The month of January is named for the Roman deity Janus—the god of gates and doors, beginnings and endings. Janus was traditionally depicted as facing forwards and backwards at the same time. This symbolism captivates me; I love the thought of January as the doorway to the new year, as a time for reflection on the old year past and for anticipation of the new year to come.
In ancient Roman homes the two-faced bust of Janus hung over the entryway as a reminder to pause and honor times of transition and change. And though we don’t hang the bust of Janus in our homes today, we can still be mindful of the poetry and symbolism of January. We can pass through every door with a calm and quiet focus.
We can cultivate a serene and welcoming space full of light, love and peace.
We can greet the visitors in our lives with a smile and an offer of hospitality—whether their sojurn be short or long, whether they bring us good news or bad.
We can peer around every corner and marvel at the mysteries just beyond our view.
We can commit to a moment of study and meditation before jumping headlong into the fray.
And we can stand strong in the face of the unknown, first acknowledging our fears and then moving forward with courage and determination.
Of course, our doors and passages are full of excitement and adventure too—so stay tuned for January Doors: Volume Two later today!
Image Credits: 1. James Merrell 2. Marie Claire Maison 3. Twig Hutchinson 4. Paul Massey 5. Paul Massey 6. Gentl and Hyers 7. House Beautiful via Harmony and Home 8. House Beautiful via Harmony and Home
January 5, 2009 at 8:13 am
What an inspiring post to jump start us into the new year. I love the history lesson, too!
January 5, 2009 at 8:21 am
oooh so calm and lovely. i like all the naturally muted colors.
January 5, 2009 at 8:49 am
Thanks for the birthday wishes!! I love those light fixtures in that hallway. C’est Magnifique! HAHA – Just practicing my awful French.
January 5, 2009 at 8:49 am
Thanks for the birthday wishes!! I love those light fixtures in that hallway. C’est Magnifique! HAHA – Just practicing my awful French.
January 5, 2009 at 8:49 am
Thanks for the birthday wishes!! I love those light fixtures in that hallway. C’est Magnifique! HAHA – Just practicing my awful French.
January 5, 2009 at 9:00 am
this is such a beautiful post, vol II on the way too, you’re really spoiling us anne 😉 i LOVE the 2nd & 3rd doors, so light and refreshing!
January 5, 2009 at 9:06 am
Beautiful post and beautiful images, xv.
January 5, 2009 at 9:08 am
I love this post! Beautiful sentiments and I esp. like the bit about courage and determination!
January 5, 2009 at 9:28 am
Wonderful 🙂 and great images!
January 5, 2009 at 9:58 am
This is such a lovely post.
January 5, 2009 at 10:11 am
what a lovely post to start the year with! your words will definitely be staying with me as i walk through various doorways throughout the day and probably throughout the year.
January 5, 2009 at 10:37 am
I never knew that. I love the last picture. It is like the door is opening to an unknown future. How were your holidays?
January 5, 2009 at 11:05 am
I need some calm in my house. Loving the photos!
January 5, 2009 at 11:14 am
Thank you so much for this gorgeous post. As always, your pairings of words/thoughts/reflections with beautiful images is inspiring!
January 5, 2009 at 11:49 am
What a beautiful post – I love a different way of looking at a common thing, and I love thinking of January as the door to a new year – a place to lokk back and look forward.
Janus was always one of my favorite gods – it would be killer to design the two faces into a doorframe somehow.
January 5, 2009 at 12:12 pm
anne, your posts are so gorgeous and inspiring. thanks for your unique and lovely view.
happy new year
xox
January 5, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Lovely post, calming pictures. Just what’s needed on this Monday.
January 5, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Great post. I like how you incorporated your words so lovely with the photos. I definitely understand what you say about January and I love the minimal and cozy feel of these gorgeous spaces. So calming.
January 5, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Such inspirational words. You really are fantastic. Thanks for giving me a whole new way to look at my new year…and for all the fabulous photos. Happy New Year!
January 5, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Anne, I love your blog. What an inspiration you are to me. Thank you for your words and beautiful pictures and recipes. Happy New Year to you and your hubby.
January 5, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Those images are captivating, each in its own quiet way…a truly inspiring post…thanks!
January 5, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Beautiful words illustrated by beautiful images! January is the perfect time for reflection and renewal, and I think your post welcomed the month brilliantly.
January 6, 2009 at 9:00 am
I’d love my house to look like any of those pictures, so calm and refreshing. Great post!