Scorpio marriage: Which signs are Scorpios most likely to marry or divorce? Which sign is the best match for Scorpio?
Most astrologers expect Scorpio to be happiest with the water signs (Pisces, Cancer, and other Scorpios) and two of the earth signs (Virgo and Capricorn), but are there any statistics to back this up? A few researchers have tackled this question, conducting studies with census data to look at marriage and divorce rates by sun sign.
Studies of Marriage and Divorce Rates by Sun Sign: Findings for Scorpio
Sachs (1998) conducted a large study of sun sign trends in Switzerland, which included nearly one million people. He found that certain sun sign marriage pairings were more common than others, and that some sun-sign pairs had above-average or below-average divorce rates as well.
Scorpio men in Switzerland were most likely to choose Pisces women as their marriage partners, while the marriage rate with Gemini women was below average. He also found that Scorpio men had a slightly above-average divorce rate with Tauruses and Geminis. These were the only differences that were large enough to be statistically significant (too large to attribute to random chance). The following is a ranking of most to least-frequent marriage partners for Scorpio men, though differences were small in most cases (statistically significant differences are marked with an *):
- Pisces*
- Cancer
- Scorpio
- Capricorn
- Libra
- Aquarius
- Leo
- Virgo (same marriage rate as Sagittarius)
- Sagittarius
- Aries
- Taurus
- Gemini*
Sachs found that Scorpio women also married Pisces men most often, and that they had a below-average marriage rate Aries and Aquarius men. He also found that they were least likely to divorce Gemini and Pisces men. These were the only statistically significant differences for Scorpio women. The following is a list of most to least frequent marriage partners for Scorpio women (though most of the differences in marriage rates were small):
- Pisces*
- Taurus
- Virgo
- Scorpio
- Cancer
- Capricorn (Capricorn and Leo have the same marriage rate)
- Leo
- Gemini
- Sagittarius
- Libra
- Aries*
- Aquarius*
The majority of these findings accord with astrological predictions. Pisces and Scorpio are among the most compatible astrological pairings. Both are deep, intuitive, sensitive water signs, but they also have complementary traits. Scorpios have the strength and stability required to provide a solid anchor for Pisceans (who tend to experience extremes of feeling and mood), and Pisces is sufficiently intriguing and creative to hold a Scorpio’s interest. Both can be extremely generous (even to the point of self-sacrifice) in love, and they often have hidden depths and unusual experiences, which help to maintain the interest of their partners. This match is typically characterized by a high level of physical attraction, compassion, and sensitivity to each other’s needs unless other elements in the partners’ natal zodiacs are far less compatible. There is the potential for a profound connection between these two signs.
Scorpio and Gemini, on the other hand, have very little in common, so the lower-than-average marriage rate between Scorpio men and Gemini women is an expected finding. Scorpio is deep, brooding, intense, sensible, and private, whereas Gemini is sociable, impulsive, careless, and chatty. A typical Gemini will “pick at” Scorpio, attempting to extract information, while Scorpio stubbornly digs his heels in, refusing to be pressured into giving up his secrets. Also, Scorpios are serious by nature and rigid about commitments, whereas Geminis are laid back and easy going, prone to forgetfulness, lateness, and in some cases, not showing up at all. Scorpio takes a dim view of unreliability, which can lead to conflict.
So, why do Scorpio men and Gemini women have a below-average marriage rate and an above-average divorce rate while Scorpio women divorce Gemini men less frequently? This is a mystery, as there is little common ground between these two signs, but perhaps the differences keep things exciting in some pairings. Scorpios do enjoy a challenge and Geminis can grow bored if things get too settled, so if these two do get married, they may have above-average sticking power in some cases.
As for the higher-than-average divorce rate between Scorpio men and Taurus women, both are stubborn and prone to jealousy, so there is the potential for serious clashes. However, if other elements in their natal zodiacs (such as rising signs or moon signs) are more compatible, these mismatched sun signs are likely to have far better relationship prospects.
It’s no surprise that Scorpio women are less inclined to marry Aries and Aquarius men. The Aries-Scorpio combination is often fraught with power struggles because both are dominant by nature and want to be in control at all times. Aquarius-Scorpio pairings can also be challenging because the Aquarian’s need for personal freedom can trigger Scorpio’s jealousy and possessiveness, and Scorpio might find Aquarius too emotionally detached and insensitive. However, as with other difficult matches, if other elements in the two natal zodiacs are better aligned, the relationship should be far more harmonious.
