The brightest star in the northern hemisphere is beautiful Arcturus, the alpha star of the Herdsman Boötes.  In northern hemisphere autumns, Boötes is sinking down in the west-northwest sky after sunset, with its orientation being more or less upright.  Arcturus is the anchor of the constellation, with the rest of the stars extending up and to the right.  Contemplate Arcturus as a gateway to higher consciousness!   This view is from the northeast bank of the Rappahannock, looking across the river over the city of Fredericksburg, Virginia.   Unannotated image.