Scorpio is one of the most mysterious and misunderstood signs of the zodiac. As the eighth sign of the zodiac, Scorpio has been associated with many myths and legends throughout history. Here we will explore some of the most prevalent Scorpio myths and the symbolic meaning behind them.
The Scorpion Symbol
The most common myth about Scorpio revolves around the Scorpion symbol. In Greek mythology, Scorpio is linked to the legend of Orion the hunter. According to the myth, Orion boasted that he could kill any animal on earth. To punish his arrogance, the earth goddess Gaia sent a giant scorpion to kill Orion. The scorpion stung Orion, killing him. Zeus then placed Orion and the scorpion into the sky as constellations on opposite ends so that Orion would never have to face the scorpion again.
This myth explains why the Scorpio zodiac sign is symbolized by the scorpion. Scorpions are mysterious creatures that lurk in the shadows and can give a painful, even lethal, sting with their curved tail. The scorpion represents the hidden, complex, and intense nature of the Scorpio personality. Scorpios are insightful and secretive, with an innate ability to uncover hidden truths. When provoked, they can react with a forceful sting. The myth warns against awakening the wrath of the stealthy scorpion.
Pluto and the Underworld
In astrology, each zodiac sign is ruled by a planet. Before Pluto’s demotion to a dwarf planet in 2006, the planet Pluto was the ruler of Scorpio. Pluto is the Roman god of the Underworld, equivalent to the Greek god Hades. This mythology further cultivated the aura of mystery and darkness surrounding the Scorpio archetype.
As the god of the Underworld, Pluto represents the domain of death, rebirth, and transformation. Pluto rules what lies beneath the surface—the hidden truths and soul transformations that occur in the subconscious depths. This aligns with Scorpio’s innate understanding of the deeper mysteries of life. Scorpios have a natural ability to undergo profound self-renewal by clearing away old patterns and deep-rooted blocks.
Water Sign Symbolism
In astrology, Scorpio is a water sign, along with Cancer and Pisces. Water signs are intuitive, emotional, compassionate, and attuned to the mystical aspects of life. However, Scorpio is the only water sign with a lethal sting. So while Scorpio is fluid and feeling like its fellow water signs, it is also guarded and can respond with obsessive intensity.
Scorpio energy runs deep like its symbolic water element. Scorpios have intense emotions and desire to connect on the most intimate levels. Beneath their cool exterior lies great sensitivity, similar to the way water can be still on the surface but swirling with undercurrents beneath. Scorpios experience emotions on profound levels and can be possessive in relationships once they commit.
Water can be soothing but also submerge you in its depths. This captures Scorpio’s ability to heal with emotional intimacy or overwhelm with obsessive waters. Overall, the water element highlights the Scorpio nature of depth, mystery, and emotional complexity.
The Phoenix Myth
The mythic Phoenix is also linked to the Scorpio archetype in astrology. The Phoenix is a bird that cyclically regenerates, burning itself to ashes before rising reborn from the flames. This capacity for self-renewal aligns with Scorpio’s ability to recalibrate and transform themselves completely.
The Phoenix myth speaks to the tremendous inner strength and resilience of Scorpio. Even when they traverse their lowest emotional points, Scorpios are able to shed their past selves and revive with new purpose, much like the mythical Phoenix. This myth points to the powerful Scorpio traits of regeneration and evolution throughout life’s changes.
Scorpio in Sumerian Mythology
One of the oldest Scorpio myths dates back to ancient Sumerian civilization over 4,000 years ago. In Sumerian mythology, the goddess Ishtar is linked to the Scorpio archetype. Ishtar was the goddess of love, sexuality, and war. Her nature combined passionate sexuality with wrathful battle instincts—an apt forerunner to modern Scorpio traits.
Ishtar was believed to have the power to give life as well as take it away. Her devotee priestesses were said to perform sacred sex rituals in Ishtar’s honor. This mythology casts Ishtar as an empowered female figure who owns her sexuality, a theme now associated with Scorpio’s embrace of the erotic.
Ishtar’s multidimensional nature encompasses the Scorpio spectrum of life-affirming energy and destructive potential. Her mythology affirms Scorpio’s close connection to themes of power, sexuality, and the divine feminine.
Scorpio in Egyptian Mythology
Egyptian mythology contains scorpion goddesses linked to Scorpio as well. The Egyptian goddess Serket was depicted as a scorpion or a woman with a scorpion on her head. As with Ishtar, Serket was associated with sexuality, fertility, and feminine power. Serket was seen as a protector of reproductive health and sexuality.
However, Serket also had destructive qualities. She was known as an avenger who could unleash retribution with her poisonous sting. Serket guarded the tombs of the dead, revealing how the Scorpio essence bridges sexuality and afterlife. Overall, Serket echoes Scorpio’s close connection to the cycles of sexuality, birth, death, and feminine strength.
Conclusion
Across civilizations, Scorpio has been associated with themes of power, sexuality, life force, destruction, and transformation. The Scorpio archetype has a multifaceted nature that has captivated the imagination for centuries. Scorpio myths draw upon symbolic creatures like the Scorpion, Phoenix, and Serpent that represent both the light and shadow sides of Scorpio energy.
Modern astrology has retained these ancient myths to illuminate the Scorpio personality. Scorpios are complex, passionate, loyal, jealous, perceptive, ambitious, and unafraid of taboos. They carry great wounds but also the capacity for rebirth. By learning the mythical backstories behind Scorpio, we gain wisdom into this profound zodiac archetype and its embodiment of our human complexity.