Scorpio Zodiac Sign: Traits, Dates & Compatibility

Scorpio at a glance

Dates

October 23 – November 21

Sun enters

October 23, 2026 at 5:38 AM EDT

Sun leaves

November 22, 2026 at 2:23 AM EST

Symbol

♏︎ The Scorpion

Element

Water

Modality

Fixed

Polarity

Receptive

Ruler

♂︎ Mars (traditional), ♇ Pluto (modern)

Exalted here

None

In detriment here

♀︎ Venus

In fall here

☽︎ Moon

Opposite sign

Taurus

Same element

Pisces, Cancer

Natural house

8th · intimacy & shared money

Polarity: active signs (fire, air) reach outward, receptive signs (earth, water) take in. Ruler: the planet tradition links to the sign. Exalted, detriment and fall: by tradition, the planets that are strong, work against the grain, or are weakest in this sign. Natural house: the house this sign matches when the wheel starts at Aries.

Born on the cusp?

The Sun changes sign at a different minute every year, so a birthday near the start or end of Scorpio can belong to either sign. Find your birth year below: born on the date shown before the time, you have the earlier sign; at or after it, the later one. Times are Eastern (EST or EDT, as in effect that day); for another time zone, convert your birth time to Eastern first, or get the exact Sun sign from the birth chart calculator.

Libra → Scorpio. From 1950 to 2030 the Sun entered Scorpio on October 22 in 12 years, October 23 in 66 years and October 24 in 3 years.

Scorpio → Sagittarius. From 1950 to 2030 the Sun entered Sagittarius on November 21 in 20 years and November 22 in 61 years.

Scorpio traits

Strengths

Scorpio's best qualities center on grit. You may have keen, impartial judgment, along with a quick sense of what a situation is really for. Fixed water gives staying power, so when others drift, you tend to keep going. Mars adds decisiveness and courage, which makes hard choices less likely to stall. The water side brings loyalty and protectiveness toward the few people you let close. Many with this Sun sign are also self-reliant, comfortable standing alone when a stand is needed.

Weaknesses

The shadow side of Scorpio is rigidity with an edge. Fixed energy can harden into obstinacy, and the pride that gives dignity may turn into jealousy. Fault-finding and criticism for its own sake are the classic risks, along with vindictiveness when a hurt is remembered too well. Secretiveness can leave others guessing. The Moon's weakness here may show up as irritability or sudden anger. Forced change tends to be resisted, even when it might help.

Scorpio in love

With Venus in detriment, Scorpio often loves in a way that is serious rather than light. You may want depth before display, and trust before openness. Once committed, the water element's loyalty and protectiveness tend to come forward, and the fixed modality means you may stay with a bond long after others would move on. The risk is jealousy or testing a partner too hard. Water signs such as Pisces and Cancer may feel familiar emotionally, while Taurus, the opposite sign, offers the pull of difference: steadier and more comfort-loving than you.

Scorpio as a friend

Scorpio tends to keep a small circle. Friends are often chosen slowly and kept for a long time. Memory and loyalty run strong in this sign. You may be the person others turn to for a plain, honest opinion. Reserve can read as distance at first, and strong reactions mean people often like or dislike Scorpios firmly. Protectiveness toward friends is common, though a grudge can last just as long as a bond.

Scorpio at work

At work, Scorpio's tenacity is usually the main asset. You may do well with tasks that need persistence and shrewd judgment, plus a willingness to look at what others skip. Mars gives energy for hard work, and Pluto adds interest in depth and in ending what no longer serves. Fixed energy can make you resist sudden changes of plan, so flexibility may need effort. Self-reliance helps you work alone, though sharing credit and information may not come naturally.

The three decans of Scorpio

First decan (0°–10°, Sun from October 23): this is Scorpio colored by Scorpio itself, ruled by Mars and Pluto. The traits above tend to appear in their most concentrated form: intense and decisive, with a private streak. Second decan (10°–20°, Sun from November 2): Pisces adds an imaginative, sympathetic tone that is also more changeable. Its ruler Jupiter brings generosity and faith, while Neptune adds ideals and compassion, and sometimes confusion. Third decan (20°–30°, Sun from November 12): Cancer brings sensitivity, a retentive memory and a home-loving, protective side, with some shyness. The Moon rules this decan. Feelings and daily needs may sit closer to the surface.

Scorpio compatibility

• ♈︎ Scorpio & Ariesquincunx · 5 apart
• ♉︎ Scorpio & Taurusopposition · 6 apart
• ♊︎ Scorpio & Geminiquincunx · 5 apart
• ♋︎ Scorpio & Cancertrine · 4 apart
• ♌︎ Scorpio & Leosquare · 3 apart
• ♍︎ Scorpio & Virgosextile · 2 apart
• ♎︎ Scorpio & Librasemi-sextile · 1 apart
• ♏︎ Scorpio & Scorpiosame sign
• ♐︎ Scorpio & Sagittariussemi-sextile · 1 apart
• ♑︎ Scorpio & Capricornsextile · 2 apart
• ♒︎ Scorpio & Aquariussquare · 3 apart
• ♓︎ Scorpio & Piscestrine · 4 apart

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