Shortly after Sachs completed his research, Castille (2000) conducted a similar study in France using marriage statistics collected from 1976 and 1997, which encompassed more than six million marriages (Castille did not look at divorces). He found that Scorpio men in France were more likely to marry Scorpio women than those of any other sign, though other marriage rate differences were statistically insignificant. The following is an overall ranking from most common to least common marriages with Scorpio men in France:
- Scorpio*
- Libra
- Sagittarius
- Virgo
- Pisces
- Capricorn
- Gemini
- Cancer
- Leo
- Taurus
- Aquarius
- Aries
Castille also found that Scorpio women chose Scorpio men as their marriage partners most often but had a below-average marriage rate with Leos. The following is a list of marriage rates for Scorpio women in descending order of frequency (though as with Scorpio men, most of the differences were small):
- Scorpio*
- Gemini
- Cancer
- Pisces
- Virgo
- Libra
- Capricorn
- Aries
- Aquarius
- Sagittarius
- Taurus
- Leo*
Seeing Scorpio at the top of the list is unsurprising because people of the same sun sign often have shared lifestyle preferences, attitudes, interests, or ways of relating. Seeing Leo at the bottom of the list is also an expected finding because Leo is considered one of the most challenging pairings for Scorpio. These two strong-willed, dominant individuals often have little in common and are bound to clash unless their ascendants or moons are in more mellow signs.
Two more studies were conducted in subsequent years. Voas (2001) completed a large-scale UK study, concluding that sun signs did not influence marriage rates. Two decades later Helgertz and Scott (2020) conducted research in Sweden to test theories about sun sign compatibility using marriage and divorce statistics. While there were marriage rate differences in Sweden, in many cases they did not accord with astrological predictions about compatibility. When the researchers looked at divorce rates, their initial research model did suggest that incompatible pairs might divorce slightly more often, but when they examined the data more closely based on levels of compatibility, divorce rates were higher for pairs with moderate compatibility and lower for the most and least compatible matches. Additional research models yielded similarly inconsistent results, and the authors concluded that sun signs do not influence compatibility.
Why did all these studies come to different conclusions? Different methodologies were used in each case, and some methods may have been better than others. The percentage of people who believe in astrology also varies from one nation to the next, and in places where belief in astrology is high, people might be more inclined to select partners they think will be compatible based on their sun signs. Astrologers would also argue that these studies are invalid because they focused solely on sun signs, which are only one astrological factor in compatibility. Rising signs, moon signs, and other planetary placements also play an important role.
Which Sign Is the Best Match for Scorpio Marriage?
Based on the findings of the Sachs and Castille studies, the best match for Scorpio may be a Pisces or another Scorpio. However, plenty of matches between supposedly incompatible signs have lasted, and no one should think their relationship is doomed just because their sun signs seem poorly aligned. Sun signs alone don’t really give a good measure of personality or compatibility. Two people who have seemingly star-crossed sun signs could have very compatible rising signs and moon signs.
If you’d like to learn more, visit a site such as Astro.com where you can enter your birth data to learn your natal zodiac placements. You’ll need to provide your time, place, and date of birth. If you don’t have the time of birth, you can’t find your rising sign, but you can still learn all your other placements.
When assessing compatibility, in addition to sun signs (core personality) and rising signs (outer personality), look at moon signs (emotional orientation), and the signs for Mercury (communication style), Venus (approach to love and friendship), and Mars (sexuality).
More About Scorpio
More About Astrology
Read about other sun signs: Aries * Taurus * Gemini * Cancer * Leo * Virgo * Libra * Sagittarius * Capricorn * Aquarius * Pisces
Read about moon signs: Aries Moon * Taurus Moon * Gemini Moon * Cancer Moon * Leo Moon * Virgo Moon * Libra Moon * Scorpio Moon * Sagittarius Moon * Capricorn Moon * Aquarius Moon * Pisces Moon
Learn more about astrology: Astrology FAQ
References:
- Bugler, C. (Ed.) (1992). The Complete Handbook of Astrology. Marshall Cavendish Ltd., Montreal, 1992.
- Castille, D. (2000). Sunny Day for a Wedding. Les Cahiers du RAMS.
- Helgertz, J., & Scott, K. (2020). The validity of astrological predictions on marriage and divorce: a longitudinal analysis of Swedish register data. Genus, 76(1), 1-18.
- Sachs, G. (1998). The Astrology File: Scientific Proof of the Link Between Star Signs and Human Behavior. Orion Books Ltd., London.
- Voas, D. (2007). Ten Million Marriages: A Test of Astrological ‘Love Signs’. Cathie Marsh Centre for Census and Survey Research.
Woolfolk, J.M. (2001). The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need. Madison Books, Lanham, MD.
Colorful Shot of a Bride and Groom image by Photostock, www.freedigitalphotos.net.