♏︎ Honoring Life and Death

Every year in November I'm naturally reminded of the themes of death and the fragility of life. This is brought upon by Autumn and the colder temperatures that this season brings. This period seems to carry the memory of what human life was like before the modern era. When perhaps, more people were attuned to the seasons, seeing as one's own well-being relied on the weather, the amount of rain, and the summers harvest all of which determined life or death. Today in the western world it is easy to become separated from death, with funeral homes and a common culture of quiet mourning. Yet the common person of the past was often all too aware of death and tragedy. The exposure to the harsher aspects of reality either brings suffering, perspective, and raises our reverence for life. Death makes life meaningful.

This might be why we find cultures from across the globe that have holy-days centered around the dead/death. What's fascinating is how the majority seem to fall in the period of late October and early November in alignment with the middle of Autumn. Celebrations such as "Día de Muertos" in Mexico, Obon Festival in Japan, and almost a dozen others use this time to communally pay respects to the dead. This makes sense considering that through most of agricultural history the colder periods with their decreased sunlight, or increased rain in tropic environments, might have meant death for many people and animals. This awareness of death can help us better connect with and understand the mysteries of nature & the universe.

Autumn is a time of reflection and letting go and is connected to the 8th Zodiac Sign Scorpio. In this blog we explore these themes -and more- through the history and symbolism of Scorpio.

♏️ Scorpio: Death, Transformation, and Rebirth

Let start with the key symbolism behind the Zodiacal sign: Scorpio is ruled by both Mars and Pluto. Mars representing action and desire while Pluto represents transformation and depth. Together they embody the transformative power of creative desire energy.

This sign is also intimately connected with endings and beginnings as well as cycles and patterns. This stems from the number 8 being an infinity symbol sideways ∞ , this speaks to the subject of life after death and invites us to give consideration to these difficult topics.

Autumn with its decay, falling leaves, and harvest help us to see death in nature as a prelude to the renewal of life in spring.

Through writing, meditation, and prayer, a question I like to consider is: How can I honor my internal renewal process?

Scorpio symbolizes the study of cycles and patterns and the mysteries as a whole.

The practice to explore with Scorpio is the raising of our desire energy. This is the "why am I doing what I am doing?" The intention and vision that began the journey in Aries and progresses naturally through each sign.

Creative desire energy can be healthy or unhealthy, especially if we become over-obsessed with unhealthy pleasure such as sex, food, and material possession. The challenge as a question is: How are we going to satisfy our goals, our desires, and our needs? In a healthy or an unhealthy way? Scorpio teaches us, like the sting upon Orion, that without pure intentions, our actions become poisonous. This is the lesson of bringing the shadow into the light that we will expand here.

The History of the Sign

Originating from the constellation of Scorpius which spans 210–240° on the ecliptic longitude; in modern tropical astrology, the Sun transits into Scorpio from October 19-24 to November 19-24. (This date varying in the Gregorian Cal) The origin of Scorpio lies in Ancient Babylonian Star-Lore and the Zodiac of Egyptian Dendera.

Ancient Egypt

One of the oldest known depictions of the Zodiac is that of the ancient Egyptian sky map that crowned the ceiling of a chapel dedicated to Osiris in the Hathor temple at Dendera. It contains images of the scorpion and all 12 zodiac signs, the decans (groups of stars), and the five planets known to the ancient Egyptians, all arranged in a configuration that aligns with their calendar. In their 5th month; associated with the mistress of life, they considered the veil between life and death to be at its thinnest, and so the Great Brazier festival was celebrated. This festival commemorated the ancestors, who were invited back to the world of the living for an annual feast in their descendant's homes. The rites involved lighting torches and braziers to guide the departed souls of the ancestors back from the darkness of the underworld.

Also the Scorpion was associated with the goddess "Nun, also spelled Nu, oldest of the ancient Egyptian gods and father of Re, the sun god. Nun's name means "primeval waters," and so represented the waters of chaos out of which Re-Atum began creation. The unicode glyph that represents Scorpio (♏︎) an M with an arrow according to 'The Dictionary of Symbols' is tied to the Hebrew letter mem with the tail either representing a scorpion tail or the point in Mars symbol. Virgo is also mem with the Phoenician symbol for fish added. Generally m-like symbols of various types represent water. Mem itself is supposed to be derived from the Egyptian hieroglyph meaning water. The ideas of death and regeneration have long been associated with this sign.

Ancient Babylonia

In Babylonian star-lore, Scorpio was known as Girtab, the Scorpion, guardian of the underworld’s gates. It marked a time of darkness and descent, associated with both protection and peril. The Scorpion stood as a sentinel between worlds, a reminder of the unseen forces guiding transformation and regeneration.

