I adore summer and the lazy, hazy days of July are a joy for me. I love its long warm summer days for the pool, grilling out, beaches and boating.
July 4th is absolutely my favorite holiday, especially since I took my Oath of Allegiance back in 2012 to become an American citizen.
July owes its name to Julius Caesar, the Roman Emperor who reformed the calendar in 46 BC.
Following his death in 44 BC, his birth month was designated July in his honor. Previously, it was known as Quintilis, meaning “the fifth month” in the old Roman calendar, before January and February were added. Did you know that the “dog days of summer,” these scorching weeks from July 3 to August 11, mark the time when Sirius, the “dog star,” rises with the sun? Ancient Greeks and Romans believed Sirius caused the month’s intense heat, leading to madness in people and dogs.
Ruby is July’s birthstone, a radiant red gemstone which like sapphires are known as ‘corundum’ gems with rubies having a dominant red hue, although it is possible to find rubies with orange or pink undertones. Rubies have long been connected with physicality and strength. Commonly favored by warriors in ancient cultures, rubies were thought to be intimately connected with the human body. They were credited with increasing the strength and stamina of the wearer. Rubies were also thought to calm anger and help the wearer navigate passionate social situations. Fine-quality rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones, with record prices over $1,000,000 per carat.
July’s birth flowers are larkspurs and water lilies.
Larkspurs, also called delphinium, are a symbol of positivity and dedication.
They make a great addition to any garden, given their height and beautiful purple-blue blooms, but be careful as these plants are poisonous. The water lily represents purity and innocence. Both have ties to Greek mythology: the botanical name for water lilies, Nymphaeaceae, links to water nymphs, while larkspurs sprang from where the blood of the mythical Greek warrior Ajax was spilled at the Battle of Troy.
July’s full moon, the “Buck Moon,” was named by Native American tribes and signifies the time when male deer sport fully grown velvety antlers. During the month, the zodiac shifts from Cancer, symbolizing home and nurturing, to Leo, representing strength and leadership, marking a cosmic energy shift.
I am taking my commitment to National Ice Cream Month very seriously! July was designated as such by former President Ronald Reagan in 1984 as he wanted to commemorate a treat enjoyed by over 90 percent of the US population. 41 years ago his proclamation praised the dairy industry in America, and the USA leads the world when it comes to eating this frozen delight: 23 gallons annually per person is the average!
Reagan also proclaimed that National Ice Cream Day should be the third Sunday in July, meaning July 20th this year. National Ice Cream Day on a Sundae? What a bad pun!
Did you know that last Monday, July 14 was France’s Bastille Day? This is an important national holiday in France and its overseas territories, marking the anniversary of the fall on July 14, 1789, of the Bastille, in Paris. Originally built as a medieval fortress, the Bastille eventually came to be used as a state prison which had come to symbolize the harsh rule of the Bourbon monarchy. During the unrest of 1789, on July 14 a mob approached the Bastille to demand the arms and ammunition stored there, and, when the forces guarding the structure resisted, the attackers stormed the prison and released the seven prisoners held there. The taking of the Bastille signaled the beginning of the French Revolution, and it thus became a symbol of the end of the French Monarchy and the commencement of the French Republic.
On a more lighthearted note, today July 17, is National Tattoo Day and tomorrow is National Caviar Day. It is clear that my diet is going to be tested this month as we still have to experience July 21’s National Junk Food Day, July 27’s National Crème Brulée Day followed by National Cheesecake Day on July 30. For a lot more information see www. almanac.com and www. history.com I will say goodbye with a quote from 20th century British writer Roald Dahl, “If I had my way, I’d remove January from the calendar altogether and have an extra July instead.” I could not agree more!
God Bless America and enjoy your July!
Lesley grew up in London, England and made Georgia her home in 2009. She can be contacted at lesley@francis.com or via her full-service marketing agency at www.lesleyfrancispr.com.
