Happy Croptober! Harvest season is such an exciting time for cannabis and astrology enthusiasts alike, as the seasonal turnover brings new opportunities—and strains! So let’s dive into the Spooky Season Strain-o-Scope. By letting a greater sense of justice and compassion guide our decisions this Libra season, we can use Pluto’s return from retrograde to drive collective change. In fact, take Pluto’s direct station on October 16th as a sign to make sure your voter registration is up to date, and you’re informed about local elections.
Spooky season truly gets under way when the sun moves into Scorpio on October 23rd. Doing what scares us becomes essential to getting the emotional clarity we need. As if we weren’t already putting the horror in horoscopes this month, Mercury Retrograde begins on October 24th. Leading with ego results in trouble communicating with loved ones, so think before you speak until November 13th. Or you know, always. The Hunter’s Moon in Taurus on October 26th encourages us to enjoy the fruits of our summer labor and move into a slower, more reflective season of life. Celebrations during this period, including All Hallow’s Eve, Día de los Muertos, and Diwali, focus on the triumph of light over darkness, life over death.
Welcoming this shedding-for-later-rebirth mindset becomes especially pertinent on November 3rd when voting polls open. Between the optimism that the Sun in Sagittarius ushers in on November 22nd and a generational alignment of planets reminiscent of Hercules starting November 29th, I’m hopeful for a collective awakening to the need to overhaul old ways of doing things. Uranus in Gemini trines Pluto in Aquarius, and basically, 2 + 2 equals revolutionary liberation. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m basically surviving all of *gestures broadly* this by honoring the light of Bic to torch the almighty Bowl. What strain will you worship this harvest season?
Aries
Oof buddy, I’m sorry to tell you this, but this spooky season is looking especially nightmarish for you. The good news is if you are able to hunker down and keep it low-key, you should be okay. Your planet, Mars, the God of War, is sitting next to Jupiter, so ideas abound. However, both Venus and Mercury will be in retrograde for the end of October, spelling financial disaster for you if you aren’t especially selective about your impulses. Wait to make any major relationship or financial decisions until the Full Moon in Taurus on the 26th, and even then, be wary. My suggestion? The ultimate sleeper strain, Frankenstein. It’ll nearly put you into hibernation this Halloweek. Get into the vibe with a bong rip that’ll have you stumbling into the kitchen to tear up the fridge and follow it up with del Toro and Elordi’s take on Shelley’s Frankenstein. After taking a pause to properly weigh your options, jump at the financial opportunity that presents itself on November 9th. Oh, and save some Frankenstein for the 19th, because when the Sun squares Mars, you will be especially prone to hotheadedness. Instead of fire, exhale the relief of this heavy indica-leaning hybrid that puts even veteran tokers in-da-couch.
Taurus
This Venus retrograde is the time to embody your inner Aaron Burr and wait for it; you’re not standing still, you’re lying in wait. If it seems like everything you say to your lover is the wrong thing, stop digging your own grave. Instead, shift your energy toward laying the groundwork for financial abundance and asserting boundaries that align with your values. The Full Moon on October 26th is the day to speak your mind, and then let the dust settle until Mercury and Venus station direct again on November 13th. Things start looking up again for you when the Sun moves into sunny Sagittarius on the 22nd. Between that and a bowl of Vampire Killer, you have the opportunity to harness your full potential during the Pluto trine on the 29th to drive a wooden stake through any lingering, undead problems. This euphoric hybrid keeps you relaxed into a laser focus that may return handsome dividends both financially and romantically. Enjoy the honeymoon period that you waited for from the 25th all the way into the end of February when Mars enters your true love zone.
Gemini
Both Gemini and Chimera are no strangers to diametric opposites finding balance in one body. Named for both its monstrous effects and genetic duplicity, Chimera is certainly the most even hybrid I’ve ever smoked. This is my personal recommendation for Gemini Suns this spooky season because the euphoric limonene will bring you back up from October’s lows, and the relaxing linalool will keep you humble and grounded during November’s highs. If your coworkers have been getting on your last nerve the past few weeks, you can thank Venus, the Sun, and your ruler planet, Mercury, for that. Until they station direct on November 13th, taking the high road is the best route. November 9th’s New Moon puts a new job opportunity in your lap. What looks like a lateral move may actually turn into something more. Cuffing season strikes hard on the 22nd, and only time will tell whether this is just a cuddle buddy or the love of your life. The stars say to take a trip to find out.
