Scorpio, The Phoenix Rising

Tell someone you're a scorpio and most likely a few reactions will follow - RUN FOR THE HILLS!!! GET ME OUT HERE! (accompanied by hissing snake sounds and\or two finger gestures to show our scorpion stinger with really hilarious accompanying facial gestures) Or, oh yes, I've heard of you scorpios... very sexual and passionate (with deep eye stares). Following with a story of how they got stung by a scorpio in their life, leaving a lasting impression. I wish I could heal of those sting bites! We really don't mean it. Not all scorpios bite. There are many facets to scorpios, I've only touched the surface here.

I'm a Scorpio, Virgo rising and moon in Capricorn, an old soul with Sagittarius in my Venus, adding an interesting twist and usually gets me in trouble most of the time. It's the risk taker side of my personality, lots of adventurous, exciting stories and experiences (thanks to Sagg). Most people assume I'm a Libra, because of my peaceful nature, more of this later.

In my early years, I admit to being a young scorpion, stinging my way through life, pain, death, love and heartache. My chart mainly has scorpio in most of the houses, especially in partnerships, money, family, home and spiritual journey. These signs and astrology sign placements can describe me to a certain extent. As a water sign, Scorpio is an emotional sign and for the longest time I resisted this side of myself until recent, I've learned to find ways to co-exist with them in relation to what's going in my life. Trust me, I've tried my best to prove this theory wrong and it hasn't worked. Name of the game these days, is to go with the flow.

The run for the hills reaction most people have when face to face to a scorpio, there's some serious fear out there. The other side of my scorpio-ness enjoys witnessing the shock, awe and surprise in seeing the various stages of emotions and admittedly there's a curiosity in hearing their thoughts on why scorpios get such a bad rap. The responses over time have been revealing and at times devastating. I try my best to represent the good feminine scorpio energy, in hopes of converting those in disbelief of the good.

(Note: I assume no responsibility nor explanation for the male scorpions running rampant, that's beyond me. I've heard too many stories of women encountering the male scorpio player. I do know that once they have sowed their wild oats, they can be extremely loyal and committed to family life.)

Through the years, I've come to love and embrace my scorpio birthright, in my twenties, an older wise, mystical libra\scorpio cusp female mentor taught me about the three stages of scorpios embodied symbolically within three animals or life phases - the snake or scorpion, the eagle and the dove. I've dedicated time in learning about my sign and astrology in general with twenty years of reading books, articles, learning from astrologers like Susan Miller or Chani Nicolas and most importantly, having my own astrological chart interpreted by 10 different astrologers.

We scorpios are intense, curious, love to laugh, sharp, quick witted, playful, sensual, passionate and extremely loyal - If you gain our trust, you have a life partner or friend for life (if you're lucky both). If you lose our trust, you have lost us, forever. We're an ALL or NOTHING sign.

My Astrology Journey

Astrology is definitely more mainstream today than growing up in the 80's and 90's. Jeane Dixon was an American known psychic and astrologer, whose daily horoscope and predictions column was read by millions, until her death in January, 25 1997. Her astrological horoscopes were first published in 1957. Mrs. Dixon, is the author of seven books, including an autobiography, an astrological cookbook and a horoscope book for dogs, was a leading exponent of extrasensory perception, as well as an influential Washington socialite. Known for stating, "Our lives are programmed at conception and are endowed with purpose and meaning".  She was the official white house astrologer for President Ronald Regan and his wife Nancy, advising on official politics policies, whom predicted life events as George Bush's re-election, the fall of the Berlin Wall and so much more. Highly recommend learning more about Mrs. Dixon's legacy. She paved the way for mainstream, pop-culture astrologers today.

Unlike today, where we have endless amounts of info at our fingertips with smartphones, computers, social media, content and the internet. In the 90's when my astrology interest peaked, I had to dig deep and investigate as a true scorpio would for more info. Three influential, fascinating books that expanded my understanding of my astrology chart in relation to other signs in my life and still relevant today are The Secret Language of Birthdays, written by Gary Goldschneider, Joost Elffers and Linda Goodman's Sun Signs and Love Signs. My goal in astrology has always been to understand how to relate and co-exist with other signs. Less about me and more about other signs, in spirit of relationship harmony.

Multiple Personalities, Told by a Scorpio

Some well known scorpios to consider - Marie Antoinette (not a great representative for us), Picasso, Bill Gates, Kris Jenner, Whoopi Goldberg, Julia Roberts, Rita Wilson, Ryan Reynolds, Joe Biden, Gabrielle Union, Ciara, Sean P Diddy Combs, Katy Perry, Anne Hathaway, Leonardo Dicaprio, Joaquin Phoenix, Ryan Gosling and many others. We only know their public personas as celebrities, however, you can see some striking similarities with some, in terms of creativity, humor, humanity, sexual personas, intensity to name a few...

