Janurary Observances

The month of January is named after the Roman god Janus. Janus is said to have one face looking back and one face looking forward (perhaps to a new year).

JANUARY is . . .
Chilly Month, March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month, Human Resources Month, National Eye Care Month, National Hobby Month, National Soup Month, National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, National Health Month, Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream "Show-Off" Receipe Contest Month, Prune Breakfast Month, Whale Watching Month, National Egg Month, National Wheat Bread Month, National Meat Month, National Candy Month, National Hot Tea Month, National Oatmeal Month, National Retail Bakers Month, Thyroid Disease Awareness Month, January Diet Month, National Be On-Purpose Month, National Book Blitz Month, National Yours Mine and Ours Month, Market Ability Month, Crime Stoppers Month, Business and Reference Books Month, National Prune the Fat Month, Prevention to Cruelty to Your Money Month

Thanks to The Daily Globe: "J" WORLD

1 st. - New Years Day/First Footing

New Year's Day the first day of the calendar year. In the United States, Canada, England, and many other countries around the world, New Year's Day is a festive occasion marked by boisterous celebrations to welcome the new year.

During the Middle Ages, most European countries used March 25, a Christian holiday called Annunciation Day, to start the year. By 1600, many Western nations had adopted a revised calendar called the Gregorian calendar. This calendar, the one used today, restored January 1 as New Year's Day. Great Britain and its colonies in America adopted it in 1752.

First footing is the visiting of friends and relatives immediately after New Year's Eve, in the early hours of the morning of January 1st. First footing after the bells have rung in the New Year is still common - the "first foot" in the house after midnight should be male, dark, and handsome and should carry symbolic coal, shortbread, salt, black bun ( a spiced cake) and, of course, whisky. In Kirkwall, Orkney, there is a New Year Ba' Game held in the streets of the town which can last most of January 1st, between the Uppies and the Doonies, or more correctly, "Up-the-Gates" and "Doon-the-Gates" from Old Norse "gata" (path or road).

2nd. - Kakizome/Advent of Isis

During Kakizome, in Japan, long strips of paper are given each family member for the first writing of the year. Each family member writes a favorite poem or proverb in their best calligraphy. A well done kakizome will hang in a place of honor for all to see.

In Egypt, the Advent of Isis is a celebration of the Mother Goddess of Egypt. Musicians, and dancers would perform mystery plays at the temple celebrating the story of Isis's resurrection of Osiris.

3rd. - Charming of the Plow/Lenaia/Feast of Pax

In Norse traditions Charming of the Plow is an agricultural ritual performed in Northern Europe, when grain crates were offered for the soil's fertility, and Father Sky and Mother Earth were invoked to that end.

In Greek traditions the Lenaia is held in honor of Dionysus; God of wine and fertility.

Celebrations honoring Pax, the Roman Goddess of Peace, are held . Her temple stood open in Rome during times of peace, but was closed during war. It remained open for over 200 years continuously during the Pax Romana, an achievement unimaginable in modern times. It was locked closed by the Christians who ultimately tore it down. The world has not known a year without war since.

Native American Pueblo people performe the Deer Dances, dedicated to the great female Spirit known as the Deer Mothers.

4th - Burma Independance Day/Sacrifice to the Seven Stars

On January 4, 1948, under U Nu, Burma achieved independence. The British helped to set up a cabinet in 1947 that made Burma's transition to independence smoother.

In Korea, the Sacrifice to the Seven Stars (Chilseong-je) is performed on this date at midnight. To receive good fortune and divine blessings, white rice and water are offered to the God who rules the constellation Ursa Major.

5th - Feast of Befana/Twelfth Night

In Italy, the Feast of Befana, Goddess of magic, goodness, and ceremonies is held annually on this date, when it is said, she manifest on earth to witness winter's darkness passing.

In Christianity the Twelfth Night and Wassail Eve (in England) marks the end of Christmastide.

