July is the seventh month, and is called the “dog days” because it’s the warmest month in the Northern Hemisphere.

Astrological signs for July: Cancer and Leo; birthstone: ruby; colors: green, russet and red; flowers: delphinium, commonly called larkspur and water lily; birds: raven and bald eagle; animals: crab and lion; trees: apple, fir, elm and cypress; day observed: Independence Day and approximately 64 special/wacky days.

Cancer is the fourth sign in the zodiac, its symbol is the crab and the element is water. Cancer people are “roots” kind of people who take great pleasure in the comforts of home and family. These people are nurturers and being a water sign are sensitive, emotional and their feelings run deep. Leo is the fifth sign in the zodiac, its symbol is the lion and the element is fire. The ruler of this sign is the sun. Being a fire sign is an indicator of creativity, these people are self-sufficient, spontaneous and possess a tremendous zest for life.

July has the birthstone of ruby. The ruby represents love, health and wisdom. This gemstone is the most valuable and its value increases based on color and quality. It’s said that rubies bestow good fortune on their owner.

The colors are green, russet and red. Green is associated with money, the environment and revitalization, as well as, rebirth. Russet means sorrow or grave seriousness. Red is passion and is associated with energy, war, danger, strength, power and determination.

July’s flowers are larkspur and water lily. Larkspur symbolizes an open heart and ardent attachment and give a feeling of lightness and levity. The water lily is associated with rebirth and optimism, fertility, sexuality and creation, as well as, beauty, purity of heart and enlightenment. The scientific name is Nymphaea, which means nymph, which is a feminine spirit that inhabited water bodies like wells, waterways and springs.

The birds for July are raven, which stands for embodiment of grief caused by loneliness and separation. This bird represents evil and death. The other bird is the bald eagle, which is fierce beauty and proud independence, as well as, strength and freedom which is why it was selected as the national symbol for America.

The animals for July are the crab and the lion. The crab signifies prosperity, success and high status in Chinese symbolism. The crab means self-protection, boundaries and teaching others how to treat you. The second animal is the lion, meaning strength, courage and leadership.

The tree for July 1-4 is the Apple tree, the symbol of knowledge, immortality, temptation and the fall of man and sin. July 5-14 is the fir tree, which means honesty, truth and forthrightness because it grows on the straight and narrow. July 15-25 is the elm tree, the main aspect is strength and is associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses. July 26-31 is the cypress tree, which is associated with death and mourning.

The main day observed in July is Independence Day. This is the most significant American holiday commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which was approved on July 4, 1776. A committee of five men — Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson — was appointed to draft the document; Jefferson is credited as the main author. Fifty-six men from the 13 colonies actually signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776. On July 4, 1776, we separated from Great Britain and became a sovereign nation. The concepts that all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator, certain inalienable Rights, among them Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness became some of our ideals of our country. The result has been this shining light on a hill, the United States of America, the freest, most creative, productive and richest nation in the history of mankind.

There are approximately 64 Special/Wacky Days observed in July, here are 12. Also, on July 4th, it’s National Country Music Day, this holiday is dated back to the 1950s and commemorates Jimmie Rogers and country music. The tth is World Chocolate Day, which marks 467 years since chocolate was introduced to Europe. The third Sunday of July is National Ice Cream Day and was signed into public law by President Ronald Reagan. The 20th is Moon Day, recognizing the day Apollo 11 landed humans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon in 1969. The fourth Sunday of the month is National Hot Dog Day, Parents Day and Vanilla Ice Cream Day, this is a good day to remember and appreciate parents while eating hot dogs and vanilla ice cream. The 24th is Cousins Day and Aunt and Uncle Day, this day also recognizes Amelia Earhart, a famous aviator, whose plane went down and was never found, this day is her birth. The 30th is Father-In-Law Day, so show he’s appreciated. Last but not least is July 31st, Mutts Day, a day to appreciate your four legged buddies, for all their loyalty.

July was named by the Roman Senate in honor of the Roman general, Julius Caesar, it being the month of his birth. Prior to that, it was called Quintilis.

July is a celebration of the season. This month means sunshine and summer and all of its radiant glory. People born in July can be sensitive, emotional, self-sufficient and possess a tremendous zest for life.

— Compiled by Bonnie Marie Playle of Soldotna