Symbols for Scorpio are the scorpion, a ground-dwelling killer with a poisonous sting in its tail and the eagle, a far-seeing predator soaring above petty problems into the spiritual sky. Scorpio's real involvement is not primarily based on love or even pleasure, but on the control and understanding of human emotions and the role they play in the mysterious processes of life and death. Though you may not spend your life pondering the mysteries of life and death, you are inquisitive and probing, fascinated with how things and people work. Your mental and physical powers of recuperation are remarkable — and truly evolved (eagle) Scorpios can learn to use their power to help and inspire others.

Stamina and Tenacity

Determined Scorpio can be rather stubborn and resistant to imposed changes. In many ways this is a plus, for it gives you the stamina to accomplish things in life, due to your tenacity. On the surface you may seem easy-going, congenial, and gregarious, but you are also extremely tenacious with a need to manipulate and control your situations.

Keys to your success are a strong will and the ability to get to the bottom of things. You want answers and will doggedly persist until you get them.

The fiery energy of Mars shines out when you are enthusiastic; it attracts and inspires others. Your intensity can be overwhelming, but also subtle, for your considerable energy is not aroused or employed just to have something to do — as is often the case with Aries, the other Mars-ruled personality. Unlike Aries, Scorpio is not openly combative, unless it becomes necessary. Your privacy is tightly protected, so others only get to know you up to a point. You may not show any sign of inner struggle, but when you are after something (or someone) your determination is fierce — and should you not be favoured in the outcome, you are neither a willing nor a gracious loser. Nevertheless, you are not arrogant, being genuinely interested in others and what they have to say, although you often exhibit a self-sufficiency which implies there isn't much you don't already know.

Deepest Mysteries

The transformative energy of Pluto motivates you, as you delve into the deepest mysteries of life. Whether you are trying to get to the bottom of a murder, or some heinous crime, or whether you are saving a life through your surgical skills, or pursuing a meditative magical mystery tour, you characteristically seek to uncover the truth or to transform raw materials into things of great power and beauty. Relationships are not exempt from this probing, so anyone involved with you must prepare for profound changes in themselves, their mysterious partner and the relationship itself.

Emotions govern your first reactions to every experience in life. Although instinctive emotions generate the strongest motivations for your behaviour, you are not prone to wearing your heart on your sleeve (unlike the other Water Signs, those feeling-oriented Cancerians and Pisceans). You need to dominate relationships and rarely display your true feelings, holding back something of yourself, even at your most open and communicative moments. Although you may not intentionally set out to be mysterious, you manage to appear enigmatic anyway. You hate being crossed or manipulated, and can react to such treatment with sarcasm and vengefulness.

Strong Constitution

Scorpio rules the reproductive organs and excretory system, so those with Scorpio active in their charts suffer headaches, infections and fevers, along with various illnesses to do with what used to be called the secret parts. You have, however, a strong constitution and can usually overcome your problems, many of which are of your own making, due to your clandestine activities.

Scorpio colours are red, black, midnight blue, and emerald green. Scorpio rules metallic iron and your birthstone is the topaz. Topaz, one of the hardest minerals, cannot be cut with a knife. It is yet another representation of the impenetrable Scorpio nature. Scorpio flowers include the anemone, heather, and gardenia.

Scorpio in Relationships

You have a dark and mysterious style which, combined with an irresistible personal magnetism, creates a fascination in members of the opposite sex (and the same sex - or any other sex that happens along). You ooze sexual excitement and require a partner (or partners) who can keep up with your marvellous capacity for taking everything to the limit - and beyond.

Scorpio, although a feminine (yin) sign, is ruled by Mars, the warrior god and Pluto, the king of the underworld. This fiercely potent combination creates tensions in your internal balancing mechanism between the male and female polarities. Your emotions run deep and your faculty of intuition is remarkably accurate, so your antennae can prick up and pick out a prospective partner at first sight. You need however to keep a part of yourself private and personal and can react vigorously should anyone have the temerity to trespass in your personal domain.

Possessing great self-control, combined with intellectual ability and creativity, you can achieve greatness in your chosen field, but can be unduly domineering in personal relationships, especially should you perceive your partner to be weaker than yourself.

Unfortunately, weaker types seem to congregate around you like fragile moths, fatally drawn to the fiery, incandescent flame.

Scorpio is a fixed sign, so your biggest problem is finding someone who, while strong enough to maintain the tempestuous lifestyle, is interesting enough to remain challengingly enigmatic. However, knowing your penchant for getting to the bottom of things, it won't take you all that long to sniff one out!