Tag: halloween

Categories
History Ancient Practices

The history of witches can teach us a lot about ourselves

A person dressed all in black with a witch hat holding a jack-o-lantern in front of green foliage.
[Image description: A person dressed all in black with a witch hat holding a jack-o-lantern in front of green foliage.] Via Ksenia Yakovleva on Unsplash

I was a child angel for several consecutive Halloweens. Dressed all in white, with a halo attached to my head and gauzy wings sprouting from my shoulder blades, I smiled beatifically at the camera. It was what I wanted, in my heart of hearts, too: to be pure, angelic, and perfect.

I never would have been a witch for Halloween. Witches wore black, had tall pointy hats, warts on their noses, cauldrons in which they mixed up hateful potions. Witches are the antithesis of angels. At least until I grew a little older and started investigating my own feminism and realized: witches are just women with a bit of power. That’s why they’re scary. That’s why they’re “bad.”


Growing up, I was also under the impression that witches were merely fictional. That magic wasn’t real, and it only existed in TV shows, movies, and books. These days I know better. There are witches out there — I even know some — and rather than being wart-ridden, cackling wretches who exist to eat the hearts of pretty young maidens, they are genuinely some of the kindest, most caring people I’ve met. They just happen to have a deeper connection to nature and the spiritual realm than many of us. Though witches do not have to be women, many are (at least the ones in my circles) and I think that makes the fear glow brighter.

Witches are just women with a bit of power. That’s why they’re scary.

In America, we’re almost all familiar with the Salem witch trials. But it turns out people were being burned at the stake for witchcraft across the Atlantic even decades before those famous burnings. In Europe, over the course of approximately 400 years, as many as 60,000 people were killed for being accused of witchcraft. According to one theory, it was economically driven by the religious leaders of the day.

As someone who grew up in an evangelical household, I never questioned that negative view of witches, which was that anyone who did not follow God was, obviously, following the devil. It took years of unlearning for me to reach a place where I didn’t see the world through such black and white lenses. I’m now rather fascinated by witchcraft and witches. According to an article on History.com, “Many modern-day witches still perform witchcraft, but there’s seldom anything sinister about it.”

In my experience, witchcraft is often a pathway for people to tap into their deepest selves and to connect to the universe around them. There is also a legit religion, Wicca, whose believers practice witchcraft. 

“Many modern-day witches still perform witchcraft, but there’s seldom anything sinister about it.”

In pop culture, witches are sometimes seen as evil. I can’t stop thinking about the witches in Stardust, a movie I must admit I adore, who were power-hungry and willing to kill and destroy anyone in order to preserve their youth. Evil is in the name of the Wicked Witch of the West, too. 

Of course, pop culture witches aren’t all bad. Take Willow in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although she goes through a dark phase, she’s ultimately seen as fighting her evil urges in order to be good.

One of my favorite witches in pop culture is Wanda the Scarlet Witch of Marvel fame. To be fair, I’ve never read the comic source material, but the movie and TV show character, played by Elizabeth Olsen, holds a very special place in my heart. She does terrible things in her grief and pain, and frankly, I can relate. I watched (and sobbed through) Wandavision earlier this year because though I’ve never confronted the specific griefs Wanda faced, I have my own share of trauma I’m trying to deal with on my own, without hurting others.

Do you see the lesson we can learn from the way witches in pop culture navigate their powers? How their tales, whether fictional or real, can be relatable for all of us suffering grief, trauma, or depression?

I think, ultimately, that if you were an angel or a witch for Halloween, it’s fine, as long as you have respect. Respect for the choices of others that might be different from yours, and respect for the people populating our lives who look a little different, act a little different and connect a little differently.

Read A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness!

For more Tempest History, check out our Ancient Practices series!

Categories
Celebrities Outfits Fashion Lookbook

10 celebrities that got their Halloween costumes just right this year

Everyone has their favorite holiday, and I am here to argue that your opinion is practically invalid if that holiday is not Halloween. Who doesn’t like snuggling up on their couch to watch horror movies or partying into the late hours of the night dressed up as their favorite superhero? However, if there is one part of Halloween that I am sure everyone appreciates, it’s the celebrity costumes that we mere mortals love to judge, even if we are sitting on our couch in pajamas.

So, without further ado, in no particular order, here are some of the best-dressed celebrities of Halloween 2021.

1. Doja Cat as Miss Bellum

Doja Cat poses while dressed up as Miss Bellum for Halloween
[Image description: Doja Cat poses while dressed up as Miss Bellum for Halloween.] Via @dojacat on instagram
Dressed up as Miss Bellum from the Powerpuff Girls, Doja Cat seems to have stolen the show this Halloween with many on Twitter claiming that she has obliterated all competition. I particularly loved the attention to detail as she incorporated the mayor into her costume.

2. Camila Mendes & Madelaine Petsch as Velma & Daphne

Camila Mendes is dressed as Velma as she poses with Madelaine Petsch who is dressed as Daphne.
[Image description: Camila Mendes is dressed as Velma as she poses with Madelaine Petsch who is dressed as Daphne.] Via @madelame on Instagram
These Riverdale stars managed to perfectly nail their look as Daphne and Velma from Scooby-Doo. It’s an iconic costume that has certainly been overdone throughout the years, but considering how good these two looked we can definitely let the cliché slide.

3. The Weekend as Don Vito Corleone

A closeup shot of The Weekend dressed as Don Vito Corleone.
[Image description: A closeup shot of The Weekend dressed as Don Vito Corleone.] Via @theweeknd on Instagram
Here is one celebrity that always seems to get Halloween right and he certainly did not disappoint this year. Dressed up as Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather, The Weekend was almost unrecognizable, which goes to show just how good his costume really was. I wonder if he made anyone an offer they couldn’t refuse.

4. Katy Perry & Orlando Bloom as a Vaccine Syringe & a Doctor

Katy Perry is dressed as a vaccine syringe while she holds Orlando Bloom's hand who is dressed as a doctor.
[Image description: Katy Perry is dressed as a vaccine syringe while she holds Orlando Bloom’s hand who is dressed as a doctor.] Via @katyperry on Instagram.
The couple seems to have decided that Halloween was the perfect time to spread some vaccine awareness, a cause we can certainly get behind. Not to mention that they even managed to put some humor in there as fans noticed that Orlando Bloom’s name tag reads “Dr DILF”. Supportive of the vaccine and funny? What more could we want?

5. Ariana Grande as Miss Creature

Ariana Grande recreates a classic horror film poster dressed as Miss Creature.
[Image description: Ariana Grande recreates a classic horror film poster dressed as Miss Creature.] Via @arianagrande on Instagram.
The artist tapped into the horror and spooky side of Halloween as she drew inspiration from the classic horror film “Creature from the Black Lagoon”. Not only did she manage to surprise her fans with an elaborate costume but also recreated the movie posters with her own twist.

6. Harry Styles as Dorothy

Harry Styles is sitting on a bale of hay dressed up as Dorothy.
[Image Description: Harry Styles sitting on a bale of hay dressed up as Dorothy.] Via @harrystyles on Instagram
If there is one celebrity who can make every outfit they wear reach iconic status, it is Harry Styles. Often credited with dismissing traditionally masculine fashion for dressing up in his own unique way, his Halloween costume was likely to be up that same alley and he certainly did not disappoint. The artist appeared on stage for his concert dressed up as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz and as usual, managed to break the internet.

7. Hailey Bieber as Britney Spears

A closeup of Hailey Bieber as she rests her face on her hand, she is dressed as Britney Spears.
[Image Description: A closeup of Hailey Bieber as she rests her face on her hand, she is dressed as Britney Spears.] Via @haileybieber on Instagram.
There is nothing I love quite as much as celebrities paying homage to each other, and if there is one person who got it just right this Halloween it was Hailey Bieber. The model blessed us with not one,  but four different Britney Spears costumes, each look a reminder of some of the most iconic outfits in pop culture.

