Sopdet before dawn

Up at 5 to feed the cat (Bast's representative on earth, as she would remind you), and Sopdet was blazing over the neighbor's roof. Sirius, to most people. In ancient Egypt her return to the dawn sky announced the flood and the new year; this time of year she's just a bright, flickering companion for insomniacs and cat owners.

The Egyptians tracked 36 decan stars rising through the night, ten days each, and some Middle Kingdom coffins have star clocks painted on the inside of the lid. Possibly so the dead could tell the hour (the purpose is debated; I like this reading). I saw one in a museum years ago and still think about it: someone wanted their beloved to never lose track of time.

Poured a little water on the balcony for her and went back to bed.