Halloween Reflections: Finding Light in the Shadows
Halloween Reflections: Finding Light in the Shadows
By Angel, Founder of AMC Rise and Thrive
Hello beautiful soul 🕯️🎃
As the end of October approaches, the air shifts — a coolness
settles in, the leaves crunch beneath our feet, and orange lights flicker from
porches dressed in cobwebs and carved pumpkins. Halloween is almost here. For
many, it’s a favorite time of year: a season of costumes, creativity, and
community. But for others, it’s a holiday that never quite found a place in the
heart. And that’s okay too.
In this post, I want to explore the deeper meaning behind this
season — beyond the ghosts, goblins, and sugar rush. Halloween, like many
traditions, holds both shadow and light. It reminds us of our relationship with
fear, transformation, and remembrance. And even if we don’t personally
celebrate it, there’s something meaningful in how it asks us to face what’s
dark — and still choose joy.
The Origins: Where Darkness Meets Tradition
Halloween has roots that reach far back in time. The
celebration we know today traces its origins to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain,
a time when people honored the end of the harvest season and believed the veil
between the living and the dead was thinnest. Bonfires burned through the night
to ward off wandering spirits, and people wore disguises to protect themselves
from mischief.
Centuries later, when Pope Gregory III designated November
1st as All Saints’ Day, honoring saints and martyrs, many Samhain customs
blended into what became known as All Hallows’ Eve — the night before
the holy day. Over generations, this evening evolved into what we now call Halloween.
It’s fascinating how a day once centered on reverence and
spiritual connection became a mix of fun, fright, and festivity.
Trick-or-treating, costumes, and pumpkins may feel lighthearted, but their
roots trace back to something ancient — our human curiosity about life, death,
and the unseen world.
And whether we celebrate it through candy, candlelight, or
quiet reflection, Halloween still invites us to acknowledge both our fears and
our faith.
Personal Reflections: My Experience with
Halloween
I’ll be honest — I didn’t grow up with Halloween being a big
deal. My childhood was grounded in church life, so October 31st looked a little
different for me. We’d often have fall festivals or church gatherings that
weren’t about Halloween itself. I didn’t carve my first pumpkin until my son
was old enough to want to join in.
One memory stands out, though. My mom once dressed me up as a
red crayon in middle school. At that age, it was mortifying — bright red from
head to toe, standing in a crowd of witches, superheroes, and vampires. I
remember thinking, “What am I even doing here?” It wasn’t until years
later that I realized how much she just wanted me to have fun, to feel
included.
Now, as a mom myself, I’ve softened around the holiday. I
still don’t go all out — you’ll likely catch me with a simple mask or maybe a
fun wig — but I’ve learned to appreciate the creativity it sparks in others. My
family members absolutely love this time of year. For them, it’s pure
joy — like their own version of Christmas.
And while scary movies aren’t my thing (I learned early that
nightmares aren’t worth the thrill — Freddy Krueger can stay far, far away from
my dreams!), I can still respect the excitement others find in a good scare.
Just because something doesn’t resonate with me doesn’t mean it can’t hold
meaning for someone else. That’s one of the most freeing lessons adulthood
teaches us — we don’t all have to celebrate the same way to appreciate one
another’s joy.
Personally, I’ve always felt more drawn to Día de los
Muertos — the Day of the Dead — a few days later. There’s something sacred
about honoring our ancestors and remembering those who came before us. It’s a
celebration not of fear, but of love that outlasts time. I’ll share more about
that soon, but for now, let’s stay with what Halloween stirs in us: the
relationship between light, shadow, and self.
Embracing the Shadow with Grace
Halloween, in its own mysterious way, gives us permission to
explore the shadow — not just the spooky kind that haunts movies, but the parts
within us we often hide. The fears, insecurities, or memories we’ve tucked
away.
When we wear costumes, we step into someone else’s skin for a
night. It’s playful, but it’s also symbolic. Sometimes, putting on a mask helps
us see who we are underneath. We experiment with identity, courage, or humor —
all while acknowledging that fear doesn’t have to control us.
Spiritually speaking, this season mirrors the natural world’s
rhythm. Autumn itself is a cycle of release — trees let go of their leaves,
preparing for stillness. In the same way, we’re invited to let go of what no
longer serves us. To honor our shadows not as enemies, but as teachers.
