Introduction Halloween, celebrated annually on October 31, is one of the most widely recognized holidays in Western culture and increasingly worldwide. While today it is synonymous with costumes, trick-or-treating, and festive gatherings, its origins extend back over two millennia, encompassing a complex interplay of pagan rituals, Christian traditions, and cultural evolution (Hansen, 2019). Halloween’s enduring popularity raises important questions about its historical roots

Introduction From the earliest civilizations, humans have sought altered states of consciousness. Whether to commune with gods, heal the...