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Where were you when you heard your first spooky story? Can you remember the prickle of terror that went through your body, the thrill of danger?
I was 7, camping out on the back deck of our home. My sister and I begged for a story, and our dad delivered. It involved a man with a hook. I’m sure you know it. To make a long story short, my outdoor sleepover ended and I ran inside for the comfort of four walls and a warm, soft bed. ⛺
Our first recorded history of the paranormal is likely a clay tablet from ancient Babylon, dated 1500 B.C.E. The tablet is a portion of a guide for exorcizing ghosts, and lives now at the British Museum.
With Halloween only days away, it’s fascinating to think that as the dark streets fill with costumed revelers dressed as ghosts, witches, vampires and more, we are repeating a fascination with belief in the strange that echoes back to the beginnings of human history.
I may have run in terror from my first spooky story, but over time I came back to the genre, gaining an appetite for the seasonally creepy and macabre.
But, why do we do it? What is it about spine tingling stories that keeps us hooked?
🕷A Safe Way to Face Fear
Scary stories give us a chance to explore fear in a safe, controlled setting. We can experience the thrill of danger without ever leaving the comfort of our cozy reading nook or living room. It's fear, but on our terms.
🕷Emotional Catharsis
There's a sense of emotional release that comes with a good scare. The suspense builds, our heart races, and when it’s over, we feel a rush of relief. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that keeps us coming back for more.
🕷Building Connections
Ever notice how sharing a scary story around a campfire or during a storm brings people together? Fear can be a bonding experience. When we face it alongside others, it creates a unique sense of connection and shared thrill.
🕷Celebrating Life
For all of its focus on death, spooky stories actually increase the value we hold for life. When the tale is done, we breathe deeply, grateful to be alive, more aware of the beauty and opportunity that surrounds us all.
Author and Horror Master, Neil Gaiman has said, “We have been telling each other tales of otherness, of life beyond the grave, for a long time; stories that prickle the flesh and make the shadows deeper and, most important, remind us that we live, and that there is something special, something unique and remarkable about the state of being alive.”
Scary stories tap into something deep within us—our fascination with fear and the unknown. This Halloween season, take a moment to embrace the chills and thrills of a good, spooky tale. After all, who doesn’t love a good scare now and then?
And, if you find yourself in Philadelphia, try your luck at the American Philosophical Society where extraordinary Founding Father Benjamin Franklin’s statue has been rumored to come to life and dance in the streets (since the late 19th century). 👻😉
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