The period of three stars: explaining peak heat of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is currently experiencing "Yellow Summer," a period characterized by intense heat and dry winds. According to the national calendar, this period, lasting from July 23rd to August 12th, is associated with the appearance of the "Three Stars" (Üç ýyldyz) in the sky—a star cluster known in Western astronomy as Orion's Belt.
As reported in the newspaper "Turkmenistan," this time is considered the hottest and driest of the entire year, with daytime temperatures reaching 40−46∘C. Despite lasting only 20 days, this period presents a significant challenge for livestock breeders, farmers, and all living organisms.
While the heat affects the growth of reeds, rushes, and other moisture-loving plants, Üçýyldyz is considered an ideal time for cotton, the country's primary agricultural crop. It is during these days that cotton plants extensively bloom and form ovaries.
Folk omens suggest that the "Period of Three Stars" should be followed by the appearance of the "Ýaldyrak" (Sirius) star, which signals a decrease in heat and the arrival of cooler nights. During this time, abundant dew typically forms, and the ground cools.
For example, the expression "Üçýyldyzda tün sowar, Ýaldyrakda gün sowar" means that during the Three Stars period, coolness first arrives at night, and then, closer to mid-August, the daytime heat also subsides.
For agriculture, the period of the Three Stars demands special attention. Farmers strive to maintain irrigation of crops to preserve their harvest. Thus, nature and people together navigate "Yellow Summer"—a brief yet crucial stage in the rhythm of the Turkmen calendar.
ORIENT