Cancer
The universe is asking you to do more listening than you do talking this harvest season. Venus retrograde makes miscommunications at home more abundant, so take the next six weeks to really understand the other’s perspective before popping off at the mouth. In fact, you can’t say something you’ll regret later if you’ve got a Meraki 1G preroll of Black Patronus in your mouth. This strain ended up being one of my favorite new strains from the 2024 croptober harvest because it feels exactly like fighting off dozens of dementors dead set on sucking your soul. Expecto Patronum, depression! On that note, resist the urge to self-isolate and instead celebrate the 26th’s New Moon with friends. After all, you can’t pour from an empty pitcher, so take October to fill your cup. Things start to turn around in late November when a promotion becomes available. Prioritize self-care in the busyness of holidays and travel in the months ahead.
Leo
Damn, Leo October has been so good to you. Where others are feeling the pressure of the Venus and Mercury retrogrades, you use your fiery charm to bat your eyelashes and get your way. Harness the energy from the Sun adjacent to Venus in late October to tackle your domestic situation and throw a Halloween party. Everyone will realize how much of a bright spot you are in their lives. However, drama is possible after Venus and Mercury station direct on November 13th, because your ruling planet, the Sun, is in conflict with Mars and Jupiter, the Gods of War and Gods respectively, until the 19th. Lord help you, mattafact bow ya head. May the Cinderella 99 half of Killer Queen grant you the clarity you need to accept things you cannot change, and may the G13 parentage grant you the courage to change the things you can. Romance, friendship, and fat stacks round out November if you can keep your head.
Virgo
Channel the energy of hanging up first and trimming dead branches this spooky season. Lately, it seems like everyone is finally on your level thanks to the Sun and your ruling planet, Mercury’s recent transits through Virgo, causing a major desire for decluttering and organization in the collective consciousness. The only problem is, everybody and their mother has been looking to you for advice, and it’s in your best interest to protect your peace. While Mercury is in retrograde, begin to ponder what weaknesses from your Virgo sun you can leave in 2026. Stick to the status quo until Mars moves into your sign on November 25, then strike while the iron is hot! To keep your spirits on the right track through this energetic shift, a descendant of White Runtz is your best guess, and what could be more festive than Ghost Candy? Its berry interior is covered by a white blanket of frosty trichome goodness, giving this potent, energetic yet relaxed, hybrid strain its namesake. Ghost Candy is going to be best enjoyed hand-rolled with love, but who am I kidding? Does a Virgo smoke any other way?
Libra
October birthdays are a treat, and yet your financial situation is tricky this harvest season! The double retrograde from your ruler and action planets means a boom in expenses. Use your 6ixth Sense to discern a better source of income when the Sun changes over to Scorpio on the 23rd. This creative hybrid could help you see your way out of a birthday-induced spending spiral too. As you may very well be aware, it’s only a matter of time before the scales balance out. This comes from the universe in the form of Venus and Mercury returning from retrograde on November 13th, allowing Libra suns financial relief. In perhaps better news, your long-distance travel is set to go for the Full Moon over this Thanksgiving, unlike a good chunk of the other signs. Oh, and on the romance front, you have a chance to put the sex in the Venus-Jupiter sextile on the 28th. As the grandchild of Pink Panties, 6ixth Sense has also been known to take a good time to sexy time lickety-spliff.
