Traditional
Scorpio Traits
Determined and forceful
On the dark side....
Jealous and resentful
Scorpians are the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. Even
when they appear self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity of emotional
energy under the placid exterior. They are like the volcano not far under the surface
of a calm sea it may burst into eruption at any moment. But those of us who are
particularly perceptive will be aware of the harnessed aggression, the immense
forcefulness, magnetic intensity and often strangely hypnotic personality under the
tranquil but watchful composure of the Scorpian. In conventional social gatherings
they are pleasant to be with, thoughtful in conversation, dignified and reserved, yet
affable and courteous, and they sometimes possess penetrating eyes which make
their shyer companions feel naked and defenceless before them.
In their everyday behavior they give the appearance of being withdrawn from the
center of activity, yet those who know them will recognize the watchfulness that is
part of their character. They need great self-discipline, because they are able to
recognize the qualities in themselves that make them different from other humans, and
to know that their utterly conventional natures can be used for great good or great
evil. Their tenacity and willpower are immense, their depth of character and
passionate conviction overwhelming, yet they are deeply sensitive and easily moved
by their emotions. Their sensitivity, together with a propensity for extreme likes and
dislikes, make them easily hurt, quick to detect insult or injury to themselves (often
when none is intended) and easily aroused to ferocious anger. This may express itself
in such destructive speech or action that they make lifelong enemies by their
outspokenness, for they find it difficult not to be overly critical of anything or anyone
to whom they take a dislike.
They can harness their abundant energy constructively, tempering their
self-confidence with shrewdness and their ambition with magnanimity toward others
provided they like them. If they do not, or if their feelings are neutral unusual with
them they relate to fellow workers only as leaders and can be blunt to those they
dislike to the point of cruelty. In fact they are not above expressing vindictiveness in
deliberate cruelty. They are too demanding, too unforgiving of faults in others,
perhaps because they are not aware of the shortcomings within themselves, and
extravagantly express their self-disgust in unreasonable resentment against their
fellows. They do, however, make excellent friends, provided that their companions
do nothing to impugn the honor of which Scorpians are very jealous. Part of the
negative side of the Scorpian nature is a tendency to discard friends once they cease
to be useful, but the decent native is aware of and fights this tendency.
They are fortunate in that their strong reasoning powers are tempered with
imagination and intuition, and these gifts, together with critical perception and
analytical capacity, can enable Scorpians to penetrate to profundities beyond the
average. They have a better chance of becoming geniuses than the natives of any
other sign.But charismatic "twice-born" characters such as they can sink into the
extremes of depravity if they take the wrong path, and the intensity of their natures
exaggerates their harmful tendencies into vices far greater than the normal.
Rebelliousness against all conventions, political extremism to the point where hatred
of the Establishment makes them utterly unscrupulous terrorists, brooding resentment,
aggressive and sadistic brutality, total arrogance, morbid jealousy, extreme volatility
of temperament these are some of their vices. At the other extreme is the
procrastinator, the man or woman who is capable of so much that they do nothing
and become indolent and self-indulgent, requiring extravagant praise and flattery from
those whom they make their cronies.
Being so gifted can find fulfillment in many employments. Their inner intensity can
result in the ice-cold self-control and detachment of the surgeon, the concentration of
the research scientist and the heroism of the soldier. Any profession in which analysis,
investigation, research, dealing with practicalities and the solving of mysteries are
relevant can appeal to them. So police and detective work, espionage and
counterespionage, the law, physics or psychology may attract them, and they can
become masters of the written and spoken word. They may be most persuasive
orators and find fulfillment as diplomats or preachers and, if they make the Church
their profession, their inner intensity can express itself in the spiritual fervor of the
mystic or the thaumaturgy.
Scorpio is the symbol of sex and Scorpians are passionate lovers, the most sensually
energetic of all the signs. For them union with the beloved is a sacrament, an
"outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace." Their overriding urge in
loving is to use their power to penetrate beyond themselves and to lose themselves
sexually in their partners in an almost mystical ecstasy, thus discovering the meaning
of that union which is greater than individuality and is a marriage of the spirit as well
as of flesh. They are thus capable of the greatest heights of passionate transport, but
debauchery and perversion are always dangers, and Scorpians can become sadistic
monsters of sensuality and eroticism. Their feelings are so intense that even when
their love is of the highest and most idealistic kind, they are nevertheless frequently
protagonists in tragic, even violent romances, "star-cross'd lovers" indeed.
Physically they tend to be of average height with strong, capable, thick set, hirsute
bodies, bow legs and a short neck. Their skulls are dome shaped and their hair is
coarse, thick and curly. Their faces are broad and square, with swarthy complexions,
dark eyes and aquiline noses. They have strong constitutions, resistant to disease.
Scorpio governs the pelvis and reproductive and urinary systems and its subjects are
said to be prone to ailments of the liver and kidneys, stones and gravel in the bladder
or genitals, and other genital ills such as priapism. Abscesses, boils, carbuncles,
fistulas, piles, ruptures and ulcers may also affect the Scorpian.
Emotional and intuitive
Powerful and passionate
Exciting and magnetic
Compulsive and obsessive
Secretive and obstinate
