"Dog Days" of summer.

[Danustouch]

Most of us have heard the phrase, but where does the term come from?

The term "Dog Days" of summer, actually comes from the common name for the star, Sirrius, which is "The Dog Star". Beginning the morning of July 3rd, it is believed that Sirrius first rises in the morning, and begins to play all kinds of "natural tricks" on the earth. Causing the seas to boil, wine to sour, and other unpleasant events associated with great heat and warmth. Perhaps the fact that in the Northern Hemisphere, this astrological phenomena coincides with the summer heat becoming very powerful, and strong, traditionally, may have something to do with these superstitions.

[Litha]

Before Sirius rises is Procyon, also known as "Rising before Sirius", "The The Dog in Front", "The Preceding Dog". Sirius is the largest and most brilliant star situated in the mouth of the greater dog Canis Major, while Procyon is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor, the Lesser Dog and thus is also known as Alpha Canis Minor.
In early July we can utilize this energy with caution in spellworking, as Procyon does brings quick success, but not lasting in character.

Expressions as to the malevolent character of the Dog Star may have been induced in part from the evil reputation of the dog in the East, where dogs are rabid scavengers and do not have the exalted position in the home as desired companions that is given to them nowadays in the West.

In early astrology and poetry there is no end to the evil influences that were attributed to Sirius;
"The brightest be, but sign to mortal man Of evil augury"...
"Terrific glory! for his burning breath taints the red air with fevers, plagues and death" ...
"The rampant Lyon hunts he fast with dogge of noisome breath. Whose baleful barking brings in bast pyne, plagues and dreerye death"...
"The dogstar, that burning constellation, when be brings drought and diseases on sickly mortals, rises and saddens the sky with inauspicious light"...
"Swift Sirius, scorching thirsty Ind, Was hot in heaven"...
"Restless, Impetuous, Blazing"...

Regarded as a harbinger of fame, Sirius Rising "will fashion unbridled spirits and impetuous hearts; it will bestow on its sons billows of anger, and draw upon them the hatred and fear of the whole populace. (The impetuosity of the speaker causes him to utter words before he has time to adapt them to grammar or logic). Their hearts start throbbing at the slightest cause, and when speech comes their tongues rave and bark, and constant gnashing imparts the sound of teeth to their utterance. Their failings are intensified by alcohol, which gives them strength and fans their savage wrath to flame. No fear have they of woods or mountains, or monstrous lions, the tusks of the foaming boar, or the weapons which nature has given wild beasts; they vent their burning fury upon all legitimate prey. Lest you wonder at these tendencies under such a constellation, you see how even the constellation itself hunts among the stars, for in its course it seeks to catch the Hare in front."
from Manilus, book 5 of Astronomica, 1st century AD

[Danustouch]

Wow..cool info, Litha :)

[Azure]

Very cool

*thus reflects Azure, who is getting her puppy - who was incidentally born on midwinter day, in this week of the Dog Star's rising*

[Litha]

Wow..cool info, Litha

kewl topic Danustouch thanks for bringing it up :D

[Danustouch]

Welcome! There was alot about it in one of my almanac's I belong to, and I just read up on it a little from there :)

[SimplyStrange]

WOW! Thanks for the info, guys! It all makes sense now!

(p.s. My dog's name is Sirrius ;) just thought I'd add! :D)