Scorpio

Scorpio :: The Myth Behind the Scorpion — Stars & Traits

Scorpio is the eighth sign in the Zodiac and represents those born between Oct. 24 and Nov. 22. In Greek mythology the constellation Scorpius, the Scorpion, is the creature sent to kill the hunter Orion.

Scorpio in Mythology

Scorpio, in Greek Mythology, comes from the story of Orion. This giant hunter was said to be the son of Poseidon and Euryale, a daughter of Minos (Hesiod, quoted in Hyginus, Astronomica 2.34; Apollodorus, Library 1.4.3, citing Pherecydes). Homer knows him as a hunter who even in the Underworld goes on driving wild beasts across the meadow (Odyssey 11.572–575), and in another passage says that Artemis killed him in Ortygia (Odyssey 5.121–124). The ancient writers disagree about the reason.

The Scorpion Sent Against Orion

The best-known version is the one that gives the constellation its meaning. According to Hyginus, Orion, who was a hunter of great skill and confident in it, boasted to Artemis and Leto that he could kill everything that came out of the earth. The Earth (Gaia), angered, sent a scorpion, which killed him. Zeus admired the courage of both and placed the Scorpion among the stars as a warning to men not to trust too much in any one thing, and then, at Artemis’ request, gave Orion the same honour. For this reason, Hyginus says, Orion sets whenever Scorpius rises (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.26).

Aratus tells it differently: Orion laid hands on the robe of Artemis on the island of Chios, while he was driving wild beasts for King Oenopion. The goddess split the surrounding hills and raised a scorpion against him, which wounded and killed the giant. That, the poet says, is why Orion flees at the western edge of the sky when the Scorpion rises in the east (Aratus, Phaenomena 634ff.). Apollodorus does not mention the scorpion. He says that Artemis killed Orion in Delos, and gives two reasons told by different people: that he challenged Artemis to a contest with the discus, or that he tried to violate Opis, one of the maidens who had come from the Hyperboreans, and was shot by Artemis (Apollodorus, Library 1.4.3, 1.4.5).

Only Orion dies in the scorpion story. The Scorpion does not perish in the fight; it is the creature that is raised to the sky, and Orion is placed there after it.

Other Versions of Orion’s Death

Hyginus records that other authors said Orion was shot by Artemis herself after trying to use force against her (he names Callimachus), and that Istrus told how Artemis loved Orion so much that she was nearly married to him; Apollo, annoyed, saw Orion swimming far out at sea with only his head showing, and challenged his sister to hit the dark thing in the water with an arrow. She hit it and pierced Orion’s head; when the waves cast his body on the shore she mourned him and set him among the stars (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.34). Homer, for his part, says only that Artemis killed Orion with her gentle arrows in Ortygia (Odyssey 5.123–124).

The constellation of Scorpio

Scorpius is a large constellation. Hyginus says that it is so big that it was divided into two signs, the front part with the claws, which the Romans called Libra (the Scales), and the scorpion proper; the complete figure has nineteen stars (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.26, 3.25). He counts two stars in each claw, three in the forehead, of which the middle one is the brightest, three between the shoulders, two in the belly, five in the tail and two in the sting itself. The brightest star of the constellation today is Antares, the red star usually placed at the scorpion’s heart.

The ancient writers used the pairing as a sky-sign: the Scorpion’s rising marks the setting of Orion (Hyginus, Astronomica 2.26; Aratus, Phaenomena 634ff.).

Scorpio in Astrology

Scorpio Ruling Planet and Sign

According to Astrology Scorpio is a water sign and the traits of those born under the sign include determination and loyalty. This zodiac sign is associated with death and rebirth, which makes sense when you consider that its modern ruling planet is Pluto (named after the Roman god of the underworld). Traditional astrology gave Scorpio to Mars.

Scorpio Personality and Character traits

Scorpio is one of the most mysterious and intriguing signs in the zodiac. Scorpios have a reputation for being passionate, intense and determined.

Scorpios are known for their innate sense of intuition and sharp analytical skills. They tend to be very perceptive, picking up on subtle cues that others might miss. This often makes them excellent problem-solvers, as they can quickly identify problems and develop effective strategies for solving them.

In addition to their intelligence, Scorpios are also characterized by their fierce determination. Once they set their sights on a goal, they are unlikely to give up until they achieve it. This tenacity can be both a positive and negative trait, as it can lead to great success but also stubbornness and inflexibility.

Scorpios are also known for their passion and intensity. They tend to approach everything in life with great enthusiasm and energy. This can sometimes result in impulsive decisions, but it also makes Scorpios very exciting and fun to be around.