More on Scorpio Ascendant, Scorpio Rising Sign

On this page:

Scorpio Ascendant (Rising Sign) description
Scorpio Ascendant (Rising Sign) with ruling planet, Mars, in the signs.
Alternate descriptions of Scorpio Rising
Famous People with Scorpio Rising

The Ascendant

Scorpio Symbol

Scorpio Ascendant people have a lot of presence. There is something about them that tells the world that they are not to be pushed around. Their manner commands respect, and in some cases, fear. Scorpio rising people can be quiet or loud, but they always seem powerful and determined.

You either love or hate Scorpio rising people— they are rarely people who go through life unnoticed. In fact, some of them are confused when faced with the fact that they get such strong reactions from others. They seem to look right through people, seeing through superficiality. This can be quite intimidating to some, and intriguing to others. Scorpio rising people, in their dealings with others, look for answers by reading between the lines. Surface details are discarded when they are getting a feel for people and situations around them.

Scorpio rising people value their privacy so much, it can border on paranoia. They have a strong need to control their environment and are experts at strategy. Rarely people who will blow their chances with impatience, they plan out their moves carefully and deliberately, relying on their awesome ability to feel out others and situations.

Scorpio rising natives are drawn to down-to-earth, natural partners. Reliability in their partner is very important. They generally look for complete commitment and have little patience with flighty partners.

The Ascendant (or rising sign) is often considered the mask one wears when meeting others. Perhaps it is most aptly thought of as the automatic responses to one's environment. The Ascendant shows our natural defenses and how we cope with day-to-day issues. The energies of the sign and condition of the Ascendant are most overt and obvious to others. The Ascendant shows an individual's first, natural reaction to new people and situations.

The characteristics of Scorpio Ascendant described above are modified by planets conjunct the Ascendant, planets that aspect the Ascendant, and the position of the ruling planet of the sign on the Ascendant. For example, a person with a Scorpio Ascendant with its ruling planet, Mars, in Sagittarius will respond to the environment a little differently than another person, also with a Scorpio Ascendant, but whose Mars is in Capricorn. (Note that Scorpio has two rulers, the other being Pluto, which is very slow-moving). Similarly, a person with a Scorpio Ascendant who also has Saturn conjunct it will "behave" differently than someone with a Scorpio Ascendant who does not have that aspect in their natal charts.

Scorpio Rising with Mars (Traditional Ruler of Scorpio) in the Signs

The following interpretations incorporate the position, by sign, of Mars, the ruling planet of Scorpio. Note that Pluto also rules Scorpio, and interpretations for Scorpio rising with Pluto in the signs follow the Mars interpretations. The sign position of Mars modifies your Scorpio Ascendant characteristics. These interpretations are from the Karmic Insight Report, and are written from an esoteric viewpoint.

The point that was on the eastern horizon at the moment of your birth is called the ASCENDANT, or rising sign. While the Sun describes your conscious direction and current life focus, and the Moon your subconscious predisposition and past, the Ascendant indicates a way of being that transcends and embraces past, present, and future. It describes the way you engage and merge with the outer world and how you bring through into life the energies depicted by the Sun, the Moon, and the rest of your birth chart. Everything is filtered through the Ascendant from an esoteric point of view. It indicates your soul's function and thus a key part of your destiny.

Scorpio Rising - General

You have keen animal instincts, a deeply instinctual and passionate nature, and access to forces that can be used for healing and regeneration - of yourself, other individuals, or society. Strong-willed and powerful in a quiet understated sort of way, you are always a force with which to be reckoned. You know intuitively where another's pain or weakness lies, and can thus be a natural healer - or a terrible enemy, if your energies are directed toward conflict. Learning to trust and follow your instincts, and to focus your will upon positive intents, are keys to fulfilling your highest destiny. Your ruling planets are Mars and Pluto.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Aries

Your Mars is in the courageous, independent and self-motivated sign of Aries. Your function is to be a leader and a pioneer, bringing forth something unprecedented and original. Boldness, valor, and originality are your keynotes. You are a fierce competitor or warrior, and have a "killer instinct" which, even when used in defense of good principles, needs to be tempered with kindness. The shadow side of this is that you can be ruthless, selfish, and you tend to overuse force.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Taurus

