Arcturus is the brightest star in the constellation Bootes, and the third brightest star in the night sky, (fourth, if the Sun is included). It is the second brightest star visible from northern latitudes and the brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. It is a red giant star, at least 110 times more luminous than the Sun, but this underestimates its strength as much of the "light" it gives off is in the infrared; total power output is about 180 times that of the Sun.  Arcturus takes its name from its nearness to the sky Bears, Big and Little Bears, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor. From Arktouros or Arctophilax, "the Bear Guard" and also called "the Bear Watcher".  Arcturus is believed to be one of the first stars named by ancient observers. It is translated as "Guardian of the Bear" and is a name that was once used for the entire constellation of Bootes. It is easily found by noting that the curve of the handle of the Big Dipper is part of a circle - an arc - and we can just follow the arc to Arcturus. It is visible from the northern hemisphere in the evening from about March until early summer.  It is approximately thirty-seven light years from Earth.  Arcturus was formed in the halo of the Milky Way and is an interloper in our neighborhood. It has been visible to the naked eye for only about half a million years. It will be a little closer in a few thousand years, but then will recede from our view in another half million years as it continues its journey on a different orbital path.

Arcturus, the alpha star of Bootes, appears to be chasing the Big Bear and Little Bear around Polaris, the north star.  "Arcturus" and "Arctic" are derived from the same root word.  Today, the melting of the polar ice caps at the north and south poles is an inconcievable fact of our reality.  White Buffalo Calf Woman and her allies intend to restore  Earth's climate to its natural temperature.  Extinction of polar bears and other precious species is totally unacceptable to the Goddesses who are here to protect Mother Earth.