Happy 2025- May it give you love, light and Lucius!
WARNING: THIS POST MAY GIVE SPOILERS!
Towards the end of Pentagram Child 2, Dominic mentions that he can marry Keira on New Years Eve or her birthday. Whilst the couple opt for the latter of the two, New Years is extremely sacred to the Supernaturals at Afterlife. Let's explore this in further detail in today's deep dive.
Janus
In Triple Goddess, we are partial to the first New Years Eve party with Keira and Dominic. This party, held in the Janus temple, marks the beginning of the new year and also a celebration of Janus- a god of many things including: time, new beginnings, doors, two faces and endings.
Historically, Janus- a Roman god depicted with two faces- has given his name to the month of January. His name in Latin can be translated as ‘arched passage or doorway’ because he provides aid in times of transition of any kind. Scholars have also associated Janus with the sun (or any light), the moon, movement, the year and bridges.
Janus was also significant at the beginning and end of periods of conflict. (which in the context of Afterlife this makes sense with Keira’s visit to the void during Blood Of The Infinity War) Rome named some of the gates to the city after Janus ( namely Argiletum, Ianus Geminus and Porta Ianualis) to protect from invaders. Emperor Numa Pompilius built a walled enclosure that opened and closed depending on if Rome was in conflict. Adjoining a temple, it was opened during conflict for military advancement.
Famous Roman orator Cicero associated Janus as the guardian to the gates of heaven. This is because Janus allows Jupiter (the ruler of the gods) to move freely between heaven and earth. He further stated the importance of Janus for Roman life, as Janus provides reasoning to abstract beginnings of the world, such as the beginnings of the gods, religion and even human life. As the origin of time, he oversees everything from historical ages to financial enterprises, as according to myth he was the first to mint coins.
Janus was also worshipped at the beginning of harvest and planting times. Roman historian Plutarch claims that Janus was a patron of civil and social order.
New Years Day
For Romans, the winter solstice- said to be held on the 25th of December- was the climax of the Saturnalia tradition. Whilst the festival was used to celebrate the Roman god of Agriculture, Saturn, they would then go on to celebrate Janus on New Years Day.
The 25th of December was considered the climax of the festival, known as Brumalia. All social hierarchies were overturned, so everyone could celebrate the festival. Public gambling and wearing colourful clothes were popular, and a 'Phrygian' cap was worn by the freed Roman slaves. During the festival a Roman Citizen would be selected to become the 'Lord of Misrule' and over a period of 30 days be the head of the celebration until he was sacrificed to Saturn, marking the end of a period of anarchy. During Saturnalia, Romans would exchange wreaths made of holly for good luck.
Saltburn is a modern take on the Saturnalia Festival
After this period of ‘misrule’, New Years Day would be customary to exchange words of good wishes, exchanging dates figs and honey. On this day they would not sacrifice animals, instead the Romans gave offerings of spelt cakes and salt burnt on altars.
Janus would also be given offerings at the beginning and ends of each month by the Rex Sacrorum (‘the senatorial priesthood’- the highest ranking Roman priests) as well as Roman men devoting the beginning of the day to Janus.
Read more about Janus in The Afterlife Saga. Pick up the first book here!
コメント