Scorpio Zodiac Sign: Dates, Personality and Compatibility

The mysterious eighth sign of the zodiac, Scorpio, is often misunderstood, possibly because it represents what we’ve been socially conditioned to fear: change. Scorpio individuals know that not everything is as it seems and that nothing remains as it is. As a result, Scorpios are drawn to transformative experiences and people who seek the truth.

The powerful scorpion rules the period from October 23rd to November 21st and is associated with the Scorpius constellation. Represented by a scorpion stinger (♏), Scorpio’s name comes from a root word meaning “to cut.” Indeed, Scorpio energy is focused on endings, evident from the water sign’s association with the eighth house, ruling planets Pluto and Mars, and the Death tarot card.

Though there are several versions of Scorpio’s origin story in ancient astrology and Greek mythology, most of them involve a god-sent scorpion defeating the boastful hunter Orion. Whether the tale goes that Orion claimed he would kill every earthly animal or that he was a better hunter than Apollo, Scorpio has long been associated with exposing falsehoods and turning fortunes.

Finally, Scorpio is a fixed zodiac sign. Like the other fixed signs, Taurus, Leo, and Aquarius, Scorpio is determined and comfortable in its element. Because of the combination of Scorpio’s element (water) and modality (fixed), you can compare this sign to ice—evocative of transformation, protection, hidden depths, and mesmerizing beauty.

Scorpio Dates: October 23 – November 21

In the Northern Hemisphere, Scorpio season sits in the middle of fall as the days are getting noticeably shorter and darker. Before October 23rd, the Libra scales support balance. Then, the scorpion helps us release the past so that we can keep up with the bold, questing archer, Sagittarius, after November 21st.

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What makes a Scorpio unique? Learn about the Scorpio zodiac sign, including personality traits, relationship preferences, ideal careers, and more.

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Personality Traits of a Scorpio

Scorpionic energy corresponds to the identity transition that often occurs in middle age (some might call it a “midlife crisis”). People with a Scorpio Sun sign aren’t in a constant state of catastrophe, of course, but they are absorbed in taking stock of their lives in order to reach their highest potential.

Like all the water signs, Scorpio has deep emotions. This emotional capacity also makes heightened perceptivity possible. Likewise, they favor deep connections over superficial small talk. Scorpios are consumed by everything they believe in, leaving no detail unturned in the search for truth. Extremely strong-willed, they strive to gain power through their efforts. Moreover, because they reinvent themselves to lead, feeling powerful is often healing.

The three decans, or ten-degree segments of sky, within this sign also influence Scorpio personality traits, Scorpio horoscopes, and Scorpio birth charts. For example, October Scorpios feel most intensely, and they’re prone to melancholy. The early November decan has an especially artistic streak. And Scorpios born in the final decan desire deeply intimate relationships and may be family-focused.

Scorpio Strengths

The trademark Scorpio intensity lends this sign the following qualities:

Ambition
Determination
Faithfulness
Focus
Investigation
Passion
Perceptivity
Privacy
Reinvention
Strategizing

Scorpio Weaknesses

When the Scorpio relationship with power and control becomes unbalanced, the following traits might emerge:

Derision
Fierceness
Jealousy
Possessiveness
Resentment
Retaliation
Reticence
Scheming
Secrecy
Volatility

Scorpio in Love and Relationships

There aren’t many people who haven’t been entranced by a Scorpio at least once. All the more magnetic for their initial aloofness, Scorpios are known for allure. Their experience of love is bodily, and much of their romancing involves sexual expression—which speaks to the sign’s governance over the body’s genital area. In bed, power play and other kinks could be especially enticing for this sign.

In love, Scorpio people are deeply committed and caring. They also feel and express this commitment through their bodies, and you’ll notice their passion for you in all facets of life. Because of their pride, however, they’re not slow to end things when betrayed in their love life. And when a Scorpio ends things, they often burn the bridge—you won’t fool them twice.

Scorpio Women in Relationships

A Scorpio woman loves you when she shares her secrets. She’s distant (like a bright star) at first, but intimacy reveals an astounding capacity for expressing and welcoming vulnerability. She wants to grow and change with her lovers. Because she has uncompromising expectations and craves intensity, she may sometimes feel threatened by her lovers’ other interests and connections.