6th - Epiphany

Epiphany comes from the Greek word "to appear" and refers to the visit of the Three Kings 12 days after Jesus was born. In many countries Epiphany is called "The Three Kings Day." In Latin America and Spain hay is left in children's shoes for the camels and the next day children hope to find presents and candles left in return. The day is also observed in France by baking a cake with a coin in it and whomever is lucky enough to get the piece of cake with a coin is king or queen for the day.

7th - Ganna

In Ethiopia, Christmas is celebrated by Ethiopian Christians on this day. The day is celebrated by playing Leddat or Ganna on this day which is a form of field hockey.

8th Feast of the Lord/Feast of Freya/Midwifes' Day

In Catholicism, the Baptism of the Lord is a feast in honor of the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

In Norse traditions this day is dedicated to Freya, goddess of love and fertility.

In Greece, Midwifes' Day is the celebration of Goddess Babbo.

9th - Day of Remembrance

In Asatru traditions this is the Day of Remembrance for Raud the Strong. Raud was a land owner in Norway who was put to death by Olaf Tryggvason (Olaf the Slime) for his loyalty to Asatru by having a snake forced down his throat. His lands were confiscated in the name of the king and his monks.

10th - Iroquois New Year/Feast of Dreams

The Iroquois Midwest Ceremony is the celebration of the Iroquois New Year. Two members of the Iroquois False Face Society visit homes or community longhouses as the curing spirit of the tribe. It is hoped that the ceremony will bring good health and the renewal of spirits of all tribal members. The centuries-old ritual Feast of Dreams, is also performed by Native American Iroquois in celebration of their New Year.

11th - Burning of the Clavie/Festival of Carmentalia/Juturna Day

In a celebration called Burning of the Clavie a tar barrel filled with tar-soaked wood shavings is carried around the harbour, in Burghead, Morayshire, and then to Doorie Hill where the Celtic Druids used to light their fires.

In Rome, the Festival of Carmentalia honors the Goddess Carmenta (also known as Metis), a deity presiding over childbirth. Her priestesses cast the fortunes of children at the moment of their birth.

In Italy, Juturna, goddess of pools and still waters and all who work with water, is honored.

12th - Besant Pnachami/St. Distaff's Day

In India, Besant Pnachami (or Dawat Puja), or the Festival of Saravasti is celebrated on the closest New Crescent Moon.

St. Distaff's Day, in England. is named for a sanctified tool rather than an individual, it was the day women would resume their spinning after Yule.

13 th. - Midvintersblot/Saint Silvester's Day

The Norse winter festival, Midvintersblot (Midwinter Night), is held for peace, good winter and a good harvest. This feast marks the darkest and coldest time of winter. Also celebrated in honor of Tiu, the Teutonic chief God, and ruler of the year.

http://sivut.koti.tpo.fi/wulff/asatru/txtasafe.htm

On Saint Silvester's Day, villages in Urnasch, Switzerland traditionally continue their celebration of New Year's eve with clanging bells to drive away evil spirits.

14th - Pongal

In India, a harvest festival (Pongal) is celebrated in southern India to honor the sun and rain that produces the rice crops. The Sun-God Surya is honored on the first day, the rain on the second day, and the cattle are honored on the fourth day.

15th. - World Religion Day/Adult Day

World Religion Day - The purpose of this day is to promote religion as a unifying influence for humanity.

Adult Day (Seijin-No-Hi) in Japan is a special day for young women and men who have reached adulthood.

16th - Betoro Bromo

IIn ndonesia on this day each year in Indonesia, Buddhist monks and pilgrims gather at Mount Bromo to honor the fire-God Betoro Bromo. At midnight, offerings of food and flowers are cast into the volcano where the God dwells.

17th - Wassailing the Apple Trees/Blessing of the Animals

In Celtic Britain, during Wassailing the Apple Trees, cider is poured on the roots of Apple trees while an invocation is sung to the tree in order to ensure fertility and drive away all evil-natured entities.

In China, the Kitchen-God Zao Jun is honored with prayers and offerings of sweet rice cakes each year on this night which marks the end of the Chinese year. For luck, paper images of the God are burned and dried beans thrown onto the roofs of houses.

