This Halloween, try sharing ex-witch and ex-ghost hunter tracts

Every October, interest in the occult surges. Psychic fairs, tarot nights, ghost-hunting events and “family-friendly” witch festivals appear in our towns. It seems like harmless fun. But as an ex-spiritualist who once loved Halloween more than any other time of year, I can offer some insight.

I spent years practising spirit communication, divination and other New Age spiritualities. Halloween was when mediums and witches claimed the “veil was thinner”, so contacting spirits was easiest. Today, well-known mediums and witches still say this. It’s also what traditional Satanists call “Satan’s Birthday”, when evil ritual activity and sacrifices increase. That contrast should make us pause. On my radio show, The Supernatural with Laura Maxwell, I interviewed ex-occultists who shared their insights into Halloween: Watch the interviews here.

READ MORE: ‘The enemy doesn’t want your money; he wants your soul’ - A Christian ex-witch explains the darkness behind Halloween

The occult isn’t harmless. It led to my medium mother’s suicide thirty years ago. 

The occult isn’t harmless. It led to my medium mother’s suicide thirty years ago. When I came to Jesus, he opened my eyes to the reality behind the practices we’d embraced. I learned that the spirits we contacted were not deceased loved ones, helpful spirit guides or aliens, but deceptive beings Scripture warns us about: “…for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

This explained why they attacked us, why ‘ghosts’ don’t exist and that heaven and hell are real. I also personally discovered the authority of Christ when evil spirits fled at his name. I don’t avoid Halloween out of fear. I’m not afraid of demons; indeed, over decades of ministry, I’ve seen many demons cast out of people. I avoid Halloween because I’ve seen what lies behind the mask.

What was once fringe is now normalised. Hollywood, social media and children’s entertainment have made witchcraft and spiritualism appealing. Many ex-occultists admit their fascination began at Halloween, or through Harry Potter and other ghost stories they encountered as children.

READ MORE: Halloween is not harmless: ‘I have seen the power of evil in Haiti, but Jesus is more powerful’

There is rising attendance at spiritualist churches and booming growth in ghost-hunting and witchcraft, especially among Gen Z, who are practising tarot, manifestation and divination. The occult is no longer hidden – it’s marketed and celebrated in society.

When culture shapes our convictions more than Scripture, we become vulnerable. The Bible urges us to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them” (Ephesians 5:11) and to “abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). These verses aren’t about legalism, fearmongering or over-spiritualising – they’re about spiritual safety.

Many Christians participate in Halloween simply for fun, assuming it’s harmless to dress up or attend events. But imitation matters. “Do not imitate what is evil” (3 John 11). Even attending events can signal approval, especially to children or neighbours who are tempted by, or already exploring, occult practices. Ouija boards are sold in toy shops! I know how easily spiritual doors can open. Mediums, witches and ghost hunters say Halloween is the most spiritually ‘active’ night of the year. They’re right – but not for the reasons they think. The atmosphere is spiritually heavy because people are engaging with occult practices that attract demons.

READ MORE: Do Christians celebrate Halloween? A look at the roots of All Hallows Eve

Instead of withdrawing – or joining in without discernment – Christians can use Halloween as a great opportunity to shine Christ’s light.

Instead of withdrawing – or joining in without discernment – Christians can use Halloween as a great opportunity to shine Christ’s light. I’ve spoken in churches and on TV and radio about Halloween for twenty years. My story is included in a book by an ex-Satanist who escaped being offered as a human sacrifice by his coven one Halloween. Read more about the book here.

I’ve seen how powerful it is when believers offer compassion, prayer and truth during this season. Some churches hold prayer nights around 31 October, interceding for children trick-or-treating and for those unknowingly stepping into spiritual danger. Others set up outreach stalls at Halloween events, offering prayer and seeing people encounter Jesus right in the middle of the festivities. I’ve done this myself at the Samhuinn Fire Festival, a world-famous festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. By doing this, you can witness salvations, healings and deliverances.

To help Christians reach out during the Halloween season, I’ve created free downloadable testimony tracts on my blog. These true stories come from ex-witches, ex-mediums, ex-New Agers and even an ex-Satanist, sharing how Jesus rescued them from spiritual deception and demonic oppression. These tracts are seeds of gospel hope, suitable for teens and adults at any time of year, but especially now. Share them at church events, with neighbours or with those planning to attend a haunted house, tarot night or Halloween party. I recommend Chick Tracts for children.

Halloween doesn’t need to be a season Christians dread. It can be a time to pray, speak truth in love and offer testimonies of Christ’s freedom. As someone who once walked deeply in spiritual darkness, I can assure you: people involved in the occult are not unreachable. Many are searching for truth – they just haven’t met the One who is Truth.

This October, let your light shine! If you’d like a practical way to reach out during the weeks leading up to Halloween and on the day itself, you can download and share free testimony tracts from my blog.