8. Lizzo as Baby Yoda

A closeup of Lizzo as she sips from a straw, she is dressed up as Baby Yoda.
[Image description: A closeup of Lizzo as she sips from a straw, she is dressed up as Baby Yoda.] Via @lizzo on Twitter.
Who doesn’t love Baby Yoda? Of course, when Lizzo dressed up as Baby Yoda there was no way the look wasn’t making this list. You just cannot overlook it when two icons come together like this.

9. Jennie Kim as Medusa

A closeup of Jennie Kim dressed as Medusa with blood stained nails.
[Image description: A closeup of Jennie Kim dressed as Medusa with blood stained nails.] Via @jennierubyjane on Instagram
When this Blackpink singer is not stealing hearts with her voice, she is known for her refined taste in fashion. Her Halloween look has certainly kept that reputation intact as she went for a Medusa that reminds me more of high fashion than a murderous gorgon. With an elegant headpiece and blood-stained nails, Jennie certainly stole the hearts of her fans once again.

10. Cardi B as Morticia Adams

Cardi B poses in between two cars wile dressed up as Morticia Adams.
[Image description: Cardi B poses in between two cars wile dressed up as Morticia Adams.] Via @iamcardib on Twitter
If there is one costume you are likely to see at every Halloween party, it’s someone from the Adam’s Family, and most likely Wednesday or Morticia Adams. However, I have never seen a Morticia who looked as good as Cardi B this year, so of course, she made the list. Everything from the makeup to the outfit is perfect to say the least.

Which celebrity Halloween costume do you like the most? I can’t decide!

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Categories
Love + Sex Love

Get your freak on with these spooky sex positions perfect for Halloween

Two people about to kiss in a dark room.
[Image Description: Two people about to kiss in a dark room.] via Pexels

Halloween is coming, and you could be, too. If you’ve already set out a costume and plan on dancing the night away, that’s great! But here’s the thing, you don’t have to be in costume to have fun this spooky season. Being scary in the bedroom can be just as thrilling (sometimes even more thrilling!) as dressing up for a Halloween night out.

Sure, Halloween traditions like trick or treating are fun, but do you really want to go door to door asking for candy when you can eat it off of your boo instead? All I’m saying is you can still experience Halloween screams and goosebumps without having to leave the comfort of your bedroom if you know what I mean.


There isn’t a better time than Halloween to release your inner demons, so here are five sex positions to try this weekend to get your spook on!

Ghost Rider

Ghost Rider is the ultimate power position! Have your partner sit on the bed (or couch, or floor, whatever strikes your fancy) with their arms stretched out behind them for support and their legs crossed. Climb onto their lap, so you’re straddling them in a kneeling position, with your knees on either side. Hold on to their shoulders as you lower yourself onto them. Then lean towards them and take total control. And here’s a tip: some eye contact might help make things real hot and steamy. Thrust away, everybody!

The Sixth Sense

Whether you’re giving it or receiving it, oral sex is one of the most incredible things to do with your partner. Foreplay and penetrative sex are always fun, but oral sex arouses both partners to a climax with a stronger possibility of achieving an orgasm. When performing oral sex, don’t dive right in for the clitoris or the penis. Intensity and anticipation are essential, so take your time to get your partner excited.

There’s no number for how many times a person can orgasm. So keep going and see if you can give your boo a second one. You can lightly stimulate the clitoris or shaft with your hand or mouth to make them shiver. Your five senses are all imperative in creating arousal and making intimacy an enjoyable experience. Still, only oral stimulation can awaken the earth-shattering sixth sense between your legs.

Final Destination

Final Destination can involve any sexual position as long as you and your partner orgasm together. It can be an intimate experience for a couple. Because it’s usually harder for women to orgasm during penetrative sex because they require clitoral stimulation, I recommend experimenting. Fool around a bit. Sit facing each other and get handsy with yourself. Watch each other closely and do whatever feels right. Or go doggy style because it allows deeper penetration!

Control your pace together and communicate, communicate, communicate. The Final Destination demands it.

Lubie Halloween

Lube isn’t just for anal sex — several other sex positions benefit from it. Here’s one: bend over a table with your partner standing behind you, fill your hand with lube (or even better, get them to do it), and cup your hand under your vagina to make it more comfortable down there. Let your partner slide their penis or dildo over your clit.

This non-penetrative sex position can be equally satisfying! You could also use lube for a missionary position or while massaging your partner’s erogenous zones. By the way, you know they say strawberries are an aphrodisiac? Does that mean strawberry-flavored lube is too? Time for you to find out!

Scream

Ladies, whoever said you need a partner to make you scream hasn’t experienced the out-of-body experience that is masturbation. And since we’re busting myths, here’s another: diamonds aren’t your best friend; your clitoris is. School taught me all about how mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell, but no one told me that the clitoris was the powerhouse of pleasure.

This is where all the magic happens. The tip of the clitoris alone has more than 8,000 nerve endings, which is double the number of those in a penis. Most vulva-owners need clitoral stimulation to orgasm. However, very few know that the best way to orgasm is to go from outside to inside. You don’t have to stick to one place at a time. Feel free to move around as long as it feels good! Go slow and then fast. Most times, you don’t even need to pop a finger in. The outside of your clit alone can make you scream in the most delightful way.

Happy trick or treating!

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Categories
History Forgotten History

Here’s why Silicon Valley is haunted

The Winchester Mansion is a Queen Anne/Victorian styled mansion, with yellow walls and red shingles, located in San Jose, California.
[Image description: The Winchester Mansion is a Queen Anne/Victorian styled mansion, with yellow walls and red shingles, located in San Jose, California.] Via HarshLight

The Winchester House is one of the most haunted places in the United States. It’s a beautiful Victorian mansion with trimmed hedges, Tiffany glass windows, yellow walls, and cherry-red shingles. But the inside is a labyrinth. There are staircases leading nowhere and doorways to empty walls. Its 160 rooms include a grand ballroom, a “witch’s cap” tower, twin dining rooms, 47 fireplaces, trap doors, and a conservatory. The lore around Sarah Winchester, the mansion’s heiress-slash-widow who was driven to insanity, adds to its reputation. But at first glance, the beautiful, dollhouse-like mansion appears to look out of place in San Jose, California. 

The Winchester House sits across the street from a shopping mall. A few highlights from the area include a Japanese stationery store, outdoor coffee near a giant chess set, SoulCycle, and a CineArts movie theater where I watched “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” in middle school. Looking out from the window of the shop where I bought my high school prom dress, you can see the hedges of the Winchester House hovering in the back. But despite growing up in the region, hardly anyone I know has stepped foot on the Winchester House grounds. 

Nowadays, Winchester House is a tourist spot. Over 12 million people have visited the mansion and it’s been the site of documentaries and films. The story goes like this. In 1839, Sarah Winchester was born as Sarah Lockwood Pardee in New Haven, Connecticut. She married in 1862 to William Wirth Winchester, the heir to the Winchester Repeating Arms company most known for “The Gun that Won the West.”

After the deaths of her daughter and husband, she became a widow at only 42 years old. She inherited her husband’s 20 million dollar fortune and 50% of the company stock—making her one of the most wealthy women in the US at the time. She moved to a farmhouse in California and for the next 38 years, the farmhouse would remain in constant construction and eventually become the Winchester House. The house was still undergoing additions when Sarah Winchester passed away in 1922. 

There’s another layer to the story. In trend with the Victorian era, Sarah Winchester took part in séances and mysticism. It is suggested that her family was involved in Freemasonry and Rosicrucianism. According to legend, the grieving widow was told by a medium that the Winchester fortune and family were haunted by victims of the Winchester rifle, many of them Native Americans. As a result, she moved West and began to build—either to appease or avoid ghosts. To be honest, the story gets a bit vague here. An article in the Daily News also claimed that “the owner of the house believes that when it is entirely completed she will die.”