19 th. - Thurseblot (Festival of Thor)/Kite Festival

Minor feast honoring Thor, the protector of Midgard. During this time, the height of the Storm season, Thor's power is invoked to drive back the frost Jotuns so that Spring may return to Midgard. Also the Icelandic celebration welcoming Thor into the home by the Patriarch.

http://www.wizardrealm.com/norse/

In Singapore, during the Kite Festival, all kites that are entered in this contest must be

homemade. Kites are judged on artistic design and flying performance. Teams can also enter a kite and judgments are based on design, speed of launching, and retrieval of kite and accuracy in touching an air-borne target with their kite.

Kites come in all shapes and sizes such as a many segmented dragon or ships with sails. What type of a kite would you design for the Singapore Kite Festival?

20th - Babin Den/Thorrablot/Baba Den

Babin Den is a day set aside to honor grandmothers, mothers, doctors, and nurses. All of these people helped bring the children into the world. To honor these people, children bring flowers and visit them.

In Asatru traditions, Thorrablot is a holiday that begins the Old Norse month of Snorri. It is still observed in Iceland with parties and a mid-winter feast. It is sacred to Thor, and the ancient Icelandic Winter spirit, Thorri.

In Bulgaria, Baba Den or Grandmother's Day, is held in honor of the Goddess Baba Den or Baba Yaga

22nd - Ukranian Independence Day/Festival of the Muses

The Ukranian National Republic was founded on this day. This event took place after the Russian Czar was thrown out of power in 1917. But civil war broke out shortly in 1918 and by 1921 the Communists had regained control of the Ukraine.

The Pagan holiday, Festival of the Muses, the Goddesses of inspiration, sciences and the arts, the Muses are honored and invoked each year on this day with inspired poetry, folk songs, music, and dancing.

23rd - Day of Hathor/Tu Bishvat/Up-Helly-aa

the Day of Hathor honors the Egyptian Mother Goddess and Goddess of the underworld. Known also as Queen of Heaven, Queen of the Earth, and The Celestial Cow, cow's milk is poured into the River Nile as prayers to the Goddess are recited.

The custom on Tu Bishvat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: Kabbalistic tradition even includes a mystical Tu Bishvat "seder" service where the inner dimensions of fruits are expounded, along with blessings, songs and deep discussion.

http://www.aish.edu/calendar/tu-bishvat/customs.htm

Up-Helly-aa is held in Lerwick, Shetland Islands. A full sized Viking Galley, complete with shields and oars is pulled by a torch-bearing procession dressed as Viking warriors to the beach. Guizer Jarl calls for three cheers for the builders of the longship and after a bugle call, the galley is set alight by 800 blazing torches.

25 th. - Burn's Night/Lunar New Years Festival

Robert Burns is Scotland's best-loved bards. Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for about 200 years as a means of commemorating him. When Burns immortalised haggis in verse, he created a central link that is maintained to this day.

The ritual was started by close friends of Burns a few years after his death in 1796 as a tribute to his memory. The basic format for the evening has remained unchanged since that time and begins when the chairman invites the company to receive the haggis.

http://www.rabbie-burns.com/fact.cfm

Vietnam's Lunar New Years Festival, known as Tet, takes place annually on or about this date. Good-luck rituals consisting of offerings to ancient deities and ancestors and traditional feasts are traditionally performed at this time. Evil spirits are driven away with whistles, bells, and horns.

26th - National Day

National Day, in Greece the day is known as blessing-of-the-waters day where a priest blesses a cross and it is thrown into the water. People dive in after it and it is an honor to find the cross.

27th - Day of Ishta

In Assyria, the Day of Ishtar ceremony takes place on this date to honor the ancient Assyrian/Babylonian Goddess of Love and Sexuality, War, and Justice.

30th - Sementivae Feria

In Greece, the agricultural festival called the Sementivae Feria was celebrated on this date with sacrifices to Ceres (the Goddess of agriculture)

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