Suhail Star and the promise of happiness [Archives:2007/1079/Last Page]

Astrology has been one of the main sciences for people in Arabian Peninsula. Reason being is that they used the stars in many of their everyday tasks such as traveling, planning the harvest seasons, or even making decisions regarding marriages or going into battles. One of the important stars mentioned by historians is Suhail Star or Yemani Star. This star takes its later name from Yemen because it appears from the south opposite the north polar star. It is also known in English as Canopus. It is the brightest star in the southern constellation of Carina, and the third brightest star in the night-time sky, to Sirius and the sun.

Arab historian Ibrahim AL-Jarwan, who is an astrologist in UAE said that Arabs used to become optimistic once the Yemani star is visible because it means the weather will become better as temperature will decrease and the rain will pour down promising a good harvest. Arabs also believed that when this star shines divers will be lucky to find more and better pearls. The star is usually seen between 15 and 28 August

In the influential Pahlavi (Middle Persian) book of animal fables Kalila wa Dimna, the star was mentioned as Anvar-i-Suhaili or The Lights of Canopus. Canopus is also known as the Great Star of the South – a name and a legend only to many North American observers.

This star like others, disappears from the skies in certain times of the year only to return in August 24 and gradually takes into the sky until midnight in the last days of December. It then reappears after sunset end March and could disappear again until August. Arabs in ancient days worshiped heavenly bodies and especially worshiped Canopus or Najum Suhail as it is known in this region.
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