The scaries does Halloween

Written By RaiseHER Community

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!

From Samhain to Sexy Costumes: A (Brief) Halloween History

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.

Fast forward to the eighth century, when Pope Gregory III swooped in and turned October 31st into “All Hallows Eve,” now known as Halloween. Halloween arrived in Canada in the 1800s thanks to Irish and Scottish immigrants. And fun fact: the first recorded “trick-or-treat” in North America was in Lethbridge, Alberta, in 1927. You’re welcome, world.

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.)

Witches: More Than Just Pointy Hats

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.”

During the European witch hunts of the 1400s-1700s, more than 50,000 women were executed, and many were burned alive. (Yikes!) And let’s be real: most of these women weren’t practicing dark magic—they were just women who didn’t fit society’s mold. Whether they were poor, independent, or outspoken, these women became easy targets for a society obsessed with control.

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!

The Cost of “Cute”

So, what’s up with women’s Halloween costumes today? A 2019 study found that 88% of women’s costumes show skin, and 93% are tight-fitting. Meanwhile, men get to wear masks and comfy costumes that keep them warm. (Can we get some equality over here?!)

Even kids’ costumes follow the same trend. 46% of boys' costumes include masks, but only 4% of girls' costumes do. Apparently, girls have to look pretty even while trick-or-treating. Ugh. Why can’t we just be comfortable and have fun without worrying about ornamental display?

How We Can Change the Halloween Game

It’s time to take back Halloween—and here’s how:

  1. Speak up: Call out costume companies for their lack of empowering options. One mom even went viral for her open letter to Party City demanding more career-themed costumes for girls. We love to see it.

  2. DIY it: Who needs polyester suits when you can get creative at home? Bonus: no risk of showing up in the same “sexy pirate” costume as five other people at the party.

  3. Teach your kids to question: If your daughter wants to dress up as a firefighter, let her see what real uniforms look like. Teach them they shouldn’t settle for “cute” or “pretty.”

  4. Celebrate real women: Encourage costumes highlighting amazing women from history or those making a difference today. Halloween is the perfect opportunity to inspire young girls with costumes that matter.

A Halloween That Empowers

Halloween is a chance to have fun, but it also reflects deeper societal issues—like how we treat and perceive women. When witches are demonized and costumes sexualized, it’s a reminder that patriarchy has seeped into every part of life, even our holidays. But here’s the thing: we have the power to change that narrative.

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.)

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So, Scaries Fam, let’s take this Halloween as a reminder to challenge outdated norms, have fun, and—most importantly—stay warm out there. 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!

RaiseHER Community
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