♏︎ Scorpio · October 23 – November 21 · Fixed water

Scorpio Zodiac Sign: Traits, Dates & Compatibility

By Dima Tretyak · Updated October 23, 2026 · Sun dates calculated, not copied

Scorpio is a fixed water sign, and the Sun is in it from October 23 to November 21 (2026, US Eastern; the exact days shift by a day from year to year). People born in this stretch are often described as intense, private and hard to sway.

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

Scorpio traits

Water gives Scorpio its inner life. This element points to feeling and intuition, and to a long memory tied to loyalty and protectiveness. In Scorpio those qualities run deep and stay mostly out of view, which fits the sign's reserved, secretive streak. Pisces and Cancer share the same element, though Scorpio tends to hold its feelings tighter than either of them. The fixed modality adds staying power. Fixed signs hold on, sustain and resist change, and they tend to be loyal. For Scorpio that often shows up as tenacity: once you settle on something, letting go can be hard.

Mars is the traditional ruler, and it brings drive, courage, anger and a taste for cutting decisions. Pluto, the modern ruler, adds power, depth, endings and renewal, and an interest in what is hidden. Put together, they describe a sign that acts decisively and looks beneath the surface. You may find yourself drawn to the real reason behind things, and willing to end what no longer works.

Two planets are uncomfortable here. Venus is in detriment, which means love, attraction, pleasure and harmony work against their usual nature in this sign. Affection can come with guardedness and a wish to test trust first, rather than easy charm. The Moon is in fall, so its usual softness around feelings is weakened. A Moon here tends to be firm and self-reliant, and it dislikes change forced from outside. Scorpio has no exalted planet. The opposite sign is Taurus, which is practical and patient, with a fondness for comfort. Taurus shows the calm, unhurried side that Scorpio may need to practice.

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

Decan	Sun from (2026)	Sub-sign	Ruler
1 · 0°–10°	October 23	♏︎ Scorpio	♂︎ Mars / ♇ Pluto
2 · 10°–20°	November 2	♓︎ Pisces	♃ Jupiter / ♆ Neptune
3 · 20°–30°	November 12	♋︎ Cancer	☽︎ Moon

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

Questions

✦What are the dates for Scorpio?

The Sun is in Scorpio from October 23, 2026 at 5:38 AM EDT to November 22, 2026 at 2:23 AM EST. The exact day can shift by one from year to year, so people born on October 23 or November 22 should check their birth year.

✦What element and modality is Scorpio?

Scorpio is a fixed water sign (receptive), ruled by Mars and, in modern astrology, Pluto.

✦What are Scorpio traits?

Scorpio is often described as determined and tenacious, with a reserved, secretive side. At its best it shows shrewd judgment and real backbone. At its worst it can turn jealous, severe or critical for its own sake.

✦What is Scorpio's ruling planet?

Mars is the traditional ruler, linked to drive and courage, as well as cutting decisions. Pluto is the modern ruler, linked to power and depth, and to what is hidden. Together they suit a sign that acts firmly and looks beneath appearances.

✦Who is Scorpio most compatible with?

Pisces and Cancer share Scorpio's water element, so emotional understanding may come more easily. Taurus, the opposite sign, is the attraction of opposites, since its patient, steady, comfort-loving style differs from Scorpio's intensity. Any pairing also depends on the whole chart.

✦Why is Venus in detriment in Scorpio?

Scorpio sits opposite Taurus, the home of Venus, so Venus works against its nature here. Its themes of love and pleasure, and of harmony, tend to take a more guarded, intense form. Affection may be deep but slow to show.