Why else would there be such a bizarre mansion and ongoing construction for almost four decades? Additional claims of ghost hauntings, sightings, and paranormal activity at the Winchester House have added to this lore.

But perhaps there is a simpler reason. Sarah Winchester was supposedly beautiful, fluent in multiple languages, and the “Belle of New Haven” when she married. Additional stories tying her to mysticism and occult were bound to happen to famous people in the Victorian era. It’s the equivalent of modern-day trends like “dark academia” or “cottagecore” or even (in timely Halloween-season spirit) “witchtok.”

After the death of so many family members, Sarah Winchester moved West to be close to her remaining family. She was a philanthropist, but also a very private person—her staff maintained unquestioning loyalty and tight lips even after she died.

As for the bizarre mansion? In the ballroom, one of the Tiffany-glass windows includes a quote from Shakespeare’s Richard III: “These same thoughts people this little world.” It refers to the titular character’s speech from within a prison cell, reimagining his own world within those walls. Similarly, Sarah Winchester might have simply done what we all do—change, update, destroy, build, and rebuild our lives—only she had the money to make it a reality within her mansion. Sarah Winchester was a petite woman at 4’10” tall whose internal machinations and private life ended up casting a large shadow in the Bay Area’s Silicon Valley.

In the past two decades of growing up in Silicon Valley, I’ve seen the landscape change to accommodate the growth of tech giants, new flashy businesses, and overwhelming crowds. Still, when I left the Bay Area for college, I was struck by how suburban my hometown feels. There is a stubborn commitment to the pretense of normalcy and, like a double identity, there is an understanding that we all have our own private lives and issues.

It’s fair to criticize this committed display of everyday-ness as a thin veneer for privilege and wealth, but perhaps a similar feeling can be found with the Winchester House. Perhaps the unintended aversion to visiting the Winchester House by some of us who grew up in the area is because it feels like an invasion of a deeply private person. Perhaps Sarah Winchester fits in with the Silicon Valley lifestyle more than she initially seems. 

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Categories
Book Reviews Book Club Pop Culture Interviews

Witches are at the forefront of the Suffragette movement in Alix E. Harrow’s “The Once and Future Witches”

Why have regular activists when you can have activist witches? I found the perfect combination of the two in Alix E. Harrow’s new novel The Once and Future Witches.

We’ve all heard the witch tales told to us as little girls – the Wicked Witch of the West was a popular one in my childhood. She is so widely hated by people because of the inconvenience she causes Dorothy, but I secretly liked her better. She made the story. Why are we taught that the witches are always the villains of the story?

Author Alix E. Harrow recalls tales told in her childhood, “There are witches in so many of our stories,” she says in an exclusive interview with The Tempest, “creeping along the margins, waiting at crossroads and hexing babies; I guess it was only a matter of time before we started dragging them out into the light.” And drag to the light she did.

The Once and Future Witches is a novel that centers around injustices that, sadly, are still all too familiar to modern-day society, legal, economic, social and racial. The story is set in 1893, during the time of the suffragette movement, and did I mention that the main characters are activist witches?

Harrow admits that the idea wasn’t entirely hers: “I wish I could say it came to me in a dream, but the honest truth is that I was trying really hard to come up with a new novel idea, and my husband said, ‘you should do witches, but like, activists.'” And from there, The Once and Future Witches was born; a story combining the modern understanding of witchery with the age-old movement of the Suffragettes.

The protagonists of the book, the three Eastwood sisters, display a sense of morality that isn’t heard of from witches in the tales stemming from centuries ago; they are activists fighting for their rights as women. But can they balance witchery and activism? 

There are so many characters that you come to love in this book; my favorite happens to be James Juniper, the youngest of all the Eastwood sisters, on a journey to leave her traumatic past behind. She also happens to be the most dedicated to her roots and a proud witch – something that is consistently frowned upon within the pages of this book and is a trait that makes her incredibly appealing in the new age of activism.


Juniper is the first to become involved with the women’s suffrage movement, later involving her sisters. However, the movement itself is not just for the rights of women, it also serves as a coverup for the Eastwood sisters’ own growing power throughout the city of New Salem; a force that reconciled the sisterhood of these three and brought forward a new sisterhood between the women of New Salem.

Agnes Amaranth is the middle sister and a solitary individual, and Alix Harrow’s favorite: “I had a newborn and a two-year-old while I was writing this book, and the idea of a character who found strength in motherhood, rather than sentimentality or weakness or softness is one that mattered a great deal to me.” 

Last but certainly not least, we have Beatrice Belladonna, the eldest of the sisters and the insatiable bookworm of the trio. Beatrice is bursting at the seams for knowledge of her ancestors and finds herself digging deeper and deeper into her emotions and knowledge about witchcraft with the aid of her new friend. Beatrice’s love of books resonates with many readers and although on the surface Beatrice has less going on in her life than her sisters, it is truly a wonderful experience to watch such an introverted character bloom into a powerful presence. 

My favorite thing about The Once and Future Witches happens to be how starkly different each of the Eastwood sisters are: there’s a part of everyone in each of these sisters, making them relatable to any reader. It is also quite refreshing to see the characters find pride in being women in a time where it was shunned.


But, throughout History, where there are women, there are injustices and at its very core, The Once and Future Witches is a story about all of these struggles whilst being a disliked member of society. As Harrow so wonderfully puts it,  “All of us grew up on stories of wicked witches. The villages they cursed, the plagues they brewed. We need to show people what else we have to offer, give them better stories.”

Witchery is an essential part of history and literature. From the tales in the literary canon and children’s books to the ones in crime history and newspapers, it’s fair to say that witches haven’t always been depicted as the most just beings. The author of The Once and Future Witches dives deep into the set of fears surrounding the inversions of the natural order. Witches are often portrayed as promiscuous rather than chaste housewives; they prey on children rather than bear them and they curse houses rather than keep them. The nineteenth-century nailed in the gender roles of our society with witches being the feminine form of evil – but not the protagonists of this book. 

The Eastwood sisters alongside many of the other characters find themselves facing an age-old battle that women appear to be destined to fight for the longevity of their time. “I wouldn’t necessarily want to declare that it’s some sort of grand allegory for the #MeToo movement, which involves real women in the real world.” Harrows says, “But all the injustices my characters deal with – legal, economic, social, racial, are absolutely still with us.”

Whether it’s an issue of classism or the economical stance of women in society, Harrow taps into our innermost subconscious, allowing us to see an age-old story with modern eyes in the best way; through the lives of witches. “I think the thing that fantasy can do better than any other genre is literalize experiences that are metaphorical – it can make the invisible suddenly visible. Women’s sociopolitical power is an invisible, uncertain quantity that shifts according to class, race, sexuality, ability, and identity. But with witchcraft–I could make it visible.”

The Once and Future Witches was a great read for me personally: though I’ve never villainized the witches, I’ve never thought to put them in the position of the heroes either. I was surprised just how much I connected with the main character James Juniper – her wit and charm as well as her pride had me rooting for her the entire way through. And although witches have never been traditionally written as humane, this was the most human I’ve read them to be and definitely the most I’ve connected with them.

This book is eloquently crafted and depicts the long-lasting journey that women have been on since the beginning of time and fills you with a sense of righteousness. Remnants of beautiful yet powerful messages are hidden in the charming words you’d come to expect from an Alix E. Harrow’s story. “With my first book (the take away) was a sense of wonder and nostalgia. With this one, it’s righteous anger, and the thing underneath righteous anger, which is almost always hope.”

We are hosting a giveaway of the book on our Instagram, stay tuned! Or, if you absolutely can’t wait to read “The Once and Future Witches”, get it now on The Tempest’s bookshop supporting local bookstores here or on Amazon here.

Categories
History Forgotten History Lost in History

What the Blair Witch fable reveals about 17th-century women

Black background with white texts saying "The Blair Witch Project"
Blair witch from IMDB

In the spirit for more spooky stories? Check out our Halloween series!

