August is here

August is here

August is here — ushering in the end of summer and painting the world in the warm hues of sunflowers and sunset skies! The days are still long, and the sun is still shining. There's still some summer left to make the most of the fun and life. We love August with gratitude. Cooler temps are ahead.

August is the eighth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, coming between July and September. August comes from the Latin word “augustus”, meaning "consecrated" or "venerable," which in turn is related to the Latin augur, meaning "consecrated by augury" or "auspicious." In 8 B.C. the Roman Senate honored Augustus Caesar, the first Roman emperor, by changing the name of their month Sextilis to Augustus.

The months of January and February were added to the calendar and the original fifth and sixth months were renamed July and August in honour of Julius Caesar and his successor Augustus. These months were both given 31 days to reflect their importance, having been named after Roman leaders.

August is also a little bit unique, most of the time at least. In a standard year, there is no other month that begins on the same day of the week as August. In a leap year, however, August begins on the same day of the week as February.

It is officially the last month of summer. We love to greet August with gratitude. The kids are heading back to school, and fall is just around the corner. Cooler temps are ahead, as next month will be first of autumn which will peak in December. This reminds of an interesting query that Why are August birthdays so common? Popular birthdays take place in August, which makes sense; that late August birthday means December conception. Cold weather, snow, romantic fires and holiday parties seems to create just the right equation for the beginning of human mating season.

However, August babies are born with so many leadership traits like boldness, charisma, and loyalty that it's no wonder they make great trailblazers. They're also prime presidential material, apparently! August also describes something esteemed or regal. August born souls are confident, organized, and practical which is the basic ingredient of their personality and they make naturally strong leaders due to their confidence and charisma. August born will always hold the centre of attraction and enjoy being noticed when they enter a room.

The zodiac sign of August is Leo. Leo (July 23 - August 22) is represented by the lion, and these spirited fire signs are the kings and queens of the celestial jungle. They're delighted to embrace their royal status: Vivacious, theatrical, and passionate, Leos love to bask in the spotlight and celebrate themselves.

August is also the month of rain. The monsoon and similar other rain patterns across the northern hemisphere takes away the best of the summer and the new fall not yet born. It tells that odd uneven time. Meeta Ahluwalia says “August breeze—perched on the flame tree, a red-vented Bulbul.” Similarly, Rasmenia Massoud expresses that “August is that last flicker of fun and heat before everything fades and dies. The final moments of fun before the freeze. In the winter, everything changes.”

“August was nearly over — the month of apples and falling stars, the last care-free month for the school children. The days were not hot, but sunny and limpidly clear — the first sign of advancing autumn,” said by Viktor Někrasov. The similar feelings about August as last of summer has been expressed as “I love borders. August is the border between summer and autumn; it is the most beautiful month I know. Twilight is the border between day and night, and the shore is the border between sea and land. The border is longing: when both have fallen in love but still haven’t said anything. The border is to be on the way. It is the way that is the most important thing,” by Tove Jansson.

The days, weeks and months of the year remind all humans about life and lessons we must learn. Kent Nerburn takes one as “Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance, and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun.” Similarly Esther Earl writes in “This Star Won’t Go Out” these lines “A life is not meant to be half lived. It is meant to be fully, wholly embraced. If you want to make a change in the world you have to be strong. You have to take chances. You have to persevere. Sometimes you must blindly go in a direction that you may be unsure of, but one that you have faith will lead you to the right place.”

And finally a message that the month of august can be related with is a quote from Ray Bradbury; “One day you discover you are alive. Explosion! Concussion! Illumination! Delight! You laugh, you dance around, you shout. But, not long after, the sun goes out. Snow falls, but no one sees it, on an August noon.”



In the following some literary work from poets about the month of August is being shared in the following:-

“The quiet August noon has come;

A slumberous silence fills the sky;

The winds are still, the trees are dumb,

In glassy sleep the waters lie.”

– William Cullen Bryant

“August”

by Mary Oliver

When the blackberries hang

swollen in the woods, in the brambles

nobody owns, I spend

all day among the high

branches, reaching

my ripped arms, thinking

of nothing, cramming

the black honey of summer

into my mouth; all day my body

accepts what it is. In the dark

creeks that run by there is

this thick paw of my life darting among

the black bells, the leaves; there is

this happy tongue.

"Down The Lanes of August"

by Edgar Albert Guest

DOWN the lanes of August—and the bees upon the wing,

All the world's in colour now, and all the song birds sing;

Never reds will redder be, more golden be the gold,

Down the lanes of August, and the summer getting old.

Mother Nature's brushes now with paints are dripping wet,

Gorgeous is her canvas with the tints we can't forget;

Here's a yellow wheat field—purple asters there,

Riotous the colours that she's splashing everywhere.

Red the cheeks of apples and pink the peaches' bloom,

Redolent the breezes with the sweetness of perfume;

Everything is beauty crowned by skies of clearest blue,

Mother Earth is at her best once more for me and you.

Down the lanes of August with her blossoms at our feet,

Rich with gold and scarlet, dripping wet with honey sweet.

Rich or poor, no matter, here are splendours spread

Down the lanes of August, for all who wish to tread.



“In August”

by Paul Laurence Dunbar

When August days are hot an' dry,

When burning copper is the sky,

I 'd rather fish than feast or fly

In airy realms serene and high.

I 'd take a suit not made for looks,

Some easily digested books,

Some flies, some lines, some bait, some hooks,

Then would I seek the bays and brooks.

I would eschew mine every task,

In Nature's smiles my soul should bask,

And I methinks no more could ask,

Except--perhaps--one little flask.

In case of accident, you know,

Or should the wind come on to blow,

Or I be chilled or capsized, so,

A flask would be the only go.

Then could I spend a happy time,--

A bit of sport, a bit of rhyme

(A bit of lemon, or of lime,

To make my bottle's contents prime).

When August days are hot an' dry,

I won't sit by an' sigh or die,

I 'll get my bottle (on the sly)

And go ahead, and fish, and lie!

“August Moon”

by Marilyn Ferguson

The August moon is beaming down

It keenly seems to say

Enjoy my warm rays while you can

Before they slip away.

Splendid is a leisurely stroll

On a dog day afternoon

Star-studded is the evening sky

Beneath the August moon.

Nature is at its finest

Summer has reached its peak

It is time to store sweet memories

As autumn skies turn bleak.

Oh, August moon so fair and true

One thing that I must know

Why must you take the summer sun

And roses when you go?

“August's Crown”

by Michelle L. Thieme

Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,

   Ripening fields lush- bright with promise;

Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing

   Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn.