Group Chat Plans a Halloween Party and Someone Bought Props Three Days Ago: How the 12 Zodiac Signs Spend Halloween Night (10/31)

Halloween Night 10/31: Mercury and Venus Are Both Still Retrograde

Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, so lots of people will head out with friends or a partner, or host a small party at home. Two things in the sky are worth knowing about: Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio from 10/24 to 11/13, and Venus is retrograde from 10/3 to 11/14, moving back into Libra on 10/25.

When these two retrogrades overlap, it's the little things that tend to go wrong: giving the wrong meeting spot, sending a message to the wrong person, or tagging someone in a group photo only to find out they didn't want it public. Just have fun tonight, and take one extra look at these details to avoid a lot of awkwardness.

Aries: The First to Say "Sure, I'm In" and the First to Run Into the Haunted House

The moment someone in the group chat asks "Are we going out for Halloween this year?", Aries has already replied "I'm in, what time?" That night they usually pick a big, action-packed character; a warrior or superhero suits them well. They swing the prop sword around, lead the way into the haunted house, and want to queue up for another round on the way out.

Aries is a fire sign and a cardinal sign, used to moving first and thinking later. For them, the fun of Halloween is being in the moment; the preparation matters much less.

Small tip: Swinging props in a crowd can hit people, so keep them short for safety. If you're out with someone you've just met, remember to look back and check whether they can keep up with your pace.

Taurus: A Casual Costume, but the Late-Night Snack Is Already Booked

Taurus's costume might just be all black plus a pair of devil horns, but they've already researched which place has the best pumpkin dessert and where to get fried chicken after the party. What they care about most all night is being comfortable, and whether their shoes will rub their feet.

Taurus is an earth sign and a fixed sign, ruled by Venus, and values practical comforts like good food, nice clothes and a comfy seat. They'd rather have a well-fed, well-rested night than be the center of attention.

Small tip: Offer to take charge of the food, and everyone will be grateful. But when friends want to hit a few more stops, don't keep complaining about sore feet; just pick one stop and stay with the group all the way through.

Gemini: Three Looks in One Night and More Acquaintances Than Friends They Brought

Gemini prepares several small props: cat ears, a mask and fake glasses take turns, so every photo looks like a different person. They chat with everyone at the party, and ten minutes later they've swapped contact info with the zombie at the next table.

Gemini is an air sign and a mutable sign, ruled by Mercury, and reacts strongly to new people and new things. Halloween is exactly the kind of night when everyone's willing to start a conversation, so they can't stop all evening.

Small tip: Halloween night falls during Mercury retrograde this year, so when you add friends or plan to meet again, type out the name and time clearly. Otherwise you'll wake up the next day to a string of messages from people you can't place.

Cancer: Says They Don't Want to Go Out, Then Cooks a Pot of Pumpkin Soup at Home for Everyone

Cancer would rather host at home: they make pumpkin-themed snacks, dim the living room lights and put on a horror movie, and the first thing they ask friends at the door is "Have you eaten?" If they do go out, they're the one watching everyone's bags and remembering who hasn't arrived yet.

Cancer is a water sign and a cardinal sign, ruled by the Moon, and finds security in familiar people and places. Taking care of others is how they celebrate.

Small tip: While you take care of everyone, save some time to play yourself. If you're spending the night with a partner, you can simply say, "Tonight it's your turn to take care of me."

Leo: The Most Dedicated Costume of All, and Phones Come Out the Moment They Walk In

Leo often starts preparing a costume two weeks ahead, with wig, makeup and props all included. When they walk in, people automatically make space for photos. They're also happy to touch up friends' makeup and find the right angle, so the group photo looks like a movie poster.

Leo is a fire sign and a fixed sign, ruled by the Sun, and likes to do things in a way that gets noticed. Halloween gives them a perfectly good reason to shine.

Small tip: If your friends' costumes are more casual, don't laugh at them; pull them into the shot, and the photo will have even more charm. When you're out with a crush, set aside some time to look only at them, not just at the camera.

Virgo: Character Accurate Down to the Details, and Checking Everyone for Fake Blood Stains Too

Virgo usually picks a character with details to work on; detectives, doctors and nurses are all common, and even the small accessories are carefully chosen. Before heading out, they post a checklist in the group chat with the meeting time and transport plan, and remind everyone to bring wet wipes and makeup remover pads.

Virgo is an earth sign and a mutable sign, ruled by Mercury, and can only relax when things are in order. What they enjoy most is the moment when every arrangement falls into place.

Small tip: During Mercury retrograde, double-check transport and the meeting spot. If someone is late or a prop breaks, give yourself five minutes to process it; you don't need to spend the whole night fixing things.

