JANUARY Before Julius Caesar hired the astronomer Sosigences of Alexandria in 46 BCE to reform the calendar, the year began with the spring equinox. But the traditional calendar had gotten out of sync with the seasons. The new Julian calendar remained in effect until it, too, fell out of sync and was reformed in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Gregorian calendar is todays common calendar, though some religions still use variations of the Julian calendar. January is named for Janus (Ianus), the two-faced Roman god of the doorway, which is the transition point between the safe indoors and the outside world, where anything might happen. Before Janus came to the city, he was Dianus, and Italian oak god whose consort was the woodland goddess Diana. The Romans werent alone in believing that this opening needed to be protected. The mezuzah, which holds verses from Deuteronomy, is affixed to doors of Jewish houses. Medieval cathedrals feature elaborate facades around their doorways, and nearly every Pagan is taught to cut a doorway into the energy of the circle. When we do January magic, lets focus on openings, closings, and transitions. What are we closing? What are we opening?
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 13:45:06 +0000
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