Scorpio is a Fixed Water sign, ruled by Pluto. Before the discovery of Pluto, the ruling plant for this sign was Mars, and the two are more or less interchangeable with regard to the Scorpio personality, especially since the recent downgrade of Pluto from a full-blown planet to a "dwarf planet." As the eighth sign of the zodiac, the Scorpio individual is an intense, intuitive, complex, determined soul who gives life his all, for better or worse. Famous characters sharing this sign include Bill Gates (October 28), Prince Charles (November 14), and Charles Manson (November 12).
Of all the signs of the zodiac, Scorpios are arguably the most recognizable due to their combination of straight-shooting directness, laser beam mental focus, and critical assessment. Don't ask Scorpio if you don't want to know the unvarnished truth. There's no sugar-coating whatsoever here, even if the truth is not pretty. This tendency does not endear Scorpio to many of the other signs, who consider him overly critical - even hurtfully so. However, by the same token, when Scorpio gives you a compliment, it's not as a condescending gesture, but rather a straight-out, honest assessment that you can indeed be proud of. Although Scorpio generally performs well in social and work situations, he is most comfortable either alone or with the small circle of family and friends he is closest to. This is not a sign that actively seeks out the company of others, preferring introversion rather than extroversion whenever possible. Scorpio is fiercely self-reliant and will almost never seek out the advice of others, preferring to look to himself for his answers. Although we generally don't comment on physical traits for the zodiac signs in these pages, it is worth noting that many, many Scorpios are noted for their penetrating eyes that make others feel uncomfortable (think Charlie Manson).
For those with a Scorpio child, you have a kid with a deep emotional bond with you, but who is also quite capable of entertaining himself when you are not available with no hard feelings, especially if he has something interesting to do. With his sharp mind and inquisitive nature, your little Scorpio will likely soak up knowledge in whatever form you provide it, be it television, books, puzzles, or whatever. Because of their tendency to be rather introverted, Scorpio kids should be given special attention from time-to-time, as they may tend to get pushed aside by louder, more boisterous siblings - especially older ones. Make no mistake, though - they can and will defend themselves, and when angered, they will retaliate fiercely, usually in an unexpected way designed to cause the most damage. Scorpio kids will appreciate one-on-one time with their parents, but generally won't feel comfortable talking about deeply personal issues. Keeping it light and fun is a plus with these kids, with the knowledge that if something is really bothering them, they will find a way to let you know, though again, it might be in a roundabout way. In school. Scorpio is smart enough to ace any of his studies, but he will only put effort into those things that interest him most. His grades therefore will likely be uneven, though with his adversity for failure, he will likely make enough effort to squeak by in subjects he dislikes.
Scorpio in the workplace is the one with the office full of odd decorations with either no chairs for visitors or one chair that is hidden in a dark corner. You won't find Scorpio flitting around the water cooler looking for gossip, as he considers this a complete waste of time and energy. Because of this, other people in the office will often comment that they think he is mean or unfriendly, and that they are unexplainably uncomfortable in his presence, although Scorpio himself considers his relationships with his co-workers as adequate. The boss usually loves Scorpio because he is a low-maintenance, industrious worker who is able to completely focus on the task at hand. The few select people who work more closely with Scorpio and have gotten past his exterior shell find him quite useful, often confiding in him about personal issues to get his honest, straightforward assessment. Although he doesn't seem emotional or compassionate on the surface, Scorpio will be the one to initiate a fund drive for another employee who has fallen on hard times and needs help, and he will usually do so anonymously to avoid unwanted attention.
If you have found a romantic partner in a Scorpio, you have a fiercely private, deeply feeling partner indeed. You may have to get used to the fact that you will never know everything about your Scorpio, but rest assured that if he feels a strong connection to you, he will let you know what you need to know. Indeed, if he didn't feel a strong connection to you, you wouldn't even be around! Scorpio is very loyal and expects the same from you. He is a highly intuitive individual, and will likely instinctively know what you need and want - a very good trait to have in a partner. However, his intuition will also pick up on imperfections in the relationship, so don't be surprised if he zeros in and starts asking probing questions if you are trying to hide something from him. It's going to be tough giving your Scorpio mate a surprise birthday party!
The best matches for Scorpio for sure are Cancer and Pisces, but Virgo, Leo, Capricorn, and Sagittarius might also work. It will likely be tough going with another Scorpio, Taurus, or Aries.
Scorpio in any relationship is smart and interesting, with surprising intuition. He may seem quite critical, which is off-putting at times, but you can count on him for an honest assessment. Don't go to him for sympathy, as he will tell you to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and get on with it. However, if you are in real trouble, he will likely sympathize and find resources to solve your problem, often in an unconventional way. If you cross a Scorpio, depending on the circumstances, he may walk away for life, but if he doesn't, he will find a way to even the score to his satisfaction before resuming the friendship. Despite these pitfalls, Scorpio as a friend has the potential to be one of the most loyal, intuitive, intelligent, nurturing, and helpful friends in the zodiac, so making the effort to dig a little deeper than you have to with other signs will likely provide you with rich rewards in the end!