Your Mars is in the highly sensual, productive and fertile sign of Taurus. Appetites, desires and craving for sensual life tend to rule you. Tasting and taking great pleasure in the feast of life, without being dominated by your cravings or habitually overindulging, is a key to happiness for you. You also have a determined and steady will force and great stamina to bring your goals and dreams to fruition. You are highly fertile on every level. Obstinacy and not knowing when to let go or change course can create problems for you, however.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Gemini

Your Mars is in the clever, dexterous, skillful sign of Gemini, indicating that the use of your hands, your quick reflexes, and/or your facility with language plays an important role in your life and fate. On the shadowy side of this energy, you can be very crafty, scheming, shrewd and self-serving. Used positively, the gift and power of words can be used as a healing force.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Cancer

Your Mars is in the soulful and emotional sign of Cancer: you have deep sensitivity and protective feelings toward children, animals, and for all life. Your capacity to commune or merge emotionally with your surroundings gives your great empathy. You are strongly sensuous and passionate. You may have difficulty articulating, understanding, or communicating your feelings in a rational or intellectual way. Music is a good language for you.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Leo

Your Mars is in the proud, confident, radiant sign of Leo. You have a strong will-to-power, and are intended to be a leader and/or to influence many people through your magnetism. Combining your strong vital force with your ability to hold a steady, constant focus, you can accomplish a great deal. Great responsibility attaches itself to the use of personal power, of course, and the shadow side of this energy could turn you into a dominating tyrant.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Virgo

Your Mars is in Virgo, suggesting service through specialized skills, knowledge, or technical expertise; also an interest in biology, chemistry, the medical or health sciences. You have keen powers of observation and analysis, and you work thoroughly and efficiently (some might say obsessively). When out of balance you can worry excessively and be a bitter critic of the world and/or yourself.

You often function as the power behind the throne or as a shrewd advisor to others.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Libra

Your Mars is in Libra, suggesting that your urge to relate, to gain with, and to form cooperative alliances with others is an important part of your function and your fate. You are to work in tandem, as part of a team or close partnership, balancing your needs and your will with those of your partner. Your desire for harmony, beauty, and connection underlies your actions. Beware, however, of submerging your own desires and ability to act decisively on your own behalf, which can lead to concealed anger, corrosive conflict, and "hidden enemies" (in the world or in your own inner life). Be aboveboard and honest in all your dealings, also. Trying to achieve your aims covertly or through the efforts of other people is apt to backfire. Instead use your energy to bring people together, to mediate, negotiate, or create fairness in your world.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Scorpio

Your Mars is in Scorpio as well emphasizing your attunement to deep primal forces in nature, and your need to stay connected with the forces of life in a wild, raw, uncivilized state. You express the energies of both birth and death, creativity and destructiveness, and understand the need for both. You have tremendous physical presence, vitality, and passion to use for good or ill intents. Power will always be an issue in your life - you must learn to acknowledge your power and the ramifications of using it. The power of nature is a source of your own strength and healing. Intensity of experience is more important than permanence.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Sagittarius

Your Mars is in the spirited, expansive, adventurous sign of Sagittarius: you are drawn to risky, future-oriented, ventures and challenging, even dangerous, pursuits. Idealistic and philosophical, your instincts are guided (and perhaps held in check) by your sense of fair play and your convictions. Zeal and passion are your keynotes. When out of balance you can be excessively zealous, self-righteous, and reckless in your enthusiasm. At best, though, you function as an explorer and as an inspiring example to others. The joy of adventure and exploration is what you are meant to express.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Capricorn

Your Mars is in the earthy, practical, ambitious and serious sign of Capricorn, suggesting that tangible material accomplishments and goals are important to you. You know how the world operates and are meant to take a well-planned, calculated, ordered route to your destination. Work and self-discipline -not to mention considerable self-sacrifice- are keys. Work may become an addiction; professional ambition certainly is paramount. You are to function as an authority in some manner.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Aquarius

Your Mars in the unconventional, collective-oriented, free-thinking sign of Aquarius, suggesting that the regeneration of society is a major interest and focus of your attention. Your perceptiveness regarding its underlying, core problems, along with your ability to invent or co-create unusual and innovative solutions, is the key to fulfilling your destiny. Your function is that of a reformer, dissident, or group leader.

