What are the characteristic intervals and scale degrees of the natural minor (Aeolian) scale?

The natural minor (Aeolian) scale is characterized by intervals of whole and half steps, with a pattern of whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. The scale degrees are: 1 (tonic), 2 (supertonic), b3 (mediant), 4 (subdominant), 5 (dominant), b6 (submediant), and b7 (subtonic).