All your strengths are secret, kept well hidden behind a cool, controlled exterior that exudes, well, strength. Pluto is your ruler, and Pluto is all about power, secret power ... vast, dark depths of power. From very early in life, you learned that your awareness and sensitivity operated at deeper levels than most people care to plumb within themselves. Learning to control your super-intensity required strict self discipline, so Scorpio natives are generally stronger than the rest of us to begin with.

Being goal-oriented is a key strength for you, too. The level of excellence attained by author Feodor Dostoevski, scientist Marie Curie or astronaut Alan Shepard requires a great deal of focus - the ability to concentrate day after day on a long-term goal. This kind of concentration is your birthright, and don't underestimate its enormous advantages. Of course, there are Scorpios who become obsessive and make a big deal out of everything, but that is often just a symptom of their need for an important goal to pursue.

Another super-secret Scorpio strength is your insight. This can make you quite a bit of money besides helping you choose wise relationships. You have no fear about seeing the darkest things about others, so you observe quite clearly where some of us don't dare to shine a light. Thus, yours is the sign of the investigator of mysteries of human behavior. Despite your devotion to principle, you have been accused of living by a double standard in that you insist upon preserving your own privy. But you delve unhesitatingly into the secrets of others (curb this tendency). Undoubtedly, the primary secret strength of Scorpio is your regenerative power. As the ruler of the basic elements of life, you have the power to rise from your own ashes phoenix-like, reborn and renewed. No mean trick this, but it is one which you master by virtue of your willingness to receive knowledge that others shirk, willingness to face the scary parts of your own nature and that of the human race.

If your adversary is a Scorpio, don't bother trying to sneak up on them from behind. They know you're there, and they may already have booby trapped the area. Be prepared to defend your flank. It wouldn't hurt, in fact, to study military strategy books before squaring off against this most dangerous of enemies - for Scorpio is a strategist, a tactician.

Some Scorps are more direct than others. But all are capable of subtle maneuvers at psychological manipulation in defending what they believe to be theirs. Possession is nine-tenths of the law with these folks, and it's no holds barred when they think you're trying to rob them.

In business, Scorpio will respect you if you are honest and competent. Though they are capable of ruthlessness in personal matters, they enjoy players by strict and fair rules in the career arena. They play hard, though, and they thrive on competition - it's their version of camaraderie. So, rest up for a battle with Scorpio. Remember, however, that some of Scorpios best friends will always be those they competed with on a fair playing field. If they drive you out of business, they'll hire you themselves with great delight and pay you well.

Love or shy emotional matters, especially concerning family, are a different matter. Never expect what you would consider fair play from a Scorpio rival. They will be lobbying against you from the moment they find out you exist, and they will use any weapon at hand - it's that possession thing again. They see you as a trespasser and an encroacher, and they figure you deserve whatever they can think of to do to you.