Passion, intrigue, and a sexy side of surprises: The week leading up to Halloween is delivering all that we could hope for and more. On Monday, messenger Mercury slips into Scorpio, joining the sun there until the 12th of November. Forget about saying it with flowers or anything obvious. This alluring astrological cycle prefers seductive subtexts and the craftily customised touch. Sit back and observe before making your move. The element of surprise will work in everyone's favour.
And since legit Halloween falls on a Monday next week, we'll obviously be celebrating this weekend. With the moon in sartorial Libra until Saturday night, the vision will be there for anyone wishing to show up at the party with strong costume game intact. And it gets better: Around 3 a.m. in the morning, the moon heads into haunting and mysterious Scorpio. This erotically charged energy could make your celebrations a whole lot sultrier — but, as we know, vampires don't have the right to just start biting (Tic Tacs or no) and could get the business end of a broomstick if they do.
Sunday's new moon in Scorpio sets the stage for more intensity and soulful bonding. Chemistry could bubble in a brand-new cauldron; or, existing relationships could hit a more serious stride. Scorpio vibes are "all or nothing," so whether for pleasure or business, this is a day to devote yourself wholeheartedly to anything you are passionate about.
Scorpio
October 23 to November 21
Keep on clearing your cache, Scorpio. This week, you'll have many opportunities to start fresh — and feel like your electrifying, magnetic self once again. It begins Monday, when social Mercury makes his annual passage through Scorpio, joining the sun there until the 12th of November. If you felt like a backup singer last week, suddenly, you're fronting the band — nope, there's no hiding out! And on Sunday, the annual new moon in Scorpio will illuminate bright possibilities for your future. Use the workweek to tie up loose ends, make amends, and nix any toxic people. "Energy vampire" may be fine as a Halloween costume, but as an actual "friend," a person like this will just drain you. Think of it as a cosmic clearing. When Sunday rolls around, you won't want a ton of baggage holding you back from your bright future!
Your imagination kicks into high gear on Saturday under the light of the Libra moon. No need to race out of bed. A leisurely post-brunch stroll through the vintage shops could bring all the accoutrements you need to pull together an amazing costume. And Saturday night, the moon shifts into Scorpio and lingers there through Halloween. As if this annual masquerade ball weren't already tailor-made for your esoteric sign. Claim your #lifeoftheparty status by organising the fun: costumed karaoke, a haunted-house expedition, and lots and lots of sweets.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Sagittarius
November 22 to December 21
Extremely over it, Sagittarius — or still hanging on? On Monday, thought-provoking Mercury joins the sun in Scorpio and your 12th house of completions until the 12th of November. Surprise! There are still some loose ends you need to tie up before 2016 is through. Make it your mission to do so, cutting cords with those toxic and tea-sipping frenemies whom you'll never really trust. Maybe you're ready to ghost on an unfulfilling job or stressful client. If you don't leave, you'll certainly need to put up better boundaries. But change is never easy — and harder still when you're trying to do it alone. Sunday's new moon in Scorpio points you toward supportive people who have "been there, done that." Maybe a more experienced colleague would let you treat for lunch next week in exchange for some mentoring. Sessions with a coach or therapist could also put some life-changing wind beneath your wings.
Gather your tribe this Saturday and get the Halloween party started early. With the Libra moon in your 11th house of community until Saturday evening, you're the one who will rally all your hibernating friends out for some costumed revelry. Get started earlier in the evening, because before midnight on Saturday, the sun slips into Scorpio and your mystical 12th house. At that point, you will prefer to dance in your own tranced-out bubble, rather than regale everyone with your bawdy humour. Or, slip off with someone from your squad to see the midnight showing of Rocky Horror. No need to announce your exit; just disappear into the night.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Capricorn
December 22 to January 19
Playtime is here! This Monday, social Mercury joins the sun in Scorpio and your 11th house of friendship and group activities. After a month-plus of hardcore hustling, you are more than ready to have fun for fun's sake. Of course, a Capricorn never slacks on the career front — and you're still hosting go-getter Mars in your sign until the 8th of November. But how about turning some of those solo missions into squad goals? Teamwork makes the dream work when planets pulse through your 11th house. And Sunday's new moon in Scorpio could illuminate the perfect collaborators — or inspire you to start the drafting process. The 11th house is the tech sector, so splurge on the VR glasses or get the ball rolling on your website redesign or YouTube channel.
Saturday's Libra moon could find you in a more serious mood, however, so much so that you almost skip out on the early Halloween soirees. Hey, have your schmancy dinner date, or go see your friend's art opening. But know that a little before midnight, the moon heads into Scorpio and the Capricorn party animal will be ready to rage. Lift any restrictions on your guest list, because a random tagalong could be the person who makes your night.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Aquarius
January 20 to February 18
Shift into focus mode, Aquarius. The key turns in your ambition ignition as strategic Mercury joins the sun in Scorpio and your 10th house of career until the 12th of November. Before you dive into action, streamline your goal sheet so that you're not scattering your energy in too many directions. You could end 2016 with an impressive feather in your cap if you give your all to one (okay, two) major missions. Social Mercury reminds you that along with a killer work ethic, developing your contact database is crucial to success. Hit those networking events, join the online groups, and socialise more with people in your industry. Sunday's new moon in Scorpio brings more momentum to grow. Forget about doing things the easy way. Challenge yourself, and bring your A-game: Six months from this new moon, you could reap some profitable rewards for your effort.
