What does it mean to have a Scorpio ruling planet, and how can it affect your mood? Astrology is so much more than just your sun sign, decided on the day you were born. It’s also about the position of all the other planets in your natal chart and how they all work together to form your own special, unique personality. While natal charts can be tricky to figure out yourself, if you’re looking for more detailed information, the Birthdate Book is a beautiful, personalized hardbound book that gives you valuable information about your horoscope and natal chart with very little effort on your end.
Join us here at Birthdate Co. to learn more about this specific aspect of your chart and how you can work with it to embrace both your strengths and your weaknesses (or those of any other Scorpios in your life).
What Are Ruling Planets?
Every sun sign also has a corresponding ruling planet, which is the planet that has the most significant influence on your sign. It helps dictate exactly how your sun sign is expressed and the specific personality traits exhibited by each zodiac sign as well.
But it’s so much more than just the planet itself. To really understand the influence that each ruling planet has on its corresponding zodiac sign, you have to look at the mythology that surrounds it, like its gods and goddesses. Really, in the end, ruling planets give us a much more whole picture of who you are.
Here’s a brief overview of each of the 12 zodiac signs, and which planet they are ruled by:
- Aries - Mars
- Taurus - Venus
- Gemini - Mercury
- Cancer - The Moon (not technically a planet, we know)
- Leo - The Sun (also not technically a planet)
- Virgo - Mercury, or sometimes Chiron (technically a comet)
- Scorpio - Pluto (or Mars)
- Sagittarius - Jupiter
- Capricorn - Saturn
- Aquarius - Uranus
- Pisces - Neptune
The Controversy of the Scorpio Ruling Planet
Ok, so maybe controversy is a strong word here. But, if you know anything about astronomy, you likely already know that Pluto’s official planet status was taken away in 2006, and it is now technically classified as a “dwarf” planet. However, when astrological signs were originally connected with their ruling planets, Pluto had not yet become a planet. So, Mars functioned as the Scorpio ruling planet until its official status was bestowed in 1930 (sharing with Aries).
Whether you consider Pluto a full planet or a dwarf planet, it is still the furthest in the solar system - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. That has some influence on the characteristics of its status as the Scorpio ruling planet - because it is so far away that it encourages Scorpios to feel things on an intuitive level instead of relying on things they can physically see.
Because the Scorpio ruling planet is considered to be a dual one, it’s possible for one Scorpio to relate to Mars as their ruling planet and another Scorpio to feel more strongly attuned to Pluto. It’s another thing that makes Scorpios the unique creatures they are, as they are one of only five sun signs with dual ruling planets (along with Taurus, Aquarius, Virgo, and Pisces).
We’re going to focus on how Pluto affects Scorpio, but if you’re interested in learning more about Mars as a ruling planet, feel free to check that out as well!
Pluto as the Scorpio Ruling Planet
Pluto may be small, but it is mighty. The god that is most closely associated with the planet is Pluto, who is far more well-known by his other name… Hades. If you're familiar with Greek mythology, you probably already know what Hades/Pluto is connected to. If you’re not, Hades is the official god of the underworld.
That explains why Pluto (the Scorpio ruling planet) is also associated with both death and transformation. It also has a lot to do with why Scorpios seem to be so fascinated with anything supernatural or mysterious. They are drawn to deep, dark things that are seemingly beyond our normal field of vision or consciousness.
Pluto is also connected with the deeper parts of the human soul, the part that is constantly questioning everything and wondering what it is that makes us tick. When combined with the fact that it required great bravery and strength to be in charge of the entire underworld, it’s no wonder that Scorpios approach all questioning with a sense of fearlessness. It’s almost like Scorpio wasn’t born with that innate sense of fear that the 11 other zodiac signs naturally have.
How the Scorpio Ruling Planet Affects Love and Romance
While there are plenty of picky signs out there, Scorpio is one of the pickiest. Pluto has a lot to do with this, as well. It may not surprise you that the god of the underworld tends to be fairly cynical in his outlook on most things. This naturally extends into how Scorpios view not only the world as a whole but also who they choose as romantic partners.
In contrast to signs like Libra, who love love and are constantly seeking out romance in any and all forms, Scorpios are much more hesitant. What may seem romantic and hopeful to a Libra is often too good to be true to a Scorpio, who is just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
This also impacts compatibility, including who Scorpios are the most (and least) compatible with. Although their fiery nature may lead people to think that Scorpios are a fire sign, they are actually a water sign.
Because of that and the influence of the Scorpio ruling planet, they tend to be the most compatible with water signs (Cancer and Pisces, as well as other Scorpios) and earth signs (Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo). Of those, Scorpios and Capricorns make the best match, as they share the same sense of natural cynicism. When it comes to the sign Scorpios are the least compatible with, it’s a no-brainer… Leo. Leos are just too much for Scorpios.
How To Counteract Some Of The Weaknesses Associated With The Scorpio Ruling Planet
We all have weaknesses, and Scorpios are no different. There are certain weaknesses that can be directly tied to the Scorpio ruling planet of Pluto, but the good news is that there are also plenty of things that you can do to counteract them.
For instance, take Scorpio’s natural inclination to be a bit of a loner. When you take their tendency to live in their own heads, thinking all those deep, philosophical thoughts, and combine it with the fact that they quickly and easily see through the fronts of a lot of well-meaning people, it’s no wonder that Scorpios enjoy spending time by themselves.
Adjusting this can take conscious effort, but it is possible! Instead of just having friends for the sake of having friends, Scorpios should make an effort to find like-minded people who enjoy having the same deep conversations about the meaning of life. You don’t need to have many friends, but we all desire people to be close to us, even if that’s just a few handpicked people you feel comfortable letting in.
Another potentially negative trait to watch out for is how pointed the Scorpio skepticism can get. In some cases, this tends to be just thrown out indiscriminately, even when you don’t intend to do that. Instead, try to use your power of insight and ability to probe for good. That’s why Scorpios make such great detectives and investigators, which makes a great outlet for all those questions. It’s much better than constantly interrogating your friends and family. Most of them don’t deserve that.
Learn More!
If you’re interested in learning more about astrology, the good news is that there is so much more you can look into! Start by checking out The Birthdate Book, which has 70 personalized pages with insight into your exact birthday and what it means.
This is commonly referred to as your natal chart, which is calculated when you know not only your birthday but also the specific time and place where you were born. It’s this precise calculation that gives you the most direct look at how the exact location of every planet and astral body impacts who you are and who you’re likely to become.
That includes learning about your sun sign, your ascendant (or rising sign), and your moon sign, which each have a unique influence on who you are at your core.
You can pair your beautiful, hardbound book with a Birthdate Candle, which is specifically attuned to the preferences of your horoscope.
Final Thoughts
Birthdate Co. knows just how important every single factor involved in your natal chart is. When it comes to the Scorpio ruling planet, Pluto, it’s obvious just how much power it has in shaping who Scorpios are and how they react to things.
From their natural skepticism to how drawn they are to the mystical things in life, Pluto flexes his power in Scorpio’s daily life in some obvious (and not so obvious) ways.
Sources:
Overview | Pluto | NASA Solar System Exploration
Solar System Planets: Order of the 8 (or 9) Planets | Space
Hades | World History Encyclopedia
Birthdate
Candle
The Birthdate Candle
A candle crafted for the day you were born
We combined astrology, numerology, and tarot to create 365 beautiful candles — one for every birthdate. Each candle and has a fragrance carefully designed to enliven your spirit.
