The zodiac signs represent archetypes, meaning something that is considered to be a perfect or typical example of a particular kind of person or thing.
The zodiac signs paint a ‘typical’ portrait of a person born at a particular time of year, in a given season. A baby born in midsummer, for example, arrives into a different physical environment from a winter baby in terms of food availability, parental diet; temperatures, hours of daylight and so on, with a range of potential physical effects on the physical constitution and emotional temperament of the new arrival.
This seasonal effect may be less pronounced nowadays, but is still a factor in our natal astrology, despite the invention of health services, supermarkets and central heating.
The Capricorn baby, for instance, is associated in medical astrology with the joints, especially the knees. The mountain goat of Capricorn is supremely agile and has great stamina. But when things go wrong, Capricorn is associated with the knees, and with arthritis or even rickets, caused by dys-regulation of calcium absorption.
Vitamin D regulates absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphates, all vital for bone health. The homeopathic tissue cell salt associated with Capricorn is Calcium Phosphate “the bone builder.”
The baby born in mid-winter, has less exposure to sunlight, which our bodies need to make Vitamin D. and the tissue cell salt associated with Capricorn is Calcium Phosphate “the bone builder.”
Scorpio on the other hand is associated with dwindling daylight and the advent of a new season of chills and influenza. Its tissue cell salt is Calcium Sulphate which performs a cleansing and cooling function in the body. Pus may form a boil, and then the boil bursts, expelling infection and with it, heat of inflammation.
This could be viewed as an allegory of world events. There may be a pause in hostilities in current theaters of war before the end of the year, is suggested by repeated appearances of number 4 cards in recent readings done for my own interest; the cardinal Cancer card, Four of Cups and a cardinal Capricorn Four of Pentacles suggesting a lull in January 2024.
I am also seeing a disproportionate appearance of 2’s in 2024. Possibly a peace in Ukraine late in 2024. Maybe Aries or Libra timing (cardinal cards again: the Two of Wands and Two of Swords).
Or we may see a renewal of discussions towards the historically much mooted and contentious Two State solution for Israel and Palestine in 2024, however unlikely this may seem at this agonizing juncture for all parties.
What has been festering, must either turn inward and bring sepsis, rot and death, or must find a way to break out. Scorpio breaks out either with heat and violence, and/or with deep state secrecy and intrigue.
The major arcana card in the Tarot representing Scorpio is the Death card, one of the most feared cards in the Tarot deck.
Death is a strange and frightening prospect when it comes up close and personal, even though we comprehend that Death is part of Life. Without Death, there would be no space for new life. We are getting our turn at life right now. Others are waiting their turn. Others before us have had theirs. But who knows, maybe one day they will get another turn.
How many are waiting in line right now? Knocking at the gates of the dock, high above the zenith of the zodiac belt; the stars of Cancer and the Gates of Men? What’s the limit on the shipping lanes?
No waters deeper than the fixed water sign of Scorpio.
Scorpio is the reminder that, just as the daylight is dying; so, Death comes for everyone alike, old or young, man or woman, the archbishop and the child as shown in the card. I once lost a new born son, and the grieving was hard; somehow more complicated than the grieving for my mother who died earlier this year at the age of 83, though she never became “an old lady”- active and curious, an independent thinker till the end; a Capricorn queen of the first order. His life was one hour and forty minutes long. “Everything perfect in its time.”
We know there are no guarantees that any one of us will make it to the age of ‘three score and ten’- that any of us will see seventy. That old age is not a right. Few animals reach old age living in the wild. Death walks close beside us, and Life is for living now, says Scorpio. It is this sharp focus of such an awareness that gives Scorpio its drive, intensity, its passion, or its preoccupation with the “darker” side of life, and with the occult and the mysterious.
The court card of Scorpio is the King of Cups. We may treat this card as male or female for reading purposes. Just as we may also read the Queen of Cups for a female Scorpio native, though astrologically, she corresponds with midsummer, and the cardinal water sign of Cancer.
Meanings: Water, the sea, a sailor, fisherman, mature, Male, husband, friend, grandpa, advisor, priest, doctor, counsellor, teacher, academic, artist, poet, musician, deep wisdom, calm, considerate, sensitive, supportive, protective, disciplined, intuitive, psychic, reserved, devoted, aloof, secretive
Scorpio is a magnetic personality, often excellent in an emergency but in everyday dealings they may be difficult to understand, not straightforward for others to deal with. They tend to be secretive and though they are mostly courteous, generous, sympathetic and loyal, they can have a hot temper, or may exhibit controlling behaviours.
Scorpio needs a challenge. They need to feel that their work is important or meaningful. They like to unlock puzzles and mysteries and will often be found in high pressure situations, handling serious, intense, traumatic, life or death issues. In the emergency services perhaps, or in the police, detection, crime & prisons, psychotherapy, bereavement counselling and transformational therapy. They often have a talent for management, including financial management, with an aptitude for research and resource management within the financial sector and power production industries
But of course, there is no such thing in reality as THE Scorpio personality. You are a unique individual. Your zodiac sun sign is a major keynote, but it is nothing like the full picture in real life – or in your natal chart. If you don’t feel like a ‘typical’ Scorpio, perhaps you are a second or third decan Scorpio, rather than a ‘most typical’ first decan Scorpio.
The decans have been nicknamed ‘the thirty-six faces of astrology,’ breaking down each sign into a storybook of three chapters that dig just a little deeper into your personal zodiac story. In a Tarot deck, the decans are represented by the cards of the minor arcana.
The Zodiac (wheel of life) is the belt of sky we see from earth, looking up and tracking the daily path of the sun across the sky from dawn till dusk. We call this pathway of the sun ‘the ecliptic,’ and it traces a line along the middle of the zodiac belt, 16 degrees deep; 8 degrees above the line, 8 degrees below it.
