Horoscopes

Aries (March 21-April 19): Hansel and Gretel learned the hard way about strangers giving away treats. Maybe the element of danger is still part of the thrill. For you, the only danger will be eating too much of what’s offered in sincerely goodwill. Taurus (April 20-May 20): Trick-ortreating used to be an activity for the poor, who went begging this time of year. Your conscience will be pricked by the idea that there are needy you can help today. The needs might be more emotional than financial, though. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Whether or not you wear a costume today, you’ll be keenly aware of the role you play being different from the one you wish to assume and what it will take to remedy the condition. Cancer (June 22-July 22): The best opportunities will come from being around people of different generations. The older learn from those younger as much as the younger learn from the older. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Pretending has value beyond novelty and laughs. In today’s pretending you can try on a personality you don’t have, or examine a part of yourself you normally don’t get to explore. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Today is a chance to express your alter ego, and someone will be extremely interested in the “you” who emerges with this opportunity. Affections deepen when people get to know multiple facets of each other’s personalities. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): For you, the fun of this day lies in the chance to lighten up and not take your identity or anyone else’s overly seriously. The more fun you witness, the more fun you’ll have. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Doing what scares you has become more or less a regular thing for you lately, and this is just a chance to take it to the next level. Truly, you are brave in ways that others wish to be. You’ll be admired for this. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In the days of old, door-to-door dancing was a way to earn treats. In a sense, it’s what you’ll be doing today — dancing for the approval of a tough customer. You’ll get it, though, if that’s any solace. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): According to the lore of Samhain, the dead roam the earth today. But it’s not just the dead looming large in your memory. It’s exes and others you haven’t seen in a while, and they’ll want to get in touch with you, too. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): There’s a wider range of being than the one we normally experience in typical society on a daily basis. Being a monster, president or mythical creature for a time will actually change who you are when you go back to normal. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20): You are very intrigued by the idea that the dead have something to share with you. Indeed, they have already shared so much. All you have to do is remember or notice to have a spiritual experience on this day of haunting spirits.

To write to Holiday Mathis, visit www.creators.com/ author/holiday-mathis and click “Contact.” DEAR ABBY » Last year I had a baby with one of my college professors. He left me 10 days before our daughter was born and has never met her. I chased him through family court, and he gives me the bare minimum in state-ordered support.

Recently, I spotted him advertising himself on a dating website as a loving man and describing how he loves his first daughter with no mention of ours (he has two other children, a girl and a boy). How do I move past this? A part of me is angry for her, but I’m also angry for myself. I’m in therapy, but seeing him on a dating website describing himself as a good person, when in truth he’s a sociopath, has reopened wounds I thought had closed months ago. — Open wounds

DEAR OPEN WOUNDS » Thank you for writing to me, but this is a question you should be addressing with your psychotherapist. Sometimes it takes multiple doses of “medicine” to cure an ailment, but the longer you allow this man to occupy real estate in your head, the harder it will be for you to get on with your life. Call your therapist.

DEAR ABBY » I love my fiance with all my heart. We have good friends and family. The problem is, my fiance loves to talk. He talks A LOT.

I’ve known this since I met him, but because I don’t talk much, it doesn’t bother me. I like listening to his stories. However, I can see our friends getting annoyed because of his constant talking. It also happens when we are around his family — and they usually end up treating him badly for it.

Is there any way I can gently talk to him about this so he’s aware that he is irritating people? I don’t want to hurt him, but I also don’t want him to annoy people. I’m also afraid it may affect his employment. His co-workers get that same look on their faces when he’s talking that his family members do when they are annoyed with him.

— Engaged to a big talker

DEAR ENGAGED » Your fiance may have difficulty picking up on social cues, which is why he doesn’t notice that others become annoyed as he drones on and on. You should absolutely point out to him what you have noticed, and tell him you are concerned that it may affect his employment. Then suggest he discuss his compulsive talking with a licensed mental health professional. This is not to imply there is anything “wrong” with him, but rather that he may benefit from professional help in recognizing the social cues he is missing.

A NOTE TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN: Tonight is the night when wee witches and goblins will be out trickor-treating. Please supervise them so they’ll be safe. Happy Halloween, everyone!

— Love, Abby