Scorpio 2008 - Intense Self-Reliant Water Spirits

by Robert Wilkinson

November accents the water sign Scorpio, where we transcend the forms we’ve glimpsed up to now and move deeper into the experience of people and activities. We can concentrate power by purifying ourselves of obsolete or stagnant feelings, and going deeper into our mystery to regenerate what we need to get from here to where we're going.

It’s definitely the heart of Autumn, with its focus on harvesting that which is pleasing, socializing and connecting while seeing the end of old forms in our lives. This month is about releasing, letting go, and taking out the old, obsolete waste materials accumulated in the year cycle up to now to make space for the wintering we are about to go through. The yearly light force is waning, so conserve energy and concentrate on what you really want. Check out your magnetism, follow through as needed, and push through obstacles, including forms of mental slavery.

Scorpio is a Fixed Water sign. This implies ice, yet they share a rulership by Mars with Aries, a Fire sign. Scorpio is both fire and ice, sometimes extreme but never superficial or light-minded. That's for other Sun signs, but not Scorpio. This sign, easily misunderstood, pierces through forms seeking to get to the essence of things. Scorpio desires an ever more intense union with people, ideas, and experience.

This sign is the death and rebirth all things must go through on the journey between the vision of possible perfection in Libra and the freedom of explore distant regions in thought, feeling, and action in Sagittarius. Scorpio takes the perfect form of Libra and penetrates to the mystery of its transformation into higher and greater truth.

In this phase of the twelve-step evolutionary process that which began in Aries, stabilized in Taurus, expanded in Gemini, consolidated in Cancer, creatively projected in Leo, refined in Virgo and shaped into a new ideal in Libra is given magnetic power. Whatever must be let go of needs to go to provide the psychic space for our own rebirth on whatever level it takes place. It is an energy of loss and regeneration, the cocoon phase in our process of growing from caterpillar to butterfly, the universal symbol of spiritual rebirth.

Scorpio is associated with the stinging Scorpion, but that is merely the lowest of the four manifestations of this sign. The next more evolved Scorpio is the snake, symbol of wisdom continually shedding old skins and growing new ones. There are three kinds of snake. Vipers, feared by many creatures. Pythons, suffocating in their strength. And the others, eaters of vermin and symbols of fortune. The third type of Scorpio is the Eagle. This king of the raptors with speed and strength sees everything keenly at great distances while soaring through the heights, alone or with its own kind.

The highest manifestation of this sign is the Phoenix, also known as the Firebird. This is the being which is the symbol of continuous transformation, the scintillating magic fire that's alive and only dies to be reborn more gloriously from the egg of its own creation. Scorpio's keywords are "I desire." This is the sign of penetrating intention to investigate the mystery that confronts the evolving being. Scorpio explores the archetypes of Communion and Faith through intensifying and purifying whatever and whoever they touch.

Mars is the ruler of Scorpio, so it will exert a stronger influence than usual every November. The first half of this month Mars is in its home sign of Scorpio, strengthening the Water influence and ruling the roost as the final dispositor of all the other planets. By mid-month it slips into Sagittarius, decreasing its Water influence but strengthening its Fire quality. It will remain strong until Mercury moves into Sag, diffusing the dispositorship chain into a multi-planet sequence of Jupiter to Saturn to Mercury.

Mythologically, Scorpio is in the axis of the Warrior, or Guardian. This sign (along with its polar opposite, Taurus) confirms the dance of relationship between self and others begun in Aries and formalized in Libra. Scorpio is devotion made manifest, showing us our desire and what we're willing to do to get it.

Like Taurus, it shows us the lessons of “mine and thine” as we interact with others. It is the part of us willing to hold the line on what we want and how we wish to possess others. This sign deeply merges into shared values with others, yet also knows how to draw clear and definite boundaries between the values and desires of each.

Scorpio, when freed of the traps of perpetual dissatisfaction, stubbornness, excessive desire, and not knowing when to stop and turn away from destructive attitudes, demonstrate a consistency and reliability in sustaining the collective effort. They are devoted warriors that will hold the line unto death if need be, hanging in there when everybody else has bailed. Scorpio, like Libra, is highly socialized and need people, but are less likely to compromise as they strive to get closer and closer to the object they are attracted to.

