October 23 to November 22

• Symbol: Scorpion
• Element: Water
• Quality: Fixed
• House: 8th: Birth, Life & Death Cycle
• Planet: Pluto
• Color: Dark Red
• Body Part: Reproductive Organs
• Trait: Intense, Dramatic, Mysterious
• Semi-precious stone: Garnet
• Keyword: I desire

Astrologically speaking, the Sun stands for your inner nature and stamps your innermost character. Slinky Scorpio is your sign, so the Sun blazed in a passionate water sign on your birthday. Scorpio, the eighth sign of the Zodiac, is feminine, ruled by fierce Mars, the warrior planet and dark Pluto, the planet of transformation. A fixed (strong and solid) sign, Scorpio governs will and authority. Scorpio people are passionate and emotional, with very deep feelings. Although you are a loyal and dedicated friend, you are fiercely competitive, subject to fits of vindictive jealousy – and can be quite manipulative in pursuit of your goals.

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.

Scorpio is ruled by Mars, the warrior, and Pluto, the transformer. Both planetary influences may be seen in your personality. Ambitious, energetic, you seek activities that are economically rewarding, as well as mentally or physically challenging. The jealousy associated with Mars and Pluto is minimal unless other factors in the chart support such a trait (say Scorpio, Aries, or Capricorn Sun). You possess the cleverness and mechanical ability associated with Mars, as well as the innate resourcefulness associated with Pluto.

Attracted to others with strong, magnetic personalities, you are oriented toward gathering resources of all kinds. For example, you consciously or subconsciously tend to establish relationships with strong or powerful people in the belief such contacts may prove useful in some way. You can be quite secretive about personal affairs, a trait that often escapes the attention of most people you meet. You are so accommodating and pleasant that, unless others make serious attempts to probe beneath the surface, your real personality and activities may stay hidden indefinitely.

You have remarkable recuperative powers that allow you to recover from physical, mental, or economic adversities that would destroy many others. When properly focused, your energy is formidable and you quietly keep going long after everyone else runs out of steam. A Scorpio Ascendant indicates potential for afflictions to the head and face as well as illnesses affecting the reproductive organs.

Inside the house Scorpio points to locations that are cold and dark, low down or underground or near water used to eliminate waste. These include sinks (and the cupboards underneath them that contain poisonous cleaning agents), toilets and drains (inside and out); cellars, pantries and larders (being cold and dark), undeveloped basements, areas that suffer from damp and decay, or have been left untenanted and remain in need of renovation or demolition. In the garden Scorpio will represent muddy areas, compost heaps, the sunless north-facing wall, inaccessible areas, pot holes, puddles and stagnant ponds.

Countries & cities: Include Northern Bavaria, Norway, Algeria, Morocco, Catalonia, and Valencia in Spain, Urbrino, and Frejus in Italy, Vienne in France, Ghent in Belgium, and Frankfurt in Germany.

Colours: Generally defined as brown, although sometimes described as dark red, grey red or black red, from which we can assume a dark, blood-red brown.

Stones & Metals: Stones and metals fall under the rulership of planets, not signs, but through its association with Mars, Scorpio is often linked with iron, ocre, bloodstone, jasper, red lead, or vermilion.