Scorpios tend to get a bad rap and are often misunderstood. Their sign is a scorpion for starters, not exactly a cuddly or warm creature. And thanks to an association with Mars (before the discovery of Pluto, which was later assigned to the sign), Scorpios are labeled as intense, forceful, and even destructive. Scorpios can be secretive and independent, but they are also loyal and protective of their loved ones. They seek truth.

Though arriving in the year at a time of fallowness, the sign is heavily linked to reproduction and desire. Fitting then, that the tarot card paired with this sign is Death, a card (like Scorpio) filled with mixed messages. At first, you see the obvious negative connotation — seeing the Death card in a reading is frightening. But, of course, the true meaning of the card is about letting something wither so you can move forward. A good analogy for Autumn in general. Like the Death card, Scorpio’s traits — especially their need for vengeance, controlling natures, and their drive — can be seen as initially negative, but one only has to know a Scorpio to understand their true motives. They are an ambitious, passionate, highly emotional sign that requires a bit more examination to understand what they’re really about.

I was raised by a Scorpio (my mother) and so I know firsthand that though they operate in unconventional ways, their intentions are good. They like to study how things work and in particular, how we work — the human mind being especially interesting to Scorpio. This falls right in line with my mom, who was a neurologist. Scorpios are also controlling. They like to have things done their way. Growing up, I could walk into a room and turn on a light. My mom would walk in behind me, turn off the light and turn on another. Now, that’s just a small thing but it’s mirrored in a thousand ways throughout her day. I’d put the dishes away and she’d run in and re-do it. She could be struggling with a computer problem and when I’d try to fix it for her, I’d see wild panic behind her eyes because she was sure I was going to incinerate the whole thing. Now, a more patient person would see that by controlling situations in their environment, Scorpio is creating a sense of peace and feeling of safety for themselves. They are private and their personal space needs to be just so for them to feel comfortable. A less patient person (like me, for example) will become frazzled by annoyance.

Honestly, I don’t think Scorpios care very much about what others think of them. They aren’t insecure about their sign’s perceived negatives, so why offer spells and rituals to “fix” them? Instead, I’ve decided to write some magic for Scorpio that promotes personal power and privacy. I hope you enjoy them, my Fall-born friends!

Summoning Antares

The brilliant red star in the constellation Scorpius, called the “rival of Mars” and the Heart of the Scorpion, will act as the center point for Scorpio’s personal power spell along with the element of water. I was surprised to learn that Scorpio is a water sign. Doesn’t it feel like it should be earth or fire? Because of their emotional depth, this makes sense, but they are full of surprises, those scorpions. Just one more thing that adds to their intrigue.

What you will need:

• Bay leaves
• Opal
• Red candle (dark red is better)
• 17 white tealights
• A piece of iron
• Death tarot card
• A chalice or bowl
• Water

This is a very beautiful looking spell, and I suggest you perform it at night or at least in a dark room.

Set your candles up in the shape of the constellation Scorpius. I’ve provided a guide above for reference. Make sure the red candle is in the place of Antares. This will be the candle where most of your focus will be. Once the candles are in position, place the bowl or chalice in front of you and ring the bay leaves around it. Now, take your Death card and place it above the Antares candle, right-side up, with the opal on top of it. Opals were once considered unlucky in the west because of their tendency to crack with sudden temperature changes (or the wearer’s moods depending on which story you read), though this seems to be only a western belief. In Greek, the opal is called opthalmus, or the “eye” and is therefore believed to be the gateway to psychic visions. It’s also the Scorpio birthstone, so we’ll give it a place of honor in this spell. Iron, despite being much drabber than the flashy opal, is Scorpio’s designated metal and is considered a “lifeblood” metal, both because it smells like blood and because planet Earth has so much of it. So this, too, will be respected by placing it within the bowl in front of you.

Now that everything is in place, light your candles starting at the bottom and working up, saving the red Antares candle for last. Recite these words before lighting:

“An armored hide,

A poisoned dart,

I draw strength from Antares,

The Scorpion’s Heart.”

Light the red candle and skim your fingers above the flame. Touch the piece of iron in the bowl as you look at the red candle, and imagine that the power of this metal is able to connect to the blood in your veins. This is the power that flows through you, and it’s strong! Access it if you can, and think of this moment in times where you feel weak. Pour the water over the iron. You don’t have to fill it to the top; just enough water to cover the iron will do.

Now, repeat the incantation, only this time after you run your fingers through the candle’s flame, touch the opal. Still looking at the red candle, try to remember that sometimes your perception is flawed and you’re wrong, but it’s okay. The opal reminds you that you have to have an open mind, not jump to conclusions or false accusations, and see all sides of a situation. Use your intuition instead of being stubborn and don’t resolve conflicts by shutting people out but by trying to see their point of view. Take a deep breath and move on.

Blow out all the candles except for the red one, starting from the top and working down. There are a lot of candles, so make sure the room where you’re performing this spell is well ventilated! Run your finger through the flame one last time, then recite the spell and touch the center of your chest. Extinguish the final candle. You may add a line of gratitude at the end of the last incantation if you wish!

Scorpion’s Lair

Scorpios need their alone time in a space entirely their own. It’s not uncommon for Scorpios to become frustrated or lash out if this space is invaded or someone is encroaching on a Scorpio’s me time. Don’t take it personally and don’t get angry — Scorpios have been known to cut people completely out of their lives without warning when they are threatened. Instead, understand that Scorpios need time and space to think, reason, research, work through emotions and draw conclusions away from interruption.

This is a concoction to protect your space and ward off distractions and intrusions.

What you will need:

• Black salt
• Black pepper
• Acorn
• Clove (whole or ground is fine)
• Palo santo
• Agrimony

I’ve been trying to use ingredients that are more commonplace, but I couldn’t resist adding in some agrimony. If you can’t find it, no worries — replace with eggshells and you’re good to go.

Grind together the black salt, black pepper, clove, and agrimony into a fine powder, then set aside. Light your palo santo, let it burn for a moment, then blow it out and use the smoke to cleanse all four corners of your space in a clockwise fashion. Hold the palo santo over your powder mix to cleanse this as well. Once you feel everything has been reset and your space is ready, make sure the palo santo is no longer smoking and save for future cleansing.

Now, take an acorn and roll it in the powder so it’s finely coated and set it in your windowsill. If you don’t have a window, place on your desk or in the corner of the room you’ll be spending the most time. Try and keep it off the ground and high up if possible, where no pets or people will disturb it — you can even hang it from a cord from the ceiling if need be. Finally, in the same clockwise order you cleansed the room and walking backward, sprinkle a little bit of the powder in each corner of the room repeating this line for each sprinkling: “My sacred space is clean and safe.”

Hopefully, this gives you the privacy and comfort you seek, Scorpio!

Scorpio is one of the most interesting and multifaceted signs in the Zodiac and it takes some time to understand them, but once you do, you’ll find a loyal friend with fantastic insight and advice. I hope the season is finding you well, Scorpios, and this magic helps you thrive in your wonderfully imaginative internal worlds!

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