There are many animals among the zodiac, some of them even pretty dangerous; however, I would argue that one of the deadliest ones is certainly The Scorpion. A creature both feared and revered across cultures, known, most of all, for its lethal, terrifying sting.
We are right in the middle of October and the Spooky Season, and if you ask my opinion, this month’s zodiac sign perfectly embodies all the elements and chilling traits of this time of the year. Keep an eye out, because we’re talking about Scorpio.
In astrology, this mysterious zodiac rules the skies from about October 23 to November 21, marking the heart of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere. It sits nestled between Libra and Sagittarius on the zodiac wheel, and its presence has been recognised for thousands of years by civilisations from Babylonians, ancient Egyptians, and more.
The constellation of Scorpio is one of the most recognisable in the heavens. Unlike many of them that require a bit of imagination to see their namesake, Scorpio actually looks like a scorpion. Its stars trace a long, curving body with claws on one side and a sharply curling tail tipped with a stinger. At its heart burns Antares—its brightest star, a red supergiant whose name means “rival to Ares” (Mars) because of its fiery, beautiful colour. Antares has fascinated stargazers for millennia and is so large that if placed at the centre of our solar system, it would completely engulf our red planet and our sun. The scorpion’s tail too is marked by bright stars, and due to its location in our galaxy, it also contains different clusters, like the Butterfly Cluster.
It seems that this zodiac is not only a rival to Mars but to all the other constellations as well. Ouch!
Scorpio’s origins, like all the other signs, are shrouded in myth, but its legend has different versions, depending on the source. Today, however, we’ll talk about the tale of the Scorpion and Orion, a proud and quite provoking hunter. Most of Greek myths revolve around ‘hubris’ (the excessive pride and arrogance of men) and the catastrophic consequences it brings.
This legend too is no exception.
In the tale, Orion angers either Gaia (literally the personification of the Earth) or Artemis (the goddess of the moon and the hunt) with his arrogance and boast that no earthly beast could kill him. Then it’s said that in the myth, to humble him and teach him his lesson, one of the two goddesses sends a giant scorpion his way. And although Orion fights with all his strength, unfortunately at the end, the beast manages to sting him, and he loses his life.
Other versions say that he boasts to Artemis that he would kill every animal, or that it’s actually the moon goddess’s twin brother, Apollo, who sends the scorpion to kill him. Either way, whichever interpretation of the tale you prefer, the scorpion and Orion catch the attention of Zeus in every single one of them, who decides, after the battle, to place them both in the heavens as a reminder of hubris. Both of them in the sky, but far apart.
When Scorpio rises, in fact, Orion sets, forever fleeing its deadly sting.
Another characteristic that makes Scorpio terribly intriguing is the astounding fact that it’s a water sign.
I know! Crazy!
As a water sign myself, this zodiac is nothing like its sisters, Cancer and Pisces. Traditionally it was in fact ruled by Mars—planet of passion and action—while in modern astrology, it’s ruled by Pluto—planet of transformation, power, and rebirth—giving Scorpio that dual, unmistakable energy. It also rules the 8th House of the zodiac wheel, associated with death, rebirth, and hidden truths, and in personality, Scorpios are precisely known for all these traits. They are often considered intense and loyal, and sometimes even cold, even though they are often misunderstood.
Having dealt with a lot of Scorpios in my life, I would say that it’s quite easy to judge them at first glance, but, dear reader, do not be frightened by their intensity, because, in spite of everything, all the creatures with hard shells hide a soft side inside. Just… don’t provoke them too much. There’s a reason why they are the zodiac sign related to death and rebirth!
Because, remember, Scorpios, much like their animal, really know how to sting.
Up, Scorpio Illustration by my amazing twin Soul
Sources:
The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need by Joanna Martine Woolfolk (2012)
The Library of the Unseen 
Penny for your thoughts…