Hail Janus!
January is named for the Roman god Janus. According to Pantheon.org, “Janus is the Roman god of gates and doors, beginnings and endings, and hence represented with a double-faced head, each looking in opposite directions. He was worshiped at the beginning of the harvest time, planting, marriage, birth, and other types of beginnings, especially the beginnings of important events in a person’s life.
Janus also represents the transition between primitive life and civilization, between the countryside and the city, peace and war, and the growing-up of young people.” The doors of Janus’ temple were open during times of war to provide sanctuary and closed during times of peace.
This year don’t make a bunch of resolutions that you won’t keep. Instead, see the whole month of Janus as marking the transition time between the old and new, providing sacred space to support the changes you want to make.
Inga Duncan Thornell 