The summer of 1999 was captured by The Blair Witch Project, a documentary-style movie that burst into theatres and enthralled audiences.

The Blair Witch is barely seen in the film, just as a towering terror that wipes out the lives of a few curious teens. But that’s not how the story began. Filmmakers drew the inspiration for the Blair Witch from the fable of Moll Dyer. The story did more than scare children, it revealed how women were portrayed in the 17th century.

The story of Moll Dyer

Moll Dyer was an elderly, single woman who lived on the outskirts of a small Maryland settlement in the late 1600s. We’re not sure exactly what she looked like, as there are very conflicting opinions. Some sources cite her as a “hag” while others recount her as a lovely older woman. All sources describe Dyer as exceptionally tall for a woman, with most men in the town barely hitting her frail shoulders. This difference already made her an outsider, and her oddities did nothing to remedy that.



Dyer’s exploits upset the townsfolk. She was not wealthy and so would seek out monetary contributions or request food. But for the other residents of this Maryland town, this behavior was not as concerning as her frequent incantations and habit for foraging for herbs.

Dyer was an outcast, so when the townsfolk experienced a frigid winter, they had an easy target to blame. The only explanation for this terrible season could be a vengeful witch. In 1697 an angry mob swarmed Dyer’s modest home. There was no trial and she didn’t even have a chance to explain herself. The mob set Dyer’s home aflame. But they didn’t stick around to see her burn.

Dyer fled her burning house and hid in the woods. However, due to the cold temperatures, she froze to death before she could make it to safety. Dyer was found with her hand reached up to the sky and knees perched on a rock. Dyer’s body stayed in this position for days, until someone found her petrified body.

From that point on the townsfolk believed Dyer had used her final strength to curse them. And they all lived in fear of what that curse would bring.

Moll Dyer may never have lived. It’s very possible that her story is all that ever existed of her. But the Blair Witch fable reveals cultural perceptions of women during that time, and for the years after when the story was shared around packed campfires.

“Witch” was a term thrown at women who existed outside of cultural norms. Women who were unmarried, divorced, widowed, childless, had too many children or were too outspoken. With that characterization, it’s easy to understand how Dyer was thrown into the category.

Throughout the fable, It’s clear that Dyer made a fatal mistake. She remained unmarried. This romantic choice meant she was already a social pariah. Dyer did not conform to traditional family values that ruled colonial society. Because she did not have a husband to support her she had to wander into the town to beg for sustenance. This reminded the townsfolk of her curious antics whenever she was in sight and placed an emphasis on her otherness.

Lasting impact

Women have been blamed for hardships since Adam and Eve, witchcraft claims were just the latest installment of a misogynistic trend. When men were unwilling to take responsibility for their failings or insecurities, they would project them onto women who were outside of their social circle. But these prosecutors wouldn’t have been successful without the willful approval of their female counterparts. Women turned against each other for the approval of their community. These fables are built upon settlers turning against the most vulnerable, and then controlling the narrative after they condemned the innocent.

In 17th-century terms, all of Moll Dyer’s actions may point to “witch,” but that’s not a 1999 thought. This story lived on for hundreds of years, retelling the same narrative. People in the 20th century anticipated vengeance based on irrational fears from 1697. The misplaced anger of a starving town has led to the continued tale of an exiled older woman cursing the innocent. Dyer’s true story has been erased by her persecutors.

Part of woman's face looking into camera while crying
“Blair Witch Project” still from John Squires via bloody-disgusting.com

The Blair Witch Project’s guerrilla marketing campaign left viewers confused about the authenticity of the film and led to a lasting impact on marketing and horror movies for decades to come. But the “real” Blair Witch left a lasting impact on the perceptions of women in American colonial society. 

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Categories
TV Shows Pop Culture

21 iconic Halloween-themed episodes to watch because you’re definitely not going out

Clockwise from upper left - Stills from Euphoria, American Horror Story: Coven, Kingdom, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
[Image description: Clockwise from upper left - Stills from Euphoria, American Horror Story: Coven, Kingdom, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody.] via HBO, FX, Netflix, and Disney Channel

In the spirit for more spooky stories? Check out our Halloween series!

It’s officially spooky season, and we’ve been trapped in an endless real-world nightmare for months. And it’s not likely to end anytime soon. To help you party in your pajamas – safe and socially distant in your room with a cup of hot chocolate that you can cry into if life gets overwhelming – here’s a list of 21 iconic appropriate-for-Halloween episodes from some of your most beloved TV shows, new and old. Or you can party in a cool Halloween costume and party with all your friends on Zoom, and then you can watch these episodes!

Disclaimer: Iconic is interpreted veeerrryyy broadly.

1. The Suite Life of Zack & Cody – “The Ghost of Suite 613″ (2005)

All true Halloween fans know this one. It’s all fun and games in Tipton Hotel till Zack, Cody, London, and Maddie encounter angry spirits in a suite on the 6th floor. 15 years later (yikes!) this episode still has some of the best jump scares in Disney Channel history.

2. Parks and Recreation – “Halloween Surprise” (2012)

This one’s more heartwarming than anything else, but it also marks a major and pretty daunting turning point in the life of our favorite government employee, Leslie Knope. Plus, the unparalleled Ms. Retta as Donna teaches you a thing or two about live-tweeting your disbelief while watching scary movies.


 

3. My So-Called Life – “Halloween” (1994)

Listen, My So-Called Life was THE coming-of-age show for me when I was angsty and in my feelings at 15 so I have to include it. Claire Danes as the very relatable Angela ponders the fragility of life as she has visions of a high school student who died years ago. The episode also pays homage to Kurt Cobain who’d passed away only months before the episode aired.

4. Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals – “Autumn Shinobi Safety Lessons! / Deidara’s Art is Always a Blast!” (2012)

In my humble opinion, Naruto didn’t exactly do justice to the enduring institution that is Rock Lee, but hey, at least we got this bite-sized spin-off with 51 episodes which are definitely not canon. Tiny Rock Lee and his pals prepare for Halloween in Konoha, but troublemakers from the evil Akatsuki are determined to create chaos.

5. The Office – “Here Comes Treble” (2012)

This is the TV classic featuring a random a capella crew and Dwight getting his head stuck inside a carved pumpkin. Need I say more?

6. Kim Possible – “October 31st” (2002)

Lying to your family and friends to go hang out with your crush? We’ve all done it, but Kim’s lies threaten to have scary consequences. Halloween or not, Kim just can’t catch a break.

7. Kingdom – Seasons 1 & 2 (2019 – Present)

If like me, you’re a fan of gory zombie horror, political intrigue, and period drama, then Kingdom is the show for you. In fact, this show is superior to all other zombie-related content that will be included in this list. Watch all 12 episodes of this critically-acclaimed, extremely unsettling Korean-language series for an unforgettable experience. Nightmares may or may not be included.

8. True Blood – “Me and the Devil” (2011)

Now technically, this episode itself has nothing to do with Halloween. However, True Blood is a sexy Southern Gothic horror with lots of good-looking vampires, especially the 1000-year-old Eric Northman (played by Alexander Skarsgård). I mean, he loses his memories and is a lost (beautiful) puppy in this episode, instead of his usual murderous self. Plenty of feel-good and what the hell moments to pick from.

9. Shadowhunters – “The Beast Within” (2019)

Demon outbreak or not, the only Shadowhunter drama I care about is between Alec and his warlock boyfriend Magnus. This special episode is a rollercoaster ride for all Malec stans, and I would gladly hop on it again.

10. Doctor Who – “The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit” (2006)

This two-part arc isn’t even the most stressful story in this expansive series (if you still feel wrecked by “Blink”, raise your hand!), but I’m personally a fan of David Tennant’s Doctor and Billie Piper’s Rose, teaming up to face the Devil himself. Biblical metaphors, fiery beasts, demonic aliens, and of course, a black hole – before you know it, you’ll get sucked into a dizzying fantasy adventure.

