Y’all, one of my favorite cosmic events of the year is almost upon us – the helical rising of the stunning star Sirius!
What is this mysteriously-named event, you ask?
Well, in early August, that sparkly jewel Sirius starts rising in the sky again right before sunrise. It’s like the star does a graceful spiral dance back up into view. After months of being hidden in the daylight, this first visible rising kicks off Sirius season.
People have celebrated this special moment for ages. Ancient Egyptians relied on catching sight of Sirius to mark their calendar for the year ahead. And can you blame them?
This eye-catching star is the 5th closest to our solar system and the brightest one in Earth’s night sky. It’s part of the constellation Canis Major, whose name means “greater dog” in Latin. So Sirius is known as the “dog star” – very fitting for announcing itself in the “dog days” of summer!
You can imagine those ancient astronomers watching for that first glimpse and shouting with joy “Sirius has risen!” And Sirius puts on a show, rising earlier and earlier each night through winter. Then that starry pup returns to its kennel, hidden in daytime, by summer.
For me, this helical rising marks a time of renewal and fresh starts. Right as we’re winding down from summer vacations and getting back to routine, Sirius energizes us to begin a new cycle. Its return reminds us that even when things are hidden for a while, they reemerge more glorious than ever.
So let’s look to heavenly Sirius with hope. May its rise act like a cosmic high five, signaling better days ahead. Keep looking up, friends. The stars await!
Reflecting on Sirius
The return of Sirius gets me thinking about cycles of renewal in my own life. Here are a few journal prompts to harness this energy:
What areas of your life feel like they are in a dormant phase right now? What would a “helical rising” look like for these parts of your journey?
Make a list of things you’d like to renew or revive in your life over the coming months. How can you channel the inspiration of Sirius into these goals?
Write about a time you emerged from a difficult season or cycle. What lessons did you learn from that “dog days” period that you can apply now? How did you feel when you came out the other side?
Use the reflective light of Sirius to illuminate your own periods of renewal. By looking back at what we have overcome, we can look forward with hope. And like the steadfast Sirius, keep orbiting towards greater things!
