We often talk about the Dog Days of Summer, but August 17 marks the beginning of Cat Nights, which come with wonderful stories about witches and their cunning ways.
The Farmer’s Almanac describes Cat Nights:
The term “Cat Nights” harks back to a rather obscure old Irish legend concerning witches and the belief that a witch could turn herself into a cat eight times, but on the ninth time (August 17), she couldn’t regain her human form. This bit of folklore also gives us the saying, “A cat has nine lives.” Because August is a yowly time for cats, this may have prompted the speculation about witches on the prowl in the first place.
In addition, there are a number of feline constellations in the night sky at this time – Leo Major, Leo Minor and the Lynx all appear. More here at space.com.
Leo Major
Gunsmoke and Knitting 