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Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Times
Up all night with ravers, nuns and shiftworkers
Arifa Akbar is scared of the dark. Her British-Pakistani parents told her horrifying tales of creatures that appeared at night, stories 'of djinns capable of immense violence, of daayans with feet on backwards, disembowelling their victims with their bare hands'. She sleeps with a curtain open to let the light of the street lamps stream through the window and travels with a plug-in nightlight. As the Guardian's chief theatre critic Akbar often has to work late into the night. In Wolf Moon, her lyrical examination of the world between dusk and dawn, she acknowledges the ridiculousness of her night-time anxieties. 'But if there really is nothing to fear, why do I feel so viscerally afraid as the dark levitates towards me, everything and nothing thrumming inside it?' The book is part reporting, part memoir. Akbar writes about her father, who was a security guard, first on the railways and then at the Courtauld gallery in London, working night shifts in both jobs. Akbar observed how his work seemed to change him, 'his skin growing sallower by the day as if he were jaundiced, his thinking confused. He was always on the brink of an unarticulated panic.' He now lives in a care home and has dementia, a health risk linked to nocturnal working. At night he can be distressed — a phenomenon called sundowning when those with dementia begin to hallucinate as the day darkens. 'There are times when he holds on to my hand tightly as if he fears being sucked under by quicksand, and tells me the sky is spinning.' There are about nine million night shift workers in Britain. As well as causing dementia, working at night can cause cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression. The work is also more likely to be low-paid and insecure. Akbar speaks to some of these late-night workers. At a care home in Hertfordshire the carers describe how after their night shift they take their children to school, then pick them up later with barely time to sleep during the day. At New Spitalfields Market in Leyton, east London, she watches hundreds of HGVs queue at midnight to unload fruit and vegetables — 'a lush, vegetative oasis within the city'. She spends the night at the Convent of Poor Clares in Ellesmere, Shropshire, rising with the nuns at midnight to sing matins and again for lauds at 6:30am. • 12 exceptional memoirs from the past 30 years to read next However, some people come alive at night. Akbar goes to Berghain, an LGBT nightclub in Berlin, and dances with a Brazilian trans woman who has been attending for 13 years and an Austrian postman who often stays in the club from Saturday through to Monday. Akbar feels transfigured in the club's darkness. 'I am no longer a responsible homeowner, journalist and carer of elderly parents,' she writes. 'I am no more or less than my silver-black dress and gold eyelashes.' She meets the poet and playwright Debris Stevenson who has been a raver for decades. 'You're less self-conscious in the dark, more embodied and there's a wildness to dancing outside,' Stevenson says. Yet at raves she has been catcalled and filmed without permission and has had to intervene in dangerous situations. She says the sight of men forcing kisses on unconscious women is commonplace. In Lahore, where Akbar spent some of her childhood, she watches a late-night comedy show. After the performance some of the female dancers sell sex to the audience members. An elderly sex worker describes how the work has become more dangerous as stricter laws force them to travel to meet clients in unknown locations. While djinns and daayans may be imagined, the threat of violence at night is real. Sarah Everard's twilight abduction, rape and murder sparked a wave of protests about the risk of walking the streets at night as a woman. But it was hardly a new danger. Akbar attends one of the popular Jack the Ripper tours that trace the murder spots of east London. I went on one of these tours once and a man in my group commented on which of the murdered women was the most attractive. These threats aren't just abstract to Akbar. Her sister Fauzia, whose death was the subject of her first book, Consumed, struggled as a teenager with compulsive eating. She would bribe Akbar and her brother to go to a supermarket at night to buy her food. In her twenties she fell into a depression and became homeless. • Read more book reviews and interviews — and see what's top of the Sunday Times Bestsellers List At her hungriest Fauzia would go through bins on the streets. After her death by undiagnosed tuberculosis Akbar's family agonised over how she had contracted the disease. They wondered if it happened in this dark and desperate time of her life. What might otherwise feel like a random collection of vignettes is threaded together by Akbar's grief for her sister and her anxiety for her father. Wolf Moon is a celebration of the exuberance of night-time and a moving portrait of the dangers of the dark. Wolf Moon: A Woman's Journey into the Night by Arifa Akbar (Sceptre £16.99 pp256). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
