The Second Decan of Scorpio

This is the second ten-degree segment of Scorpio, the fixed water sign, spanning 10 to 20 degrees. Its ruler in the Chaldean order of faces is the Sun, following the continuous sequence of the seven planets around the thirty-six decans. Historically the decan is the most ancient layer of the tradition: the thirty-six were Egyptian stars, painted on Middle Kingdom coffin lids as a night-clock, and were fitted into the twelve zodiac signs only after Babylonian astrology reached Egypt, three decans to a sign.

The Golden Dawn of 1888 assigned the thirty-six minor arcana to the decans; this segment bears the Six of Cups, titled Pleasure, its Sun-in-Scorpio planet taken from the face ruler, the sun's warmth on the deep water sign matching the card's nostalgic, gentle happiness. The tarot mapping is a modern overlay laid over the far older decan scheme, and where card imagery is presented as ancient Egyptian the layers are being confused.