August (noun): the eighth month, first coined in 1097, from Latin Augustus mensis, sixth month of the later Roman calendar, renamed from Sextilis in 8 BCE to honor emperor Augustus Caesar, literally - the Venerable Caesar - recall this as we explore the adjective, next.
In England, the name replaced native Weodmonað - weed month - being one who follows the Celts and those traditions more closely, that's an entire 'nother post!!
August (adjective): from the 1660s, deriving from the Latin augustus - venerable, majestic, magnificent, noble. This was more than likely in its original usage - consecrated by the augurs, with favorable auguries - or else - that which is increased - (think of augment).
Ok, so that's August - comes in with the Lion, leaves with the Lady. Hot, simmering, yet the end of the build and the onset of the settle, as I discussed in the last post...
Now, onto the Venerable Lion of August. Lots of the basics and background of this that follows, I'm thanking Wiki and other sources for - I've condensed and highlighted, collected and collated. Thanks for the backup, internet.
In England, the name replaced native Weodmonað - weed month - being one who follows the Celts and those traditions more closely, that's an entire 'nother post!!
August (adjective): from the 1660s, deriving from the Latin augustus - venerable, majestic, magnificent, noble. This was more than likely in its original usage - consecrated by the augurs, with favorable auguries - or else - that which is increased - (think of augment).
Ok, so that's August - comes in with the Lion, leaves with the Lady. Hot, simmering, yet the end of the build and the onset of the settle, as I discussed in the last post...
Now, onto the Venerable Lion of August. Lots of the basics and background of this that follows, I'm thanking Wiki and other sources for - I've condensed and highlighted, collected and collated. Thanks for the backup, internet.
Leo is a constellation of the zodiac - not just our Western one, almost all historical cultures venerate the Lion - coming between Cancer to the west and Virgo to the east. Its name as I'm sure most of you know is Latin for lion, and to the ancient Greeks the star-shape represented the Nemean Lion killed by the mythical Greek hero Heracles (known to the ancient Romans as Hercules - servant of Hera, he is the first Hero - but again, another post) as one of his twelve labors.
The glyph of the constellation of Leo is such - ♌
The glyph of the constellation of Leo is such - ♌
Leo was one of the earliest recognized constellations. There is archaeological evidence that the Mesopotamia had a similar constellation as early as 4000 BCE. The Persians called Leo Ser or Shir; the Turks - Artan; the Syrians - Aryo; the Jews - Arye; the Indians - Simha... all meaning "lion."
In Babylonian astronomy, the constellation was called UR.GU.LA - the Great Lion - and the bright star, Regulus, was known as - the star that stands at the Lion's breast. Regulus also had distinctly regal associations, as it was known as the King Star. So, we know we associate Lion with this aspect - King of the Jungle, the Pride of the Lion, the regal nobility inherent, and the iconic symbolism: Lion of Judah, Lion of Africa, Lion-Hearted, Couer-de-Lion, Corleone, Leeuwen, Osama, Ariel, Leonardo, and on.
As mentioned prior, early Hindu astronomers knew it as Simha, or in the Tamil Simham - सिंह. You might recognize that Simha from lion's breath in yoga, or even know that it's the origin of Singh, the surname that still means Lion, sometimes Lion of God. We even have Singapore - the City of Lions. Simha occupies the same space in this zodiac, the same aspects and many of the same mythic qualities... it's a fixed sign, bringing Sthira - steadiness. It's also a Fire Sign, ruled by the Sun, so there's a lot of power, creativity and expansion.
In Greek mythology, Leo was identified as the Nemean Lion which was killed by Heracles - Hercules - during the first of his twelve tasks. Realizing that he must defeat the Lion with his bare hands, Hercules slipped into the Lion's cave and engaged it at close quarters. When the Lion pounced, Hercules caught it in midair, one hand grasping the Lion's forelegs and the other its hind legs, and bent it backwards, breaking its back and freeing the trapped maidens. Zeus commemorated this labor by placing the Lion in the sky.
In Babylonian astronomy, the constellation was called UR.GU.LA - the Great Lion - and the bright star, Regulus, was known as - the star that stands at the Lion's breast. Regulus also had distinctly regal associations, as it was known as the King Star. So, we know we associate Lion with this aspect - King of the Jungle, the Pride of the Lion, the regal nobility inherent, and the iconic symbolism: Lion of Judah, Lion of Africa, Lion-Hearted, Couer-de-Lion, Corleone, Leeuwen, Osama, Ariel, Leonardo, and on.
As mentioned prior, early Hindu astronomers knew it as Simha, or in the Tamil Simham - सिंह. You might recognize that Simha from lion's breath in yoga, or even know that it's the origin of Singh, the surname that still means Lion, sometimes Lion of God. We even have Singapore - the City of Lions. Simha occupies the same space in this zodiac, the same aspects and many of the same mythic qualities... it's a fixed sign, bringing Sthira - steadiness. It's also a Fire Sign, ruled by the Sun, so there's a lot of power, creativity and expansion.
