The Astrological Symbol of Scorpio is the Scorpion. Like the mythical Scorpion, people born under this Sign tend to be strong-willed and wary of being controlled by others. At times they can be self-destructive, like the Scorpion who kills itself rather than letting someone else kill it. They are very determined, and once they've made up their minds they are unlikely to change them. They tend to be stubborn, refusing to give up when others have long since gotten bored and abandoned a project, and getting things done when no one else thought it possible. In this way, Scorpio exemplifies the Fixed Quality assigned to it. They are one of the Power Signs (the others being Taurus, Leo and Aquarius). Scorpios tend to have their own agenda, and work intensely to achieve their desires. People who wish to change a Scorpio's mind often have trouble because they can never be sure what their motivation is; Scorpios are too complex and sometimes secretive to be understood easily. Within the Zodiac, Scorpio is opposite Taurus, the Sign of Possessions. While both Signs can be possessive, Taurus is concerned with personal property and Scorpio tends to be about community resources and group investments. They are very resourceful and self-confident.

Scorpio is ruled by the Planets Mars and Pluto. In ancient Roman mythology, Mars (and his Greek equivalent, Ares) was the God of War, and ancient astrologers assigned both Aries and Scorpio to this Planet. Pluto (and his Greek equivalent, Hades) was the God of the Underworld, and when the Planet Pluto was discovered early in the 20th Century astrologers assigned Scorpio to this Planet. Under Mars' influence, Scorpio is the behind-the-scenes tactician while Aries is on the front lines. Scorpio's modern ruler, Pluto, represents Death and Endings; it's the Sign of rebirth and regeneration. When the Scorpion loses its tail, it regenerates a new stinger, and Scorpios can be reborn the same way after they suffer losses. In addition, Pluto is a strong Planet. It teaches a valuable lesson: while Scorpio has a tendency to be possessive, Pluto pulls things away.

The Element associated with Scorpio is Water. Water Signs are emotional: they tend to respond to the world through emotion, rather than physical action, practicality, or intellect. Scorpio's motto could be "still water runs deep." They may repress their emotions, but underneath they are lusty and perceptive. At times, though, Scorpio's water can be stagnant, depending on whether they use their energy in a positive or negative way. They may be vengeful or vindictive and unable to get past personal slights. Scorpios are motivated and loyal, but they are often misunderstood and people may see them as dictatorial or sarcastic. If they have an ulterior motive, they can be overbearing, but in a subtle, sly, or manipulative way. Scorpios are both mystical and scientific, a combination that makes them very aware of what is happening around them; they are a Sign of great depth. If they aren't careful, though, their passionate nature may lead them into self-indulgence or compulsion.

The myth of the Phoenix is strongly associated with the Sign of Scorpio. The Phoenix is regenerated from the ashes of its death, and it rises into the sky, reborn. The most highly evolved Scorpios aspire to be the Phoenix or Eagle, rising above the ordinary world and into something extraordinary. Suspicion and jealousy can pull them down, but passion and awareness can help them rise above this.

In their leisure time, Scorpios enjoy competition and challenge. They aren't satisfied with moving along at half speed or lowering their abilities to allow people with lesser skills to beat them. They enjoy difficult pursuits that challenge them to excel, and they refuse to settle for being anything less than the best. In love relationships, Scorpio is caring, devoted, and possessive.

Scorpio rules the reproductive organs. People born under Scorpio may be more susceptible to infections and fevers than people of other Signs. Scorpio's colors are powerful and strident, like Scorpions: black and red.

The great strength of the Scorpio-born is in their determination to see things through to the end. They refuse to allow boredom to turn them away from projects, and they are committed to accomplishing what they set out to do. Their passion and strength makes them one of the most powerful characters of the Zodiac.