Did you know that the astrological sign Scorpio has other forms besides the classic stingy scorpion?
Astrological and esoteric traditions commonly describe Scorpio as evolving through three symbolic figures: The Scorpion, The Eagle and The Phoenix. These symbolize the stages that it goes through in its spiritual transformation. They are not personality levels but tools to reflect on one’s symbolic relation to power, death and base instincts.
The popular symbolic form, Scorpion, has a complicated reputation. For example, Medieval documents refer to it as a vile serpent and it was heavily associated in a negative way with its challenging aspects like jealousy, possessiveness and manipulation. The stages also combine the Scorpion as the least evolved form of Scorpio:
The Scorpion form is linked to earth-boundedness and tangible emotions; to instinctual habits and survival. Mars rules this form of Scorpio and all its traits are applicable: reactive, aggressive and defensive. In alchemy this stage is called Nigredo, which refers to putrefaction or confrontation of corruption and breaking matter down, but not yet transforming. Although it holds significant potential, its perceptual range remains limited to what lies immediately before it. The Scorpion is highly self-protective and emphasizes survivability which usually forces it to touch bottom and deal with the human depths. As a result, it may retaliate through vengeance or act compulsively from a place of woundedness. Typically this is the base form, in which learning occurs through experienced pain, betrayal, and personal loss. However, Scorpion is very independent and needs to pave its own way: its raw emotional intensity pushes its determined nature to develop and ultimately, ascent.
The Eagle is seen as the second stage of transformation. It operates on Saturnian discipline which makes it more observant, strategic and detached. It’s a higher expression of Scorpio's features and it represents perspective, clarity and sovereignty. Alchemical perspective also stresses purification, elevation and sublimation: consciousness gains clarity and the form becomes refined, but the base material still remains.The Eagle is now capable of rising above conflicts without reacting in an overprotective and instinctive manner. This more mature outlook was built from the experiences of the Scorpion and it can transform its defensiveness and compulsiveness to wisdom and is now able to rely on its intuition. The Eagle aims to and is able to see situations as a whole and focus on the long-range perspective. It’s more focused on the philosophical aspects and having authority through restraint, which makes it excellent at reading people and even influencing them. But power is a double-edged sword: it can be used to help and build or further one's own gains. The next phase depends on how big of a scale the Scorpion chooses to put its influence in: the individual or the whole?
The Phoenix is the final form for the Scorpio. It refers to the highest expression of the transformed spirituality. The most literal form of the planet Pluto, it is cyclical and it gains power through the destruction and annihilation of former identity. From the ashes of death and destruction rises a new enlightened creature. The alchemical phase is called Rubedo which means reddening or incarnation: the rebirth to a new form. It mirrors the Plutonian destiny of necessary rebirth, when the spirit returns to matter as transformed. Jung wrote about the Rubedo and its symbolic connection to the resurrection of Christ (Psychology & Alchemy, Carl Jung). When the continuation of the Scorpio’s identity is impossible, it needs a symbolic death to be able to renew itself through rebirth. The stages of power have led up to this stage where the Scorpio needs to reflect on power and death, when to break the chains of attachment and let things go and start anew.
The Relationship of Alchemy & Christianity
The Eagle motif most likely emerges from Hellenistic and later medieval astrology, where moral code and hierarchies were applied onto zodiacal symbolism. It shifts the focus from the vile serpent to Scorpio’s rulership over death, transformation, sexuality, power, and taboo, but reframes these not as destructive forces, rather as sources of authority and insight.
The Scorpion stresses the instinctual: it is the fallen body, that is flesh ruled by sin, desire and fear. It is framed as unredeemed since the traits are unintegrated like the Nigredo phase in alchemy, where the material matters the most and the spiritual slips. The Eagle parallels the moral in esoteric view, like priestly or initiatory figures who descend into darkness but aren’t ruled by it. It has authority over darkness and it parallels the Evangelist John (Gospel of John) and the apocalyptic vision. The theological and divinity is highlighted in this form. The Phoenix has a more mystical role in this triad, as it resonates with the resurrection of Christ, martyrdom and apocalyptic renewal. It however does not win death or escape it, as it is the most integral part of rebirth: death is passed through time and time again.
Epilogue: On The Assimilation of Astrology and Christianity
The three stages of Scorpion offer a very intriguing symbolic stages of transformed spirituality. Even though the flying creatures symbolize the “elevated” phases, it does not mean they are better or more valuable than the scorpion. It understands that it all comes from experience since there cannot be highs without lows and it needs to set its root deep into the ground to be able to reach the skies.
I previously mentioned the Gospel of John and how its contents focus on the divinity and resurrection of Christ. These aspects mirror the same themes as the Scorpio and its stages, where from the depths emerges a creature reborn. The Eagle as a symbol is linked to St. John, since he portrays the observant writer who focuses on the bigger picture. His text highlights the spirit of redemption and aims to delve into the deeper mysteries of Christian faith.
The first appearance of the symbolic Eagle is present in earlier texts in the Old Testament. The Tetramorph is a depiction of the four evangelists, which can be found in the book of Ezekiel (Ezekiel 1:4-11):
“In the middle of it was something like four living creatures. This was their appearance: they were of human form. Each had four faces, and each of them had four wings. Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the sole of a calf’s foot, and they sparkled like burnished bronze. Under their wings on their four sides they had human hands. And the four had their faces and their wings thus: their wings touched one another; each of them moved straight ahead, without turning as they moved. As for the appearance of their faces: the four had the face of a human being, the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and the face of an eagle; such were their faces.”
The description of the Tetramorph has influenced many art pieces but their symbolic meaning goes deeper than just describing evangelists. These four creatures are linked to the fixed sign in astrology: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius (Ox, lion, eagle and the man). The sister signs are portrayed next to each other and here Taurus and Scorpio are side by side. In the Tetramorph, the ox symbolizes Luke and therefore redemption through sacrifice and priesthood which focuses on the material. The symbols share some things but are different in tangibility: the Eagle soars high in the sky and the ox focuses on the earthly aspects.
We meet these figures again in the Revelation (Revelation 4:6-8), praising their God day and night.
Even though their focal points differ, with astrology scattering the meaning across cosmos and Christianity concentrating on God and Christ, they aim to explain the transcendent and cosmic structures using symbols which, like with Tetramorph, can be similar or exact replicas. This syncretism or eclecticism is essential in understanding how the human mind organizes and structures things where there aren't straight answers. Symbols are tools to understand and interpret.
Authors: Meri Kallio & Minna Kirsi
Sources
- Carl Jung. (1944). Psychology and Alchemy
- Symbol Reader. (2013). Images of the Zodiac: Contemplating Scorpio. https://symbolreader.net/2013/11/18/images-of-the-zodiac-contemplating-scorpio/
- The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. (2021). National Council of the Churches of Christ.