The Greeks divided this belt into twelve sections, choosing twelve for reasons of elegance and easy arithmetic, and named them after some of the constellations found along this imaginary pathway as codified by Ptolemy in the second century CE/AD.
There are more than twelve constellations above the ecliptic and below it, but the zodiac signs get their name from just twelve of them, straddling this imaginary pathway in this mathematical model upon which Western/Tropical astrology is based.
Each zodiac sign represents a 30 degree section of this 360 degree belt as seen from Earth. Each zodiac sign is then sub-divided into three blocks of ten degrees, equivalent to about ten days in length, giving us the decans, from the Greek word meaning ‘ten.’
Scorpio-Scorpio
Birth Dates: 23 -31 October (0-10 degrees)
Planetary rulers: Mars and Pluto
Tarot card: Five of Cups
Card Meanings: Grief, disappointment and recovery from loss. Taking stock. What is lost? What still remains?
Here is the most ‘typical’ Scorpio subject. Mars, the original ruling planet of Scorpio (Pluto is the modern ruler) is doubly powerful in this first decan. This is an active, determined, dominant individual, impulsive, high-spirited, and charismatic. They may have intensely deep feelings but keep them well hidden. When the going gets tough, so do they, showing fortitude and a huge amount of willpower- for good or bad.
They may exert a creative or destructive influence on their surroundings. Usually, it will be creative. But they need to learn patience, and to exercise self-restraint in order not to self -sabotage their own best chances of success and happiness in their dealings with others.
Scorpio/Scorpio individuals are incredibly driven. They can be more prone than other people to extreme or obsessive behaviours, but show the courage, tenacity, and willpower to overcome odds against them, with the resilience to bounce back after a setback and start afresh.
Famous first decan Scorpio subjects
Hillary Clinton, politician, born 26 Oct 1947
Dylan Thomas, poet, born 27 Oct 1914
Scorpio-Pisces
Dates: 1 -11 November (10-20 degrees)
Planetary rulers: Jupiter and Neptune
Tarot card: Six of Cups
Card Meanings: happy memories, nostalgia, home, childhood, children, childhood, old friends, old haunts, reunions
This Scorpio decan is slower and less driven, moderated by Pisces and its rulers, Jupiter (traditional) and Neptune (Modern) suggesting a changeable and unpredictable nature, sometimes energetic, at other times slow or even sluggish. There’s an element of contradiction here. Jupiter is the planetary symbol of expansion and changes in fortune, generally seen as benefic, but above all, outward facing, while Neptune ‘The Dreamer’ is deeply introverted.
This individual’s greatest battles in life may be with themselves, starting at an early age. The influence of Neptune may be an inspiration, or it may become their downfall, if they start indulging in escapism via any form of addiction, drugs, alcohol, gambling or other risk-taking behaviours.
These folk tend to be keenly interested in esoteric subjects; religion, the mystical, and the occult. They need unconditional love and support at home. A strong and loving partner and they need to be very careful in their friendships and choice of company.
This Scorpio often has great natural charisma, with an instinct for medicine and the healing arts. They are happiest with a stable, grounded, loyal, loving life partner who will appreciate them and reinforce their self-esteem in healthy ways.
These individuals are searching for a purpose, and strongly feel their lives should have some greater purpose. They can achieve great things. But if things go against them, they may lose faith in themselves and show lack of trust in others.
Famous Second Decan Scorpio subjects:
Billy Graham, evangelist, born 7 Nov 1918,
Carl Sagan, astronomer, born 9 Nov 1934
Scorpio-Cancer
Dates: 12-21 November
Planetary rulers: Moon and Venus
Tarot card- Seven of Cups
Card Meanings: visions, inspiration, possibilities, options, choices, daydreams, escapism, indecision, delusion
This decan is highly imaginative, proud, creative and dramatic. The Moon and Venus cool and soften the energy of Mars, indicating a magnetic personality, perhaps a natural artist or performer. The influence of the Moon lends these natives the ability to become exceptional nurturers and financial wizards.
This Scorpio is defensive, and may well sting when challenged or if cornered. They need to get it right, and need to be seen to be right. They may go to some trouble to make sure of this.
The scorpion is a devoted mother except in times of most extreme hardship when in desperation she may eat her young. Decan 3 Scorpio may have a particularly close relationship with his or her mother. This is a good thing unless it is allowed to take on too much importance in their relationships with their chosen life partner. These Scorpios are the ones most likely to want to leave a legacy to loved ones and favourite causes. Money, privacy, loyalty and property are of supreme importance. A skilled keeper of secrets, these individuals will carry mysteries and resentments to their graves. With a remarkable memory and super sensitive hearts, they can hang on to a sorrow -or nurse a grudge.
They are caring, abiding and more domesticated than other Scorpio natives. Canny, subtle and adaptable, and with stunning powers of concentration, Scorpio/Cancer may also be an activist, or a social justice warrior, advocating with incredible force and compassionate eloquence, with a charm that can makes them very effective when they are working with a group for a common cause.
Famous Decan 3 Scorpio subjects
Robert Kennedy, born 20 Nov 1925
King Charles 111, born 14 Nov 1948
Enigmatic, dreaming deep, elusive but ardent, and fierce in reaction, salutations to the ancient Scorpion. See this below? It is no karmic coincidence that the stars which paint the Claws of the celestial Scorpion also do double duty as the Scales of Justice in the constellation of Libra in the heavens next door.
Libra and Scorpio -Gerard Mercator, 1551 via Wikimedia Commons
Until next time.
Thank you for reading.
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