The days grow shorter, red and golden leaves abandon the naked trees, and the chill of winter creeps into our bones. It is the season of Scorpio, and the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain or its modern counterpart, Halloween.

In Celtic lore, Samhain was the last day of the year, the day when the veils between earth and the nether world was at its thinness, Guided by bonfires and torches, one’s departed ancestors visited their descendants. Perhaps that accounts for the costumes, masks and spooky paraphernalia beloved by children on their trick or treat excursions. Perhaps that is also why Scorpio is the one sign associated with death, wealth, and hidden things.

Of course, those of us born between October 23 and November 21, who represent the Fixed, element of Water, are better known for another activity. Sexual desire is associated with Scorpio, but it has nothing to do with reproduction or even simple pleasure. Scorpio is not interested in trivial, transient or superficial desire. She longs for an all consuming passion one that takes her out of herself and beyond the limitations of the material world.



Passionate and intense Scorpio prefers to keep her deeper nature hidden. She may seem aloft, and cold, Is often manipulative and constantly tests herself and her partners. This lady of the night seeks to break through any Taboo, explore the depths of passion and sexuality, experience the deepest motivations and experiences of human nature. Always on the lookout for a hidden agenda, never quite satisfied with things or people as they appear to be, Scorpio is the psychologist of the Zodiac. She can possess the greatest insight into human weakness; but can be the most vengeful when she feels betrayed. Like Libra, Scorpio is concerned with Justice and human relationships. However, she doesn't necessarily care about being nice and will not put up with ignorance, dishonesty, or excuse making easily. She expects people to acept the consequences of their actions and that generally includes herself.

The mundane ruler of Scorpio is Pluto, the Greek God of the underworld, that distant planet is associated with the residue of instinctive drives, emotional attachments and compulsive obsessive tendencies. In Astrology, anything Pluto touches will either be recreated, transformed or destroyed. The need/desire to destroy the ego in order to liberate the soul is part of Pluto’s and Scorpio’s ultimate purpose. Those born under this sign are concerned with the integration of light and darkness, consciousness and unconsciousness, rebirth and death, reward and punishment



The archetypal struggle for liberation, to transcend fears, and doubts, to discover what is truly valuable, real or important is characteristic of this sign. Likewise,the distaste for the petty, trivial and superficial. Like all fixed signs, Scorpio is concerned with value and the process of judgment. She understands why it is necessary to test people, herself , beliefs and the consequences of making a poor or ill informed judgment. While an evolved Scorpio is open to the ideas and beliefs of others, once she has decided upon their worth she is unlikely to change her mind. She can be ruthless with herself and with any relationship which doesn’t live up to her standards. She is equally capable of the extremes of self-sacrifice and self-denial.

Perhaps the key to this psychologically intense, profoundly private and secretive sign is the question of how to confront her fears and her mortality. How to confront her lower nature in order to become transformed, liberated and free. Should the Scorpio native choose to deny it, destroy it repress it or accept both the light and darkness in her own being?

Can she accept her frailty and that of others, trust herself and others, abandon bitterness, resentment and alienation and come to terms with herself. Emotional peace, healing, renewed faith and an openness to grace will be the reward of her life long struggle.

Once the trials of Scorpio are behind us, on or about November 23, it is time for the liberal, freedom loving, and far seeing sign of Sagittarius.