Illustration of a desert landscape with a highway extending to the horizon. Overlaying the scene is a large cluster of animated carved pumpkins with spooky faces, along with two ghost figures above them. The background is orange with star-like sparkles, and there is a black rectangular border with the text "17 Trick or Treat" and a Route 66 shield icon at the bottom right.

17     TRICK OR TREAT    

KEY CONCEPTS:  veils, masks, disguises, appearances, ghosts, hidden elements, haunted by the past, rewards, extortion.

MESSAGE:  It’s October 31st, All Hallows Eve, when scary ghosts and goblins pop out along the Route.  On this night of fright, petty extortion is not only condoned but celebrated.  Cries of “Trick or Treat” insinuate semi-veiled threats…“Give me a treat or else.”  Why use force to get your needs met?  It’s a juvenile strategy.  When you mature there’s no occasion for intimidation, and no need to actively seek reward.  Kick back and enjoy some spooky festivities.  In the old days kids ran wild, pulling a host of devious pranks.  Strangely enough, Halloween extortion originated to minimize miscreant mischief. 

Are you haunted by past deeds?  Childhood upsets mold malleable minds; negative programming produces far-reaching trauma.  When sudden sounds frighten a baby, screams and sobs commence.  When scary-looking specters slide into view, phobia etches dark tattoos onto impressionable minds…even if the “ghost” is only Mommy in a flimsy bed sheet.  It’s a sham fight, friend.  Like the ego, ghosts don’t realize they’re already dead; they howl on in useless terror of their own demise. Don’t assign power to apparitions.

Donning a Frankenstein mask for three years running doesn’t make you a monster for life.  Costumes don’t create the person; their anonymity makes room for role playing.  Would you enjoy switching it up?  Try using disguise to engage other aspects of self.  Dress-up conceals identity while it helps you access uncharted character traits. Remember, there’s only One Self in infinite expression as form.  Throw off that old sheet and start counting your treats!

RELATED SITES: FAMOUSLY HAUNTED SITES ON 66 INCLUDE HOTEL MONTE VISTA, FLAGSTAFF AZ; RIALTO THEATER, SOUTH PASADENA, CA;  HIGH NOON RESTAURANT AND SALOON, ALBUQUERQUE, NM;  CONGRESS PLAZA HOTEL, CHICAGO IL; AND LINCOLN’S GHOST WALK, SPRINGFIELD IL.