In the spirit of Halloween, Chinese-American author and newspaper columnist Qin Sun Stubis shares a short musing about some parts of the ghostly heritage of Asian culture, in particular a bizarre phenomenon that happens to play a central part in her new historical memoir, “Once in Our Lives.”

The Mid-Autumn Festival, or 中秋節 (zhōng qiū jié), is one of the most well-known traditional Chinese festivals, and is considered the second most important event behind the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year). The celebration occurs on the 15th day of the 8th moon on the Chinese Lunar Calendar. This year, it takes place on September 29, 2023.