Libra: The Best at Matching Couple Costumes, but It Took a Week Just to Decide What to Wear

Libra loves pairing up with a partner or best friend: one as a vampire, one as a bride, with colors that match. The problem is there are too many options, and they might still be asking "Which set do you think is better?" on the night of 10/30.

Libra is an air sign and a cardinal sign, ruled by Venus, and cares about aesthetics as well as balance between two people. With Venus currently retrograde in Libra, it's even easier to go back and forth about whether the pair really matches.

Small tip: Set yourself a deadline: if you haven't decided by ten at night, pick the first set that came to mind. The best part of Halloween is heading out together; winning best costume doesn't matter that much.

Scorpio: Doesn't Need a Special Costume to Set the Mood, and Their Ghost Story Silences the Room for Three Seconds

Scorpio might only put on a bit of dark eye makeup and wear all black, and standing in a corner already feels like a character. When everyone takes turns telling ghost stories, their version silences the room for three seconds, and then they calmly take a sip of their drink.

Scorpio is a water sign and a fixed sign, with a special interest in mystery and whatever hides beneath the surface. Halloween also falls in Scorpio season, so the night feels like home turf for them.

Small tip: Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio this year, so when conversations get deep, secrets others share should stay with you and not leave the party. If the person you like is there too, asking them a question or two will bring you closer than telling a ghost story.

Sagittarius: Said Only One Stop, but by the Third Stop Still Wants to Go See the Night View

Sagittarius's costume is often put together at the last minute: a cowboy hat and a plaid shirt, and they're off. After the party, they'll suggest "Let's check out the night market" or "Want to go up the mountain for the night view?", changing the original plan several times.

Sagittarius is a fire sign and a mutable sign, ruled by Jupiter, and loves a night with no limits. The excitement of Halloween makes them even more reluctant to end things early.

Small tip: Before adding another stop, ask everyone about their plans the next day, especially the friend in charge of driving people home. If you're with a partner, make sure they really want to go too, and aren't just being dragged along.

Capricorn: Said They'd Stay One Hour, Ended Up the Last One Helping Wrap Things Up

Before heading out, Capricorn says "I have things to do tomorrow, I'll sit a bit and go." Their costume is conservative too, at most a witch's hat. In the end they stay until the very end, helping the host collect trash, calling rides for everyone, and making sure each person gets home safely.

Capricorn is an earth sign and a cardinal sign, ruled by Saturn, and a sense of responsibility is practically their default setting. Their way of celebrating is making sure the people around them can have fun with peace of mind.

Small tip: Try handing off the wrap-up to someone else for once tonight, and just take a few good photos. Chatting with friends about things other than work will make this night more memorable than going home early to catch up on sleep.

Aquarius: Dressed as an Inside Joke Nobody Gets, Then Everyone Cracks Up After the Explanation

Aquarius's biggest fear is matching someone else's outfit, so they might go as an internet meme, a type of weather, or even a phone broken by Mercury retrograde. At first no one gets it, but after hearing the explanation, they end up being the most photographed person of the night.

Aquarius is an air sign and a fixed sign, used to looking at things from their own angle. For them, Halloween is an occasion when it's perfectly fine to be quirky.

Small tip: Prepare a short one-line introduction so you don't have to explain for five minutes every time someone asks. If someone says they don't get it, don't take it to heart; that's just your style.

Pisces: The Easiest to Scare and the Easiest to Get Into Character

Pisces throws themselves into a role: a mermaid, an elf or a ghost bride are all possible, and they'll even speak in the character's voice. When watching a horror movie or walking through a haunted house, they grab the arm of whoever's next to them, and after it's over they're still replaying the plot.

Pisces is a water sign and a mutable sign, ruled by Neptune, with a rich imagination and a tendency to feel what others feel, so they get into character fast and get scared fast too.

Small tip: If you're scared, pick a friend or partner you trust to sit beside you. After getting home, watch something light before bed so the horror scenes don't follow you into the middle of the night.

3 Things to Do First on Halloween Night

1. Confirm the meeting time, place and ride home once more in the group chat. These little details are what most often go wrong during Mercury retrograde, and a minute of checking before you leave is enough.
2. Before uploading or tagging group photos, ask whether the photo is okay to post. Some people find costume photos funny, while others don't want coworkers to see them. Asking puts everyone at ease.
3. If you want to talk more with someone you like, move to a quieter place. When party music is too loud, a lot gets misheard. Finding a small café for the next stop makes it easier to open up than shouting in a crowd.

Further Reading

• Thinking of Buying a Powerball Ticket on Halloween? The 3 Signs With the Strongest Windfall Luck and a Few Small Taboos to Avoid
• Realizing After the Argument That You Remembered It Wrong: With Mercury and Venus Retrograde Until 11/13, 4 Signs Most Likely to Find Out "It Was Me All Along"
• Can't Get Them Out Since They Got a Partner? How Friendships Change After the 12 Zodiac Signs Fall in Love