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| Zodiac Symbol | Scorpion |
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| Duration (Tropical,Western) | 23 October – 22 November (2011, UTC) |
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| Duration (Sidereal,Hindu) | 13 November – 30 December (2011, UTC) |
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| Constellation | Scorpius |
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| Zodiac Element | Water |
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| Zodiac Quality | Fixed |
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| Domicile | Pluto, Mars |
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| Detriment | Venus |
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| Exaltation | Uranus |
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| Fall | Moon |
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Scorpio (♏) is the eighth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Scorpius. Scorpio is considered a feminine, negative (introverted) sign by most modern astrologists. It is also considered a water sign and one of the four fixed signs. Traditionally, the planet Mars has been considered to be the ruler of Scorpio. But since its discovery in modern times, Pluto has been considered the primary ruler, with Mars as co-ruler. As the eighth sign in the zodiac, Scorpio is associated with the astrological eighth house. The lower arrow pointing up in the Scorpio symbol represents the venomous tail of the Scorpion or claw of wolf. Individuals born when the Sun is in this sign are considered Scorpio individuals and are extremely powerful. Under the tropical zodiac, the Sun enters Scorpio on October 23 and exits on November 22. Under the sidereal zodiac, it is currently there roughly from November 16 through December 15. The Sanskrit name of Scorpio in Hindu astrology is Vṛścika. However, since Vedic Astrology employs the Sidereal Zodiac, rather than the Tropical Zodiac, their "Scorpio" actually corresponds to the sign of Sagittarius in the West; consequently, Scorpios born in the West would be considered "Libras" in the Vedic system.
Astrologically, Scorpio is sometimes represented by an eagle or a phoenix, though this depiction is rather esoteric.
Compatibilities
Generally, the natives of Scorpio are considered to be compatible with the natives of the other water signs, Cancer and Pisces, and the natives of the earth signs, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Leo and Aquarius are signs of the other nature (masculine/extroverted), but are considered semi-compatible with Scorpio due to them having the same fixed quality.
There are many variables that determine compatibility in astrology, such as birth dates, birth months, birth years, position of a sign within the Moon, Stars, etc. The signs listed as compatible with Scorpio do not reflect an individual profile or individual reading as interpreted within astrology, but rather reflect a general guideline and reference to compatibility as dictated by variables such as Qualities and Elements within the Zodiac.The branch of astrology dealing with interpersonal compatibilities is called Synastry.
Mythology
In Greek Mythology, the myths associated with Scorpio almost invariably also contain a reference to Orion. However, there are two contrasting stories about the two. One tale is that Orion was cyclopes who was a great hunter and very modest about his amazing skill. One day he fell in love with a princess of an island he was passing, but her father refused to let his daughter go and, thus, was determined to keep Orion away from the princess. The king did so by blinding Orion, thus not letting him hunt and amaze the woman. Orion traveled to the Sun which healed his eye, and decided to lay off the king (who later died from a war)and pursued his hunting. He became great friends with Artemis, who favored Orion greatly for his modesty and superb skill at hunting. One day Apollo was jealous that the two were great friends, and sent a harsh scorpion at him and stung his heel. Artemis, furious with her brother killed the scorpion and threatened to throw Delphi, Apollo's beloved city, into ruins if he did not apologize, which he hastily did. Zeus decided that Orion should be put in the stars, and the scorpion should always chase him; therefore, the constellation Orion appears in the winter, running away from the constellation of Scorpio which arrives in the summer.
There are multiple tales of the two, however. According to one of these myths it is written that Orion boasted to goddess Artemis and her mother, Leto, that he would kill every animal on the earth. Although Artemis was known to be a hunter herself she offered protection to all creatures. Artemis and her mother Leto sent a scorpion to deal with Orion. The pair battled and the scorpion killed Orion. However, the contest was apparently a lively one that caught the attention of the king of the gods, Zeus, who later raised the scorpion to heaven and afterwards, at the request of Artemis, did the same for Orion to serve as a reminder for mortals to curb their excessive pride.
According to another of these myths, Scorpio was a friend of Taurus the bull, who was hunted and killed by Orion. In retaliation for his friend, Scorpio stung Orion to death, but was crushed beneath the hunter's feet when he thrashed about in his death throes. All three were then put into the sky by Zeus so that their story would be remembered.
(source:wikipedia)
