New Year and Kalendae

While in modern times we celebrate the new year on January 1st, it hasn’t always been this way in the West.

Initially, the ancient Romans celebrated the start of the new year on March 15 because that was the date that state officials took office. The Babylonian New Year was similar in that it was close to mid-March, being that it occurred on the first New Moon after the Spring equinox.

For Rome, the start of the New Year changed under Julius Caesar. In 46 BCE Caesar declared the start of the Roman New Year would be January 1st. 

The beginning of each month was important to the Romans. Known as Kalendae, at the start of each month, the pontiffs (the high priest who governed the lower ranking priests) would announce the number of days until the next month. In addition, debtors had to pay off their debts on this day.

The New Year Kalendae, known as Kalendae Ianuariae, was dedicated to the god Janus since January was named in His honor. In many ways the first three days of the Roman New Year were a continuation of the festivities that began with Saturnalia. It included feasting and gift exchanges. 

 

Echoes of these ancient Roman practices exist today. It’s from the Latin word Kalendae that we get the English word Calendar. And it’s why we recognize January 1st as the start of the new year along with the New Years celebrations and festivities. Although some have tried to change the date for the New Year, they were never successful.

One might say that the influence of the god Janus continues as well. Janus is a liminal god with two faces that look backwards and forwards. We see the spirit of Janus in some of our New Year’s traditions. It’s common in the media to play a recap of the past year with a “Year in Review.” Plus, many people prepare expressions of hope for a better future in the form of “New Year Resolutions.”

Here’s hoping that all my readers have a happy and prosperous 2024.

When Holidays Hurt

Right now, Andy William’s Christmas classic It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year can be heard blasting in retail shops. However, for some, it’s not so wonderful. While the claim that suicides increases during this time is a myth, some suffer during this time.

There are any number of reasons for someone to be blue, even depressed, during this time of year. Death of a loved one (recent or in the past), stress from seasonal family obligations, increased stress at work (such as retail), financial difficulties, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and more can result in making the holidays hard on someone.

 

If you are suffering emotionally, there are steps recommended by professionals. The UK National Health Service website was a source for much of the following:   

• Stay in touch

While it might be tempting to withdraw, don’t. Socializing with others may help.

• Be more active

Activity might help. Consider exercising. Walking is an excellent place to start if you haven’t exercised.

• Face your fears

Sometimes, when depressed, we allow our fears get the best of us. Finding the strength to face your fears may help.

• Don’t drink too much alcohol.

It can be easy to drown your troubles. However, this can actually make someone’s depression worse.

• Try to eat a healthy diet.

Many of us already have poor diets. Depression can make this even worse. We might stop eating or turn to comfort foods and overeat. Also, medications for depression, such as antidepressants, can negatively affect your appetite. 

While diet won’t cure depression, a poor diet can make matters worse. 

• Have a routine

Depression can interrupt your regular routine. Be conscious of this and try to maintain your routine as much as possible.

• Seeking help for depression

You are not alone. There is help. Following are some contacts available for those in crisis.

For those in the US:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Samaritans: 1-877-870-4673
National Hopeline Network: 1-800-442-4673
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255

For those in the UK:
If you’re under 18, or want to get help for someone under 18, find out how to get mental health support for children and young people.

You can talk it through with your GP first if you prefer.

If you start to feel that your life isn’t worth living or about harming yourself, get help straight away.

Also, you can:

• contact Samaritans on 116 123 for 24-hour confidential, non-judgemental emotional support
• call your GP and ask for an emergency appointment
• call 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need

Io Saturnalia and Xmas

This weekend marks the start of the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, which begins 12/17 and traditionally runs for seven days. The first day starts with sacred rites while the rest consists of parties, trading gifts, drinking, gambling, and general festivities. For more information about Saturnalia, see my post from last year.

 

Of course, this is also the time of year when many Pagans are quick to publicly say that Christians appropriated Saturnalia along with Teutonic Yule in Christmas. Christians, of course, get frustrated with hearing this from Pagans. As it turns out, it’s complicated and there are misunderstandings are both sides. 

While there’s a lot of garbage on the internet, there are some good resources. At the end of this post are YouTube videos on the topic recently uploaded by two excellent scholars.

To all of my readers, I hope you have a great holiday season, whatever you celebrate.

Sorrow

“We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.” – Confucius

The American statesman, Founding Father, and all-around genius Benjamin Franklin once wrote that death and taxes are the only guaranteed things in this world. Recently, I was reminded of the truth of his statement. 

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of one of my aunts. 

There are always those at the funeral who say they don’t grieve when someone dies. Their reasons vary. Some express a religious reason that the person is “in a better place” (i.e., generally a euphemism for heaven). Another common statement is that they’re glad the person is no longer in pain. The one reason that always irritates me is when they wax poetic about how death is just part of the natural cycle of life.

I always try to bite my tongue when I hear this last statement at a funeral because I believe it’s not the time and place to express my opinion. I want to say, “Who the f*** cares if it’s part of the natural cycle? I miss her, and it hurts that she’s gone.”

The main problem that I see with their pseudo-Stoic nonsense is that it denies our humanity. Yes, I know that death is part of the natural cycle of life. Memento Mori and all that. But it doesn’t change the fact that it’s normal to grieve the death of someone we love. 

Sorrow has its place because it’s also part of the natural cycle of life.

Proselytizing

As a critic of monotheism, I must fight the tendency to lump all monotheist religious traditions together. This is especially true about the Big Three Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. There are important differences between them.

The difference I want to focus on is proselytization.

Proselytizing is largely a Christian and Islamic practice. Of these two, Christians are the most intense about conversion. Some Christians, especially American Evangelists, show a near obsession with proselytization.

Proselytization is not a major element in Judaism. According to Rabbi Jonathan L. Hecht at ReformedJudaism.org, since Judaism historically has been a minority religion restricted from proselytizing, it’s never been a major element of the faith. He points out that with the rise of the free marketplace of ideas there has been a quiet increase in some outreach programs and an increase in conversions. However, proselytization in Judaism is still nothing like that of the other two Abrahamic religions.

We Pagans aren’t into proselytizing. In fact, we tend to be rather private about our faith. You would probably be surprised how many of your co-workers and neighbors are Pagans. One reason for our privacy is safety. Even here in the West, it’s not always safe for others to know you’re a Pagan.

Sharing, discussing, studying, even critiquing each other’s beliefs are all good and should be encouraged. Doing so builds bridges and makes the world a better place.

Proselytizing disrespects others and their beliefs.