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JANUS & BACCHUS (and bit of MARS)

Outside of long-standing cultural hype, there is nothing especially auspicious about January 1.  It’s not the shortest day of the year nor the longest night.  It is not the beginning or end of any lunar cycle.  It is not halfway between the solstice and equinox (Imbolc), not the end or beginning of epiphany. It’s just January 1.


So, how did this decision get made, that this arbitrary day gets so much attention? It is through a long and circuitous journey involving King Numa Pompilius of Rome, Greek gods, and the “colonies” that explains why we mark that day with a level of attention that can stir the drink, and stir the soul. 


I got to thinking about this one day as I was walking through the woods:  It is so typical that our immediate culture holds two vastly contrasting activities paramount:  Drink yourself into a stupor, then get up the next morning and virtuously declare your goals to be a better person. We are so enamored with the shadow, and so afraid of it.  Don’t get me wrong - I love a good night with Bacchus, but even at his best, he wasn’t known for, well, virtue (yes, yes, virtue may be overrated, but there is something to be said for seeing our lives as sacred).   Janus (for whom this month is named, and the God of New Beginnings) is a much more stoggy, or upright character. So is this Bacchus meets Janus??  I just don’t know how they would get along. 




So here’s the story:  


January 1 is considered the beginning of the New Year is due to the preferences of King Numa Pompilius of Rome (c 715-673 BCE).  Before his time, March was the beginning of the year. That makes sense to me… new life, new growth, an equinox. However, March is named for Mars, the God of War, whose destructive influence sort of defeats the optimism of Spring.  January, on the other hand, is named for Janus, God of New Beginnings, Gateways, Transitions, Time, Duality, Passages, Frames, and Endings.  A complicated character usually depicted with two faces, coming and going.  Makes so much sense as a God of the New Year. 


But why not just switch the names of the months

and make January in the Spring?  


Well, the story continues. Sometime later, after the 5th century expansion of Christianity in Europe, New Year’s Day altered between Dec 25 or March 25, depending on the European country (note that much of the world - China for example - was not really following these trends at the time) and reflective of the birth of Christ, and the feast of the annunciation respectively (also notably reflective of Solstice and Equinox, no surprise).  


There was even more to consider. An extra day was needed every 4 years to account for the 356.256-day orbit of our planet around the sun (Easter kept getting colder and colder over the next 1000 years, no longer marking spring, and something needed to be done!).  That happened in 1582 when Pope Gregory also decided that Jan 1 was a fitting date for New Year’s Day.  (I don’t know why, but I am sure there is an encyclical somewhere that explains).  


As it happens, the  American “colonies” didn’t accept that date, most likely because it was the Catholic Pope’s idea.  They preferred the March 25 date (melting snow, crocus blooms, maples budding.  Still makes sense to me).  It wasn’t until 1752 that the “colonies” got on board with January 1 as New Year’s Day.  (to be fair, it also took England a while to comply).  So you see, there is nothing especially special about the day.  It’s just when the numbers on our computers change and tell us it is a New Year.


So, whether you celebrate New Years Day on January 1, or maybe you call it in at solstice or Imbolc, perhaps we can learn to celebrate in a new way.


All the markings of big passages of time, all the 1sts, the new beginnings.... WildWalks and WildQuests are a kind way to celebrate. Getting up and out before dawn, and immersing ourselves in the forest, mountains, or desert until sunset are a beautiful way to settle the soul and stir the spirit of Janus. And it doesn't have to happen in January.


Please visit upcoming opportunities to connect to a new beginning here.


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