Janus, God of New Beginnings & Reflection

Deborah Fowler
Jan 2, 2024
2 min read

Updated: May 30

Did you know the month of January is named after Janus, the Roman God of new beginnings? Janus is depicted as having two faces, one facing the past and one facing the future. He is a God of transitions and reflection. When looking toward 2024 we might consider honoring the characteristics of Janus.

Heading into the new year, everyone has a unique perspective on how to welcome it. This might include:

· Resolutions made

· No resolutions, just looking toward the new year with great anticipation

· Hoping it will be better than last year

· Just another year, nothing will change

HONORING 2023 No matter how we perceive the new year, most of us are eager to leave 2023 behind. That makes sense - we are enthusiastic about fresh starts and anxious to move forward. But I encourage you to take a breath, pause, and reflect. Don’t rush into 2024 without paying respects to the gifts of 2023. You’re a different person today from the one who began the new year of 2023.

Taking the time to honor your journey pays respect to your experiences, your challenges, those blissful moments that pass in a blink of an eye, and the growth and wisdom you’ve gained.

THE BEST OF YOU

If your reflections remind you of only the challenges or struggles you had, give yourself a moment of celebration for finding the strength and resilience to get through them. For those who lost loved ones, in addition to holding dear your treasured memories of them, reflect on why they loved you. Consider that as their gift to you, reminding you of how valuable you are and what made you special to them. They brought out the best in you, continue to honor them by sharing what they loved about you with others.

LOOKING FORWARD WITH 2023 STRENGTHS

Take time to acknowledge that no matter what experiences you had in 2023, that year has prepared you for 2024. We can’t predict the future, but by honoring the past we can embrace this new year with greater resolve, strength, humility, and kindness. All your life experiences will be moving with you into the new year. Instead of looking forward to what the year will bring you, take the time to respect who you are and what you bring to 2024.

From one courageous spark to another,

with love,

debi

"And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

Feel free to share this with a friend! Our precious sanctuary will benefit with the addition of like-minded little sparks!