Spas Are Integrating Astrology into Their Treatments

Are you one of millions of Americans who start their day by checking their horoscopes for forecasts? Humans have relied on astrology—seeking meaning and prediction in the movement of celestial bodies—for farming, travel, medicine and politics for millennia. Over time, scientists came to reject the belief for lacking data, particularly when compared to astronomy, which uses rigorous research and observation to study the cosmos.

And yet interest in how celestial bodies impact our behaviors and future events is booming, particularly among younger generations. And for the astrologically curious, here’s an increasingly popular venue to explore and learn about humanity’s potential link with space: the spa.

Wellness-centered resorts and spas around the world are bringing this ancient celestial understanding into the visitor experience. Sure, relaxation is part of the equation, but many properties see this as a chance to teach guests about the local culture and long-standing beliefs.

Take the Kilolani Spa at Grand Wailea, a palm-fringed Waldorf Astoria Resort on the Hawaiian island of Maui. In February, this oceanfront escape unveiled the newly renovated and sprawling spa, a wellness destination inspired by Hawaii’s ancient stargazers, known as kilolani. The 50,000-square-foot spa built its offerings around the Hawaiian moon calendar, which includes three lunar phases.

“The spa’s treatments, as well as the oils that we utilize, shift depending on the current lunar phase so that we can support the energies of that specific moment,” says Kalei Uwekoolani, cultural programming manager at Grand Wailea, noting that this devotion to the moon cycles encompasses virtually every facet of the spa experience, including when the oils are harvested. “As a result, we are able to bring guests into alignment with nature and the cosmos.”

The idea of an astrology-based spa day is more than trendy. It’s a direct link with native Hawaiian beliefs, which guests learn about during their visit. “Messages, stories and prayers came from the stars and constellations,” Uwekoolani says. “Nations that traveled to Hawaii by wa’a [canoe] honored their cultural heritage by using the stars to navigate across the ocean. In return, Hawaiian people have a profound understanding of the night sky, recognizing the stars’ importance in navigation, cultural practices and everyday tasks.”

Another property that integrates the lunar stages into wellness is Farmhouse Inn, a historic luxury 25-room resort in California’s Sonoma County. The getaway’s airy Wellness Barn runs a moon bath offering that changes based on the lunar phases. The soaks include herbs harvested and planted based on moon cycles, as well as artisanal candles and CBD salts.

Farmhouse Inn, Forestville, California / Photo: Courtesy of Paul Ferraris

“Moon bathing during the new moon phase can help focus on one’s goals and dreams,” says Wendy Wright, Farmhouse Inn’s Wellness Barn supervisor. The idea plays into the growing arena of moon-cycle-based manifestation, which prescribes the best time for intention setting or reflection based on the stage of our neighboring satellite. “Full moon bathing is perfect for releasing and letting go, helping to cleanse and recharge one’s spirit.”

Star bathing at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic / Photo: Courtesy of Eden Roc Cap Cana

The bath, which is available throughout the day, doubles as education. “Guests receive a lunar calendar for the year to inform them about each moon and its properties so they can potentially create their own moon bath ritual at home and connect with the moon on an energetic level,” Wright says.

Jumeirah Bali, an Indian Ocean-view escape with architecture inspired by ancient Indonesia’s Majapahit empire, also integrates astrological beliefs into spa visits. Before any treatments, guests share their birth date to help staff make oil selections. They also offer Damarwulan, a detoxifying wellness experience with a mineral sea salt scrub and crystal facial that includes education about the link between the moon and the local people. The name stems from a Balinese and Javanese tale that illustrates the moon’s healing and regenerative powers.

Sound bath at The Horse Shoe Farm, Hendersonville, North Carolina / Photo: Courtesy of The Horse Shoe Farm

And wellness properties have taken astrology immersions beyond the spa. At the Eden Roc Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, guests are invited for a night of star bathing—unwinding while meditating through the narration of the night sky—in a scenic cenote. In this deep, teal-water-filled cave, a natural waterfall adds an element of sound therapy. And at The Horse Shoe Farm, a resort nestled among the Blue Ridge Mountains in Hendersonville, North Carolina, guests pair with an astrology coach in the equestrian-stable-turned-spa for one-on-one astrology sessions that help them better understand how to navigate life based on the cosmos not just on vacation, but also at home.