You description of Orion and Taurus was great. I have Joseph Seiss' book, "The Gospel in the Stars." Seiss interprets the star signs prophetically, depicting the grand conflict between woman, her child (Christ), and the serpent (satan).
However, your mention of Betelguese, the red star in Orion's right shoulder, being red in coloration due to Scorpio's sting - first I heard of that.
I couldn't tell you where I heard that, but it was a long time ago. This is the reason that Orion sets when Scorpio rises and vice versa, so the myth goes. Also Sagittarius has his arrow trained on Scorpio's heart, Antares, in case Scorpio gets any ideas.