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Under the Summer Sky: July's Cosmic Secret

  • Writer: Jesse Jacques
    Jesse Jacques
  • Jul 10, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Oct 14, 2023


Dali watercolor painting of the cosmos


July is such an invigorating month, isn't it? As a July Cancer (shout-out to all my fellow Zodiac tribe members), this month carries a particular resonance. But it's not just about personal affinity. Standing at the calendar's midpoint, July carries symbolic weight. It's a signpost that prompts us to reassess our business objectives, observe the seasonal shift, and redefine our personal paths.


Then there's the undeniable surge of heat. Known as the peak of summer in many corners of the globe, July's sweltering climate isn't just a seasonal blip. Interestingly enough, this intense heat is mirrored in the heavens above. Did you know that in July, the Sirius star - the brightest star we can see - rises and sets in sync with the Sun? Intriguing, isn't it?

Ever heard the phrase 'dog days of summer'? It originates from this celestial event. The 'dog' in question is Sirius, often referred to as the 'Dog Star' due to its prominence in the constellation Canis Major. As Sirius makes its grand appearance alongside our Sun, we find ourselves in the hottest period of the year - the dog days of summer.


This celestial alignment isn't a coincidence. It's a cosmic event deeply rooted in the ancient knowledge of human history. It whisks us back to the Dogon tribe, an ancient civilization known for its astonishing understanding of the cosmos. Originally from Kemet, now known as ancient Egypt, the Dogon have carried astronomical knowledge showcasing the extraordinary capacities of human observation and intuition. Now residing in West Africa, they continue to preserve this wisdom through oral traditions and intricate symbolic art.


The Dogon's understanding of the Sirius system was both factual and symbolic. They perceived it as a cycle of rebirth and renewal, a concept that permeated their culture and spiritual practices. The cyclical nature of the Sirius system, much like the cycle of life and death, became a key pillar in their cosmological understanding.


Believe it or not, the Dogon knew of Sirius not as a single star but as a binary, possibly trinary, star system over 5,000 years ago! A binary star system consists of two stars orbiting around their common center of mass - a specific point in space dictated by their weights and the distance between them. In the case of Sirius, this system includes Sirius A (the brightest star we can see from Earth) and Sirius B, a 'white dwarf' star invisible to the naked eye. The Dogon even claimed the existence of a third star, Sirius C, a fact that remains a topic of ongoing debate in modern astronomy.


This knowledge, identified long before the scientific community officially discovered Sirius B in the 19th century, marks an extraordinary depth in their astronomical understanding. And their wisdom didn't stop at Sirius; they knew about the rings of Saturn, and the moons of Jupiter, thousands of years before Galileo peered through his telescope.


The Dogon tribe attributes their profound understanding of the cosmos to the teachings of the 'Nommo,' an advanced ancient civilization. The Nommo, according to the Dogon, were an advanced race of beings, possibly extraterrestrial, who descended to Earth from the Sirius system, sharing their extensive knowledge about Sirius and other celestial bodies. The accuracy of the Dogon's astronomical wisdom, particularly their understanding of the Sirius system, is so remarkable that it is challenging to dismiss their claim outright and challenge belief systems of what we're often taught.





Dali pen and ink illustration Salvador Dalí Femme de la Cosmos, 1954

These ancient stories, combined with undeniable facts, depict a time when humanity was deeply connected to the cosmos, a time when our understanding of the universe was intimately tied to our daily lives, rituals, and belief systems. This wisdom wasn't abstract or relegated to specialists but deeply woven into their daily life, culture, and identity.


This raises the provocative question: are we truly advancing in our modern society, or are we simply striving to relearn the cosmic knowledge lost over millennia? It's a humbling thought that reminds us of the cyclical nature of learning and wisdom, just as the Dogon observed the cyclical movement of the Sirius system.


The Dogon's relationship with the Sirius system reflects an ancient bond and serves as a reminder of our potential as creative beings capable of profound insight and understanding. As we witness the Sirius star rising and setting with the Sun, we are reminded of the intrinsic connection we share with the universe, which we can tap into to channel our creativity and navigate our life paths.


Under the July sun, remember the extraordinary story of Sirius and the Dogon, and let their understanding inspire your journey of exploration and creativity. This echoes an era where humans had an intimate understanding of the universe and its rhythms, an understanding that was instrumental in shaping their everyday life, culture, and identity.


Dali Sugar Sphinx 1933

❤️‍🔥🌊🌙


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Symbolic ink art of an enlightened face with feathers, representing the all-seeing eye and wisdom for Jesse Jacques Film Photographer.


Images curated for jessejacquesphoto.com: A cinematic hand in rain juxtaposed with a breathtaking butterfly scene. Text reads: 'Savor the Rain… Dance with Butterflies. BOOK NOW.

 
 
Jesse Jacques Photography

JesseJacquesPhoto.com is a portal for timeless film photography, where classic technique meets visionary artistry. Working exclusively in medium and large format, Jesse blends vintage aesthetics with a future-forward eye, crafting images that do more than look beautiful, they transmit. Each frame is a convergence of style, curiosity, and attunement to the field, offering space for reflection, resonance, and recognition. This is photography that lingers not just in memory, but in frequency.

 

Professional Film Photographer

Denver ~ Los Angeles ~ Worldwide

하나님으로부터, 우연이 아니라

De Dios no por casualidad

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