It is of note that the scorpions claws being the scales of libra and later the tail/arrow of Sagittarius are connected. Scorpio-Libra-Virgo were long seen as one sign.

Ancient Greece

It is speculated that before the Greeks the zodiac consisted of only ten signs and that Libra (the Scales) was inserted into the zodiac by dividing the constellation of Virgo-Scorpio (at that time one sign) into two parts, thus establishing "the balance" at the point of equilibrium between the ascending northern and the descending southern signs.

The constellation of Scorpio is most commonly represented by the scorpion, famously highlighted in the greek myth of Orion, the mighty hunter who boasted that he could kill any beast on Earth. In response, Gaia (the Earth) sent a Scorpion to strike him down. Both Orion and the Scorpion were placed in the sky, Orion setting as Scorpio rises symbolizing the eternal dance between life and death.

Ancient Rome

In Roman mythology Aries became Mars and Hades became Pluto and so continues an association with death, passion, and the underworld.

Now we can begin to see the connection between Virgo-Libra-Scorpio and in turn all of the Zodiac as a system for identifying the stars, and organizing festivals and holy days. Yet there is always more than what is seen on the surface. There is hidden information waiting to be known and understood. This is the quest for truth and higher knowledge.

Ancient Hidden Wisdom?

One curious possibility in the story of Scorpio was uncovered in the limestone pillars at Göbekli Tepe, (Enclosure D) in modern Turkey which is possibly older than the pyramids. The pillar features a bas-relief scene depicting a bird with outstretched wings, smaller birds, a scorpion, a snake, and a circle surrounded by wavy lines. Though it may appear as a random collection of figures, the arrangement centers around the sun, positioned above the scorpion and balanced on the bird’s wings. This composition mirrors the sun’s position near the constellation of Scorpio, aligned with the ecliptic plane. The imagery suggests an early understanding of celestial motion, possibly even the precession of the equinoxes, implying that Göbekli Tepe’s builders encoded their astronomical knowledge into stone. Its deliberate burial soon after construction only deepens the mystery of this ancient monument dated at ~12,000 years old. (~9000 BCE)

Let's uncover the deeper aspects that Scorpio and its archetypes represent.

Archetypes of Scorpio

Mars is one of the 7 classical planets and represents the themes of action, effort, emotions, ambition, intensisty, and masculinity.

Pluto is associated with change, extremes, upheaval, and issues of control. Together they can teach us to connect the root of our desires with bold action.

The Scorpion is representative of the reality of death and the purpose of life.

Scorpio is a Fixed Water sign. This astrological combination makes Scorpio emotionally deep and intuitive (water) but also stubborn and persistent (fixed).

Tarot: Death is the 13th card of the Major Arcana of the Tarot, and is associated with Scorpio. Depicted on the card is a skeletal figure clad in black armor, riding a white horse which is an image of inevitability and death. Beneath him lie figures from all walks of life: a king, a child, a maiden, and a bishop, symbolizing that death spares no one and marks a universal passage. In the background, a sun rises between two towers, hinting at renewal and the cyclical nature of existence. This card signifies endings, transitions, and profound inner change. It invites us to release what no longer serves us and to embrace the unknown, reminding us that every ending is the entrance to a new beginning.

Symbols of Transformation

Most importantly Scorpio is represented by not only the scorpion but also by the serpent and eagle. The scorpion was called the backbiter, the symbol of deceit by the muslims; the serpent, often symbolized wisdom, and the eagle; being the sign of occult initiation, represents the highest and most spiritual symbol of Scorpio, in which it transcends its venomous lower nature.

The Scorpion, serpent, and the eagle/phoenix trio all reflect Scorpio’s archetypal journey: beginning in the depths, shedding what has been outgrown, and ultimately ascending into higher awareness. All three animals carry their own deep initiatory symbolism, reflecting stages of transformation. Something key here is the symbolism of metamorphosis and the continuous cycle of death and rebirth that defines Scorpio’s essence and reveals the soul’s capacity to evolve through self-understanding. Scorpio and Taurus are opposite of each other in the zodiac and so their symbolism is closely intermingled. As Hon. E. M. Plunket writes in Ancient Calendars and Constellations:

"The Scorpion (the constellation Scorpio of the Zodiac opposed to Taurus) joins with Mithras in his attack upon the Bull, and always the genii of the spring and autumn equinoxes are present in joyous and mournful attitudes."

Uræus

The Egyptians, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians, knew the sun as a Bull, and called the zodiac a series of furrows, through which the great celestial Ox dragged the plow of the sun. Hence the populace offered up sacrifice and led through the streets steers, bedecked with flowers and surrounded with priests, dancing girls , and musicians. Their rulers did not participate in these symbolic ceremonies, but advocated them as the most suitable for the general population. Those few who possessed a deeper understanding of the astrological movements wore the Uræus, the Serpent of Scorpio, upon their foreheads.

