Scorpios 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
Scorpio. In conventional social gatherings they are pleasant to be
with, thoughtful in conversation, dignified, and reserved, yet
affable and courteous; they sometimes possess penetrating eyes
which make their shyer companions feel naked and defenseless 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withdrawn from the center of activity, yet those who know them will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 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. 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 Scorpios are very jealous. Part of the negative side of the
Scorpio 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 the
Scorpions 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 nature 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, they 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 Scorpios 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 Scorpios 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-crossed lovers".
