July illustrated almanac

Dog Days of Summer

This is an illustrated digital almanac of the internal emotional climate, as influenced by the external natural and astronomical events. I wanted to capture visually the shared experience of how it feels to be alive as a tiny human, enveloped in the greater cyclical movement of this planet, throughout one calendar year. Welcome to July!

• The origin of the name

  July is named after Roman dictator Julius Caesar, who developed the Gregorian calendar we use today. 

• “Knee-High By The Fourth of July”

  This is an old American saying once used by farmers to measure the success of their corn crops.

• Islamic New Year

  Islamic lunar calendar years starts on July 7th with the first sighting of the crescent Moon after the new Moon in the month of Muharram.

• Full Buck Moon

  July’s full moon is called the Buck Moon because the antlers of male deer (bucks) are in full-growth mode at this time.

• Sun in Cancer (June 21st to July 22nd)

  Cancer is a water sign, represented by the crab. Crabs live between the sea and shore, symbolising Cancer’s ability to feel at home both in emotional and material world. Individuals with Cancer Sun are known to be highly sensitive, intuitive, artful and mystical. These tendencies require them to be self-protective with a hard external shell of a crab, and can appear distant at first glance. Cancer is ruled by the moon, the celestial body that represents comfort, self-care, and maternal energies. Cancer individuals are domestically oriented, wanting to create cozy spaces that serve as their personal sanctuaries, as well as step in the caregiving roles.

• “Dog Days of Summer”

  Between the 3d of July and 11th of August, Sun is aligned with Sirius, the “Dog Star”. In ancient times folks believed this celestial event brings heat, as this period often marks the highest temperatures in the northern hemisphere. It is also known as the “Dog Days of Summer”.