Career profile: Scorpio

Are you going to cross a Scorpio on a business deal? Is your life insurance paid up? The Terminator of the Zodiac has arrived, although that 'lethal' Scorpion sting isn't all it's cracked up to be. If the truth be told, these strong-willed folks are happy to serve others and can be quite helpful, as long as it won't hurt them. The energetic, winner-takes-all Scorpion is mighty determined, someone who can keep their eyes on the prize and never blink.

Intense, passionate Scorpios know how to live life to the fullest, and as a result, they don't suffer fools gladly. They know how to zero in on important tasks and where the art of the deal is concerned, they can really go for the kill. Rarely, however, will blood be spilled. Scorpios are straight shooters with lofty and important goals who are devoted to those who have earned their respect. Everyone else falls by the wayside -- and that can be some scrap heap! One of the Scorpion's greatest assets is the ability to effect change, if only through sheer will. It's when this virtue spills over into impatience that the trouble begins.

You cannot dismiss a Scorpion, even if you never quite understand them. Those born under this Sign love to create, solve and manage -- both the good and the bad. It's all for a reason. They often lead by example and have an uncanny ability to divine hard truths. They also like to win. As long as Scorpions can control their aggressive, vindictive and inflexible tendencies (and the need to control in general), they can accomplish almost anything.

The Scorpio office can be a bit macabre, but that's probably to keep guests on their toes! Scorpions will make the not-so-subtle point about who's in charge by showing clients around in a top-of-the-line Benz. When it comes time to order lunch, Scorpions will delight in ordering red meat -- rare. For everyone.

Scorpions are well-suited for careers as doctors, investigators, ecologists, managers, engineers, navigators and secret agents.