Stargazing is a sure way to get the twinkle back in your eye. Spending a night under the stars can awaken wonder and romance. February is an ideal time to search for cosmic events as the nights are long and the air is clear. Venus, or the “evening star” will reach its peak brightness around Wednesday, February 19, just after Valentine’s Day.
Clinical sexologist and astrologer Stephanie Weiss (https://stefanieirisweiss.com) finds that astrology taps into our natural sexual vitality, turning people on to their desires. “Astrology can be a portal to discovering our sexual selves and liberating our erotic energy,” she said in a recent podcast.
But stellar sightings can be elusive when competing with the bright lights of Las Vegas. When in the mood to canoodle under some celestial sparkle, head southwest about three hours to Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, California. There, you’ll find a glittering night sky penetrated with stars, planets, and meteor showers visible to the naked eye.
The Park hosts evening programs at its Jumbo Rock and its Cottonwood Amphitheaters on the weekends from 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Park rangers talk about the Park’s history, wildlife, and astronomy. Admission is free and reservations are not required.
If you prefer privacy when viewing the Milky Way, there are campgrounds, including the one at Cottonwood that boasts the darkest skies, four designated stargazing areas by Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain, and multiple roadside pullouts.
The vast size of the Park allows stargazers to position themselves far apart from one another in nature. Park your car, walk into the wilderness, throw down a blanket, and watch the show. By yourselves, surrounded by trees and the heavens above, it is easy to feel comfortable when getting frisky. Meteor showers usually carry on until early morning. Empowered by their strength and force, you may find yourselves lasting until morning as well.
Artists of all kinds have drawn inspiration from the galaxy for millennia. Now it’s your turn to take the night to new heights and make some star magic of your own.
