"Alright, settle everyone. We need to cover your summer assignments before you are dismissed for the term." Themis ignored the audible groans in the room. "As you enjoy the summer heat, I want you to reflect on the stars. This year's assignment will have both a written and practical portion." With a wave of her wand, the instructions appeared on the chalkboard behind her.

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The Dog Days of Summer

Prepare an essay on the origin of the term "The Dog Days of Summer."
Identify the origin of the phrase, its meaning in ancient and modern times, the star and constellation referenced, and its application to muggles and wizardkind. For the practical portion, you will complete a labeled drawing of the constellation you discovered in your essay. Both are due the first meeting of the next term. Late work will not be accepted.

OOC Requirements: Write an IC essay of 150+ words on the provided topic. You can find all you need in this article. Your 'practical' portion can be either a thread or read-only post of your student observing the night sky or working on their assignment. Essays and a read-only post are worth 5 points; threads with 5+ posts are worth 5 points. Students who complete both (essay and thread/post) by September 30 will earn an additional 5 points.

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   Millie Potts

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Lou made magic!

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Essay for Millie Potts

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Mildred Potts
OWLs Astronomy
Prof. Lyra

The Dog Days of Summer

For the ancient Greeks, the rising of Sirius heralded the hottest days of summer. We know them now as the Dog Days of Summer and they mark the period of insufferable heat from early July to the middle of August. When the canis major constellation arose in the night sky for the Greeks, they, as we now, must have resented how poorly such extreme heat does for one’s constitution and health. In those times, when wizardkind lived among Muggles and were respected voices, people considered feverish sickness, droughts, and an affliction of idleness to be caused by the magic of Sirius.

Today we know that, while the stars themselves cannot act directly as magical portents, they can heighten or lessen the affects of spells. Sirius is fond of heat and fire spells, in particular. Farmers and healers find their familiar spells and enchantments are weaker while Sirius is rising, as well. Many of these characteristics, however, pass unawares for Muggles, who believe the only affliction that Sirius brings is madness of the weak mind enduring unyielding heat.

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   Themis Lyra

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Essay for Cadogan Glynn

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Cadogan Glynn
OWLs Astronomy
Prof. Lyra

The phrase Dog Days of Summer originates from ancient Rome and Greece. It refers to the period in summer when the star Sirius, known as the Dog Star, rises and sets with the sun. In ancient times it was believed that the heat from Sirius, combined with the heat from the sun, created the hottest days of the year. In modern times, the Dog Days of Summer just refers to the hot humid days of summer. These usually happen from 3 July to 11 August in the Northern Hemisphere.

Muggles used to believe that this period caused madness in people and dogs, but now they know the heat can lead to physical discomfort and even heightened aggression. Wizardkind also knows it does not cause madness, but it might affect potion making or spell casting, as the heat might influence the effectiveness of certain ingredients or spells. During the Dog Days of Summer, when Sirius is most prominent, spells involving fire might become more powerful or easier to cast. However, this influence might also destabilize spells requiring cold periods.

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word count: 178

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Practical portion here

  

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Essay for Anne Moony

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Anne Moony
OWLs Astronomy
Prof. Lyra

The “dog days of summer” originate from ancient astronomy and lore, centered around Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, also known as the Dog Star. The ancient Greeks observed that the hottest days of summer coincided with Sirius rising and setting with the sun, believing the combined heat caused the sweltering weather. Sirius, part of the constellation Canis Major, means “glowing” or “scorcher” in Greek.

The Romans adopted this belief, calling this period “dies caniculares” or “days of the dog star,” from roughly July 3 to August 11. They associated this time with extreme heat, lethargy, and bad luck, intertwining their understanding with celestial observations.

The Egyptians also had a significant connection to Sirius. They noted that its heliacal rising, when it first became visible just before sunrise, preceded the annual flooding of the Nile River, crucial for their agriculture and celebrated as a divine sign. The dog days of summer remind us of the powerful influence of celestial bodies on our lives and the rich tapestry of myths and observations that have shaped our understanding of the universe.

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MJ about made me cry with this one!
Thread Log | Help Anne Blame the DJ

Essay for Honoria Rookwood

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The "dog days of summer" has an interesting backstory linked to the stars! The term comes from the star Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, which looks like a dog, and it rises with the sun from July 3 to August 11. The ancient Greeks and Romans thought that the heat during this time was caused by Sirius shining brightly alongside the sun. They believed it made the weather super hot, leading to droughts, sickness, and even making people and dogs go mad! Today, we know it’s just a myth.

Ancient Egyptians also linked Sirius to important events, like the annual flooding of the Nile River, which brought fertile soil. While they didn’t view Sirius as harmful, the Greeks and Romans believed it caused bad luck and heatwaves. Though now we know Sirius doesn’t affect the weather, the term "dog days" endured to this day.

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