Scorpio
Happy Boo-Day to you! I hope you took the first half of October as an opportunity to get some quiet time because you are going to be at the center of a lot of attention for the next few weeks! At the same time, Scorpio Suns need to lean on their support systems as they use the transit of their self-image planet through retrograde to shed old frames of view. After November 13th, though, your confidence will bloom exponentially. The planets align for you on the 16th, so don’t be surprised if you walk through your day like Harry Potter on Felix Felicis. In fact, all the way through to December, your friendship and money sectors are set up for abundance; get that bag, queen!! Since you’re operating from Cloud Nine, my strain-o-scope for Scorpio Suns can only be one of the hottest, freshest strains on the market this spooky season: Scary Cherry. When fellow Scorpion Drake said, “Why do you think I had my head in the clouds on that last album cover?” he must have been talking about being blitzed off some Cherry OG, the only obvious parent for this new strain. I’d take his advice on this one: “It’s my birthday, I’ll get high if I want to!”
Sagittarius
Keeping your jumbled-up thoughts to yourself is wise through this dreaded double retrograde, but you may also benefit from using this as an opportunity to reconnect with your significant other when Venus transits through Libra. This is your sign to take a season of rest while the Sun moves through Scorpio. For your couch-rotting pleasure, Zombie OG is sure to have you one-track-minded, either munchies *braaaiiiiiiinnnnssss,* or asleep. But you need your beauty rest while you can get it because you become the star of the show on November 22nd when the Sun enters your sign! The Full Moon in Gemini on the 24th of November is giving Elle Woods’ romantic dinner with Warner Huntington III when she thinks she’s going to get proposed to, but instead he dumps her to go be with an old-money brunette socialite at Harvard, and it turns out they were both better off without that loser guy. Rom-Com translation: your love life is going to make a hard turn in one direction or another, but whatever happens, it’s for the best.
Capricorn
Let me just cut right to the chase. Your close circle might say some stupid stuff to you during this retrograde transit, and it is in everyone’s best interest for you to bite your tongue and fix your face. In fact, why don’t you just use the sound of the grinder to drown them out and find your zen. A little magic goes a long way, and Abracadabra is just that: a little sparkle in your step. If you can exercise a little more patience and persistence through social hiccups, your elevated reputation brings about potential financial opportunities via Venus in Libra on October 26th. Take your boo out to celebrate your fiscal success! Creativity becomes essential to buttoning up this chapter, so between some Abracadabra and the Thanksgiving Full Moon, you can put your Current Big Project (I know you have one) on the “Done” list. Thank u, next! Actually, on that note, the Sun and Saturn provide you with a cosmically kissed window to put your horse in the race whether you’re applying for grad school or jobs; November 30th is the day to click submit!
Aquarius
While everyone else seems to be suffering this spooky season, you are navigating the storms like it’s a breeze. Is that a joint in your pocket, or are you just always this innovative and progressive in the face of adversity and misunderstanding? Throughout October, diplomacy is required on international levels, and we are all looking toward the Water Bearer for guidance. Now is the time to speak up for the good of humanity, but Mercury in retrograde makes these already touchy subjects even more prone to misunderstandings. Partaking in a little Blood Orange to get your creative juices flowing for a draft might be the start you need, but remember, kids, always edit sober. The Sun puts a spotlight on you over election season, so don’t choke on your words. It all comes to a head on November 29th when your modern ruling planet, that of sudden freedom and revolution, namely Uranus, trines Pluto, the ruler of death, transformation, and rebirth. Take this as your opportunity to make one small step for you, and one giant leap for humankind.
Pisces
Key to your survival this double retrograde spooky season will be being more faithful to the to-do lists and budgets you write when you’re clear-minded. This is a measure twice, cut once situation. While the “but then I got high” a la Afroman defense for putting off what appear to be trivial pursuits is appealing, Mercury rules your domestics, so while it’s in retrograde, best not to wake sleeping giants. Instead, save one of Leafly’s 2026 Strain of the Year contenders as a motivator for yourself to enjoy when all the work is done. Toad Venom is a hot commodity, so you may also find yourself looking for some by its birth name, Sinmint Cookies. IMHO, ‘Toad Venom’ much more adequately conveys this energetic hybrid’s Animal Face interior. If you can keep all your ducks in a row, Sagittarius season will ask you to take charge at work and at home. Work as hard as you play so you can feel even better about treating yourself to some Toad Venom when it’s time to celebrate!
