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Before we unveil the card(s) associated with Scorpio – spoiler alert: it’s not just one card! – let’s clarify something. There’s no direct correlation between zodiac signs and tarot cards. It might seem odd to mention this at the beginning of an article promising to reveal the connection between Scorpio and tarot, right? It’s crucial to note that while similarities exist, it’s not set in stone. Interpretations can vary depending on the reader and even the specific tarot deck used.
With that said in the introduction, let’s now explore which tarot card(s) are symbolically connected to Scorpio. Ready? 3, 2, 1, let’s dive in!
Scorpio and the Death tarot card
Scorpio is often linked to the Major Arcana card “Death”. For a deeper understanding, we recommend checking out the article entirely devoted to the description and meaning of the Death tarot card.
In the Death card, depicted in the Rider-Waite version, we see a skeleton riding a white horse, symbolizing the impartial force of change. The Death card represents transformation, renewal and new beginnings. It’s no coincidence that Scorpio is deeply connected to these themes. This zodiac sign is associated with the concept of rebirth, constantly evolving through experiences. Scorpio delves into the unknown, unafraid of exploring the dark corners of the soul.
In the Rider-Waite version of the Death tarot card, the setting Sun on the horizon signifies the conclusion of one cycle and the beginning of another mysterious phase. Scorpio is deeply intertwined with this symbolism: it embodies power and transformation, acting as a catalyst for change. This symbolism is further evident in the three figures depicted on the Death tarot card, each representing a different stage of life – a bishop, a child, and a maiden.
There are many more symbolic associations to uncover. Let’s delve into them by understanding the connection between the keywords of the Death card and the characteristics of Scorpio.
The Death tarot card’s keywords associated with Scorpio
As many of us know, in Tarot, “keywords” are concise phrases or single words associated with each tarot card. They help quickly identify the card’s meaning and guide interpretation.
The tradition of associating keywords with tarot cards dates back to the 1700s with the Etteilla Tarot. Etteilla, a renowned French esotericist, played a significant role in popularizing tarot cards within esotericism, as discussed in our dedicated article on the History of Tarot.
Keeping this in mind, let’s delve into how the keywords of The Death tarot card – both upright and reversed – are intricately connected with the characteristics of the Scorpio sign. While we’ve listed The Death’s keywords here, let’s reiterate some of them here and examine their connection to Scorpio’s essence. We’ll start with Transformation…
Transformation
“Transformation” is not only the first upright keyword of the Death tarot card but also deeply associated with Scorpio. Governed by Pluto, the planet of profound transformation, power, and rebirth, Scorpio surely embodies the essence of transformation.
Pluto, the distant and enigmatic planet, rules over the intense sign of Scorpio. As the planet of transformation, destruction, and rebirth, Pluto influences endings and new beginnings. Its energy is deep and transformative, often associated with the subconscious and the unseen. Pluto embodies the process of death and regeneration, symbolizing the cycle of life, decay, and renewal.
Regarding the Death card, as we mentioned in the upright meaning of the card: “In its upright position, the Death card in the Rider-Waite Tarot deck unveils a narrative of profound transformation and renewal. Serving as a herald of radical change, this card symbolizes the inevitability of metamorphosis.”
It’s no coincidence that the highlighted sentence in the paragraph dedicated to the upright meaning of the Death tarot card is: “Embrace profound transformation and accept that endings can be a gateway to new beginnings.”
Rebirth
“Rebirth” is another upright keyword of the Death tarot card, deeply associated with the Scorpio sign, which embodies the concept of rebirth and constant evolution through experiences.
In the bestseller “The Way of Tarot”, Jodorowsky offers insightful perspectives on the Death card, emphasizing that it doesn’t represent final death but rather rebirth. He notes that this card isn’t positioned at the end of the Major Arcana but just past the halfway point. If it were at the end, it might signify actual death, but its placement suggests otherwise. Positioned in the center of the tarot deck, it encourages us to view it as a cleansing process, a rebirth, and renewal, rather than the end of everything.
Fear of change
“Change” stands as a significant upright keyword of the Death card, while “Fear of Change” represents its reversed counterpart, and it’s easy to understand why.
In the Rider-Waite Tarot version of the card, figures bow before the skeletal rider – a bishop, a child, and a maiden – each symbolizing different stages of life. They depict the constant change inherent in life that all of us must embrace. Change is an inevitable force that transcends age, status, and experience. However, when the card is reversed, there is a “Fear of Change”. As we noted in the dedicated article on the Death card’s reversed meaning: “Don’t resist change.”
How does Scorpio relate to the Fear of Change? It’s simple. While Scorpio is a water sign, it is also a fixed sign. Fixed signs are resistant to change and value stability, making Scorpio prone to a fear of change. Scorpio is afraid of changes, particularly those beyond its control, and tends to approach situations it cannot control or fully understand with suspicion and wariness.
Two other tarot cards associated with Scorpio
Scorpio is a complex sign with many facets, making it possible to associate it with other cards of the Major Arcana. Specifically, we can link Scorpio to The Devil tarot card and The Tower tarot card. Both of these cards depict broken chains, symbolizing transformation, and the destruction of outdated structures to reveal hidden truths. They both express the potent and destabilizing energy of Pluto, which brings about profound transformations.
The Devil card is particularly interestingly connected to Scorpio because both are associated with passion and sex. It’s not coincidental that some of the upright keywords of this card include temptation, passion, desire, and hedonism. Scorpios are regarded as the most sexual zodiac sign. Known for their high sex drive and intense nature, Scorpios approach intimacy with fervor and depth.
Why Scorpio is also associated with the Cups?
Now that we’ve explored the tarot cards Scorpio can be linked with, let’s uncover which suit of cards is associated with – as indicated in the title just above: Cups.
In traditional astrology, Scorpio is classified as a water sign. In Tarot, the element of water finds its representation in the suit of Cups. Cups symbolize emotions, intuition, sensitivity, and the inner world. This suit is often intertwined with themes of emotional life, relationships, love, spirituality, and the profound depths of human experience. We can directly observe this connection from the very first card of the Cups: the Ace of Cups tarot card, which depicts an overflowing cup, symbolizing the flow of emotions.
Therefore, Scorpio’s alignment with the Cups suit in Tarot resonates with its classification as a Water sign in traditional astrology.
We’ve now discussed and elucidated all the cards associated with Scorpio, as well as the suit linked to this sign. With that, we can bring our exploration to a close. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below or send us a DM on Born Under Saturn’s Instagram page.
