You don’t have to search far in the history books for evidence that people have long experienced a profound bond with both the celestial bodies above, and the animal kingdom. Art stained eternally on stonework in caves, etched by long-gone civilizations, and age-old scribing in languages long dead bare witness to our forebears’ captivation with the cosmos and our place in things. This connection extends deep into our spirits and souls, creating a link that many still seek to understand to this day.
In many cultures, this bond is often expressed through the link between spirit animals and our time or place of birth. In western society, the clearest example of this is with the Classical Greek Zodiac and the Scorpio sign is the one we will be exploring here.
Scorpio is the Zodiacal symbol for those Born between October 23 and November 21. Deep into the darker months in the Northern Hemisphere, the sign is ruled by the mysterious and powerful Pluto. Similarly to the other waters signs but particularly to Cancer, Scorpios are deeply emotional and intuitive, with a strong desire for connection and understanding. Let’s take a look at the Scorpio spirit animals and any parallels between Scorpio and the spirit animal twins from various cultures and traditions around the world.
Scorpio In The Zodiac: The Scorpion
By the Classical Zodiac (created by the Babylonians and popularised by Ptolemy in Ancient Greece), Scorpio is symbolized by the resilient scorpion. These distinctive and unmistakable animals are distant cousins to the Spider, also belonging to the class of Arachnids. They are known for an intensity and huge capacity for transformation. These incredible creatures can survive and thrive in challenging conditions, shedding its exoskeleton to transform as they grow. This resilience and changing nature core personality traits for people born to the sign.
Why The Scorpion?
The symbol of the Zodiacal scorpion has deep ancient mythological roots. In Greek myth, Scorpio is associated with the story of Orion, a giant hunter who was killed by a scorpion, but there are more than one myth as to who sent the scorpion. In one story, it was sent by Gaia, and in another it as sent by his lover Artemis accidentally.
After his death, Orion was placed among the stars as a constellation, with the scorpion positioned opposite him to commemorate the tale. In the Gaia story, the scorpion was placed next to Orion to forever chase him amongst the stars.
For Scorpio individuals, embracing the core traits of the sign can lead to a life of deep emotional experience, personal growth, and empowerment.
Facts About Scorpio The Scorpion
- Date: October 23rd – November 21st
- Element: Water
- Governing Planet: Pluto
Scorpio is a water sign, and like the other water signs, Cancer and Pisces, Scorpios are known for their emotional depth and intuition. They seek deep connections and have a natural ability to see beneath the surface.
The Scorpio phase falls during a time of transformation and change, as the leaves fall and winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the eighth sign of the zodiac, following Libra.
Pluto, the planet of transformation and rebirth, rules Scorpio and under it’s influence, Scorpios are driven to explore the mysteries of life, seek truth, and embrace transformation. Until Pluto was discovered in the 1930’s however, it was Mars that governed Scorpio, which may be an indication as to why Scorpio and Aries can sometimes be similar.
Personality Traits of Scorpio
Positive Traits: Intensity, Determination, Strategic Thinking, Loyalty, Resilience
- Intensity
Scorpios are known for their intense nature. Those born to this sign have a deeply passionate trait and this can be seen in everything they do. They approach life with a fervour, and a drive to live every moment to its fullest potential.
- Determination
When a Scorpio sets their sights on a goal, they pursue it whole-heartedly with unwavering determination. They are not easily swayed by distraction or conflict and are good at shrugging off obstacles in their path.
- Strategic Thinking
Those born under Scorpio often possess a sharp and strategic mind. With this, they can navigate complex situations better than many other signs. They are excellent problem solvers, always thinking several steps ahead. If you are ever playing a Scorpio at Chess, be prepared to lose! That’s not some loose comment, the statistics back this. There have been at least three chess world champions that are Scorpios, and plenty more in the top rankings.
- Loyalty
This is one of the most loyal signs in the zodiac and Scorpios place great value on deep, meaningful relationships. When they commit to someone, be it a friend or a partner, they are in it for the long haul. It takes a lot to shake them away from this devotion.
- Resilience
Scorpios are incredibly resilient, and when faced with troubling times, they have a knack for bouncing back stronger than before. They are not afraid of transformation and use challenges as opportunities for growth.
Challenging Traits: Secretiveness, Jealousy, Manipulation, Stubbornness, Intensity
- Secretiveness
Scorpios tend to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves, and while this can be intriguing, it can also lead to misunderstandings and feelings of distance in relationships. They might not mean anything by it, but by giving little away it’s easy for more sensitive signs to see this as a problem.