Scorpio Men in Relationships

Scorpio men are the seducers of the zodiac. They enjoy the dance of love and appreciate people who similarly relish the sensuous choreography. As a partner, a Scorpio man is often drawn to aspects of traditional masculinity and may be dominant and protective in close relationships. He’ll give his full attention to those who understand and respect him.

Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches

Put two water signs together, and watch them find flow: both Pisces and Cancer work well with Scorpio. Earth signs Virgo and Capricorn complement Scorpio, with Taurus offering perhaps the strongest foundation of the bunch. However, the scorpion tends to steer clear of fire signs Leo and Aries and air signs Aquarius and Gemini.

Most Compatible with Scorpio

In a Pisces-Scorpio partnership, both water signs share and receive emotions easily, making each other feel seen and cherished. Both signs also readily define and accept their respective roles. If you’re a Cancer, Scorpio will like you because they feel similarly understood and secure. After all, the crab and the scorpion share a protective and private nature.

In addition, Scorpio compatibility is excellent for earth signs Virgo, Capricorn, and Taurus. Virgo and Scorpio appreciate each other’s attention to detail and commitment to refinement. Capricorn shares Scorpio’s appreciation for goals and provides stability, while Scorpio offers depth. But Taurus, with values rooted in sensuality and material gain, is perhaps the best match of all.

Least Compatible with Scorpio

The other fixed astrological signs, Leo and Aquarius, find themselves in stand-offs with Scorpio’s approach to life. Leo and Scorpio don’t always appreciate each other’s brand of social influence, which leads to power struggles. For Aquarius, Scorpio may seem too closed off and even conniving, while Aquarius people’s unconventionality can strike Scorpio as disloyal to the relationship.

At the same time, Scorpio is likely to find Gemini and Aries averse to the kind of shadow work that Scorpio needs within a partnership. Both Gemini and Aries tend to care less about privacy and more about freedom of expression. As a result, they often seem a bit selfish and thoughtless to Scorpio’s sensibilities.

Scorpio in Friendship

Loyalty is central to Scorpio friendships, and a Scorpio devotes time and energy to each friend who is similarly devoted to the relationship. A Scorpio person also expects their closest friends, who tend to comprise a small circle, to listen to and accept Scorpio’s darkest confessions. But again, a Scorpio friend readily returns that favor.

Maybe more than any other zodiac sign, Scorpio has the ability to handle complexity and embrace mystery. Thus, Scorpio friends likely provide unmatched insight and support. Though they can grow cold and even spiteful when they feel scorned, they’re incredible companions to friends experiencing transitions in life or identity.

Careers Fit (and Unfit) for a Scorpio

The Scorpio passion also extends to the workplace, where coworkers and bosses notice their dedication and drive. Motivated by gaining influence and exposing truth, Scorpios know that a job well done does both. They prefer environments that support deep flow states, which might involve the ability to control their personal workspaces or build respect for teammates.

In collaboration, Scorpios contribute helpful shared systems of organization and communication. They quickly read everyone’s feelings, which helps them articulate problems in ways that resonate with entire groups. However, they often strategically keep their true feelings concealed. People like working with Scorpios more than Scorpios like working with others; this sign requires much solo time to devote to their work.

Although Scorpios want power, they’re not caught up on status labels. They want real influence, which doesn’t always look like promotions. Appropriately, then, they’re likely to consider themselves successful when they have clear evidence of their influence over decisions in the workplace. Scorpios are also good with money; their analytical skills and instincts serve them in finances.

Best Careers for a Scorpio

A Scorpio does their best work when they have plenty of time to study complex issues or scenarios independently. Therefore, the following careers are likely to satisfy these individuals:

Investigative journalist
Psychologist
Private investigator
Analyst, such as a financial or business analyst
Energy worker

Worst Careers for a Scorpio

The most dissatisfying jobs for a Scorpio don’t allow deep exploration of ideas, and they may also require frequent superficial interactions. Nobody loves being mistreated while performing service roles, but Scorpios are especially unwilling to put themselves in that position. Examples of less favorable Scorpio careers include the following:

Customer service representative
Secretary
Salesperson
Dental hygienist
Transcriptionist

Famous Scorpio Personalities

The individuals in the list below showcase the Scorpio passion for profound honesty, artistic expression, and the exploration of power dynamics:

Björk
Carl Sagan
Claude Monet
Drake
Frank Ocean
Joni Mitchell
Margaret Atwood
Marie Antoinette
Marie Curie
Sylvia Plath
Whoopi Goldberg
Winona Ryder