Weekend celebrations give you a chance to let your hair down after all that intense hustling. Laughter is the best medicine on Saturday, even if it follows the ridiculous scream-fest of a haunted house or a scary-movie marathon. Saturday night, the moon sails into Scorpio and your 10th house of dudes. You could wind up hanging with the beer-bonging bros that night, which will be all good as long as you're sipping pumpkin — not Trumpkin — lagers.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Pisces
February 19 to March 20
Viva Las Vegas! Give your gambling instincts a little more airtime this week, Pisces. From Monday until the 12th of November, savvy Mercury joins the sun in Scorpio and your daring ninth house. While we're not advising you take foolish risks, do your research and you'll realise that you have more room to stretch than you thought. Roll the dice on intriguing opportunities, especially those involving travel, study, or working independently. You might hear from a long-distance contact this week — even someone with a work offer. FaceTime sessions don't pack the same punch as IRL hangs. Price out plane tickets. Sunday's new moon in Scorpio will further activate your wanderlust, and you could be hitting that "Book Now" button before the weekend is through.
And, hey, why not fete Halloween in another city? A change of scenery refreshes your feed as soon as the moon hits Scorpio on Saturday night. Since it will linger there through the 31st, toss your face paint, hats, and other gear into a weekender bag and just go if you can. (And think about staying through Tuesday morning.) And who says werewolves and wookies don't mix? These moonbeams encourage you to mingle beyond your usual scope, because that's where you'll find the most cosmic of clicks.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Aries
March 21 to April 19
Dive into the deep end of the pool, Aries. On Monday, communication planet Mercury joins the sun in scintillating Scorpio until the 12th of November, making you long for more meaningful interactions. Certain friendships will grow stronger, while the surface-y ones could fade away. Cast your attention toward people who care about much more than just their OOTDs. You won't mind an air of mystery or a little cat-and-mouse game. If it's too obvious, you'll just be bored. Still waters run deep, so give the quiet ones a chance to surprise you. And hello, rising mojo! Scorpio rules your erotic eighth house, so this cosmic charge can lead you to soulfully sexy connections over the next couple of weeks. Sunday's new moon in Scorpio could guide you to your missing puzzle piece, or evolve an existing connection into a more exclusive affair.
As you costume up and celebrate Halloween this weekend, think in pairs. The moon will hover in Libra and Scorpio — the signs that rule your partnership houses. Stop fighting your S.O. on the couple-themed getups, and find a humorous way to match up. Single? Don't just hide out at home watching scary movies on Netflix. You could click with a charming werewolf or adorably geeky ghost at a smaller celebration.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Taurus
April 20 to May 20
Oh, the attractive allure of opposites. Your complementary force could show up this week, as social Mercury joins the sun in Scorpio — your partnership zone — until the 12th of November. Maybe you'll discover that missing puzzle piece among the ranks of your existing social network. Don't overlook the quiet ones, because with secretive Scorpio energy in the mix, you may have to do a little digging to discover what people actually have to offer. And on Sunday, there will be a new moon in Scorpio, which could bring a crop of promising candidates your way. Make it your mission to improve all your closest alliances. From bandmates to business partners to bedroom buddies, the key to harmony is having clear agreements about where you both stand. Get the honest dialogues going.
Halloween celebrations are going down this weekend, and Saturday could find you excitedly bedazzling, glue-gunning, and lighting up a basic costume until it looks nothing like the getup you tore out of that shrink-wrapped, drugstore packaging. (Do it, Taurus!) Think about grabbing and decorating a spare, because on Saturday night, the moon heads into Scorpio and your house of dynamic duos. Sharing is caring — and dressing up together will bring some bonding memories that give you life for years to come.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Gemini
May 21 to June 20
Slip on the yoga gear and stock up on high-protein snacks. This Monday, your ruling planet Mercury hops on the wellness wagon, joining the sun in Scorpio and your sixth house of vitality. Your body is your temple, Gemini, so worship it properly. Swap out some of those energy-zapping white-flour grabs for, say, quinoa bowls and roasted veggies. Incorporate movement into your social schedule: You can meet friends for a dance-based yoga class, then go out for a healthy bite. Forget diets and body-shaming, of course. The point of this exercise is to keep yourself energised and glowing as you love the skin you're in. Sunday's new moon in Scorpio could point you to a fitness modality that you love. Or, since you love variety, try out a new exercise class. Work gets busy during this sun-Mercury cycle, and the new moon could bring a challenging assignment that staves off clock-watching. Dive in!