- Jealousy
Scorpios can be possessive and jealous, both in friendships and romantic relationships. They need to feel secure and valued, and when they don’t, it can lead to negative emotions. They might not be as fiery as a Leo, but their jealousy unchecked can be very destructive.
- Manipulation
With their strategic minds, Scorpios have the power to use this in either positive or negative ways. If they choose to, they can be manipulative, using their insight into others’ emotions or situations to their advantage. It’s important for Scorpios to use this talent responsibly and ethically.
- Stubbornness
There are a few signs that can be stubborn, and Scorpios are up there near the top of the list. Once a Scorpio has made up their mind, it can be a real challenge to change their perspective. They can temper this to be more open to others’ opinions and flexible in their thinking. But more often than not, when their mind is set, it’s set.
- Intensity
While intensity could be a strength, it can also be a challenge for Scorpios. They can be overwhelming to more laid-back or sensitive signs, and they can benefit from tempering their intensity in certain situations.
Compatibility with Other Signs
Scorpios find the most harmony in relationships with fellow water signs Cancer and Pisces, as well as the grounded and practical Capricorn. The emotional depth and understanding of water signs create a supportive and nurturing bond, while Capricorn provides the stability and reliability that Scorpio craves.
Finding The Scorpio Spirit Animal in Other Cultures
What’s interesting with this sign, is how often the Snake or Serpent appears across different cultures as a twin for the Scorpio spirit animal. Here are some examples of twins from different myths and cultures around the world.
Celtic Culture – Butterfly & Owl
Celtic astrology, rooted in ancient Druidic traditions, differs significantly from the Western Zodiac. It operates on a lunar calendar, comprising 13 months, with each month corresponding to a sacred tree, stone and animal.
For those born under the Scorpio Zodiac sign (October 23rd – November 21st), the overlapping Celtic signs are:
- Ivy (Gort) – The Survivor – September 30th to October 27th
- Reed (Ngetal) – The Leader – October 28th to November 24th
The spirit animals associated to Ivy, are the butterfly, the boar and the goose, but it is the butterfly that twins between the two systems the best for Scorpio. Just as Ivy can grow and thrive in challenging conditions, the butterfly undergoes a significant transformation, representing resilience, change, and the ability to adapt, traits at the core of the Scorpio sign.
The spirit animals associated to Reed, are the hound dog, and the owl. As a twin with Scorpio, it is the owl that is the better fit. The owl represents wisdom, intuition, and the ability to see what others do not. This aligns with the Reed’s pursuit of truth and Scorpio’s depth of understanding and insight.
Native American Medicine Wheel – The Snake
The Native American Zodiac, also known as the Native American Medicine Wheel, is a system of astrology deeply connected to nature, the elements, and the spiritual world. It incorporates animal totems deeply significant to the cultures to represent different times of the year.
For Scorpio, the corresponding sign in the Medicine Wheel is the Snake, covering an almost identical date range from October 23rd to November 22nd. The Snake symbolizes transformation, healing, and a profound connection to the spiritual realm. This closely reflects Scorpio’s often mysterious and transformative nature. Both signs share a deep intuition and an ability to navigate life’s complexities, making the Snake a fitting Native American twin for Scorpio.
Norse Tradition – The Eagle & The Hagalaz Rune
Unlike the Western Zodiac, the Norse system doesn’t follow a strict calendar cycle, but is deeply intertwined with Norse mythology and the runic alphabet.
In this cross of cultures, Scorpios may twin with the Eagle and the ‘Hagalaz‘ rune. The Eagle represents vision, power and unwavering tenacity. It is a symbol of great vision, seeing beyond the surface and embracing challenges with strength and determination. The Hagalaz rune completes the twinning, symbolic of disruption, change, and transformation. It represents the need to adapt and find strength in times of upheaval.
This combination resonates with Scorpio’s traits of intensity, transformation, and inner strength. The shared themes of vision, change, and resilience create a powerful pairing, reflecting Scorpio’s complex nature.
Chinese Zodiac – The Snake
The Chinese Zodiac is similar to the Western Zodiac in that it is an astrological charting system split across 12 phases. However, the Chinese Zodiac is based on a 12-year ‘lunar cycle‘ with each year represented by an animal. Whereas the Western Zodiac follows a 12-month ‘solar cycle‘ with each month corresponding to a star sign. Despite their differences, both aim to provide insights into personality traits, behaviours, and life events and twins can be found between the two systems.