Facing darkness doesn’t mean we lose our light. It means we
understand it more fully.
The Light We Carry
Even in traditions built around fear, there’s an undercurrent
of faith. The bonfires of Samhain were meant to protect; the prayers of All
Saints’ Day honored holiness; the flickering candle inside a jack-o’-lantern
reminds us that even in darkness, there is glow.
Halloween, at its best, shows us that light always finds a
way.
For those of us who walk a spiritual path, this can be a time
to reflect on what we believe about protection, divine presence, and the
unseen. We can choose to see Halloween not as darkness glorified, but as
light personified — a celebration of creativity, playfulness, and
courage to face fear without losing faith.
Maybe this year, instead of turning away from the shadows, we
can look them in the eye and say: I see you, but I choose peace.
You don’t have to decorate or dress up to participate in that
kind of spiritual courage. You just have to stay present, grounded, and aware
of the divine light that never dims — not even on the darkest night of the
year.
Finding Meaning in What’s Not “Your Thing”
We live in a world that often says, “If it’s not for you, it
must be wrong.” But spiritual maturity asks us to move differently.
I’ve learned to respect the joy others find in what I don’t
personally connect with. When I see my loved ones smiling in their costumes,
laughing over candy, or decorating their homes with pumpkins and lights — I see
connection. And that’s what matters most.
If something brings others happiness and doesn’t harm anyone,
that joy deserves space. Our individual preferences don’t have to divide
us.
So, this Halloween, whether you’re lighting candles, passing
out candy, or spending the evening quietly at home, I invite you to do one
thing:
Choose compassion. For
others, for yourself, for the unseen mysteries we don’t always understand.
You can honor your own path without dismissing someone else’s.
There’s room for both reverence and fun — for holiness and humor — under the
same autumn moon.
Affirmations 🌕
- I honor the light within me, even when I walk through
seasons of shadow.
- I release fear and welcome peace into my spirit.
- I respect others’ joy while staying true to my own
truth.
- I embrace change and let go of what no longer serves my
growth.
- I am divinely protected, guided, and surrounded by
light.
Bible Verse ✨
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not
overcome it.” — John 1:5 (NIV)
A gentle reminder that no matter what swirls around us — real
or imagined — the light of God never wavers. It doesn’t shrink back when
darkness appears. It stands, unwavering, eternal.
🎵 Song of
the Day:
“Everybody” by Backstreet Boys
Okay, I’ll admit it — I’ve always had a soft spot for the
Backstreet Boys. And while “Everybody” might seem like an unexpected choice for
a reflective Halloween post, hear me out.
That music video? Total Halloween energy. The haunted mansion,
the costumes, the playful spirit — it’s all about embracing what’s fun and
letting yourself be seen, quirks and all. The beat itself is pure joy — a
reminder that even in the midst of spooky season, we can dance, laugh, and feel
alive.
So, turn it up, move a little, and celebrate life. You don’t
have to take the night too seriously. Let your soul breathe. Sometimes
lightness is the most spiritual thing of all.
Closing Thoughts 💫
Halloween might not be everyone’s holiday, and that’s
perfectly fine. For some, it’s sacred; for others, it’s just another day on the
calendar. But if we look beneath the costumes and candy, we find a deeper
message — about transformation, courage, and honoring both life and
mystery.
Maybe the heart of Halloween isn’t about ghosts or fright at
all. Maybe it’s about this: learning to live with what we don’t fully
understand, while keeping our hearts open to wonder.
So however, you spend this October 31st — whether you’re out
celebrating, home reflecting, or simply savoring the autumn air — may it bring
you peace, protection, and a renewed sense of gratitude for the light that
lives within you.
A final, practical word: this night can bring out unexpected
behaviors, so please be safe. Dress warmly, keep an eye on little ones, and
trust your instincts. Protection is an act of love.
May this season help you become braver in small ways, kinder
in big ones, and more faithfully luminous in everything you do.
With love and light always,
Angel ✨
Founder of AMC Rise and
Thrive
#HalloweenReflections #LightInTheDarkness
#FaithOverFear #SpiritualGrowth #AMCRiseAndThrive
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