The Scaries Does Halloween

Halloween is creeping up, and in true Scaries fashion, we’re here to talk about one of our favourite holidays. Seriously, what’s Halloween without some good scaries? But today, we’re going beyond candy and costumes—we’re digging into how this spooky season has shaped women’s lives throughout history. It’s a little spooky, a little empowering, and, yes, a bit sassy. So grab your pumpkin spice latte, and let’s get into it!Halloween, as we know it today, traces back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts celebrated it on October 31st, marking the shift between the harvest season and the long, dark winter. During Samhain, people believed the boundary between the living and the dead was weakest—cue the ghosts and fairies roaming among us.But here’s where things get weird: at some point, costumes for women morphed into hyper-sexualized versions of...well, everything. Sexy nurse, sexy cat, sexy sandwich. Seriously, who decided Halloween = minimal fabric for women? Let’s not start on the cringe-worthy offensive costumes we see each year. (No, blackface is NEVER okay.) __Now, if we talk about Halloween, we have to talk about witches. But why are witches always depicted as evil hags who cast curses and terrorize villages? Turns out, the fear of witches goes way back. Once upon a time, these so-called “witches” were actually healers and wise women—the OG community helpers. But as Christianity spread, their wisdom got labelled as “evil” or “Satanic.”And here’s the kicker: today, Wicca and other Pagan religions, which center on feminism, nature, and spiritual autonomy, are thriving. More people now practice Paganism in the U.S. than belong to the Presbyterian church. Talk about a plot twist!__Let’s make Halloween not just a celebration of spooky fun but also a celebration of feminine power and independence. After all, witches weren’t villains—they were healers, leaders, and wise women. This year, maybe we’ll all channel a little witchy energy. (Green face paint optional.)And whether you’re DIY-ing your costume or channelling your inner goddess, remember: you don’t have to be “cute” to have a good time. And if anyone says otherwise, just give them your best witchy glare.Follow us on Instagram @raiseherco and @scaries.podcast and on TikTok @raiseherco For those eager to dive deeper, visit www.raiseherco.com/the-scaries/ for all the resources.