Particularly in Western culture, October is more commonly associated with spookiness and the Halloween season. The reasons for this association are rooted in historical, cultural, and traditional practices.
But why is October considered spooky, rather than other months?
Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, is the primary reason for the spookiness associated with this month. This holiday is known for its ghostly and supernatural themes, costumes, haunted houses, and the overall celebration of the macabre, as you all know. As a result, the entire month of October is often seen as a lead-up to Halloween, with spooky decorations and activities.
On the other hand, October falls within the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. The fall season is characterized by shorter days, cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and a general sense of transition from the warmth of summer to the cold of winter. Clearly, these natural changes in the environment could contribute to a sense of spookiness, as darkness arrives earlier, and the world around us seems to transform.
This month is also associated with various harvest festivals, which celebrate the end of the agricultural growing season. Harvest festivals often include elements of feasting, gourds, and pumpkins, and sometimes folklore related to the harvest. Presumably, it is somewhat understandable that these elements can sometimes have spooky or mysterious undertones.
Photo by James Kemp on Unsplash
On the cultural and literary side, popular culture has played a significant role in reinforcing the spookiness of October. Many classic horror stories and films are set in October or have themes related to the fall season. Additionally, some famous authors whose works often have eerie and Gothic themes (that are easier to establish a connection and relation with the scary elements), have contributed to the association between the fall season and spookiness.
To get into the vibe of this month, what we lack, besides costumes and decorations, are books. That’s why, I am here to give you some suggestions that will create a scarier atmosphere in your cozy reading corner.
There are some well-known authors who are most closely associated with this month. Edgar Allan Poe is known for his macabre and Gothic tales, “The Masque of the Red Death” is a good read. “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley, “The October Country” by Ray Bradbury, “Dracula” by Bram Stoker and some Cthulhu mythos stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft, are the most ideal choices to send shivers down your spine. “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson is always an option as well.
In addition to the classic horror novels, you might want to try rather more modern ones like Stephen King’s “It”, “Pet Sematary” and “The Shining”. Clive Barker’s “Hellraiser” or Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book” can be your selection for spooky times.
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
As humanity, we like to celebrate things, that is for sure. I believe that when we come together (without this or that) for a particular reason, it becomes the most joyous time of world. It can be funny, scary or silly; does not matter. When we immerse ourselves in the theme’s story, it will be fun. Therefore, since we don’t have many other options like October’s spookiness, I think we should get the taste of it. Do it as you wish, do it as much as you want, but just enjoy it, dive into the sense of it.
And don’t forget to watch scary movies (boo!) and have a cup of hot coffee.
Articles that might interest you:
Comments