Scorpio Traits & Personality Explained

Personality traits, what they’re into and which star signs they get on best with.
Published July 17, 2024
scorpio

Scorpios’ star sign dates are between 23rd October and 1st November, and belong to the Water element of the zodiac (along with Cancer and Pisces).

Scorpio character traits include being strong, enigmatic and independent characters who crackle with an intensity and charisma that makes them un-ignorable. For all of that power though, they often remain unknowable to others, because they guard themselves and their private lives fiercely.

You can bet there’s something juicy going on, under the wraps, though, because Scorpios like extremes, challenges, danger and darkness. They are, because of their planetary ruler Pluto, drawn to the outliers of human experience. If it’s kinky, risky or thrilling, a Scorpio will be involved somehow!

Scorpios are loyal, smart, shrewd and stoic. They stand by their beliefs, and they don’t crave anyone else’s approval.

Scorpio is like the big, bad older sister of the Water sign crew. You don’t mess with the turbulent, deadly scorpion my friend, their sting can be fatal – and they make the other signs of the zodiac (apart from maybe Aries, who they share a planetary influence with) look like wusses!

To get an idea of the classic Scorpio personality traits and types, we need only to look to some of the most famous Halloween children: Drake, Kendall Jenner, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds and Ciara.

Scorpio Personality Traits

Passionate (read: controlling)

If they’re into you then they’re into you, and they’ll want to know everything you do/think/believe etc. They love sex, they’re very physical, they don’t do ‘casual’, they’re super-intense. Sometimes this fierce love can tip over into something more controlling, but it comes from a place of wanting to protect you, of thinking they know better, of believing you’re too precious a kitten to be let loose in the world. Sometimes it’s magical… sometimes it can get a bit much.

Persistent (read: obsessive)

They’re relentless, seriously. Give a Scorpio a meaningful and positive purpose and they could change the world—there’s no stopping them. Self-doubt, recriminations, a lack of confidence… this is alien to them. They know what they want and they believe they’re entitled to get it. Faced with problems, their razor-sharp intellect can create flexible and out-there solutions and get-arounds. Their charm can win over enemies (though they’ll have noted them down in their ‘Grudge Book’ for later… revenge is best served cold).

Strategic (read: secretive)

Scorpios treat daily life like a mission. So, they’re on point, focussed and ready to work their charms/strengths/advantages to get what they want (and they always know that they want). Watching them is like seeing a magnificent predator, parading around. See it arch its back, flex its claws, flick its tail… it’s going to do something AWESOME. And you’ll never know what’s coming because they don’t share their goals or thoughts with anyone, which makes them even more interesting.

They strategise everything, there’s always a hidden agenda with an agenda. Scorpios actually would make great spies.

Loyal (read: vengeful)

For all of their feared traits, there’s no better person to have on your side, and in your corner, because Scorpios are resolutely protective and loyal to those they love. If you’re going to come at them or their friends… you’d better not miss. They never forget or forgive, they just DON’T, they’re ice cold that way. And they will wait a long-ass time to get you back, but get you back they will.

Fearlessly curious (read: morbid)

Nothing fazes Scorpio. The more sick/twisted/gory/disturbing it is, the more they need to look. Anything unsolved, mysterious or hidden also draws them like moths to a flame. Some end up embroiled in dark and dangerous lifestyles, some flirt with the occult, some turn this courage into something heroic—doing roles ands jobs the rest of us would run away from.

Scorpio Interests

Meditating. Because they don’t really need anyone else, or (honestly) want their opinion. Retreating into their own headspace is a delight, they can plot and scheme away, and NO ONE can tell what they’re up to, looking all ‘zen’.

Climbing the career ladder. Born to rule, to succeed, to excel, to get to the top of whatever tree they’ve chosen to climb. And they’re at it 24/7, they don’t switch ‘off’ from their ‘work (or wherever their ambitions lie) world’, they are always grafting in some capacity, strategising, learning and networking.

Forming a cult. Scorpios are drawn to the occult (because other people are wary of it). And they enjoy the games and strategies of control. They can lead others into dark places. A Scorpio with a bad purpose is a dangerous animal.

Martial arts. They’re ruled by Mars—combat is in the blood.

