Scorpio

Water and Mars look like a poor match, and Adams 1928 answers the objection directly. She describes water that finds its own level and cannot be compressed, then calls this Mars a seasoned veteran where Aries showed a dashing recruit. Lilly 1659 names the sign the house and joy of Mars, and Ptolemy, in Ashmand's 1822 translation, gives it to Mars as well.

Every source here that names a ruler for this sign names Mars. Pluto as its ruler appears in none of these books, so that pairing belongs to modern astrology alone. Ptolemy also places the fall of the Moon in this sign, a seat opposite her exaltation in Taurus.

Alan Leo 1899 thinks the sign allows wider extremes of character than any other, and his language on its worst and best types is severe. The 1697 English Manilius lists hunters, gladiators and soldiers. Modern popular astrology keeps the intensity and adds secrecy, then often describes it with more glamour than Leo ever did.