Scorpios may align with the Pig from Chinese Astrology. An animal known for its determination, sincerity, and generosity. The Pig reflects Scorpio’s passionate nature and their desire for deep, meaningful connections. However, a better, or more rounded fit would be with the Snake.
Both the Snake and Scorpio twin across both positive and challenging traits. They both embody a depth of emotion, strategic thinking, and a transformative nature. Snakes are intelligent and wise, with a deep understanding of the world around them. Conversely they can also be devious and sly, which fits with the negative traits of Scorpio too. They have an uncanny insight and have the power to decide whether to use this for good or bad. They symbolise the traits of a Scorpio very deeply and it should come as no surprise that this pair twin across many different cultures.
Mayan – The Serpent
In Mayan Astrology, an alliance with Scorpio may be found in the day sign ‘Kan’ the Serpent, symbolizing transformation, wisdom, and rebirth. The Serpent is a figure of natural power and careful wisdom. They have an instinctive ability to navigate through life’s challenges and all these traits are closely aligned with Scorpio’s characteristics.
Just as the Serpent sheds its skin, so does the Scorpion. Both represent transformation and renewal, and both are constantly evolving, embracing change in their journey of self-discovery.
Both Scorpio and it’s serpent twin share an intense energy, driving them to pursue their goals with determination.
Other Animals That Embody The Spirit Of Scorpio
- The Wolf
The Wolf is a loyal, cunning, intuitive canid that develops deep connections and relationships with their pack. These traits echo with the Scorpio’s desire for meaningful relationships and their ability to navigate through life’s challenges with strength and determination. Wolves do well in packs but often scout alone, though within earshot of their family. They can be both stubborn and intense which are both challenging traits of a Scorpio.
- The Panther
Panthers are big, powerful cats with a mysterious nature, navigating through the shadows with stealth and confidence. In nature, they could be the melanistic colour variant of either the Jaguar or the Leopard. As a spirit animal twin, the Panther symbolises Scorpio’s ability to navigate through dark places, their intense nature and capacity for strategic thinking.
- The Owl
The Owl is symbolic in many cultures of wisdom and intuition. This resonates with some of the core traits of a Scorpio, who often have a deep desire for knowledge and an innate ability to navigate through life’s mysteries with challenges.
- The Bat
Bats are revered in some cultures, and feared by others. They have a mysterious nature, and are often misunderstood but at the same time they have some remarkable traits. These nocturnal hunters are masters of navigating the darkness in ways others could not. They have senses that other animals could only dream of, and an ability to ‘see’ beyond the capacity of their eyes. This symbolizes Scorpio’s adaptability, intuition, and resilience.
- The Spider
The remarkable, web-weaving Spider represents Scorpio’s creative abilities, their patience, and ability to weave their own destiny. These amazing arachnids share a family line with the Scorpion and as a spirit animal twin, they embody Scorpio’s strategic thinking and desire for control.
Why Connect with Spirit Animals?
Spirit animals serve as powerful symbols, offering profound insights into our innermost selves, our habits, and the journey we undertake in life. The more we identify and nurture a connection with them, the more they mirror the traits and qualities we see within ourselves. This could manifest as the protective nature of a bear or the transformative energy of a phoenix.
In numerous cultures, spirit animals are held in high esteem as spiritual guides. They beckon us to access our innate wisdom, encouraging us to make decisions that resonate with our authentic selves. This sacred interplay between nature and our inner world lies at the heart of the spirit animal connection.
While not every Zodiac sign is directly represented by an animal, the traits associated with each sign find their parallels throughout the diverse animal kingdom.
The True Nature of a Spirit Animal
In astrological traditions like the Zodiac, this connection is intricately woven into an individual’s very essence, a birth right of sorts. In other traditions, your spirit animal reveals itself as you cultivate your character throughout life.
These spirit animals may make their presence known in pivotal moments, during times of crisis, in meditative states, or even within the realm of dreams. Embracing this concept empowers individuals to seek guidance from their spirit animals, providing a source of support and companionship as we navigate the often tumultuous journey of life.
Not a Scorpio? Explore our other Zodiac Spirit Animal pages to uncover the mysteries of your sign. And if the Zodiac doesn’t capture your interest, we’ve compiled a wealth of information on specific spirit animals and the reverence they command across various cultures!