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly in All It's Glory

In astrology, signs can co-exist harmoniously with other signs, if one makes the extra effort to learn more about the signs that surround you in your life - the good, the bad and the ugly aspects, life can be a different experience. It can be harmonious and mixed with compassion. The rest is intuitive, environmental, the charts of their parents and family. The combinations are endless. There's so much that goes into astrology, I highly recommend learning from the pros.

My astrological understanding is in relation to my personal journey - Scorpio is a water sign and our fellow water signs are Cancer and Pisces, very emotional. Feminine and masculine energies add another layer of understanding, it differs per sign. With the traditional thinking of elements, water is harmonious with water, earth and air signs. Fire gets a bit tricky, don't get me started on Aries, with Mars as a common planet in our sun sign, the attraction can be explosive (great teachers). We've been known to have intense, deep-probing eyes that see through people and a mysterious side that's insanely private. We're ruled by two planets, Mars and Pluto. Usually our life lessons include birth, death and rebirth, we are known to seek out darkness to understand the light. Shamans and mystics are normally associated with scorpios. As with all signs, there are good and bad aspects. It's good to identify which one stands before you before it's too late.

Sex & Death, The Elephant in the Room

In many cultures, scorpio exists in ancient myth, as greek mythology, the soap opera of stories with persephone representative of scorpio. The long, short version is that Persephone, a young beautiful innocent, naive maiden was picking flowers in a meadow one day when Hades, God of the underworld saw her and instantly fell in love. He took her to the darkness of the underworld. She learned to love him is one theory, yet was unhappy and missed daylight, nature, flowers. Since Hades did have a love for her, he allowed Persephone to return above ground for a few months a year with a contingency to return back to the underworld to be with him for the remaining months of the year. A God who knows how to give women what they want! It's the reason why we have seasons as spring and winter months. There are a few variations of their "love" story, however, there's no doubt how this relates to the sign scorpio, in matters of death and rebirth, light and dark. In Hinduism, Scorpio is known as Kali, who is a powerful force in itself representing the depths of death and rebirth, endings and beginnings. That's a story within itself! The key takeaway here is that Scorpio represents birth, death and rebirth in the zodiac, unlike another other signs in astrology. Death has been know to be associated with sex and ecstasy spirituality - no one said, Scorpios were boring! 

Three Animals Walk Into A Bar - The Snake, The Eagle and The Dove

Scorpios have been known to go through an unique, deeper spiritual association with three symbolic phases - the snake or scorpion, the eagle and the dove, sometimes the phoenix. If you happen to converse with a wise, older scorpio, ask them about this concept in relation to their life journey and look into their eyes, if you dare. Here's a snapshot of my understanding of the scorpio spiritual phases, and suggest learning more from other sources.

Phase one, just as a snake or scorpion, this is the younger scorpio phase where one is beginning, learning the ups and downs of life, a young scorpio will bite or sting with the scorpion tail when they are hurt, betrayed, experience suffering or pain. Until this young scorpio can learn the valuable lesson that hurting others is not the way when hurt - they can evolve to the next phase.

Phase two, the eagle, just as the glorious bird soars high above, majestic, with sharp eyesight, noble, fearless, with wisdom in knowing when to attack with courage. A scorpio in this phase has learned the ways of the first phase, most likely by going through hell and back, to rise above it all and fly high. Letting go of all that doesn't serve one's purpose and only fighting in defense of freedom or love, with maturity for self and the collective.

Phase three, the dove, symbolic of peace. I strive to reach this phase myself. It's when a scorpio has learned through tremendous amount of suffering, pain, love, lost, death, hurt, betrayal in life lessons to rise above it all, to a peaceful stage of love and forgiveness. Nothing else matters as it's the phase to transcendence. I'm paraphrasing, I highly recommend reading more on this if this relates to you. It's both mystical and a magical journey for a scorpio to travel through.

There's another aspect to mention. This third phase has also been described as the Phoenix. The mythical bird who symbolizes birth, death and transformation, also known as eternity, strength and renewal. It's a timeless story of the mythical bird being reborn from the ashes of death, symbolizing the life journey through fire or adversity. In my older years, I would say this is true for myself and some other scorpios too. Somehow, it all relates and before we know it we're in the fire coming through to the other side, born free of all that holds us down. Sometimes, it's a repeated life experience and well, let's say Scorpio is know to have an intense life journey, it's unforgettable, timeless and leaves a lasting legacy.

Conclusion

Do I believe in astrology and my sun sign, Scorpio? Yes, through my personal life experiences, the scorpios in my life, the ones who I've crossed paths with and those who have passed on.

There's so much more to Scorpio not mentioned here in relation to astrology and the human experience. Astrology is fascinating and when applied to our journey can either have meaning or for some it's nothing at all. I respect both points of view.

Each person has a unique astrological path that they can chose to believe or abandon through disbelief and free will. At the time of one's birth time, month, day and location, the astrological chart will be different for each and every person. How one grows up, the astrology signs raising the person also influence each person evolves through their own divine journey through the stars, moon cycles and planet alignments. It's a magical recipe that is unique to each divine spirit.

If we ever forget, we can always look up at the night sky during a new moon and see the stars, the universe and magic - inexplicable and true.