| Wellness
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💡 TLDR
Drop everything because your soul is screaming for a reset. Life’s been a chaotic ride—turning 40, losing a job, staring down a mortgage—so I traded my usual coping mechanisms for something wilder: st…
Drop everything because your soul is screaming for a reset. Life’s been a chaotic ride—turning 40, losing a job, staring down a mortgage—so I traded my usual coping mechanisms for something wilder: stargazing. My therapist asked, “What are you doing to take care of you?” and I had no answer. Turns out, my answer was a Brother Vellies copal incense stick. The scent grounded me instantly, but why? Because the Mayans have been using copal for 2,500 years to connect with the cosmos. It’s not just incense—it’s a ritual.
My journey started in Maui, where I got a natal chart reading from Juliet Butters Doty, an astrologer who calls our birth time our “first breath.” She explained how planets “tickle” us to grow, and my reading mirrored my therapy sessions. I realized my Virgo energy made me hyper-critical, but my chart also showed I’m meant to prioritize my needs. Juliet confirmed my therapist’s advice: stay curious, stay open. It felt like a validation I didn’t know I needed.
Next stop: Lānái, where I stargazed under a 3.2-foot telescope. The stars felt like a cosmic exhale. My Apple Watch tracked my heart rate slowing, and for the first time in months, my brain wasn’t racing about bills or job searches. Stacian Watts, a psychotherapist, called it “awe”—a state that quietens the brain’s rumination and expands our sense of self. It’s like Beyoncé’s lyrics: “You’re part of something way bigger.” I kayaked out to sea and saw a whale breach right in front of me. My perspective shifted.
Finally, I hit Mayakoba for a Mayan purification ritual. Copal smoke cleared my energetic field, and a grounding massage melted my tension. The Mayans saw the moon as a goddess guiding life cycles—something I’ve been craving as a Black girl raised in a Baptist church. These practices aren’t just rituals; they’re a bridge to ancestral wisdom.
💫 – Astrology and stargazing aren’t pseudoscience; they’re ancient ways to connect with your soul’s journey.
Key points: – Copal isn’t just a scent—it’s a spiritual tool rooted in Indigenous traditions. – Astrology and stargazing aren’t pseudoscience; they’re ancient ways to connect with your soul’s journey. – Rituals like purification and moon rituals honor cycles of growth, not just self-care.
What ancient practice would you try to feel more connected? Drop your pick in the comments—let’s vibe.
❓ People Also Ask
What equipment do I need for stargazing?
A dark location, naked eye, and optionally binoculars or a telescope. No special gear is needed for basic stargazing.
When is the best time to stargaze?
After sunset, during new moon phases, and on clear nights. Avoid light pollution and check the moon phase for optimal viewing.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