Sometimes too impulsive, they persist in rhythmic activity that flows from icy calm to fiery intensity, movement to rest to movement in an unending spiral of evolution. When Scorpio learns to let go of possessiveness, jealousy, suspicion, and any tendencies to be domineering, dishonest, or violent they become a living miracle of trustworthy, heroic courage. They are master healers, creative and inspiring, one-pointed and tenacious in their mission of service with the power of absolute attraction when they get clear about their magnetism.

In Scorpio we see the detective searching for the clues to the mystery and a reformer relentlessly pursuing truth beyond boundaries. Scorpios are scientific investigators who have the power to reshape their world. Think Martin Luther, who defied the absolute power of the Pope to found one of the world's major religions. Another Scorpio, St. Augustine, reformed the early church doctrine (and changed it forever) by merging it with Greco-Roman philosophy.

One of the greatest Scorpio servants of humanity of all time was the legendary medical researcher Jonas Salk, M.D. This true humanitarian saved the world's children from polio while giving the monetary rights to the world, and was exploring meta-biology up to the point of his death.

Scorpios have cut a very wide wake across in the political world, which makes sense given the ambition this sign can harbor. However, it also seems that many suffer difficult fates. Two famous political figures of great power include Leon Trotsky, whose original intention was to reform Czarist Russia and the world, but was exiled (cocooned) at the height of his power and influence and later assassinated, and Chiang Kai-Shek, who reformed the Chinese government, only to lose his country and found another.

Other political Scorpios include Charles DeGaulle, uncompromising and independent leader of France, the legendary Bobby Kennedy, also assassinated before his prime, and Prince Charles, seemingly cocooned as a Prince forever while his Taurus mother, QEII, endures on the throne of England. Nehru and his daughter Indira Gandhi, both Scorpios, were leaders of India. Nehru presided over the "death through partition" of greater India, while Indira was assassinated as a result of her authoritarian ruthlessness.

Four more contemporary political figures are Veep Joe Biden, UN Ambassador and Governor of NM Bill Richardson, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the first woman to head an African country, King Hussein of Jordan, and Wilma Mankiller, Chief of the Cherokee Nation for many years. First Ladies include Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Maria Shriver.

Scorpio figures large in the US Presidency. We find James A. Garfield and Warren G. Harding, presidents who used a middle initial and died while in office. Garfield was known for being able simultaneously to write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other, and found a new proof for the Pythagorean Theorem, not small tasks. Harding, on the other hand, was known for his corruption, sexual escapades, and ineptitude, and ushered in the Roaring '20s and 12 years of incompetent Republican presidents whose policies led directly to the Great Depression.

We have had three other Scorpio Presidents. There was John Adams, second president and bitter political opponent of Jefferson. Another was James K. Polk, who swore he only wanted one term and was true to his word. Through treaties with Canada and war with Mexico, this manifest destiny expansionist got us land stretching to the Pacific, aggravating the festering divisions that would explode into the Civil War. Teddy Roosevelt, considered among the top 5 presidents of all time, was a relentless reformer, trust-buster and conservationist who gave us our National Park system. He won the Nobel Peace Prize, making him the first American to win the Nobel in any category.

Scorpio, though exceptionally strong, sometimes does not have an easy life. Russell Means, director of AIM, led the Wounded Knee protest put down by our heavy handed government. Marie Antoinette met an unfortunate end, as did Vice President Spiro Agnew, who was forced to resign in disgrace due to crimes committed when he was governor of Maryland. And we all know the disgrace Senator Joe McCarthy brought down on himself at the peak of power, and on a related note, Scorpio Alger Hiss was branded as a Communist spy by Nixon.

