Sirius, Dog Days of Summer

Hubble photo of Sirius, the Dog Star, believed to be in the public domain.

This is a serious time astrologically, the Dog Days of Summer, named for the Dog Star, Sirius. . If you're feeling irritable and also lethargic (or dealing with others who are), you aren't alone.

This is the Dog Days of Summer. The Dog Stare, Sirius, is the brightest star besides the sun. This means heat, folks!

Going back to ancient times, the Northern Hemisphere has had to deal with scorching summers.

The ancient Greeks and Romans named this the Dog Days. I was also the time when the Nile flooded - the basin of civilization, so it was a very important time -- then and now.

Here's the story-- Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star besides the sun.

The "Dog Days" are when Sirius rose just before or at the same time as sunrise, but this has shifted somewhat since the precession of the equinoxes over time. This happened to be the heat of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Dog Days used to be considered "an evil time when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, causing to man burning fevers, hysterics and frenzies" according to Clavis Calendarium, 1813.

Most of all -- it means HEAT!!

Official dates are:
Old Farmers Almanac says 40 days, July 3 - August 11
The Book of Common Prayer says July 6 - August 17

REMEDIES:

• Understand what the heat does to us, emotionally, mentally and physically (that's why we have phrases like - chill, and hot under the collar.
  
• Stay "cool"
• If you're tired, don't take a Red Bull, take a nap
• Don't pressure yourself or others about things that can wait. "Let sleeping dogs lie."
• Don't get over-heated - mentally, physically or emotionally
• Stay out of the heat - literally, and also remove yourself from 'heated' situations.
  

In other words, it's a good time to practice your emotional intelligence skills. Don't allow yourself to be provoked by others who are "losing it."

Here's a good adage my Mom used to say: "Let sleeping dogs lie." This is a good one for the Dog Days. We'll all be a little less stressed and have more energy in about a week or two.

I know here in Dallas it was 105 yesterday. This followed a Full Moon. People get heated up! So slow down, cool down, and take it easy.

Get a reading for specifics about YOUR sun sign. Email me at sdunn@susandunn.cc .

I'll be appearing at the Dallas Psychic Fair as always on the first Sunday - August 3rd. See you there -- and bring a friend!