Halloween. Just saying the word brings to mind images of glowing jack-o-lanterns, shadowy costumes, and sweets galore. But there’s more to Halloween than candy and costumes; this holiday carries a rich history rooted in ancient traditions, magical legends, and even struggles for women’s empowerment. Today, let’s unmask Halloween’s past, exploring how it impacts women and why it holds deeper significance for us.

The Origins: A Celtic Start to a Global Celebration

Halloween traces back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, a sacred time marking the end of the harvest and the onset of winter. The Celts believed this period thinned the veil between the living and the dead, a time when spirits and otherworldly creatures could cross over. Women, especially healers and “wise women,” held special roles in these early traditions, often acting as spiritual guides in their communities. They were the keepers of knowledge, using herbs, rituals, and storytelling to navigate the mysteries of life and death.

But with the arrival of Christianity, Samhain became something else entirely. The festival was co-opted into “All Hallows’ Eve,” a time to honor saints and ward off evil spirits. Women—particularly those who continued practicing ancient traditions—became suspect in the eyes of the church. This shift marked the beginning of a complicated relationship between Halloween and women, many of whom were accused of witchcraft for nothing more than possessing healing knowledge or an independent spirit.

Witches, Costumes, and Women’s Place in Halloween

Fast-forward to the 19th century when Halloween began to spread in North America. Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought their Halloween traditions, and the holiday transformed, evolving into a more playful celebration with costumes and parties. For women, this was a unique opportunity to explore self-expression outside society’s norms. Costumes gave women a chance to embody something different—to play with identities they couldn’t in daily life, a kind of liberation hidden behind masks and make-believe.

However, Halloween has had a complicated impact on women, both freeing and confining. On one hand, it’s a night to let loose, to wear bold costumes that express confidence, humor, or a hidden side of ourselves. On the other, Halloween has sometimes encouraged a narrow view of femininity, with costumes marketed to women often leaning toward the “sexy” or “diminutive.” Instead of empowering all facets of female identity, this focus on appearance can sometimes overshadow the deeper meaning of Halloween: self-discovery, expression, and transformation.

How Halloween Today Can Be a Celebration of Empowerment

In recent years, Halloween has started to take on a new life. Women are reclaiming Halloween as a celebration of creativity, strength, and self-expression. No longer restricted by conventional costume options, women today are exploring powerful personas and historical figures, from legendary queens and warriors to modern-day icons. Social media is flooded with women-owned small businesses selling Halloween accessories, creative face paint tutorials, and DIY costume guides, empowering women to express themselves authentically on their terms.

Halloween can also be a time for sisterhood, as we bond over costume planning, spooky movie marathons, and trick-or-treating with family. This time of year offers us a chance to support one another, to recognize the magic we each hold within, and to lift each other up. Halloween is no longer just about ghosts or ghouls; it’s about the magic we create together as women.

Celebrating the Future of Halloween for Women

For many of us, Halloween holds memories of childhood wonder and community, but it can also remind us of how far women have come—and how much further we can go. Today’s Halloween is a platform for women to reclaim the holiday as an empowering space, honoring the courage, wisdom, and creativity of women who came before us.

So, this Halloween, as you don your costume and celebrate with friends or family, remember the women of Samhain, the witches of folklore, and the modern-day sisters who embrace Halloween in their own powerful ways. Let’s make this holiday a tribute to resilience, creativity, and sisterhood—because Halloween, like us, has layers of strength, mystery, and magic.

What does Halloween mean to you? How do you embrace your unique spirit during this season? Share your Halloween stories and reflections in the Her She Squad members-only forum. 👻