Scorpio Rising and Mars in Pisces

Your Mars is in the imaginative, dreamy, visionary, spiritually-open sign of Pisces, suggesting your ability to access altered states of consciousness or dream-time quite readily. The use of images through visualization or art, for instance, is a primary source of healing for you. Water, baptism, birth, cleansing rituals are key elements. Intoxicants of any kind (especially alcohol) can be your downfall, leading to a feeling of confusion and aimlessness or powerlessness. You have pronounced psychic sensitivities which can be developed and used to evolve your own life as well as others'.

Scorpio Rising with Pluto (Ruler of Scorpio) in the Signs

The following interpretations incorporate the position, by sign, of Pluto, the ruling planet of Scorpio. The sign position of Pluto further modifies your Scorpio Ascendant characteristics. These interpretations are from the Karmic Insight Report, and are written from an esoteric viewpoint.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Aries

Your Pluto in Aries reveals a passion for freedom, daring, heroic individualism. Bold action and/or arrogant confidence which can lead to your downfall, are indicated and play a key role in your destiny.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Taurus

Your Pluto in Taurus reveals a deeply willful, stubborn, and inflexible nature which needs to become more yielding. Money, wealth, economics could be your obsession, and in any case play a key role in your life and destiny.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Gemini

Your Pluto in Gemini reveals a compelling need to understand. You prize intellect and education and have a drive to use your mind. These are important keys to fulfilling your destiny.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Cancer

Your Pluto in Cancer reveals a need to release old conditioning, familiar patterns, and the security and/or burdens of the "old world" in order to regenerate yourself and access your powers.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Leo

Your Pluto in Leo reveals a need to release your tendency to worship power or powerful charismatic personalities. Excessive self-will, self-glorification, or an obsessive focus on your personal self and desires are shadowy aspects of your being, and will need to be confronted on your path to fulfilling your soul purpose.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Virgo

Your Pluto in Virgo reveals a drive for perfection or self-purification that can become compulsive. Guilt over real or imagined wrongs needs to be shed. Also, you have a capacity for in-depth analysis, technical expertise or perfection, and exacting precision in your work.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Libra

Your Pluto in Libra reveals a drive for justice, fairness, equality, and bringing the scales back into balance. You tend to see the injustices and corruption, and part of your function is indeed to bring wrongs to light. The balance of power in personal relationships is also a key concern of yours.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Scorpio

Your Pluto is in Scorpio as well, revealing a capacity for entering into the darkest places in order to bring consciousness, light, and healing. If you are drawn to use your powers and abilities selfishly, you will often feel isolated and will be your own worst enemy. You are attuned to depth, rapture, and what some would consider horrible or taboo. You could be a profound healer, Shaman, or medicine man/woman if your motives are clear.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Sagittarius

Your Pluto is in Sagittarius, revealing a need to cleanse, revise, and expand your beliefs about the nature of life. Dogmatism and zealous, one-sided convictions need to be shed in order for you to fulfill your highest purpose.

Scorpio Rising and Pluto in Capricorn

Your Pluto in Capricorn reveals a destiny of both destroying and reforming societal structures and forms - government, established business or financial practices, or other conventions. Corruption, hypocrisy, and greed are to be cleansed and released, and you are one of many intended for this work. You also have a strong will-to-power which needs to be tempered with humility and care.

A Spiritual Interpretation of Scorpio Rising

The following interpretation of Scorpio Rising is from Your Spiritual Path Report.

"You have already taken a few steps on the spiritual path, and you have dedicated your life to your spiritual nature to some degree. The intense desire nature within you continues, however, to pull you toward the physical expression. You constantly find yourself at a turning point between pursuing a material desire and following a more spiritual inclination.

