The Renewal of Hope: The Spiritual Meaning of January 2022
Every new year brings many new ideas, perspectives, and hope. The spiritual meaning of January is one of new beginnings.
The Spiritual Meaning of January 2022
There is a breath of hope at each beginning of the year about what is to come. We feel the winds of change, and our hearts renew their promises of rightful dreams and goodwill intentions.
We start a new adventure that will last a certain time but with an unpredictable journey. The spiritual meaning of January is related to these expectations.
Good purposes accumulate in the soul to renew us and make us happier. First, however, we need to be aware that the year is too long, and we should not concentrate all our aspirations on this first month.
Earlier civilizations knew this and distributed their dreams and emotions throughout the year. In this way, each month of the year has an energy template and a specific spiritual meaning.
Archetypes and Tutelary Deities
Over time, several civilizations have linked this month with celebrations of sentimental events and demonstrations of friendship. For example, the Greeks believed that celebrating a wedding on the first day of the year brought good luck to the couple. They called this celebration the feast of Gamelia, the queen of heaven. It was also a Roman holy day.
Held on the Kalends of January (first day of the month) and dedicated to Juno Gamelia, the patron Goddess of marriage. Named for the Greek month of Gamelion on the Attic calendar, a lunar month in December or January.
The Greek month of Gamelion celebrated the marriage of Zeus and Hera. According to Plutarch, marriages required the protection of Zeus, Hera, Aphrodite, Peitho, and Artemis.
The Romans also held a banquet to welcome newborns between January 11th and 15th. This celebration was called Carmelite, after, in ancient Roman religion and myth, Carmenta was a goddess of childbirth and prophecy. During the festival, pregnant women and those who had recently given birth made offerings to the goddess.
The Romans also made cakes in male and female genital shapes with assorted fruits and creams as part of the spiritual meaning of January. They consumed them to celebrate births linked to the goddess Carmenta.
The Roman God Janus and the Spiritual Meaning of January
This month’s name comes from the Roman god Janus, who was the god of doors, portals, and new beginnings.
He was also the god of transitional and final stages. Janus was one of the earliest Roman deities, sometimes referred to as the “god of gods” or diuom deo; others equated him with the Etruscan god Culcans.
The god is represented with two sideway faces, one looking to the past (December) and the other to the future r(January). Hence, he was invoked in January, which derived his name. From Latin, Ianuarius became Janeiro until reaching the current name January.
The Roman Goddess Strenia and the Exchange of Gifts
Another typical January celebration is the exchange of gifts between friends. Strenua or Strenia was a goddess of the new year, purification, and well-being in ancient Roman religion. She had a shrine (sacellum) and grove (lucus) at the top of the Via Sacra. STRENAE (whence the French étrennes) was when presents were given on the 1st of January. The custom was supposed to be connected with the goddess who brought good luck to the household. The person who received such presents was accustomed to making others in return. They were called strenae and the party they were delivered to Strenia. This has been kept by people over the centuries in different countries worldwide, giving gifts to friends and family at the beginning of the year.
In Japan, there is a tradition of buying small boats from street stalls that contain surprise gifts such as coins, jewelry, or spices. The emotional concept behind this ritual is that, with the help of the boat, we can navigate the different seas that life offers us calmly and safely.
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About the Author
Creatrix from Sirius. Fairly Odd Mother of Saints (Bernards). Fish Tank aficionado by day ninja by night. Liane is also the Editor-in-Chief of OMTimes Magazine and Ministry Earth Magazine, Co-Founder of Humanity Healing International and Humanity Healing Network, and Board Member of Saint Lazarus Relief Fund.
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