The Months of the Year: January

As the seasons change, the days go by, and we move from month to month throughout the year, we often don't give much thought to the nuances and pleasures of the calendar itself. Today's calendar, the Gregorian calendar, dates back nearly 500 years when the Julian calendar was reformed. The months themselves offer lessons in mythology and earth sciences. Let's take a look at January and explore the deeper meaning of the month.

We all know that January is the first month of the year and a time where we typically reflect on the past year as well as resolve to make the coming year better yet. In fact, this tradition is reflected in the name itself. January is named after the Roman god of gates and doors, Janus. While January is much like a doorway to the future, the significance of the name is readily apparent when you see an image of Janus who was represented with two faces: one looking back (as we do each New Year); the other looking forward (as we also do each New Year).

Janus is also known as a god of war and peace. As the king of Latium, Janus brought his people the Golden Age - a time of peace and welfare. Laws, field cultivation, and money were introduced under his reign. As a god, he was the protector of Rome. The gates of Janus's temple are closed during peace and open during war so that Janus can intervene as needed.

January's birthstone is the garnet, a sparkling gemstone most commonly found in a brilliant red color reminiscent of pomegranate seeds. In fact, the name "garnet" comes from the Greek word for pomegranate seeds, "granutum." Ancient Egyptians used garnet gemstones as beads as well as in handmade jewelry dating back to 3100 BC. While red garnets are a popular choice as January's birthstone, other gorgeous gemstones for January: pink garnet, purple garnet, orange garnet, green garnet, violet garnet, and gold garnet.

If you were born in January, you're in good company. Benjamin Franklin, Edgar Allen Poe, Jack London, Lucretia Mott, Betsy Ross, Albert Schweitzer, Martin Luther King, Jr., Paul Revere, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Franklin D. Roosevelt were all born in January. In addition, January brought numerous changes to the world including the discovery of gold in California (January 1848), Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation (January 1863), and the patenting of the light bulb by Thomas Edison (January 1880).

Whether you're looking forward or back, January is a wonder-filled month. May Janus's gates soon be closed.