Turning now to the literary world, we find the tribe of Scorpio has given us such brilliant historical figures as Dostoevsky, Voltaire, John Keats, George Eliot, Ezra Pound, Dylan Thomas, Steven Crane, Robert Louis Stevenson, Zane Grey, Kurt Vonnegut, Nathaniel Benchley, Raja Rao, and Andre Malraux. All of their works are penetrating, intense, and definitely not superficial! In art we find Scorpios Monet, Jan Vermeer, Rodin, Roy Lichtenstein, Georgia O'Keeffe, Rene Magritte, and Bill Mauldin. A special nod goes out to my dear friend, performance artist extraordinaire Sally Jacques.

There are many legends of film in the Scorpio tribe. We start with directors Moss Hart, Mike Nichols, Louis Malle, Martin Scorsese, Claude Lelouch, Peter Jackson, Harold Ramis, and Danny DeVito, and proceed to immortals Burt Lancaster, Vivian Leigh, Ruth Gordon, Ed Wynn, Richard Burton, Grace Kelly, Claude Rains, Dick Powell, Burgess Meredith, Leo G. Carroll, Jackie Coogan, Rock Hudson, Charles Bronson, Ruby Dee, Hedy Lamarr, Pat O'Brien, Jean Seberg, Brian Keith, Veronica Lake, Billy Barty, Rosemary DeCamp, and Joel McCrea, among the brightest stars of old Hollywood.

Contemporary bright shining lights include the best Sherlock Holmes ever played, the immortal Jeremy Brett. We proceed to other intense and awesome talents Kevin Kline, John Cleese, Leo DiCaprio, Rodney Dangerfield, Martin Balsam, Owen Wilson, John Candy, Joaquin Phoenix, Cody Linley, Sam Shepard, Ethan Hawke, Ralph Macchio, Roy Scheider, Matthew McConaughey, Richard Dreyfuss, F. Murray Abraham, Oskar Werner, Bob Hoskins, Wally Shawn, Jon Heder, Cary Elwes, Dolph Lundgren, and Sinbad.

Scorpio women have an intensity and magnetic beauty that can be extraordinarily attractive and draws us all into the depths of the roles they play. In this group are such amazing beauties as Julia Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Demi Moore, Parker Posey, Kate Capshaw, Elke Sommer, Goldie Hawn, Bo Derek, Aishwarya Rai, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Tatum O'Neal, Jody Foster, Meg Ryan, Sally Field, McKenzie Phillips, Whoopi Goldberg, Estelle Parsons, Brenda Vaccaro, Carrie Snodgrass, Tara Reid, Bibi Andersson, and Elizabeth Perkins.

Scorpio has given television some icons, many of them very funny people: Johnny Carson, Jonathan Winters, Art Carney, Imogene Coca, Paul Ford, Dick Cavett, Henry Winkler, Ray Walston, Esther Rolle, McLean Stevenson, Ed Asner, Ken Berry, Daws Butler, Richard Dawson, and Dick Smothers. Other tv hall of famers are Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, Barbara Bel Geddes, Michael Landon, Nanette Fabray, Marlo Thomas, Pat Sajak, Judge Joe Wapner, Alistair Cooke, Joseph Campanella, Juliet Mills, David Nelson, Kaye Ballard, and Dean Jagger.

Contemporary stars include David Ogden Stiers, Loretta Swit, Dennis Franz, Calista Flockhart, Ellen Pompeo, Linda Evans, Stephanie Powers, Kate Jackson, Markie Post, Sam Waterston, Chris Noth, Dennis Miller, Roseanne Barr, Doris Roberts, Jaclyn Smith, Daphne Zuniga, Peta Wilson, Cody Linley, Lisa Bonet, Harry Hamlin, David Schwimmer, Daisy Fuentes, RuPaul, Jenny McCarthy, Lou Ferrigno, Josh Peck, Tracy Nelson, Mary Hart, and Victoria Hamel.

In the related area of television news, we have several greats: Walter Cronkite and his successor Dan Rather are both known for their sincerity and directness, as are Morley Safer and Jane Pauley. Scorpio Lorne Michaels also is a tv icon, as are Ted Turner and Larry King.

