The first day of January can be a time of regret and reflection mixed with hope and optimism for the future. This January ritual of looking forward and backward is fitting for the first day of a month named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings and endings.

In ancient Roman religion and mythology, Janus was the god of gates and doorways, as well as beginnings, transitions, time, duality, passages, frames, and endings.

Janus held the key to the metaphorical doors or gateways as we transition from what was and into what is to come.

Janus had two faces so that he wouldn’t get a kink in his neck from constantly looking forward and backwards.

The ancient Roman poet Ovid wrote in his Fasti about Roman Festivals. These are ten things ancient Romans might have done on the first of January.

1. try to think good thoughts all day long
2. greet each other cheerfully, avoid gossip or negative speech
3. sprinkle saffron on the hearth, as incense
4. sacrifice to Janus before any other god in household shrine
5. join or watch a procession to the Capitoline hill, where
6. priest would sacrifice a heifer and
7. swear in the officials elected to serve in that year
8. do a bit of business
9. give honey, dates, coins to friends, family, patrons, clients
10. pray to the god Janus for peace  

It’d be neat as history teachers if we also could have two faces so that we can always be looking both forwards and backwards without getting a sore neck.