The South African
10-07-2025
- General
- The South African
Buck Moon 2025: What is it and when can you see it TONIGHT
The night sky this week is being illuminated by the Buck Moon, July's full moon, which reaches its peak fullness on Thursday, 10 July at 22:21 (SA time). Known astrologically for its grounded, determined energy, this month's full moon falls under the sign of Capricorn, symbolising maturity, ambition, and emotional clarity. This celestial event will remain visible through Saturday, 12 July, offering stargazers three nights to enjoy the glowing spectacle. Dubbed the 'Buck Moon' due to its timing with the period when male deer begin to grow new antlers, this lunation represents strength, regeneration, and growth. Astrologers suggest that its appearance in Capricorn is a cosmic signal to reflect, reassess goals, and act with purpose. This month's full moon is particularly significant because it forms aspects with Mars and the Nodes of Destiny, pushing individuals to take bold steps forward and commit to personal change. In astrology, full moons are often linked to emotional intensity and revelation. In Capricorn, those emotions may feel more structured and internal – but no less potent. The Buck Moon's influence, say astrologers, is less about instant change and more about long-term growth, stability, and emotional evolution. Whether you're moon-gazing for beauty or meaning, July's full moon promises a cosmic moment of reflection and inner movement beneath the stars. Your career is thriving, but jealousy may surround you. Stay focused and don't let others' negativity distract you from your success. You're rediscovering your personal aspirations. Put your needs first and map out your goals – they're more achievable than you think. Time to draw clear boundaries in close relationships. Without them, codependency could creep in. Protect your independence. Desire for love is strong, but check your motives. Don't settle out of loneliness. Only commit if it feels deeply right. You're bottling up frustrations. Be honest about your feelings to avoid unnecessary drama later on. You've earned a little indulgence. Treat yourself, recharge, and boost your confidence. You deserve it. Redecorate or refresh your living space. Create comfort and beauty at home – it'll lift your spirit and creativity. You're growing – but others might not be. Focus on your evolution instead of trying to pull others along. You crave deep emotional connection, even if it conflicts with your usual independence. Embrace the passion, but stay mindful. Your creativity is thriving – mix emotional depth with artistic expression. Whether it's love or art, now's your time to shine. You're generous, but don't let others take advantage. Assert your boundaries and ensure your kindness is appreciated. You want to widen your social circle, but building true friendships takes time. Start small – real connection is worth the effort. DATE NAME 13 January Wolf Moon 12 February Snow Moon 14 March Worm Moon 12 April Pink Moon 12 May Flower Moon 11 June Strawberry Moon 10 July Buck Moon 9 August Sturgeon Moon 7 September Corn Moon 6 October Harvest Moon 5 November Beaver Moon 4 December Cold Moon Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
These meteor showers, full moon will light up Michigan skies in July. When to look up
A full moon and two meteor showers are on their way to illuminate Michigan skies this July. Keep an eye out for clear skies and be ready to look up in mid- and late July for a glimpse of the buck moon and whizzing meteors from the alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids meteor showers. Here's what to know. The full moon will peak at 4:37 p.m. on July 10, 2025. The name buck moon comes from bucks, or male deer, reaching their antlers' full-growth during this season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. Here are all the full moons of 2025: Wolf Moon: January Snow Moon: February Worm Moon: March Pink Moon: April Flower Moon: May Strawberry Moon: June Buck Moon: July Sturgeon Moon: August Corn Moon: September Harvest Moon: October Beaver Moon: November Cold Moon: December The alpha Capricornids meteor shower begins activity July 12, followed by the Southern