Music gives us some major talents. Scorpio legends across time include Richard Strauss, Georges Bizet, Aaron Copeland, John Phillip Sousa, William Gilbert, Tommy Dorsey, Mahalia Jackson, Sonny Terry, Ethel Waters, Benjamin Britten, Al Hirt, Hamilton Camp, Cleo Laine, Patti Page, Jo Stafford, Eugene Ormandy, Tim Rice, Keith Lockhart, Joan Sutherland, J.P. Richardson ("the Big Bopper"), Minnie Pearl, Brill Building hitmaker Ellie Greenwich, and the awesome pair of multi-talented songwriter-producers, Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. In this latter category a special nod goes to the legendary Hank Medress.

Newer luminaries include one of the few blues guitarists (arguably) as good as Jimi, the immortal Peter Green. Other major talents include Duane Allman, Art Garfunkle, Glenn Frey, Neil Young, Bryan Adams, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Jon Anderson, Grace Slick, Tom Fogerty, Mary Travers, Gordon Lightfoot, Lyle Lovett, k.d. lang, Frida Lyngstad, Jeff Buckley, Kirk Lee Hammett, Gavin Rossdale, Scott Weiland, Kevin Jonas, Chris Joannou, Travis Barker, Larry Mullen Jr., Adam Schlesinger, Charlie Daniels, Yanni, Ben Gillies, Dan Peek, and Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Some other Scorpios who made their mark in their own unique way were Will Rogers, universally loved social-political satirist with humor like an icepick, Pablo Picasso, whose dark intensity in both his artistic and personal life was legendary, and Marie Curie, who unlocked the secrets of radiation.

In this eclectic group we also find sports legends, featuring James Naismith, inventor of basketball, tennis icon Billie Jean King, golf legend Gary Player, soccer legend Pele', baseball hall of famers "the Big Train" strikeout king Walter Johnson, Joe Campanella, Stan Musial, and Tom Seaver. Among Olympians we find Scorpios Bruce Jenner, Nadia Comaneci, Oksana Baiul, Kerri Strug, and Laura Wilkinson (no relation!)

Finishing this list of unique and intense beings are George Patton, perhaps the greatest General America ever had, pioneer Daniel Boone, Supreme Louis Brandeis, first US astronaut Alan Shepard, Jr., evangelist Billy Graham, theater icon Lee Strasberg, designer Calvin Klein, Ziegfield Follies star Fanny Brice, pornographer and First Amendment warrior Larry Flynt, video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

Finally, a big happy birthday to the the countries of Algeria, Korea (trad.), Morocco, Norway, Paraguay, and Syria. Happy birthday to the states of Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Washington, and the cities of Baltimore, Boise, Charlotte, Denver, Fairbanks, Fez, Morocco, Fresno, Ghent, Belgium, Halifax, Little Rock, Liverpool, Milwaukee, Newark, New Haven, Nova Scotia, Philadelphia, Providence, Queensland, St. Louis, St. Paul, Trenton, and West Palm Beach.

© Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Damien]

Aye, I feel myself navigating through various levels of the Scorpionic experience these days. Really my whole life with the 8th house sun and Jupiter/Scorpio.

'perpetual dissatisfaction, stubbornness, excessive desire, and not knowing when to stop and turn away from destructive attitudes'

'They are master healers, creative and inspiring, one-pointed and tenacious in their mission of service with the power of absolute attraction when they get clear about their magnetism.'

Definitely a hard road to walk, this intensity and gristly visceral approach to human life. Sometime I feel I am the phoenix and the scorpio all at once. The healing permutations are what I feel are most important to my continued survival to thriving. Although letting go of things completely is my hardest thing yet.

[Robert]

Hi Damien - I suspect that letting go of things completely may be one of the hardest things in the human condition. Perhaps Pisces, the sign of closure, being Scorpio's 5th house, can offer a hint as to how to flow out of old states of consciousness into new ones. Also, the depth experience of Fixed feelings (Scorpio) has Libra as its own 12th sign. This implies that by adjusting the proportion or balance we can achieve closure on old Scorpionic tendencies. And that by moderation, we can glimpse a new ideal or way of viewing the entirety of any Scorpionic experience that yields new mental initiatives (Libra). 8th house Sun has a major legacy to offer humanity through the light of shared collective values, and losses, as well as the ability to "hold space," become the sources of illumination.