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 Pagan names for Months
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| Author | Topic: Pagan names for Months | ||
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January: From the Latin "Januarius", this month is named after the two-faced Roman God Janus who was able to look back at the past, as well as into the future. One of the major gods of Roman mythology, Janus was initially known as the god of light and day, but later was recognized as the "god of the beginning of things." His help was solicited before important events. He was worshipped as the guardian of shipping and trade, and is sometimes said to be the masculine form of the goddess Diana. The beginning of the year was considered sacred, and a festival in his honor, Agonia, was held on January 9th. The Romans offered sacrifices to Janus, and in a tradition dating back to 747 BC, exchanged gifts with friends and family. The presents were called "strenae," named after Strenia, the goddess of strength. Christian emperors continued the new year tradition, but the pagan rituals became so widespread that the Church tried to prevent its observance through their method of substitution. A Jewish custom, based on the Gospel of St. Luke, said that Jesus was circumcised when he was eight days old. So, in 487, the date of his birth was set at December 25th, and the Church began celebrating the Feast of the Circumcision on January 1st, to observe the anniversary of the event. February: From the Latin "Februarius" which is derived from the Latin verb "februare" which means "to purify". Februa, the Roman festival of purification was celebrated on February 15th. March: From the Latin "Martius" (9), which is derived from Mars, the Roman god of war. It was the first month of the Roman year until the Julian calendar was initiated in 45 BC. April: The Romans regarded this month as being sacred to the goddess Venus, and honored her with a festival on the first day of the month. From the Latin "Aprilis", or "Aphrilis", which was derived from Aphrodite, the Greek equivalent to Venus. However, there are some etymologists who maintain that the name stems from "aperire" a Latin verb which means "to open" and refers to all the blooming that is associated with Spring. May: Corresponds to month of Maius on the old Roman calendar, which was named after Maia Majesta, the Roman goddess of Spring. On May 1st, the Vulcan priests made sacrifices to her. In Greek mythology, she was the oldest of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione, the Oceanid. In a Cyllene cave, she became the mother of Mercury(or Hermes) through Zeus. June: Corresponds to the Roman month of Junius, which had been named for the Roman goddess Juno. Known as the queen of heaven, she was seen as the protector of women, and that is why June became accepted as the best month to marry. July - Julius, after Julius Caeser August - Augustus, after Caeser Augustus (Octavian) September - 7th month     |
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posted February 06, 2001 05:38 PM