You have the capacity for major changes in your life. Others may find your decisions remarkable, as you can take a 180 degree turn with relative ease. Each of these major shifts brings you closer to understanding the unfolding plan of your spiritual life. At this time you may appear to be motivated only by material desires, but each turning takes you further on the spiritual path. If you look back, you can see that your decisions have all blended into one direction. You see the logical unfolding of spirit woven into seemingly disjointed actions and decisions.

First you test your physical appetites with food, sexual desire and physical comfort. These may become rather boring. Ambition and the desire for power increase the emotional thrill and the momentary pay-off. At the third stage you tackle mental challenges of spiritual pride. If you can transcend all three levels, you then function from a more spiritual base. You cease to seek physical emotional and mental thrills for their own sake, and use your personal power to transform your own life and to help others.

You face a tall order if you are to make spiritual progress. You need to remember your own beginnings as you seek success in any of your endeavors, spiritual or otherwise."

Scorpio Ascendant from the Cosmo Natal Report:

"You are very strong-willed and proud, but intensely private and not easy to know well. Behind your quiet exterior lies a great deal of emotional depth, sensitivity, complexity, and also fierce determination. When you want something you go after it rather quietly but insistently and wholeheartedly - and you usually get it.

You are not a person who lives lightly or superficially. You want to live passionately and intensely and are not averse to challenge, danger, or to facing the darker side of life - human pain and struggle. You function well in crisis situations and often seek them out, for you enjoy the feeling of living at full capacity.

You are very intuitive about other people and especially about their unspoken feelings and hidden motives. You usually have strong, immediate gut reactions, either positive or negative, which prove to be correct. You approach life very instinctively and are not always fully conscious of why you feel or act as you do. You also have a very strong affinity with animals - an acute sensitivity and a nonverbal kind of rapport with them.

In relation to others, you are rather cautious, sometimes even suspicious, until you get to know and trust them - and trust doesn't come easily to you. When you commit yourself emotionally to someone, be it friend or lover, you are intensely loyal and devoted to them and you also expect the same kind of unwavering, undying loyalty in return. If you are ever betrayed by someone you care deeply for, you are capable of hating and retaliating with as much fervor as you once loved. Nothing is done halfway. In fact, you are intensely involved and often jealously attached to whatever you care about, be it person, idea, or cause. There is definitely a streak of emotional fanaticism in you.

Because of your natural reserve, others may see you as something of an enigma. You are quite self-protective and often defensive. You are also very magnetic, especially to members of the opposite sex."

Famous People with Scorpio Rising:

Tori Amos (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Libra)
Melissa Anderson (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Cancer)
Ed Asner (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Scorpio)
Hugo Black (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Virgo)
Beau Bridges (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
James Caan (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Taurus)
Johnny Carson (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Libra)
Paul Cezanne (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Virgo)
Dick Clark (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Sagittarius)
Jeffrey Conaway (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Sagittarius)
Susan Dey (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aquarius)
Christian Dior (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Scorpio)
Michael Douglas (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Libra)
Clint Eastwood (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Chris Evert (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Pisces)
Fabio (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Gemini)
John Fogerty (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Aretha Franklin (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Gemini)
Sigmund Freud (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Libra)
Graham Greene (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Virgo)
Mark Harmon (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Leo)
Ed Harris (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Capricorn)
Katharine Hepburn (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Capricorn)
Victor Hugo (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aquarius)
Diane Keaton (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Cancer)
Kris Kristofferson (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Gemini)
Vicki Lawrence (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Janet Leigh (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Leo)
Charles Lindbergh (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aquarius)
Patty Loveless (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
David Lynch (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Cancer)
Cheech Marin (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Virgo)
Penny Marshall (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Gemini)
Mata Hari (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Leo)
Jack Nicklaus (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Bernadette Peters (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Leo)
River Phoenix (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Leo)
Prince (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Yves Rocher (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Pisces)
Diana Ross (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Gemini)
Gloria Steinem (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Martha Stewart (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aries)
Oliver Stone (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Libra)
Loretta Swit (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Capricorn)
Bob Uecker (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aquarius)
Gore Vidal (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Libra)
Robert Wagner (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Aquarius)
Robin Williams (Scorpio Ascendant, Mars in Cancer)