August illustrated almanac

long light turning into Cat Nights

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 August!

• The origin of the name

  The Romans named this month after Caesar Augustus in the year 8 BCE to award him for his three great triumphs during the month of August, including his conquest of Egypt.

• Lammas festival

  Lammas Day on August 1st is an old festival to celebrate the first harvest and the sacrifice of gods for continued fertility of the land. It’s the mid-point between summer solstice and autumn equinox. August is the last full month of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s a time of celebration, abundance, and gratitude. It’s a very bright month but the days are already shortening, which brings me to…

• Cats Nights

  Cat Nights begin on August 17th. This term comes from pre-Christian traditions in Ireland. According to the Irish legend, a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on but on the ninth time (on August 17th), she couldn’t regain her human form. This folklore is also where the saying “a cat has nine lives” comes from. Cats Nights may be connected with the nights getting longer, as cats are nocturnal hunters.

• Full Sturgeon Moon

  August’s full moon is called the Sturgeon Moon, a name originating from north America, where these prehistoric looking fish are more likely to be seen at this time of the year.

• Sun in Leo (July 23d to August 22nd)

  Leo season begins on July 23d at the height of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This is the time of year when the sun, Leo's planetary ruler, is at its most potent strength, heat, and light. Leo, a fire sign, is blessed by its ruler with high self-esteem, courage, intelligence and leadership capabilities.

  The Leo zodiac symbol is the Lion, named for the stellar constellation this sign corresponded to in the old astrology. The constellation of Leo contains many bright stars, one of which is called Regulus, which means the little king. The astrological symbol of the Lion goes back to Greek mythology, when it was associated with the Lion that Heracles overcame in a heroic mythological battle. Since then it is a symbol of victory, pride, and courage.