Scorpio

          Scorpio is Fixed Water. This is another somewhat contradictory combination of element and quality, since the element of Water is not by nature very "fixed." Except, of course, when it is ice. And Scorpio can be quite icy when miffed! Even when not mad, inscrutable Scorpio can seem rather icy. This cool demeanor is deceiving, though, because Scorpio does have a stinger and is quite willing to use it. When Scorpio's rath peaks, the ice facade shatters and watch out!

          Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, and like the god of the underworld, Scorpio has a way of getting underneath the surface, discovering others' weaknesses and secrets, and working covertly to get what it wants. Before Pluto was discovered, Mars was considered the ruler of Scorpio. Some astrologers still use Mars as a co-ruler. Mars is compatible with the militant side of Scorpio, but cold distant Pluto seems to better fit Scorpio's icy character.

          The keywords I like for Scorpio are "secretive" and "intense." Planets in Scorpio express their energy covertly. Because of the intensity of Scorpio's energy, an outside observer will likely feel something is going on with Scorpio, but won't be able to see exactly what it is. For example, someone with Venus in Scorpio may try to capture a love interest's affection without disclosing his or her own romantic interest in the other person. The other person will feel intense energy coming from Scorpio, but may not be able to figure out what Scorpio's interest in them is. This approach can be perceived as either enigmatic and intriguing, or else obscure and puzzling.

          I have a conjunction of the Sun, ascendant, and Neptune all in Scorpio. I certainly have Scorpio's ability to keep secrets and a penchant for hiding my true motives. And the influence of illusion-loving Neptune exacerbates these tendencies. Paradoxically, with the Sun conjunct the ascendant (from the 1st house side), I can also be "what you see is what you get." The ascendant represents our appearance and persona. So with the Sun there, I tend to wear my identity on my sleeve. But the core of that identity is secretive by nature. So there you have it. I'm a living Escher print! (For those unfamiliar with Escher, he was the artist who drew all those impossible structures, like a building with a staircase going up all the way around the perimeter in a complete loop -- you keep going up until you reach the stair you started on.)

          So, where is Scorpio hiding in your chart?

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