11. Penny Dreadful – “Séance” (2014)

I could make a separate list of all the shocking moments from just Season 1 alone, but Vanessa Ives’ possession in a circle of witches (depicted superbly by Eva Green) really sent a chill down my spine. Overall, I’m just grateful for this bubbling cauldron of a show that brings together all my favorite Gothic fiction protagonists for an irreverent and astounding story. Definitely don’t watch this alone.

12. Euphoria – “The Next Episode” (2019)

This Halloween special is a goldmine of throwbacks and classic pop-culture references. Watch it even if you’re not a Euphoria fan (which you should be because it’s brilliant, duh) for Shakespearean metaphors, blasphemous nuns, and of course, Zendaya.

13. American Horror Story: Murder House – “Halloween” (2011)

Hauntings are quite normal at the Harmons’, especially on Halloween night when all kinds of vengeful ghosts descend, revealing that it is in fact the living who are capable of unspeakable terror. This two-part episode is darker than most other suggestions on this list and isn’t for the faint of heart.

14. American Horror Story: Coven – “The Magical Delights of Stevie Nicks” (2014)

There was no way I wasn’t going to talk about an episode from Coven, which is arguably one of the best seasons in the American Horror Story anthology. Coven is all about powerful and dangerous women, and it references the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Angela Bassett as Marie Laveau dominates, and a guest feature by Stevie Nicks makes this an instant pop culture classic.

15. Dear White People – “Chapter I” (2017)

Dear White People is a cultural shift as it unapologetically calls out how racism is perpetuated within institutions, and also normalized in greater pop culture. The main action in the series is set in motion by college student and radio show host Samantha “Sam” White (played by Logan Browning) who goes an elite school where blackface at Halloween parties thrown by predominantly white student groups seems to be the norm (not too far from reality). Watch as Sam takes this apart and schools us on how our entertainment is steeped in appropriation and discrimination: “Top of the list of unacceptable costumes? Me.”

16. Psych – “This Episode Sucks” (2011)

In case you didn’t realize it, this episode involves vampire-related drama. In particular, I’m obsessed with Shawn‘s take on Tom Cruise’s Lestat from Interview with the Vampire. Keep an eye out for all the vampire-related pop culture references (yes, Twilight is in this).

17. Buffy the Vampire Slayer – “Fear, Itself” (1999)

This list would be incomplete without Buffy spitting some great one-liners as she tackles supernatural creatures that just won’t let her chill. A demon is accidentally summoned after a ritual gone wrong, and it is up to Buffy and the gang to save the day while facing their greatest fears.

18. The Powerpuff Girls – “Boogie Frights” (1998)

A Boogie Man monster attempts to destroy the sun and replace it with a giant disco ball so that he and his monster friends can turn the world into a nightclub and boogie forever (get it???!!!). It’s up to the Powerpuff Girls to save the day (and night)

19. That’s So Raven – “Don’t Have a Cow” (2003)

Another Halloween party, another botched spell. But nothing beats watching Raven and Chelsea race against time to avoid turning into… cows??!!

20. One Tree Hill – “An Attempt to Tip the Scales” (2006)

All boy drama aside, Peyton and Brooke as the Angel of Death and Sexy Red Demon respectively were two of my early girl crushes, and I will rewatch this episode till the end of time for the very specific scene where they chill by the bar at a party. Nothing else matters, except the Fall Out Boy cameo.

21. The Proud Family – “A Hero for Halloween” (2002)

An extension of the original The Proud Family series, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, was officially announced this year, and I’m ready to revisit this childhood staple, starting with this special episode where Penny Proud gets superpowers and finally overcomes her indifference to holidays like Halloween.

If you want to check out Halloween films to watch instead, read this:

31 not too spooky movies and tv shows to bingewatch this Halloween for the faint of heart

 

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Categories
Health Coronavirus Wellness

Here’s why your “vampiric lifestyle” during the pandemic is totally normal

A woman wearing a white shirt is sleeping on a bed with white sheets during the daytime.
[Image description: A woman wearing a white shirt is sleeping on a bed with white sheets during the daytime.] Via Pexel.

Since coming back from college during the pandemic, I’ve become nocturnal. I find myself waking up at 5 PM and going to sleep at around 9 AM. But it turns out that I’m not the only one curling up to sleep at the first sign of daylight.

Many of my fellow college friends are also going through a similar pattern of nocturnal sleeping, and it turns out among teenagers and younger adults, this sleep cycle is not strange. In fact, neuroscience research suggests that even without the pandemic, this is a perfectly normal situation.

Sleep schedules are based on sleep-wake homeostasis and the circadian rhythm. Sleep-wake homeostasis, like a countdown timer, is the accumulation of sleep pressure. The longer we’re awake, the more likely we are to fall asleep. On the other hand, the circadian rhythm is more like a clock, adjusting our bodies to light-dark cycles. 

But teenagers don’t feel sleep pressure as much and are, in fact, more sensitive to light. So in the case of COVID-19 and the fall season, teenagers are finding sunlight comes up a little later and the demand to sleep is also just not the same as during regular school systems. According to psychologist Nigel Latta, “Don’t worry if they live the vampire lifestyle of young people.” However, even for those of us who aren’t teenagers, there is still a good reason that we might be living “vampiric lifestyles.”

Some research would suggest that, without the pressures of the pre-pandemic day-to-day lifestyle, most of us would return to sleeping from midnight to 8 am—a typical, healthy sleep cycle. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re finding that doesn’t actually hold true. 

Instead, with so many of us staying indoors, social distancing, and working from our computers, new stresses are shaping our sleep cycle patterns. With less regular exercise outdoors and turning to our online screens indoors, our regular exposure to light is no longer the same, affecting our melatonin and circadian rhythm. As a result, some of us may be turning to a nocturnal sleep schedule.

“There is depression, loneliness, anxiety and all of that undermines the ability to sleep,” said Dr. David Neubauer, associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

There are a lot of possible solutions that have been thrown up in the air. Most of this involves maintaining a regular schedule, even during the pandemic. Find ways to exercise outside and avoid too much screen time at night, or change your diet to avoid coffee and alcohol. Some even recommend melatonin or natural sleep aids such as chamomile tea. 

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But for myself, I’m finding that trying to impose so many strict schedules and rules becomes more of a stressor on me. Some of us like our coffee, dancing in our room at night, and yes, staying up so late that so we’re the only person awake in the house when we’re reading and listening to music. So stop guilting your body for adjusting to a strange time. You can’t try to get rid of the stress weighing on your sleep cycle, by adding more pressure to fix that stress.

Be kind to your body, take a breath, and relax. Enjoy the nighttime a little bit, and maybe your sleep schedule will come.

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Categories
Celebrities Pop Culture

25 of the most iconic celebrity Halloween costumes of all time

[Image description: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dressed up as the Olsen twins, Rita Ora as Post Malone, Heidi Klum as Fiona from Shrek, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen as Avocado Toast, and Josh Duhammel and Fergie as Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette.]
[Image description: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dressed up as the Olsen twins, Rita Ora as Post Malone, Heidi Klum as Fiona from Shrek, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen as Avocado Toast, and Josh Duhammel and Fergie as Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette.]

In the mood for more spooky stories? Check out our Halloween series!

Halloween is around the corner and there’s usually one place most of us turn to for inspiration, Hollywood. The amazing transformations, the shocking outfits, the humorous get-ups, it’s all there and it’s a sight to see.

Here’s a list of some of the most iconic celebrity costumes of all time.

1. The Hallow-Queen

Heidi Klum as an old lady with white hair and prosthetic makeup.
Heidi Klum as an old lady with white hair and prosthetic makeup.

No one does Halloween better than Heidi Klum, and this disguise was probably one of her most iconic.