In Greek mythology, Leo was identified as the Nemean Lion which was killed by Heracles - Hercules - during the first of his twelve tasks. Realizing that he must defeat the Lion with his bare hands, Hercules slipped into the Lion's cave and engaged it at close quarters. When the Lion pounced, Hercules caught it in midair, one hand grasping the Lion's forelegs and the other its hind legs, and bent it backwards, breaking its back and freeing the trapped maidens. Zeus commemorated this labor by placing the Lion in the sky.
Hmmm, I seem to recall there was this other, mythic, heroic, liberating persona that also slew the lion - not just the lion, but the lion as symbol of the ruling class, the standing nobility, the current regency, corrupt as it may have been. Samson --- Hebrew - שִׁמְשׁוֹן or Shimshon; Tiberian - Šimšôn or Shamshoun; Arabic - شمشون Shamshūn or Šamšūn; Greek: Σαμψών or Sampson --- meaning - Man of the Sun. His hair was as the lion's mane and the rays of the sun - each, noble and regal forces.
According to the biblical account, Samson was given supernatural strength by God in order to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats such as killing a lion, slaying an entire army with only the jawbone of an ass, and destroying a pagan temple. You probably remember the temple bit, but let's digress to the slaying of the lion.
According to the biblical account, Samson was given supernatural strength by God in order to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats such as killing a lion, slaying an entire army with only the jawbone of an ass, and destroying a pagan temple. You probably remember the temple bit, but let's digress to the slaying of the lion.
On the way to ask for the woman's hand in marriage, Samson is attacked by an Asiatic Lion and simply grabs it and rips it apart, as the spirit of God moves upon him, divinely empowering him. This so profoundly affects Samson that he just keeps it to himself as a secret - as with any boon.
He continues on to the Philistine's house, ultimately winning her hand in marriage. Later, on his way to the wedding, Samson notices that bees have nested in the carcass of the lion and have made honey in the lion's head. He eats a handful of the honey and gives some to his parents - the gift of the boon, and the return home - classic elements in the Hero's Journey.
Now, let's talk about those big fuzzy things that we may see in this world... albeit fewer and fewer, and that's again, another post...
He continues on to the Philistine's house, ultimately winning her hand in marriage. Later, on his way to the wedding, Samson notices that bees have nested in the carcass of the lion and have made honey in the lion's head. He eats a handful of the honey and gives some to his parents - the gift of the boon, and the return home - classic elements in the Hero's Journey.
Now, let's talk about those big fuzzy things that we may see in this world... albeit fewer and fewer, and that's again, another post...
The Lion -
Panthera Leo -
in it's remaining habitat.
Again, big thanks to wiki, I couldn't make this stuff up! ;)
Panthera Leo -
in it's remaining habitat.
Again, big thanks to wiki, I couldn't make this stuff up! ;)
Wild lions currently exist in sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia (where an endangered remnant population resides in Gir Forest National Park in India) while other types of lions have disappeared from North Africa and Southwest Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene, about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans. They were found in most of Africa, across Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru.
Highly distinctive, the male lion is easily identified by its mane, and its face is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture. Depictions have existed from the Upper Paleolithic period, with carvings and paintings from the Lascaux and Chauvet Caves, through virtually all ancient and medieval cultures where they once occurred. It has been extensively depicted in sculptures, in paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary films and literature.
Now, here's where we - the Leos, the fiery prideful lions amongst us - get it all wrong!!
The facts: lions typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. Lions are apex and keystone predators, although they are also expert scavengers obtaining over 50 percent of their food by scavenging as opportunity allows.
Lions spend much of their time resting and are inactive for about 20 hours per day. Although lions can be active at any time, their activity generally peaks after dusk with a period of socializing, grooming, and defecating. Intermittent bursts of activity follow through the night hours until dawn, when hunting most often takes place. They spend an average of two hours a day walking and 50 minutes eating.
Now, here's where we - the Leos, the fiery prideful lions amongst us - get it all wrong!!
The facts: lions typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. Lions are apex and keystone predators, although they are also expert scavengers obtaining over 50 percent of their food by scavenging as opportunity allows.
Lions spend much of their time resting and are inactive for about 20 hours per day. Although lions can be active at any time, their activity generally peaks after dusk with a period of socializing, grooming, and defecating. Intermittent bursts of activity follow through the night hours until dawn, when hunting most often takes place. They spend an average of two hours a day walking and 50 minutes eating.
Simple as this - just lay there in your Savanna and digest that carrion... not prideful, lazy; not aggressive, passive and restful.
Not trying to spend every moment stalking the bush and brush to make something happen, but rather, socializing, being fairly opportunistic, and yawning like a King. Simmering down, taking it a little easier...
I leave you with all of that - take lesson if you can!! And, give thanks and praise!!
Not trying to spend every moment stalking the bush and brush to make something happen, but rather, socializing, being fairly opportunistic, and yawning like a King. Simmering down, taking it a little easier...
I leave you with all of that - take lesson if you can!! And, give thanks and praise!!