Delta Aquariids on July 18, according to the American Meteor Society's website. Both meteor showers will remain active until Aug. 12. The alpha Capricornids is an annual meteor shower with low activity, typically producing about five meteors per hour, per the American Meteor Society. The Southern Delta Aquariids is an annual meteor shower with faint meteors, typically producing about seven to eight meteors per hour, according to NASA. The alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids are set to peak between July 29-30, per the American Meteor Society. The moon is currently in its waxing crescent phase, at 48% illumination, according to The moon's phases in July 2025 are: First Quarter: July 2 Full Moon: July 10 Last Quarter: July 17 New Moon: July 24 The sturgeon moon will peak Aug. 9, 2025. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, as clear skies are essential for viewing chances. Michigan is home to six dark sky state parks, three international dark sky parks and an international dark sky sanctuary. The Alpena area has three Dark Sky Preserves: Rockport State Recreation Area, Thompson's Harbor State Park and Negwegon State Park. In Mackinaw City, Headlands International Dark Sky Park. In Empire, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. In Munising, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. In Paradise, the Great Lakes Museum and Whitefish Point Light Station and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. In Port Austin, Port Crescent State Park. In Clayton, Lake Hudson Recreation Area. In Carp Lake, Wilderness State Park. Keweenaw Dark Sky Park in Keweenaw County and Dr. T.K. Lawless Park in Cass County are international spots. And, finally, the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area is an international sanctuary. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When to see July 2025 full moon, meteor showers
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Buck moon will light up Michigan skies come July. What to know
Summer is nearly here and the season's first full moon is set to brighten Michigan skies in mid-July. Look up July 10 to catch a glimpse of the buck moon rising in the evening sky across the mitten state. Here's what to know: The full moon will peak at 4:37 p.m. on July 10, 2025. The name buck moon comes from bucks, or male deer, reaching their antlers' full-growth during this season, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac. The moon is currently in its waning gibbous phase, at 64% illumination, according to The moon's phases in July 2025 are: New Moon: June 25 First Quarter: July 2 Full Moon: July 10 Last Quarter: July 17 New Moon: July 24 The average distance between the Earth and the moon is 238,855 miles, per NASA Space Place. At its farthest from the Earth, the moon is about 252,088 miles away and astronomers say it's at apogee. When the moon is at perigee, it's 225,623 miles away. No, the buck moon is not a supermoon. Here are all the full moons of 2025: Wolf Moon: January Snow Moon: February Worm Moon: March Pink Moon: April Flower Moon: May Strawberry Moon: June Buck Moon: July Sturgeon Moon: August Corn Moon: September Harvest Moon: October Beaver Moon: November Cold Moon: December The sturgeon moon will peak Aug. 9, 2025. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan skies to light up with buck moon in July
The South African
10-06-2025
- Science
- The South African
Strawberry Moon: When to view June's full moon
Skywatchers are in for a treat on Tuesday, 10 June, as June's full moon – the Strawberry Moon – reaches peak illumination at on Wednesday, 11 June at 21:44 (SA time). However, despite the name, the moon won't appear pink. The 'Strawberry Moon' traces back to Native American tribes, who named it after the short, sweet wild strawberry harvest season. This year's Strawberry Moon is the lowest full moon in nearly 20 years, thanks to the moon's 18.6-year orbital cycle. Because it hovers low on the horizon, Earth's atmosphere filters the light, giving the moon a warmer, reddish-orange hue. How best to watch: Look to the eastern horizon on June 10 evening for moonrise on for moonrise Best viewed from dark, elevated spots away from city lights Expect the warmest glow just after moonrise when it's closest to the horizon Pro tip: Bring binoculars or a camera for this low-hanging lunar moment – it won't return until 2043. DATE NAME 13 January Wolf Moon 12 February Snow Moon 14 March Worm Moon 12 April Pink Moon 12 May Flower Moon 11 June Strawberry Moon 10 July Buck Moon 9 August Sturgeon Moon 7 September Corn Moon 6 October Harvest Moon 5 November Beaver Moon 4 December Cold Moon Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