2. The funny punny couple

Sarah Hyland and Wells Adam as 'Taco Belle', with Wells dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Sarah as a taco.
Sarah Hyland and Wells Adam as ‘Taco Belle’, with Wells dressed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Sarah as a taco.

Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams as “Taco Belle”. Love a good pun on Halloween and these two are especially cute.



 

3. Pouty perfection.

Heidi Klum as Jessica Rabbit, with bright red hair, a voluptuous red dress and prosthetic makeup.
Heidi Klum as Jessica Rabbit, with bright red hair, a voluptuous red dress and prosthetic makeup.

Heidi Klum as Jessica Rabbit was such an iconic costume. Not only did she spend hours getting into the look, she pulled it off to perfection!

4. Barbie Bey

Beyonce as Barbie. She's wearing a black and white bathing suit in pink Barbie packaging, posing as the doll still in the box.
Beyonce as Barbie. She’s wearing a black and white bathing suit in pink Barbie packaging, posing as the doll still in the box.

Beyonce as Barbie was such a sight for sore eyes. To top it off, she looked absolutely gorgeous.

5. Go as a snack

Katy Petty looking funny, dressed as an orange Cheeto. She's wearing head-to-toe orange and holding a bag of Cheetos.
Katy Petty looking funny, dressed as an orange Cheeto. She’s wearing head-to-toe orange and holding a bag of Cheetos.

Katy Perry as a Cheeto isn’t something I’ll forget anytime soon. I mean, how creative is this costume?

6. The Troll family

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel with their daughter transformed into Branch, Poppy and Lil’ Branch from the Trolls. Justin is all blue in the leafy vest, matching his daughter, while Jessica is all pink wearing a teal dress and pink Troll hair.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel with their daughter transformed into Branch, Poppy and Lil’ Branch from the Trolls. Justin is all blue in the leafy vest, matching his daughter, while Jessica is all pink wearing a teal dress and pink Troll hair.

It was awesome to see Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel with their daughter as Branch, Poppy and Lil’ Branch from the Trolls. Especially since Justin is also the voice of Branch!

7. The 90s are back

Jessica Alba and Kelly Sawyer dressed as Romy and Michele from the movie with the same title. They're in shimmery blue and pink outfits respectively, with golden platform heels and big blond hair. Very 90s outfits, just like the movie.
Jessica Alba and Kelly Sawyer dressed as Romy and Michele from the movie with the same title. They’re in shimmery blue and pink outfits respectively, with golden platform heels and big blond hair. Very 90s outfits, just like the movie.

Jessica Alba and Kelly Sawyer as Romy and Michele just brought back the 90s while making this an awesome costume for besties.

8. A yum bun in the oven

Liv Tyler, looking cute, dressed as a stove with a bun in the oven, because she was pregnant during this Halloween.
Liv Tyler, looking cute, dressed as a stove with a bun in the oven, because she was pregnant during this Halloween.

This iconic costume by Liv Tyler back when she was pregnant with her son is such an iconic costume for any mom-to-be!

9. I’m a star

Lance Bass dressed in denim jeans and jacket, as himself during his N'Sync days. He has a #TBT poster pinned to his jacket, as a tongue in cheek reference to his costume.
Lance Bass dressed in denim jeans and jacket, as himself during his N’Sync days. He has a #TBT poster pinned to his jacket, as a tongue in cheek reference to his costume.

Lance Bass as himself was hilarious yet so on-point. Why go as anything else if you’re already famous, right?

 

10. Such a treat.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, the cute couple, are dressed as Avocado Toast. Gisele is the toast wearing a picture of one on her shoulder, as Tom stands behind her dressed as a giant avocado.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, the cute couple, are dressed as Avocado Toast. Gisele is the toast wearing a picture of one on her shoulder, as Tom stands behind her dressed as a giant avocado.

The cute couple, Tom Brady and Gisele Bündchen, as Avocado Toast was such a fun twist on costumes.

11. Oh no Anna!

Kirsten Bell is dressed as Elsa in a blue Frozen gown, with a crown. She has a sardonic expression on her face as she is actually the voice of Anna in the movie.
Kirsten Bell is dressed as Elsa in a blue Frozen gown, with a crown. She has a sardonic expression on her face as she is actually the voice of Anna in the movie.

Kristen Bell as Elsa was hilarious just because she’s actually the voice of Anna in the film. The things we do for our kids, right?

12. Modern Markle

Eric Stonestreet dressed up as Meghan Markle is worth a double take! He's wearing a blush pink skirt suit with a wide brimmed pink hat, and a dark-haired wig.
Eric Stonestreet dressed up as Meghan Markle is worth a double take! He’s wearing a blush pink skirt suit with a wide brimmed pink hat, and a dark-haired wig.

Eric Stonestreet as Meghan Markle is everything. I love him in any role, but this costume was a clear winner.

13. You’ve got good jeans

Meredith Vieira, Savannah Guthrie, and Jenna Bush Hager are dressed as 'Mom Jeans'. The Today's hosts are wearing actual mom jeans, matching white sneakers and posing coyly with their derrières sticking out.
Meredith Vieira, Savannah Guthrie, and Jenna Bush Hager are dressed as ‘Mom Jeans’. The Today’s hosts are wearing actual mom jeans, matching white sneakers and posing coyly with their derrières sticking out.

Meredith Vieira, Savannah Guthrie, and Jenna Bush Hager as Mom Jeans was such a tongue-in-cheek costume. The Today’s hosts really nailed the look.

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14. Double trouble

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dressed up as the Olsen twins, with all-black outfits, long blond wigs, pouty makeup and cigarettes in hand.
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka dressed up as the Olsen twins, with all-black outfits, long blond wigs, pouty makeup and cigarettes in hand.

Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka as the Olsen twins is a look I won’t forget anytime soon.

15. Whatever!

Lupita Nyong'o dressed up as Dion from Clueless. she's wearing the iconic black and white tartan mini skirt and jacket set, with a red cardigan over a white t-shirt. Her hair is braided and she's wear Dion's signature nose ring and black and white hat, as she pretends to talk on a mobile handset from the 90s.
Lupita Nyong’o dressed up as Dion from Clueless. she’s wearing the iconic black and white tartan mini skirt and jacket set, with a red cardigan over a white t-shirt. Her hair is braided and she’s wear Dion’s signature nose ring and black and white hat, as she pretends to talk on a mobile handset from the 90s.

Lupita Nyong’o as Dion from Clueless was such a simple yet iconic look. I mean, who doesn’t love that movie?

16. Klum again.

Heidi Klum transformed into Fiona from Shrek, wearing the velvet gown, red wig, little tiara and the green full body green prosthetic makeup.
Heidi Klum transformed into Fiona from Shrek, wearing the velvet gown, red wig, little tiara, and the green full body green prosthetic makeup.

Heidi Klum as Fiona from Shrek was the stuff of hours of makeup and so much creativity.

17. Rita who?

Rita Ora transformed into Post Malone with his signature tattoos, curly hair and full beard. she's wearing a denim embellished jacket over a yellow shirt, cigarette and beer in hand. It is almost impossible to tell that it's Rita under the get-up.
Rita Ora transformed into Post Malone with his signature tattoos, curly hair and full beard. she’s wearing a denim embellished jacket over a yellow shirt, cigarette and beer in hand. It is almost impossible to tell that it’s Rita under the get-up.

Rita Ora transformed into Post Malone and almost impossible to recognize! Now that’s a great look.

18. Absolutely heavenly

Michael Kors dressed up as the The Garden of Eden, wearing a suit with apples and leaves on it, a snake around his neck, a red mask with horns, while holding an apple.
Michael Kors dressed up as the The Garden of Eden, wearing a suit with apples and leaves on it, a snake around his neck, a red mask with horns, while holding an apple.

Michael Kors was amazing as The Garden of Eden. Who would’ve thought this would have made such an epic costume?