The Uræus is connected to the symbol of the crown and kingship, closely associated in the ancient era with divine privilege and knowledge. Similarly the Eagle (or Phoenix) was a symbol of power with its representation on the coat of arms of many empires throughout history.

Interchangeable with Scorpio, the symbol and constellation of Aquila, the eagle is seen by Hercules as he struggles with the hydra, reminding him of his higher mission. Alice Bailey has a great note on the constellations connected to Scorpio:

There are three constellations connected with Scorpio which are tremendously interesting. First, there is Serpens, the serpent of illusion, the serpent we meet in Genesis, which deluded Eve. The second one is Ophiuchus, the man who wrestles with the serpent. The ancient zodiac portrays the serpent in the hands of this man. He seizes it with both hands and treads on its heart, which is the red star of desire. As he does this, he looks towards the constellation that we saw in Libra, the crown. So we have personality, symbolized by Ophiuchus, struggling [154] with the serpent of illusion, with the crown held before him, towards which he aspires. The third constellation is called Hercules and portrays the aspirant looking not at the crown but at the eagle, Aquila. Personality looks at the crown but says, “I am having such a difficult time, my environment is against me, my home conditions are difficult. but I will get a crown some day.” Hercules, the disciple, is not concerned about the crown, he is looking at the eagle, the spirit aspect. He is occupied with that marvelous symbol of light emerging, which makes all victory possible. Keep your eye on the eagle; call down fire; do not look at the ground; be centered in divinity.

Mastery and Renewal

Scorpio teaches us to master our energy and use it in the greatest service . Being a symbol of death it also is connected to the concept of inner purification, atonement, and salvation.

The challenge of Scorpio is then explored first in what is unexplored, un-faced, and in the dark. During Scorpio season, we are invited to face the Shadow within that symbolizes the deep psychological and emotional challenges we must learn to master and transform. Through understanding we can learn to better connect with ourselves and others. This is the basis for learning and unlearning; putting things in the right place within our lives. We see this in numbered and progressive systems or in the alchemical process. Systems help us better understand and improve different aspects of our self because organization helps us to better integrate and process that knowledge.

Scorpio teaches that real transformation happens when we descend into the depths, confront the shadow directly, and bring awareness into what was hidden. The shadow can be negative aspects such as lust, comfort, materialism, fear, hate, pride, and lower desires. Overcoming pride and these other negative aspects of the human mind can be seen in the myths of Scorpio. Like the hunter Orion who took action thoughtlessly killing all in his sight until he himself was killed, again in the uncontrolled anger of Aries and the evil acts of Hades; we have in their myths reminders of keeping our actions and emotions in balance.

“Boast not, my son, but prove to me the nature of this freedom which you sense. Again in Scorpio, will you wrestle with desire. Will you stand free, or will the serpent meet you with his wiles and pull you down to earth? What will you do? Prepare to prove your words and liberty. Boast not, my son, but prove to me your freedom and your deep desire to serve.” - The 12 Labours of Hercules by Alice Bailey

In this sign we learn that humility and discerned action are needed to drive change. Bowing before truth allows genuine connection and dissolves any illusion of superiority.

The "battle" is an internal surrendering and purification of motive, emotion, and mind through which the soul emerges renewed, capable of greater love, and ready for the next phase of life.

What is Death?

Death is an entrance into a fuller life, a fuller experience, a fuller realization and scope. Death, aside from its literal sense, may mean many other things. Perhaps we are going to let an old emotion die, or the death of the lower self so that the soul may take over. The end of some long-held ideas or dogmas, that have governed our activities and we are left to wonder how we could possibly have thought as we did. It is valuable to learn to understand death it in its various aspects. The past must die, and we only have right now, which is why death gives life value.

We are meant to live and die, letting the soul bear witness to all the ways we are changing and learning. The soul is here to learn and to grow.

We are tested on our ability to overcome lower level desires and turn energy into purposeful expression. The infinite within us begs to be understood. We perceive and project what we don’t understand as fear but when we illuminate our inner world, the illusion dissolves. Fear is normal as without fear there would be no courage and the inner cave we fear to enter holds the treasure that we need. Scorpio thus empowers us to bring what is heavy into the light. Let the hidden see the light of day so that it may be faced and transformed, no longer ignored.

This is where we meet the god within ourselves and make the commitment to sacrifice and be of service to the spirit. As we manifested empty handed, so shall we return, and so what is actually important? What experience will we imprint upon our soul? What will you take with you when you die? Let it be unconditional love. Let it be objective truth. Let it be your sovereign individuality.

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