As you prep for Halloween this weekend, do not simply settle for some basic mask you grabbed from a grocery-store endcap. On Saturday, the moon swirls through Libra and your showstopping fifth house. Let your competitive spirit take the helm: Surely, there's a parade or costume contest that has "Gemini" written all over it. Go big, go bold. How about inspiring awe with a Wonder Woman scheme?
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Cancer
June 21 to July 22
Step into the foreground, Cancer — or, hey, take centre stage! This Monday, expressive Mercury joins the confidence-boosting sun in Scorpio and your fifth house of passionate self-expression until the 12th of November. Send any lingering rumours about Cancers being "shy" flying out the window. You'll be far too fired up to keep quiet. Whether on stage or via social media, your message will be heard. Creatively, this Mercury cycle will be rich, so leave room in your schedule for dates with the muse. The stylists, too, because this confidence-boosting starmap could revolutionise your look. Do people get who you are at first glance? Don't fake the glam if your heart is screaming "nerdcore," or vice versa.
And with a new moon in Scorpio on Sunday, you'll turn to a fresh page in your personal book of love. Weekend Halloween parties could provide the perfect backdrop for flirtatious mingling — with masked revellers or someone you already know. Have you been the one secretly adoring someone from a distance? Show your hand this week and find out if the attraction is reciprocal. Coupled Cancers, take the lead in love. What's next on your personal desire list? Whether it's babies, baubles, or a basic meet-and-greet with each other's friend groups, ask, believe, receive.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Leo
July 23 to August 22
Slide into your fleece slippers and start perfecting that grilled-cheese recipe. This Monday, social Mercury snoozes alongside the sun in Scorpio. Until the 12th of November, your idea of a wild night could mean deciding between your patterned yoga bottoms and the Victoria's Secret nightie. Okay, maybe it won't be that extreme, but the Leo lair is definitely calling. Strategic Mercury can bring clever ideas for layout and storage; you might even reconfigure your rooms in a savvy new way. And if you're too wide-awake to hibernate, just turn your home into the party palace. With the moon also in Scorpio this Saturday night, a Halloween house party at your place could be the chandelier-swinging soiree of the century.
Female friendships strengthen this week, and Sunday's new moon in Scorpio could solidify your squad of GFFs. Why not band together for a group Halloween costume? If you're looking for a new place to call home, these moonbeams will motivate your search. Since your active life often keeps you out 'til the wee hours, make sure your location feels safe before and after sunset.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Virgo
August 23 to September 22
Let the locally grown, good times roll! This Monday, your ruling planet Mercury joins the sun in Scorpio and your house of hometown happenings until the 12th of November. Scan the neighbourhood cultural guides and pop into cafés, boutiques, and restaurants you haven't yet tried. If the scene is feeling tired in your area, maybe there's a way you could give it some life? A local proprietor might want to team up with you to host an event like a karaoke night, beer-flight sampling, or book club. Or maybe you'll just become a regular at a couple of new spots. Talking to strangers could pay unanticipated dividends over the next few weeks, so don't walk around in a tech trance. And with Sunday's new moon in Scorpio, you could connect to kindred spirits, one of whom may ascend to best-friend status in 2017. Are you in the market for a transportation upgrade? Spend Sunday browsing online or taking test-drives, because this new moon greenlights the purchase of a more reliable ride.
Get caught with your hand in the cookie jar this weekend. With the moon in Libra for most of Saturday, you'll be in a decadent and DIY mood, baking for friends and maybe bedazzling your costume to RuPaul's runway-approved standards. With the moon flitting into your social third house on Saturday night, the more is absolutely the merrier. Tag along with a new friend group, or invite a few new witches and warlocks to join your celebratory squad.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
Libra
September 23 to October 22
Bring on the practical magic! This Monday, clever Mercury syncs up with the sun in Scorpio and your grounded second house, helping you restore a bit of order in your court. Focus on the bottom line — especially when it comes to your budget. You may have to tighten up your belt for a minute or allocate your earnings differently, so you have room left for rent after raiding the sample sales. And while all those adult expenses can get depressing, use this as motivation to increase your earnings. Mercury loves to learn, and this planetary energy can help you sail through a special training or short-term certification program so that you can ascend to a higher pay grade. With Sunday's new moon in Scorpio, you could already get word of a job offer or hear about an opening from one of your brunch friends. Spend time polishing up your résumé this weekend, even if you're just presenting it to HR at your current gig, in hopes of a promotion.
Pre-Halloween celebrations come with an extra punch for you, Libra. In the early hours of Sunday morning, the moon lingers in your sign until around 3 a.m. Don your costume early in the day, and have fun turning heads. Later that evening, la luna drifts on to Scorpio and your sensual second house. Move from the middle of the dance floor to a quieter corner, and get to know the hottie behind the mask.
Illustrated by John Lisle.Photographed by Christine Hahn.
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