50+ Lifestyles

January, the Gateway to the New Year

By Eloise Graham

January, named for the pagan Roman god Janus, is the month of new beginnings and transitions. This is the month we make resolutions for a better self by starting new trends in lifestyle, looking back over our past and transitioning to a healthier, wiser self.

Some facts of Janus and the origin of the word.

He was the god and guardian of doors and gates. As a god, he had the ability to look back over the city, at its past, while also looking ahead to see what was coming. Statues of Janus show him to have two faces, the one that looks back while the other looks forward. This ability of Janus has created a section of our language called “Janus words – Two-Faced English”. Our modern word cleave comes from this phenomenon of Janus. You can cleave a block of wood meaning to split it, or you can cleave to your principles meaning to stick to them

The Latin word for door is janua, hence January is the doorway to the new year. Our modern word janitor is derived for the Latin janua. At one time, a janitor’s sole responsibility was to guard the gates of the castle or estate. They held the keys to all the doors and gates.

Flower of the Month

The carnation is the flower chosen for this month. The history of this flower dates back more than 2,000 years. Its not surprising that carnations are rich with symbolism, mythology and even debate. Some scholars suggest that the name
comes from the Greek word “corone” (flower garlands) or “coronation” because of its use in many Greek ceremonial crowns. Other scholars that it is derived from the Latin word “carnis” (flesh) referring to the flower’s original pinkish-hued color or “incarnacyon” (incarnation) of God-made flesh.

Gemstone for the Month

The gem for January is garnet. Garnet is found world over, and though commonly known to be a deep red, it is in fact found in a variety of colors and chemical formulas. Legend and folklore place the garnet among the most ancient of talismans. Not only was it prized as an ornamental jewel, but also its strong curative powers and protection energies made It invaluable.

Some famous people that started their life journey on January 1

Pope Alexander VI – 1431; Paul Revere – 1735; Anthony Wayne – 1745; Betsy Ross – 1752; Tim Keefe – 1857; George Washington Carver – 1864; E. M. Forster – 1879; J. Edgar Hoover – 1895; Xavier Cugat – 1900; Barry Goldwater – 1909; Dana Andrews – 1909; J. D. Salinger – 1919; Rocky Graziano – 1919; Vernon L. Smith – 1927; Country Joe McDonald – 1942; Omar al-Bashir – 1944; Gary “BB” Coleman – 1947; Scott Riggs – 1971.