19. Costume as art

Natalia Vodianova as a Jeff Koons balloon animal, was unique and beautiful. She's wearing a red outfit made up of baubles, headgear with the same, and green leather knee-high boots to complete the look.
Natalia Vodianova as a Jeff Koons balloon animal, was unique and beautiful. She’s wearing a red outfit made up of massive baubles, headgear with the same, and green leather knee-high boots to complete the look.

Natalia Vodianova as a Jeff Koons balloon animal is the stuff of artsy dreams. So iconic!

20. Mr. and Mrs. President

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry dressed up Bill and Hillary Clinton. The prosthetic makeup completely transformed their faces and Orlando is wearing a grey suit, while Katy is wearing Hillary's iconic red suit with short blond hair.
Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry dressed up Bill and Hillary Clinton. The prosthetic makeup completely transformed their faces and Orlando is wearing a grey suit, while Katy is wearing Hillary’s iconic red suit with short blond hair.

Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry as Bill and Hillary Clinton was scary and fascinating all in one.

21. Channeling Chanel

Josh Duhammel and Fergie as Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette was beautiful! He's wearing Karl's iconic white wig, black suit, with a fan in one hand. Fergie is in all white, with cat ears, a metallic white wig and a megaphone in one hand.
Josh Duhammel and Fergie as Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette was beautiful! He’s wearing Karl’s iconic white wig, black suit, with a fan in one hand. Fergie is in all white, with cat ears, a metallic white wig and a megaphone in one hand.

Josh Duhammel and Fergie as Karl Lagerfeld and Choupette is just so creative and completely out of the box.

22. Jackson 2

Beyoncé and Blue Ivy dressed up Janet and Michael Jackson in their most iconic outfits. Beyonce is in all black with a baseball cap as she kisses Blue Ivy, who is dressed in MJ's red jacket, black fedora, silver socks and a microphone in hand.
Beyoncé and Blue Ivy dressed up Janet and Michael Jackson in their most iconic outfits. Beyonce is in all black with a baseball cap as she kisses Blue Ivy, who is dressed in MJ’s red jacket, black fedora, silver socks and a microphone in hand.

Beyoncé and Blue Ivy as Janet and Michael Jackson created such a cute mom-son look.


23. Girl you’ll be in costume soon

Carmen Kass as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction, wearing the iconic blunt cut black wig, open white button-down shirt with the black bra showing, the black mini with black tights pantyhose and heels. She had a cigarette in her hand and the signature nose bleed as in the movie.
Carmen Kass as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction, wearing the iconic blunt cut black wig, open white button-down shirt with the black bra showing, the black mini with black tights pantyhose and heels. She had a cigarette in her hand and the signature nose bleed as in the movie.

Carmen Kass as Mia Wallace from Pulp Fiction. This costume is so easy to do but so iconic.

24. Old school

Cher as Cleopatra was a vision. She wore the elaborate glittering headdress, the sequinned harem pants and matching crop top.
Cher as Cleopatra was a vision. She wore the elaborate glittering headdress, the sequinned harem pants and matching crop top.

Cher as Cleopatra in 1988 will forever be one of my favorite looks.

25. What a transformation!

Heidi Klum as a multicolored butterfly was a work of art. She's wear prosthetic makeup, with bug eyes, giant translucent wings and a colorful bodysuit.
Heidi Klum as a multicolored butterfly was a work of art. She’s wear prosthetic makeup, with bug eyes, giant translucent wings and a colorful bodysuit.

And lastly, Heidi Klum as a butterfly. Just look at the work that has gone into this costume. She really is the queen of Halloween.

No one does Halloween better than the celebs right? From the transformational makeup to the tongue-in-cheek, Hollywood knows how to up the game, every single year. So with just a few days left for Halloween, do you think this year will be as interesting? I’m thinking there will be tons of quarantine looks, so let’s see what Tinseltown serves up on the 31st.

Still unsure of what to wear yourself to your Zoom party yourself? Check out some fantastic ideas here, some more for history nerds, and some not-so-fantastic ideas to avoid here.

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Categories
History Ancient Practices

How the Pope stole Halloween 1200 years ago

[Image description: a figure clad in red robes and Halloween mask hides in the dark arches of a church] Via Dan Burton on Unsplash
[Image description: a figure clad in red robes and Halloween mask hides in the dark arches of a church] Via Dan Burton on Unsplash

In the spirit for more spooky stories? Check out our Halloween series!

Halloween – what a weird word. There’s nothing quite like it phonetically in the English language. Except for “hello”, and “sweets”. Man, if only it really did mean just that. But the term’s real history is less on-the-nose.

At school we learn that the word is just a simple contraction of “all Hallows’ eve” and that is true. But before it was called any of these things, it was originally known as Samhain or Sauin.

Samhain is where most of Halloween today stems from

Pronounced ‘Sow-Win’ (kinda sounds like Gretchen Wieners is trying to coin a term for success; “omg that’s like, so win”) this pagan ritual was an ancient Gaelic celebration where the Celtic people marked the end of their calendar year and prepared for the dark, cold winter.



Because this “dark half of the year” was a time often associated with human death, Celts believed that on Samhain, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead disappeared, presenting a one-night-only connection to the supernatural. People would dress up in costume and present food offerings outside their homes to ward off any unruly ghosts, as well as attempt to get their fortunes read around the bonfire. This is where the elements of spooky, dress up, and trick-or-treating first came from, as well. 

Samhain was Christianized into All Souls’ Day

But being a pagan ritual, Samhain was eventually Christianized and reframed as All Hallow’s Eve. All Hallow’s Day was one of the three days Roman Christians would honor and pray for the ‘hallows’ to reach heaven; hallow [v.] being an archaic term for a holy person. These days already held similar rituals to Samhain, like parades and dressing up as angels and devils. So allegedly, in the ninth century AD, Pope Gregory III switched the original date of All Hallow’s Day which fell on 13 May to instead fall on November 1st, attempting to overwrite the non-religious occasion. I suppose it does make sense to commemorate the dead when it’s darkest, so can we really blame him? 

But the true Samhain still reigns supreme

Once Halloween had itself a new Christian dogma, the world said “so long” to the word ‘So-Win’. But while the celebration was intended to turn holy, the original pagan myths, beliefs and rituals were never quite done away with. Of course, over time these rituals morphed and spread,  blowing up even more with the mass Irish migration to America into the Halloween we know and love today. So while Halloween may have undergone a name change, it’s still pretty much ye olde festival from 2000 years ago.

Except now we have heaters and eat too much candy.

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Categories
Feel-Good Love + Sex Love

Why Halloween is the OG romantic holiday of the year

[Image description: An Egyptian mummy-clad couple holding trick-o-treat pumpkin baskets.] Via Pexels.
[Image description: An Egyptian mummy-clad couple holding trick-o-treat pumpkin baskets.] Via Pexels.

Looking for more spooky stories? Check our Halloween series here!

2020 is truly the year that’s changing life as we know it. If you had told me a few years ago that Halloween had more romantic traditions than Valentine’s Day, I wouldn’t have believed you. But with spooky season creeping up, and Halloween crawling thick into the October air, I’ve been falling deep into a Halloween romance spiral.

Who would’ve thought it was the key romantic holiday of the year?

If you look back, Halloween was considered a way for people, especially women of ‘marriageable age’ to enjoy flirting, romance and the opportunity of love in a way that society approved of. Pretty interesting, right? Some even claimed that this romantic holiday was the time for women to flip the script and take control of their destinies. Talk about fascinating!

Halloween was once considered a holiday that was entirely about couples, dating games and romantic traditions that resulted in long-lasting unions and fruitful courtships. Who would have thought that?

No sir, not me. 

Which is why we did some digging and uncovered five very interesting traditions and sayings around this much overlooked and underrated romantic holiday:

1. Till World War II, Halloween was *the* Beyoncé of romantic holidays

[Image description: A GIF of Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze from the romantic thriller movie Ghost] Via Giphy
No, we’re not joking.

