Halloween can be a tricky time for feminists, between the hyper-sexualization of the holiday and the discomfiting gender divisions in the costume aisles (princesses for girls, monsters for boys).
The nights are drawing in, there’s a chill in the air and there are pumpkins on sale in the supermarkets.
It can only mean one thing: Halloween.
This year, Halloween will take place on Tuesday, October 31.
And while there are few who will pass up a chance for a party, its roots go far deeper – and even more sinister than you might think.
Here’s everything you need to know about the origins of Halloween