Well here we are kicking off a new year with another new January. This month was named after the Roman god Janus, who, fittingly, represented new beginnings. Janus was known as the protector of gates and doorways and who symbolizes beginnings and endings. He is depicted with two faces — one looking into the past, the other with the ability to see into the future. A pretty good symbol, I’d say, for January — our door into the new year.
January’s Moon is called the Wolf Moon. The Saxon word for the month was Wulf-monath or “wolf month.” This month’s full Wolf Moon reaches peak illumination on Friday, January 6, at 6:09 P.M. EST. January’s full Moon is a “Micromoon” this year — that’s kind of the opposite of a “Supermoon.” It means that the full Moon is at its farthest point from Earth — not the nearest point, like when it is a Supermoon.
We’re into the second day of the new year and this year January will also welcome the Lunar New Year on January 22. You faithful readers know that we always celebrate Chinese New Year so you’ll be hearing more about it later this month. The Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon after the Winter Solstice and this year we will welcome the Year of the Rabbit.
So we’re off and running — new month, new year.
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