It was one of the most happening couple holidays and people celebrated the whole night by turning it into a huge matchmaking marathon but with costumes and spirits.

Sima Aunty gasping in our midst.

According to old lore, hordes of young, singles would set empty places at their dinner tables and light lanterns on their doorsteps or leave treats for spirits on windowsills, all in hopes that members of the afterlife would show them their future bae and that they too, would be married by next Halloween.

I’m low-key wishing I found my Patrick Swayze from Ghost, right about now.

2. Halloween is celebrated very uniquely in Ireland

A gif of multiple rings floating into water.
[Image description: A gif of multiple rings floating into water.] Via Giphy
Samhain, as the holiday is referred to in Ireland and few other parts in the world, is celebrated by practicing a very interested Halloween divination ritual.

Involving a meal of colcannon, mashed potatoes, parsnips, and chopped onions, it’s said that if a ring was buried in the colcannon, the one to find it would be married within in the year. And if the person who found it was already married, they would have extremely good luck.

I could really use either of that, about now. 



3. Apples have played a huge role in Halloween traditions

[Image description: A GIF of a dark-haired man saying this is a little kinky, even for me] Via Giphy
One game in particular, Snap Apple, challenged participants to use only their teeth to bite a hanging apple from the ceiling by string or a ribbon.

The catch? The first to succeed would be the first to marry.

How do you like them apples? 

4. This one’s all about apples (again)

[Image description: A GIF of the witch from Snow White saying ‘Bon Appetit’ while holding a basket of apples] Via Giphy
And no, an apple a day doesn’t quite keep the doctor away.

But this tradition, hailing from good ol’ U-S-of-A sounds like something straight out of a Charmed episode. Apparently, if people cut a long strip off apple skin and tossed it over their shoulder, the landed peel was said to resemble the first initial of a potential suitor.

This would really make my dating life much simpler.

Brb, trying it out for science. 

5. Our last one is by far the most romantic but also the most cheesy

[Image description: A GIF of the original Addams Family adaptation with Morticia and Gomez talking to each other] Via Giphy
It is said that if there’s a proposal on Halloween night, the couple would have an everlasting love. And that is why it is believed that people who fall in love on Halloween are said to never be broken apart.

If you’re looking for some fun this Halloween, here’s your chance!

Head out to those socially distant Halloween gatherings and let love and lust guide the way forward. After all, the universe is rooting for you and your bae.

Now, while we did a little look into how Halloween and romance tie together, we truly can’t deny that Halloween has also given us ample excuses to spend the spooky holiday, boo’ed up (pun intended).

From giving us romantic ways to spend the holiday, turning dressing up into a couples activity or even letting us fall in love with the dark side (*cough Twilight cough*).

Think Dracula and Mina Harker, the Phantom and Christine, Morticia and Gomez Addams.

We’re huge fans of this romance-heavy but scary holiday!

Do you have any interesting Halloween myths or sayings you’ve heard of? Let us know on by mentioning us on social media! And if you’re still looking for a costume to spice up the holiday, look here.

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Categories
History History of Fashion

Historically accurate Halloween costumes to wow any Zoom party this year

Woman in white dress with red trim next to a drawing of a pandemic doctor with a beak mask

In the spirit for more spooky stories? Check out our Halloween series!

We all know the biggest issue with Halloween costumes, the historical inaccuracy (as well as the insensitivity). 

How many times have you looked at a sexy scientist taking jello shots and thought “That looks nothing like Marie Curie!” If the answer is more than five, this article is for you. There needs to be more historical accuracy in Halloween costumes. We can keep the magic of the season alive as well as our 7th-grade history textbook.

So let’s go through the five best historically accurate Halloween costumes for this Halloweekend. 





1. Nurse / plague doctor

Sexy nurse in a red and white dress next to a pandemic doctor in a full robe and beak
Sexy nurse vs. equally sexy plague doctor on Amazon & Wikipedia

Sexy nurses are SO overdone, and not even historically accurate! Where are the masks? Gloves? Very long pointed beak? Throughout multiple pandemics, nurses have had to work tireless hours in unsafe and dangerous conditions. To honor that, please wear this functional plague doctor costume instead.

This look is SUCH a conversation starter for talking to the guy who dressed up like Big Bird. This plague doctor will prevent you from spreading covid due to the large beak shaped helmet. It will also keep people at least 6 feet away from you, mostly due to your terrifying appearance.

You can get a great plague costume here. If you’re into DYI costumes, all you need for this look is: black jeans, black boots, black shirt, black cape, black top hat, and a beaked mask, which you can get here. Most, if not all, of these things should be in your closet or available at the nearest Khols.

2. Lifeguard/Lotte Baierl Hass

Lotte Hass looking into the distance with her hair blowing
The very beautiful Lotte Hass via Diving Almanac

Lifeguard costumes provide no real protection from underwater terrors. Anyone can just wear one of those without getting certified. Very scary. And the costume materials are not exactly breathable, not optimal for saving the lives of drowning party goers. Instead of an impractical lifeguard let’s turn out attention to “The first lady of diving” Lotte Baierl Hass.

Hass was an underwater photographer, underwater model, diver, and all-around very cool water lady. She went on to become a producer and help her husband Hans Hass create underwater documentaries. This costume is easy, just be an incredibly beautiful Austrian woman who is very good at diving.

3. 1970s cop / 1970s crisis worker

Police officer with thick mustache and glasses
Very full mustached police officer via halloweencostumes.com

Do you know what’s historically not sexy? Dressing like a cop, specifically cops in 1970s movies. They did not read Miranda Rights to the accused in any of those. It does not matter that the mustache looks cool, or that the blue matches your eyes. Stop it! There’s a love of the 1970s cop with the blue uniform and big, bushy mustache. Let’s shift that love to a less appreciated audience. The 1970s crisis worker.

What hotter than a mental health professional using de-escalation training to get someone the assistance they need? Literally nothing. Getting someone addiction treatment is so much sexier than locking them up for their substance use disorder.

The crisis workers of the 1970s were generally social workers, due to underdeveloped further resources. To complete this look you need some very light wash bellbottoms, a tie-dye sweater, clogs, and a critical lack of funding.

4. Witch / 17th-century 20-year-old widow

female witch it white dress floating
Very spooky widow via Aishwarya Sadasivan on Giphy

Sexy witch costumes are a Halloween staple. But they don’t REALLY show who witches were. A Witch was, in general, just a normal lady who did something that men didn’t like. Sometimes they just did not have men constantly around them. Here are just a few things that led men to call women witches:

  • Getting divorced
  • Being widowed 
  • Being a spinster 
  • Having female friends
  • Having too many kids
  • Not having enough kids
  • Having sex
  • Giving off weird vibes 

With so many things that would historically get you called a witch, you have a lot of costume options. May I suggest the 17th-century 20-year-old widow? For this costume just dress like a regular woman but go around telling people “My husband no longer controls me or my land because he is dead.” You’ll be charged with witchcraft by November 1st for sure.

5. Cowgirl / Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane wearing a cowboy hat and a large jacket
Smizing Calamity Jane on Wikipedia

Everyone enjoys a good rodeo, but typical cowgirl costumes are often coated in racism wrapped in faux fur. So this Halloween we should remember some bad-ass women while we look cute as hell. And for this task, we turn to Calamity Jane.

Calamity Jane was a frontierswoman sharpshooter who knew how to rock some male pantaloons. She was a cowboy with the best of them. She would drink copious amounts of whiskey and lie about her adventures, much like a frat boy during a typical Halloween party. For this costume, you mostly just need the attitude that you own the place. I would recommend reading some of Carrie Bradshaw’s blog posts from Sex and the City.

Now that you have plenty of costume ideas I can’t imagine it’ll be difficult deciding what to be this year.

Just because you can’t leave your house doesn’t mean you can’t be historically accurate.

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