Beginning of a New Year

Today marks the beginning of the New Year and I'm so excited that it's arrived. Since this is the month of January there are several deities that are honored during this time and I will be talking about them one by one.

The first one is Janus

Janus is honored on the first month of the year because he's the god with two faces. The left face represents the old year and the right face represents the new year. We pray and give him offerings in hopes of having a good year. This is known as Kalendis Januaris. He's also honored during the Anno Novo. Here some info about that one.

This is the New Year day. Ianus, who is bifrons (with two faces looking at opposing directions) looks back at the past year and looks ahead at the arriving new year. When Ovidius asks Ianus why the year does not start in Spring (as it did in remote times), Ianus answers that "midwinter is the beginning of the new Sun and the end of the old one. Phoebus and the year take their start from the same point" (Ovidius, Fasti, I.149 seq.). This day is a day of vows and gifts, when one should only say words of good augury.

After a procession through the city to the Capitol, each Consul inaugurates his magistracy sacrificing to Iuppiter, Iuno, Minerva and Salus pro salute rei publicae et senatus (for the health of the Republic and the Senate) white heifers nourished on the Faliscan plains which have never known the yoke, for these heifers had been promised one year before by the previous Consules during the regular public vows (Vota Publica). These regular vows are then renewed for this year (during the Empire the regular vows were made on January 3) with the promise of a new sacrifice to Iuppiter, Iuno, Minerva and Salus pro salute rei publicae et senatus on the next January 1. The people throws coins during the vows to bring good luck.

The Rex Sacrorum sacrifices to Ianus.

Vediove

Vediove is a anniversary of the dedication of the temple of Vediovis in the island of the Tiber. This is Jupiter in his cathotic form, though he is sometimes referred to as a younger version of Jupiter. 

 

Aesculapio

 Anniversary (dies natalis) of the dedication of the temple of Aesculapius in the island of the Tiber. Aesculapius is a God of health whose propitiation is important to start well the new year.

Even though I can't give an offering to them, I will be praying and asking them for their blessings for the coming year. I think that it's important that we find a way to honor the gods without breaking the rules about cleaniness. I hope that you all have a good one, a good year, a good month, and a good remainder of your week.

HAIL TO THE GODS OF ROME!!!!