Scorpios
are the most intense, profound, powerful characters in the zodiac. Even
when they appear self-controlled and calm there is a seething intensity
of emotional energy under the placid exterior. They are like the volcano
not far under the surface of a calm sea, it may burst into eruption at
any moment. But those of us who are particularly perceptive will be
aware of the harnessed aggression, the immense forcefulness, magnetic
intensity, and often strangely hypnotic personality under the tranquil,
but watchful composure of Scorpio. In conventional social gatherings
they are pleasant to be with, thoughtful in conversation, dignified, and
reserved, yet affable and courteous; they sometimes possess penetrating
eyes which make their shyer companions feel naked and defenseless before
them.
In their
everyday behavior they give the appearance of being withdrawn from the
center of activity, yet those who know them will recognize the
watchfulness that is part of their character. They need great
self-discipline, because they are able to recognize the qualities in
themselves that make them different from other humans, and to know their
utterly conventional natures can be used for great good, or great evil.
Their tenacity and willpower are immense, their depth of character and
passionate conviction overwhelming, yet they are deeply sensitive and
easily moved by their emotions. Their sensitivity, together with a
propensity for extreme likes and dislikes make them easily hurt, quick
to detect insult or injury to themselves (often when none is intended)
and easily aroused to ferocious anger. This may express itself in such
destructive speech or action that they make lifelong enemies by their
outspokenness, for they find it difficult not to be overly critical of
anything or anyone to whom they take a dislike.
They can
harness their abundant energy constructively, tempering their
self-confidence with shrewdness and their ambition with magnanimity
toward others provided they like them. They relate to fellow workers
only as leaders and can be blunt to those they dislike to the point of
cruelty. In fact they are not above expressing vindictiveness in
deliberate cruelty. They are too demanding, too unforgiving of faults in
others, perhaps because they are not aware of the shortcomings within
themselves, and extravagantly express their self-disgust in unreasonable
resentment against their fellows. They do, however, make excellent
friends, provided that their companions do nothing to impugn the honor
of which Scorpios are very jealous. Part of the negative side of the
Scorpio nature is a tendency to discard friends once they cease to be
useful, but the decent native is aware of, and fights this tendency.
They are
fortunate in that their strong reasoning powers are tempered with
imagination and intuition, and these gifts, together with critical
perception and analytical capacity, can enable the Scorpions to
penetrate to profundities beyond the average. They have a better chance
of becoming geniuses than the natives of any other sign.But charismatic
"twice-born" characters such as they can sink into the
extremes of depravity if they take the wrong path, and the intensity of
their nature exaggerates their harmful tendencies into vices far greater
than the normal. Rebelliousness against all conventions, political
extremism to the point where hatred of the Establishment makes them
utterly unscrupulous terrorists. Brooding resentment, aggressive and
sadistic brutality, total arrogance, morbid jealousy, extreme volatility
of temperament, these are some of their vices. At the other extreme is
the procrastinator, the man or woman who is capable of so much that they
do nothing and become indolent and self-indulgent, requiring extravagant
praise and flattery from those whom they make their cronies.
Being so
gifted, they can find fulfillment in many employments. Their inner
intensity can result in the ice-cold self-control and detachment of the
surgeon, the concentration of the research scientist, and the heroism of
the soldier. Any profession in which analysis, investigation, research,
dealing with practicalities, and the solving of mysteries are relevant,
can appeal to them. So police and detective work, espionage and
counterespionage, the law, physics or psychology may attract them, and
they can become masters of the written and spoken word. They may be most
persuasive orators and find fulfillment as diplomats or preachers and,
if they make the Church their profession, their inner intensity can
express itself in the spiritual fervor of the mystic or the thaumaturgy.
Scorpio
is the symbol of sex and Scorpios are passionate lovers, the most
sensually energetic of all the signs. For them, union with the beloved
is a sacrament, an "outward and visible sign of an inward and
spiritual grace.". Their overriding urge in loving is to use their
power to penetrate beyond themselves and to lose themselves sexually in
their partners in an almost mystical ecstasy, thus discovering the
meaning of that union which is greater than individuality, and is a
marriage of the spirit as well as of flesh. They are thus capable of the
greatest heights of passionate transport, but debauchery and perversion
are always dangers, and Scorpios can become sadistic monsters of
sensuality and eroticism. Their feelings are so intense that even when
their love is of the highest, and most idealistic kind, they are
nevertheless frequently protagonists in tragic, even violent romances,
"star-crossed lovers".
|