Relationships. Because it has all of their favourite ingredients: passion, intensity, intimacy, control, submission, secrecy. Scorpios are top shaggers.

Scorpio's Best Traits

Scorpios exude self-belief and confidence, and literally nothing scares them. Often drawn to the darker side of life, they can be mad, bad and dangerous (though never boring) to know! Scorpios don’t really care if you like them or not, and THAT in itself is a draw. Attractive traits include:

  • They are uber-confident, not in an arrogant way, but in a ~I’m happy in my own skin~ way.
  • They love asking questions, finding out about you, analysing your personality (whilst remaining resolutely guarded themselves).
  • Their intense, piercing gaze. Scorpios can fix you in a glare which you’ll never forget.

What Star Signs Is Scorpio Compatible With?

Aries and Scorpio share a planetary influence, but it’s Mars, so unless they’re on the same side (in which case they’re unstoppable) this CAN go another way… Like, downhill. They’re either the fiercest of allies or the deadliest of enemies.

The Water sign trio understand each others’ moods and emotional intensity, they get that they’re a bit deeper than your Average Joe, and they usually form incredibly close bonds—Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces.

The hot tip for hot sex for Scorpio is Taurus, their opposite sign. Both of these signs are very physical, and can match each others’ sexual drive, intensity and adventurousness…

Scorpio, enjoy your season and please don’t do anything TOO out there!

Scorpio Turn Ons

  • Doing something really super-filthy that would make Ann Summers staff blush! You have a real taste for the illicit, risky, boundary-pushing side of things. Being mad, bad and dangerous makes you feel yummy.
  • Seances, ghost walks, psychic nights, true crime podcasts, horror movies, serial killer shows etc. The darker and scarier the better for Scorpios, even on a Date Night. You like to examine the underbelly of life, the things others would turn away from. You’re a dark heart my friend.
  • You never forget a slight or offence. You hold grudges FOREVER. You enjoy seeing karma play out and, sorry to say, you’re not adverse to giving things a helping push there either. You like it when people notice you’ve been vindicated, or that justice has been served in your favour. You expect people to take ~sides~.

Scorpio Turn Offs

  • Vapid, ~vanilla~, dull or listless people who look to others to lead their opinions, actions, behaviour and thoughts. UGH. Grow a backbone! You have no time for those who don’t take total ownership for themselves. You understand people need support, but not full-on scaffolding 24:7. It irritates the life out of you.
  • Disloyalty. Woe betide the person who speaks behind your back, passes a judgment, notices and outlines a flaw. You can’t stand other people passing their opinion of you publicly, even when it’s positive tbh, let alone negative. Friends and partners soon learn to keep their trap shut, and to come to you direct with any ~complaints~.

Scorpio, Careers & Money

All Scorpios possess big ambitions and are not afraid of the hard work required to make their goals reality. You will find them occupying the upper echelons of many intense, competitive, and even dangerous industries. The tougher the challenge, the more they’re turned on. Scorpios are fearless AF. Ideals careers for them include roles in areas such as:

  • Science
  • Medicine
  • Therapy
  • Military
  • Justice
  • Occult and spiritual
  • Journalism
  • Investigation and detective work
  • Business strategy

If there are secrets, lies, layers, and facades… Scorpio wants to break them down and see what lies beneath. They are natural investigators.

Scorpios lead by example, are independent and driven, and are intuitive (even psychic at times) enough to note and adjust to the mood of the team around them, making them valuable team members and great bosses. Sometimes their confidence can tip over into arrogance or stubborn denial of others’ opinions and this has to be mitigated. Sometimes Scorpios can seem aloof because they truly are happy in their own skin, at home with their opinions and self beliefs. They don’t need others’ approval, permission, or even interest. It’s not personal, it’s just their independent nature.

When it comes to money, Scorpios equate money with power and status (which they’re more interested in and fascinated by, tbh, power is a major driver in their realm). This gives them a thirst and appetite to be high earning and well remunerated. It gives them an immediate goal in their career: get paid.

Most Scorpios are practical and organised when it comes to managing money. They can yield enormous self control and discipline over any spending urges and they’re not hugely spontaneous, preferring to plan and strategise their major spends and investments. Money is treated with respect.

For your own unique and personal tarot forecast, visit Kerry’s TarotBella page.

This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan UK.

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