The Spiritual Benefits of Stargazing

Stargazing has many benefits for our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It can be a powerful tool for our imagination, provide escapism, aid self-reflection, and act as a new form of mindful meditation—helping people find inner peace, calm, and achieve a sense of interconnected purpose. Humans have gazed at the night’s sky in fascination for millenia—humbled and enchanted by its beauty and vastness. 

“There is a fundamental reason why we look at the sky with wonder and longing. For the same reason that we stand, hour after hour, gazing at the distant swell of the open ocean. There is an ancient wisdom, encoded and tucked away in our DNA that knows the point of origin.” 

— Neil deGrasse Tyson

Stargazing eases our minds and rejuvenates our spirits but it also reminds us that although the Universe is immeasurably vast and more beautiful than our minds could ever conceive, we are not merely observers of the Cosmos, but a crucial part of it, linked to the stars and to all life. Much of space’s magical qualities are felt and not persuaded by the analytical mind. Let’s explore the many benefits stargazing provides for our well-being and spirituality.

I. Experience a Whole New Side of Nature

In addition to the beauty of the night sky, the natural world is more still and quiet—you might experience a whole new array of nocturnal nature sounds not present during the day, such as the mystical hoot of an owl welcoming the night or the quintessential sound of a cricket. The night also has a cleaner, fresher scent than during the day since the activity of our modern world has subsided.

II. Gaze Into the Past of the Cosmos

Because of the speed of light, when you look up at the night sky, your gaze travels back in time. You are seeing stars and planets as they were from a few minutes to thousands of years ago. The Andromeda Galaxy, whilst 2.25 million light years away, is the nearest large galaxy to our Milky Way and is visible to the naked eye. When we gaze up at the Andromeda Galaxy, we are witnessing light that began its journey before the time of Homo erectus, an extinct species of archaic human from the Pleistocene, or “upright man,” evolved!

Similarly, in the Carina constellation, you’ll find Eta Carinae—a stellar system containing a set of binary stars, with a combined luminosity greater than five million times that of our Sun! Positioned 7,500 light years away, the light that reaches our naked eye started its journey 4,000 years before the estimated origin of ancient Egypt!

III. Many Cultures, One Planet

The constellations in our night sky are symbolic relics of mythologies and stories from ancient cultures around the world. Different peoples have honored their connection to the stars in many different ways—some through tales of gods and goddesses and others through beings of otherworldly origins. The myths they have created are like a cosmic mirror reflecting the beliefs of their society that have been passed down from generation to generation. Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians used the constellations to accurately align the Great Pyramids with the Earth’s four cardinal points. 

IV. Stargazing is a Natural Stress Reliever

For many people with high-stress jobs, savoring the beauty of the night sky is an incredible way to drift off into a meditative state and let the troubles of the world fade away. When you look up at the night sky, the beauty of the Cosmos invites you to be entirely in the moment. There’s nothing to do but watch and reflect, bringing you a sense of peaceful contemplation and enlightenment. Watching the constellations pass above you in awe frees you from any obligations and expectations and transforms your mind and body into a state of inexplicable calmness. It may even help you put your worries into perspective. 

V. Stargazing Can Emblazon Your Creative, Entrepreneurial Spirit

When we look up at the night sky, we are faced with the realization of how small and insignificant we are in the grand design of the Cosmos—that there’s a bigger plan at play beyond our daily, busy lives and the problems and differences we have allowed to consume us. This sense of perspective can promote altruistic, proactive, and positive behavior—the desire to make each day count, relentlessly pursue our dreams, contribute to the betterment of our world, and make something of ourselves. 

Connecting with the innate power of the Cosmos invigorates our spirit and quiets our conscious mind—extending a welcoming invitation for your subconscious mind to come out and play without restraint. Your subconscious mind is kind of a “creative ideas factory”—a home to your innovative and playful spirit to roam free, explore, visualize, and conceptualize. 

We are Star Stuff - Keep Looking Up

Ready to give stargazing a try? All you need is a clear night sky! The best time for stargazing is on a moonless night. If you own The Astral Planner you can utilize it as an astronomical almanac and reference the Monthly Overview Calendar at the beginning each month to find out when the moon will be in the New Moon phase. On the night of check the weather app and dress accordingly, venture outside, sit or lie down comfortably, and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness for at least half an hour. The further you are from the city lights and pollution, the more stars you’ll see—but you can still enjoy the beauty of the stars from your own urban backyard, balcony, porch, or sidewalk. 

If you want to enjoy background music as you contemplate the Cosmos, you can download our complimentary “Self Reflection under the Stars” playlist here. This is the playlist that started it all. It served as background music when The Astral Planner was conceptualized and designed. It's also an excellent playlist for journaling, stargazing, evening walks, stretching exercises, meditation, daydreaming, and so many other activities that encourage you to connect with your own internal universe.