Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. Probably because autumn is by far my favorite season when everything feels crisp and cool. But even as a child, it wasn’t because of the candy or the costumes, although I’ve always loved the chance to dress up and play a part for an evening. What really drew me in, is the deeper meaning the season carries. Long before Halloween became what it is now, this time of year marked Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival when the veil between worlds was believed to grow thin.

I’ve always been a planner. I like knowing what comes next and stacking habits that support my day. (I blame my fixed Leo sign for this.) But over time, I noticed that checking off my to-do list left me bored, frustrated, and resentful of my own schedule, especially when I didn’t get everything done. That’s when I started noticing the difference between routine and ritual.