Curious Cat

After my father's death, I had some strange stuff happen that nudged me to learn about the supernatural. What I've been finding out is life is way more complicated, strange, and wonderful than I'd ever dreamed. The best part? Science is starting to catch up. I focus on the place where science and supernatural collide. What does it mean to be a soul in a meat suit? All episodes are made and offered in love. *All Curious Cat content is owned and operated by Storm Mystery Press LLC

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Curious Cat

Halloween in the United States

October 27, 2025 • Jennifer Hotes • Season 5 • Episode 34

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Happy Halloween! Landing on a Friday, if you have kids in school, their day probably included some tricks and treats, I hope, and maybe an emergency run to school to drop off an extra dozen orange cupcakes. I have such nice memories of helping the kids' classes have a fun party, often heading up an art project, or making a quiet corner for kids that aren't into the party thing with a basket of Halloween books and Legos.

I got curious about the true origins of Halloween. And how the holiday came to the United States. I'd heard conflicting accounts and you know me, I did some digging. Don't worry though, it wasn't grave digging. Though I did dye my hair platinum, so maybe now I'll fit in with the cool graveyard kids.

Oh, and I haven't forgotten our northbound journey along the Pacific Crest Trail. If you take a day off to rest on the PCT, it's called a Zero Day. That's what we're takin. Next week, I'll bring us back to the PCT where we'll cross into Washington state. I hope we get their before snow starts to fall in the Cascades.

But back to Halloween in the United States...

Let's get into it

This episode covers:

Halloween's Worldwide Origins

Halloween comes to the United States

Trick or Treating

About those treats...and yes, the history of candy corn

Costumes (their history and evolution)

Halloween today

A spooky Halloween track by an independent artist at the show close

About that song after the close...

Caves of Dawn by Guilherme Bernardes (support his work with the link here)

Sources:

Library of Congress article about Halloween origins

Trick or Treat History, 1031 Consortium.com

History of Halloween Costumes in America, CNN

100 Years of Halloween Costumes: An Ultimate Fashion History, The Ultimate Fashion History, YouTube

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That's why I've been shining a spotlight on Derek Condit at Mystical Wares. He is both talented and generous with those gifts. Please give his books a look on the Mystical Wares website.

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