything involving deep analysis, investigation, research or the
solving of mysteries, such as detective, scientist, researcher, market analyst •
Medicine professions such as pathologist or surgeon • member
of the armed service or police, a politician, a lawyer,
• business owner • psychologist

Compatibilities

Although many mainstream astrology books do not bother with superficial sun-sign compatibilities, Scorpio is still widely thought to be compatible with the watery signs, Pisces and Cancer. Its relationship with Taurus is often considered passionate, but rather complicated.

There are many variables that determine compatibility in astrology, such as birth dates, birth months, birth years, position of a sign within the Sun, the Moon, Stars, etc. The signs listed as compatible with Scorpio do not reflect an individual profile or individual reading as interpreted within astrology, but rather reflect a general guideline and reference to compatibility as dictated by variables such as Qualities and Elements within the Zodiac.

Correspondences

The following items are traditionally associated with Scorpio:
Birthstone ....................................................Opal, Topaz
Colors .....................................Black ; Dark Red ; Maroon
Gemstone ....................Opal ; Bloodstone ; Onyx ; Jasper
Metal .........................................Iron ; Steel ; Magnesium
Countries .......North Africa: Egypt, Syria, Algeria, Morocco

* In medical astrology Scorpio governs the reproductive system and sexual organs.

* Scorpio is associated with the following animals: Scorpion, Wolf, Eagle, Phoenix, Gray Lizard.

* In Tarot, Scorpio is associated with the Death card, specifically as a form of regeneration.

* The Indian equivalent of Scorpio is Vrishchika. The Chinese equivalent is thought to be the strong, resolute Pig, whose lunar month is 8 November - 6 December.