By the end of the sun’s journey through charming Libra, you may be getting a little tired of being so diplomatic. Life’s not always beautiful or fair, so what’s the point of pretending otherwise? Just in time, Scorpio season begins and we can all stop being polite and start being real.
This year, Scorpio season runs from October 22 to November 21. During this time, scary things happen with regularity — Halloween, for example, and U.S. presidential elections. The scorpion is the most menacing of the astrological glyphs, and in ancient astrology, Scorpio was often associated with outright evil. But don’t be scared. There’s way more to the Scorpio story than that.
Scorpio has two ruling planets. According to ancient astrology, it’s ruled by aggressive Mars, which gives the sign its passion, determination, and courage. Modern astrology, though, says Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, which lends it perceptiveness, depth, and a willingness to confront the darker side of life. Both planets are among the most intense in astrology, and when combined, they lend Scorpio an aura of quiet power. The sign doesn’t tend to be in your face, but nobody could mistake its understated confidence for meekness.
People are often surprised to hear that Scorpio is not, as they assume, a bold fire sign, but rather a water sign, which is typically perceptive, intuitive, and emotional. Scorpio energy is certainly powerful, but it isn’t loud; rather, it has a deep, thrumming core of determination. Scorpio has a laser-sharp focus, a powerful drive, and a strong desire to probe and get to the bottom of things. Scorpio is about depth, not appearances. Scorpio isn’t afraid of anything, even the darkest truths.
More than anything else, you should expect this to be a season of intensity. This might mean that you’re not able or inclined to let things go (Scorpio is famous for its ability to hold grudges). It might mean that you’re quicker to jealousy or suspicion — and don’t be surprised if people in your life respond in kind. If you aren’t careful, it’s easy to get caught up in mind games and power struggles.
At its best, Scorpio season can lend you fearlessness: a refusal to be intimidated by anyone or anything, or to accept answers that are easy but untrue. You can use this energy to ask provocative questions, refuse to settle for easy answers, disrupt your own and other people’s social comfort. Scorpio season is the best astrological backdrop you could ask for if you want to confidently enter new and intimidating social spaces, uncover other people’s secrets (or hide your own), or initiate difficult conversations.
Scorpio season doesn’t create spooky situations or upsetting encounters; it just makes it harder to look away from the sadness, cruelty, and injustice that has been lurking beneath the surface all along. After all, life isn’t bright or happy or just all the time. This season offers all of us (not only the Scorpios!) a much-needed chance to look beneath the surface and acknowledge our own (and one another’s) complexities, shadows, and depths.
Depending on the rest of your astrological chart, all this intensity may or may not sound exactly fun, but either way, it can transform your life for the better if you let it. Scorpio season may ask you to refuse to settle for less than what you really desire — and to figure out what that actually is. If you’re typically focused on comfort, or on harmony, or on success and prestige, this season can offer an invitation to rethink this, to put all that aside. What is it you really desire? What is it you really need?