This is Halloween

I enjoy Halloween.

[Full stop.]

I know I am (as the kids would say) “giving Basic”, but I am unapologetically embracing it. Frankly, I find the general enjoyment of Halloween to be far from basic, and here’s why: I contend that part of Halloween’s allure is that it represents the perfect intersection between what is sacred and what is fun.

Let’s break it down.

Halloween as Connection

Whether or not you are religious, spiritual, superstitious, or otherwise, humans are undeniably connected creatures. We sense the energy in a room, we actively listen with mirror neurons, and we experience deep empathy when we see the plight of others. Each of these experiences points to a bridge between ourselves and others. 

Halloween is largely a celebration of the connection between humanity in all states and planes of existence- alive and deceased. It is a time when that connection transcends the physical boundaries of our realm, and we can have a clearer sense of those whom we’ve lost and perhaps, any others who live in that liminal space- if you believe in that sort of thing… and I do.

Although it is widely acknowledged to have roots in the Celtic tradition of Samhain, many cultures worldwide have celebrated the end of the harvest in the fall and the season’s connection to a “thinning of the veil”. It was the time when no more crops could be harvested, when animals were slaughtered and cured for the winter, and cultures embraced the time when light would bow to the darkness.

And, let’s be real: humans have always been afraid of the dark.

Fear of darkness is literally encoded in our brains as a primary survival instinct. We may embrace and accept that the days will inevitably grow shorter, but our brains will naturally turn on their alert systems in response. Furthermore, because our eyesight is limited in the dark, our other senses are heightened. There is an argument to be made that would include our spiritual senses, allowing us to be more attuned to the deceased family members our ancestors welcomed, or the otherworldly beings they feared (if you believe in that sort of thing… and I do). 

Ritual as Response

As such, the development of ritual was a natural and empowering way to heed the call of that fear. Ritual and ceremony are powerful tools for connection. They are meditative in that they signal intentionality and promote internal alignment with external behaviors. Dressing up in costumes, lighting candles, and leaving sweet offerings to either scare away or trick the fae, or for family members who have passed, in hopes that those we miss will visit, all serve as connective tissue within our communities, and to whatever is bigger than ourselves.

We feel that connection. Through centuries of tales, our collective unconscious knows what feels dangerous, what feels “spooky”, and what feels mysterious. We welcome opportunities to make the hairs on the back of our necks stand up, or even to have the ever-loving shit scared out of us (though, that’ll be a pass for me!). As a group, we know what fear means, what it looks like, sounds like, smells like, and what the signs of an unsettling supernatural situation are- and this is the time of year we actively search for them. That is ceremony- it is also fun.

Yes, yes, we know Halloween is fun…

Of course, Halloween is fun. I don’t have to sell you on this. But, if I may nerd out: Between sweet treats, carnivals, and opportunities to cozy up, this time of year offers us plenty of neurotransmitter activity that’s worth acknowledging. 

Let’s talk brain chemistry (briefly).

Halloween gives us all the feel-good brain chemicals: 

• Sweet treats release dopamine and Serotonin, triggering reward pathways and feelings of contentment.

• Jump-scares give us a rush of Adrenaline and Endorphins, that super fun combination that has our heart rates up, followed by feelings of euphoria.

• Engaging in literally any of these activities with friends or family releases Oxytocin, reinforcing that connection!

We are literally wired to enjoy Halloween.

All of the traditions that we have created facilitate an experience that is both invigorating and joyful- and those happen to be two of my favorite feelings. Maybe that makes me “Basic”, but maybe it just makes me human.

As such, I go back to my original statement: I am unapologetically into Halloween. 

Now, please excuse me as I pour myself a bowl of Pumpkin Spice Cheerios…

If you want more posts like this, please subscribe and follow me on Instagram @catharsispath.

And always remember: You’ve got this.

#SpookySeason #FallVibes #BrainChemistry #Samhain #SpiritualTraditions #UnapologeticallyBasic #Halloween #PsychologyofFear