Embracing Autumn: Wish on a Star

 

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There's something quite magical about seeing a shooting star. Perhaps it's because they're so ephemeral - blink and you could quite literally miss it. Or perhaps you are the only one of the group of friends you are with who sees it. It feels like a little spark of magic from the Universe that's just for you. One year at WitchCamp, a shooting star shot across the sky just as the Goddess was invoked, and we all ooh-ed and aah-ed at the synchronicity.

The Perseids Meteor Shower happens every year between 17th July and 24th August, so you have a chance of spotting a shooting star streaking across the night sky at any time over that period. However, the shower peaks between 9th-13th August, so tonight and tomorrow night are an excellent opportunity to engage in a bit of stargazing. At its height, the Perseids Meteor Shower can reward watchers with as many as 100 meteors per hour, so you should be lucky if the weather is favourable.

Embracing Autumn: Meteor Watching

With so many meteors per hour, you could just pop outside for 5-10 minutes and strike lucky, but why not make an event of it?  Make yourself comfortable in the garden on your favourite sun-lounger with extra cushions and blankets to ensure a cosy experience. Or make a cosy nest on a dune at the beach, or in your favourite green space. Bring snacks and something delicious to drink. Enjoy the sounds of the night around you - the breeze in the trees, owls calling to each other or the flutter of moths. Or bring your i-Pod with some suitable music! And of course, remember to make a wish when you spy a shooting star... 

The best part? Even if the weather isn't co-operating over the next couple of nights, the Perseids will continue until 24th August, so remember to keep watching the sky!