Honoring Janus: God of the New Year
New Year’s Day holds a unique significance in many cultures, and one of the most interesting aspects is its association with the Roman God Janus. If you’re Roman—or at least familiar with Roman mythology—then you likely know that Janus is the deity who presides over the transitions into new beginnings, as well as the passages that mark change, such as doorways, gates, and thresholds. He is often depicted as having two faces, with one looking back at the past and the other gazing toward the future. This duality embodies the very essence of New Year’s Day, a moment in time that calls for reflection on what has been and anticipation of what is to come.
Looking ahead while reflecting on the past:
Janus, as the god of transitions, reminds us that the turning of the year isn’t just a time to set new goals, but also a moment to acknowledge where we’ve been. The duality of his gaze—one face fixed on the past and the other focused on the future—suggests a balance between reflection and forward-thinking. It’s a symbolic invitation to pause at the threshold of a new year, looking back to gain insight from the previous year’s experiences while also preparing for the new opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
While it is common for people to create New Year’s resolutions centered around their aspirations, dreams, and plans for the future, I believe that it’s just as crucial to dedicate some time to reflecting on the past. The process of looking back allows us to understand how we’ve grown, what we’ve learned, and how we’ve changed. In a world that constantly pushes us to move forward, it can be easy to forget the value of reflection. But in truth, reflection provides the clarity and context we need to navigate the future with purpose.
For many years, I’ve found that the quiet period between the hustle of the holidays offers an ideal opportunity to reflect. During this time, I take out my journals from the previous year and go through them carefully. It’s a personal ritual of mine to look back over the thoughts, hopes, frustrations, and triumphs that have filled the pages. This practice helps me understand the progress I’ve made, recognize patterns in my thinking or behavior, and identify lessons that might otherwise be overlooked in the rush of everyday life.
Through this review, I’m not simply reminiscing about what happened; I’m engaging in a deeper process of self-awareness. By revisiting past experiences—both the highs and the lows—I can better understand my own journey and where I’ve arrived. And in doing so, I become more equipped to face the future, not only with resolutions in mind but with a sense of gratitude for the road already traveled. This balance of looking both backward and forward, of honoring the past while embracing the future, is the true essence of what New Year’s represents to me.
So, while we may be swept up in the excitement of new beginnings and the energy that comes with starting fresh, let us also take a moment to acknowledge the lessons of the past. Both the face of Janus, facing the past and the future, remind us that life is not just about moving forward; it’s about understanding where we’ve been so that we can navigate where we’re going with wisdom and intention.
Reflect more at our Expressive Arts Intro Course:
In expressive arts we often reflect on our lives and on our work in order to dive deeper into our soul self.
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