The Scorpion and the Spirit of Black Women

Top: Illustration by Eve Lloyd Knight

In the depths of night, beneath moonlit skies and among shadows, the female scorpion walks with purpose. She is quiet, fierce, and prepared. Her sleek, armored body glides over rocks, navigating the wilderness with a blend of elegance and strength. Her movements are deliberate, as though every step is part of a choreographed dance with nature itself. She is a symbol of power, survival, and resilience.

In this dance of life, her spirit resonates deeply with the lives of Black women. There is a kinship here, a shared pulse that speaks of strength, adaptability, and an unbreakable bond to survival. To understand the female scorpion is to understand Black women—warriors, mothers, leaders, and healers. In exploring the life of the scorpion, we find reflections of the Black woman’s spirit in every chapter.

Top: Striped Bark Scorpion, Credit: 855 Bugs.

The Dance of Mating: Power and Selectivity

For the female scorpion, the act of mating is a ritual that requires discernment. She approaches with caution, locking claws with her suitor in a delicate but intense "dance"—a battle of trust, attraction, and survival. It is an act of balance and strategy, where she knows that her choice could mean the difference between life and death. She is not one to give herself lightly; her body, her spirit, is sacred.

In a world where trust must often be earned in the hardest ways, Black women hold this same ancestral spirit of selectivity. They, too, historically, choose carefully whom they will allow into their circle, into their lives. They understand that to protect themselves, they must often guard their hearts and their futures with the same tenacity as the female scorpion. For Black women, partnership should not be a light decision—it is a choice made with consideration, with a warrior’s mind and a lover’s heart. This is more than survival; it is a way of honoring oneself.

The Hunt: Determination and Resilience

Under a sky painted with stars, the female scorpion moves, searching for her prey. She is patient, her body still as a shadow, waiting with an almost poetic calm. When her moment arrives, she strikes with a fierce precision, her venom quick and her instincts sharp. She has survived in some of the harshest conditions on earth, her body designed to withstand extremes. She knows that hunger can be a constant, but that with resilience, she will find sustenance.

Black women embody this same resilient spirit. They have faced deserts of opportunity, navigated storms of adversity, and yet, they rise each day to hunt for their dreams. Through systemic challenges, they move forward with patience and focus, aware that victory often comes not to the strongest, but to the most determined. In the face of racial and gender biases, they embody a grace under pressure that the female scorpion herself would admire. Like her, they strike when the moment is right, transforming obstacles into opportunities, and hunger into fuel.

The Work: Focus and Purpose

The female scorpion is a creature of purpose. Her work is often silent and unseen, but it is vital. Whether she is establishing her territory or seeking food for her young, every move has intention. She is a protector, a provider, a force of nature wrapped in a small but mighty package. Her sense of territory is an assertion of self, a way of saying, “This is mine, and I will defend it.”

Black women, too, work with a quiet but potent sense of purpose. They carve out spaces for themselves, for their families, and for their communities, knowing that nothing will be given freely. They often operate behind the scenes, unseen but essential, providing strength and stability. Whether it is through leading households, building businesses, or challenging societal norms, their work is driven by purpose. Each task, each sacrifice, is another step in establishing territory and leaving a legacy. They fight to hold space, to say, “This is mine, and I am here to stay.”

The Mother: Protection and Sacrifice

When the female scorpion becomes a mother, she carries her young on her back, their small bodies clinging to her, trusting her with their lives. She moves cautiously, each step a balancing act between protection and movement. She knows that her body is their shelter, that she is their only shield in a world full of dangers. She does not abandon them until they are strong enough to face the world alone. Her love is fierce, her sacrifice silent but profound.

Black women have long been the backbone of their families and communities, carrying loved ones with them through life’s storms. As mothers, aunts, sisters, and mentors, they provide shelter in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. They give of themselves, nurturing, teaching, and protecting. Their sacrifices are often unseen, their love a force that holds generations together. They wear their burdens like armor, and like the scorpion, they protect their young fiercely, ensuring that they, too, will grow strong and resilient.

Embracing the Spirit of the Scorpion

The scorpion does not apologize for her power; she exists in a world that often misunderstands her, but she continues on, relentless and unapologetic. Black women, too, carry this spirit—a spirit that defies expectations, that holds onto hope when hope is scarce, that builds community in places where it was torn down.

The female scorpion is a creature of instinct, of survival, and of undeniable strength. In her, we see a reflection of the Black woman’s journey—a journey of resilience, of love, of self-preservation, and of legacy. They are the scorpions of our world, moving with purpose and carrying generations forward. They are a testament to the beauty and power of survival, and like the scorpion, they continue to thrive in the face of adversity.

To understand the spirit of the scorpion is to honor the spirit of Black women—a spirit that endures, protects, and nurtures with a strength that knows no bounds. In every step, they leave a mark, telling the world, “I am here, I am powerful, and I will not be moved.”