Trend Report: Supernatural Season

A trip to the other side.

Above: Flora Nero’s orb pipe

Trend Report: Supernatural Season

Last week, I joined an IRL panel for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic got underway, and the biggest difference from events prior to 2020 wasn’t the presence of hand sanitizer or hesitance to shake hands. It was the fact that each panelist introduced themselves with their name, preferred pronoun, and sun, moon, and rising astrological signs. I don’t actually know mine—it didn’t end up mattering, and we proceeded just fine—but it did remind me that the metaphysical is moving ever deeper into the mainstream. 

In last October’s witchy weed report, I dug into humanity’s collective fascination for the unknown, and since then, the trend has only intensified. The wellness realm continues to expand, with adaptogens and mushrooms—psychedelic and otherwise—claiming more space in mainstream conversations, and pop culture’s interest in practices from sound baths to ayahuasca retreats is at an all-time high. We’ve learned some lessons about responsibility and respect due when dabbling in the traditions of other cultures, but continue to struggle to walk the line between exploitative hobbies and aesthetics and appreciative exploration of ancient human traditions. Still, there is a clear craving for ritual and ceremony in the cannabis community, and it makes sense to look to the metaphysical realm for inspiration—the key is to do so with authentic care and thought-through approaches and avoid flirting with belief systems in a reductive way.

So, today’s newsletter covers my favorite spooky season drops, lightbulb-sparking event ideas, and food for thought as we look to the stars for ideas to execute on the ground.