“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.”
— Stephen King, The Shining (1977)
Halloween is a season of costumes, shadows, and a little bit of magic. Children dress up as witches, wizards, and superheroes, while adults decorate their homes with pumpkins and cobwebs.
But beyond the costumes and candy, Halloween offers powerful metaphors for coaching. Because what is coaching—if not a little bit magical? Our clients arrive carrying fears, blind spots, and hidden strengths. And with curiosity, presence, and a few trusted tools, we help them transform.
As coaches, we each carry our own spellbook—a growing collection of techniques, prompts, and practices that spark insight and change. This Halloween, let’s flip open those pages and play with a few seasonal spells—tools designed to help our clients unmask their true selves, shine light into their shadows, and maybe even tame a monster or two.
Potions and Elixirs: The Tools in Our Coaching Cauldron
Every witch or wizard has their potions kit—full of recipes to spark transformation. As coaches, our “cauldron” holds tools like the Wheel of Life, values clarification, visualisation, and journaling prompts.
But just like no two potions are the same, the real magic lies not in the tool itself, but in how we use it—the timing, the blend, and the intuition behind it.
Prompt:
Ask your client: “If you could create a potion to help you right now, what would be in it? What would it give you?”
Masks and Costumes: The Roles We Wear
On Halloween night, everyone wears a costume. Some hide, some perform, and others experiment with new identities. Our clients do the same—donning the “confident leader” mask, the “perfect parent” costume, or the ever-reliable “I’m fine” disguise.
Coaching is the space to ask: What’s underneath? Who are you without the costume? It’s also the place to try on new roles—leader, visionary, creator—long enough to realise those identities were theirs all along.
Prompt:
Invite clients to reflect: “What masks do you wear in daily life? Which ones feel heavy, and which ones empower you?”
Shadows: Blind Spots Waiting for Light
Halloween thrives in the shadows—on what lurks just out of sight. Coaching has its own shadows: unspoken assumptions, limiting beliefs, and unseen patterns that keep clients stuck.
Our job is to carry the lantern. To shine light gently into the dark corners. With compassion, we help clients notice what’s been hidden—and make room for something new.
Prompt:
Ask: “What might be hiding in the shadows of this situation? What haven’t you looked at yet?”
Werewolves, Vampires, and Inner Saboteurs
Folklore is full of creatures that drain energy or cause transformation beyond our control. In coaching, these show up as inner saboteurs—the critic that howls at the worst time, or the procrastination that quietly drains momentum.
When we name these saboteurs, they lose their power. Once seen, they can be challenged, managed—or even befriended.
Prompt:
Invite clients to imagine: “If your inner critic were a creature, what would it look like? What would it say? How would you respond to it?”
Treats: Celebrating the Sweet Wins
Halloween isn’t just about tricks—it’s about treats too. In coaching, these are the insights, breakthroughs, and small wins that deserve to be savoured.
Acknowledging progress is like handing out candy: it energises the journey and builds momentum. Sometimes, the biggest treat is simply helping a client see how far they’ve come.
Prompt:
Pause in sessions to ask: “What’s one sweet success you want to savour right now?”
Wrap-Up: Add This to Your Coaching Spellbook
Halloween reminds us that imagination, play, and a touch of mystery can open up new perspectives. The same is true in coaching. Whether we’re helping someone shed an old identity, face what lurks in their shadows, or celebrate a sweet win—there’s real magic in the process.
So consider this your invitation to add a few of these metaphors and prompts to your coaching spellbook. Share them with your clients if you like. Or better yet—let them inspire you to create a few new spells of your own.
Because sometimes, a sprinkle of playfulness is exactly what brings a client’s next breakthrough to life.
“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
— Roald Dahl, The Minpins (1991)
Add More Spells to Your Coaching Spellbook..
Want to go deeper with the “inner saboteur” theme?
The Self-Care Toolkit includes the powerful, visual “Draw Out Your Gremlin” Exercise—a fun, insightful tool that helps clients name and tame their inner critic.
It’s perfect for October sessions… or any time a little shadow work is in order.
Grab the Self-Care Toolkit now and help your clients turn their monsters into manageable messengers.
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Image of Spooky Halloween carved pumpkin lantern by Freepik
