Janus
Janus
Every morning the dogs are collectively and noisily thrilled to see me. They know from experience, from yesterday and the preceding days, that a walk is more than likely. They do not worry about what might happen next week but instead explain very clearly to me that now is a good moment. In contrast, of course, people tend to spend their time looking both backwards and forwards. We worry about what might or might not happen and, as a result, sometimes forget to live well in the present.
Janus was the Roman god of doorways and change, of beginnings and endings including that of war and peace. He had two faces which looked in opposite directions so that he could see both backwards and forwards. The doors of a Janus temple were traditionally open only during the time of war and closed to mark the end of the conflict which rarely happened either in the Roman Republic or Empire. 
Furthermore, there were particular superstitions attached to the departure of a Roman army, for which there were lucky and unlucky ways to march through a janus. Ancient Rome had many of these ceremonial gates or Jani but the most famous one was the bronze Janus Geminus located near the forum which had double doors at each end.
Janus is also said to have given his name to the month of January which is all about new beginnings. Most of us start the new year with the idea of change with new resolutions and a spirit of hope. We vow to change some of our behaviour, to leave some of the worst of the past year behind and to focus instead on a small word with a big heart: hope.
To help us gain confidence and enter a new world in the right way most cultures and societies have long ingrained traditions for New Year’s Eve such as first footing in Scotland – effectively a lucky man appears at your doorway as the New Year strikes bearing gifts for the household (a silver coin; shortbread or a black bun; salt, coal and a drink, preferably whisky). Another easier one to consider is to open both the front door and windows and the back door and 
windows to let the old year out and the new year in.
Some believe eating round foods on New Year's Eve will lead to prosperity. In the Philippines, it's customary to eat 12 round fruits, one for every month; in Greece, it is 12 grapes. In addition, the Greeks may well also hang a bunch of onions above their doors as a means of inviting prosperity into the home. In Denmark, people stand on their chairs and leap in to January at midnight to bring good luck. They may also go around breaking earthenware dishes on the doorsteps of their friends and family to help bring them good luck although I suspect this is no longer a popular option in terms of cost and clearing up.
Babylonians, one of the first cultures to actually celebrate the changing of the year, made promises to pay debts or return borrowed objects which is nicely practical. In more modern times, since 1907 crowds have been gathering in New York City's Times Square to count down the final seconds of a year and watch the ball drop.
At Highclere, Geordie and I tend to turn to joining hands to sing Auld Land Syne with all those present, going forwards and backwards together in a circle, often getting rather tangled together in the middle to great hilarity. This is a shortened (English) version:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And there's a hand my trusty friend
And give me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right goodwill draught
for auld lang syne
A very happy New Year!
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87 Comments
And happy New Year to you, too. Your posts never fail to educate and inspire. Thank you.
First of all: best wishes to you and everyone at Highclere Castle! You have a wonderful blog that I always read with great interest. Of all the traditions around New Year's Eve, I also like Auld lang syne the most, it makes me wistful every time.
Hello Lady Carnarvon and Happy New Year!
How very interesting! The customs of other countries are always nice to know and your information about Janus is fascinating. I watched All Creatures Great and Small last night and James recited Auld Lang Syne and put a special log in the fire as a celebration of the holidays. This is the Scottish custom, from what he said.
For myself and my husband, we are off to new beginnings this January. We are moving to a new house in order to live near our grandchildren.
A blessed and wonderful new year to you and your family!
Beautiful and very inspiring for a great start to the year! Thank you for sharing.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I wish you & your Family & Staff at Highclere a VERY Happy, safe & successful New Year.
Much love,
Caroline xxx
Happy New Year from the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York State!
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for such an informative read. It is very interesting hearing about the different Festive Season traditions. I wish that everything you and yours hope for in the New Year comes to pass. Best wishes.
Susan Kearsey
Lady Carnarvon - while serving in the US Air Force we were stationed in the Southern US. They take to eating black-eyed peas. My wife has made a black eyed pea dip every year since!
Thank you for your stories each week and may 2023 be a blessed year for Highclere!
What is brought to mind is that wonderful concluding scene to the Downton series where all are gathered in and around the Saloon to sing "Auld Lang Syne." While it's essentially a curtain call, it brings out memories of a truly great series, with so many unforgettable characters, set within an absolutely magnificent house, and also it reminds us of hope for the future. It's so much more memorable now, having visited and experienced Highclere in 2022. All the best for 2023!
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones! May God bless you infinitely in each step you take through this coming year.
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of Janus and did you lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend and happy new year to you and lord Carnarvon and lovely to visit highcelere castle and fan of Downton abbey calendars
Lady Carnarvon lovely pictures of Janus and did you lord Carnarvon have a lovely weekend and happy new year to you and lord Carnarvon and lovely to visit highcelere castle and fan of Downton abbey calendars and did have lovely Christmas you and lord Carnarvon and lam into state house and lovely visit them
Happy New Year Lady Carnarvon.
A very Happy & Healthy New Year to you both!
A Very Happy New Year to You, Geordie and all your family. Thank you for a wonderful year of reading your Blogs. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your adventures and historical perspectives. Hopefully you will keep the stories coming. I will look ahead and forward to reading them. Regards, Lois Fink Florida, USA
Speaking of traditions, here in the Deep South (USA), on New Year’s Day we eat collard greens (or other greens), black eyed peas, ham (some kind of pork), and Southern cornbread for good luck in the new year. It is delicious!
I enjoy reading all your Monday posts. Happy New Year to ‘you and yours!’
Thank you. Hope for a very blessed New Year ahead. We can only go forward. We should be in the present.
Carolyn T.
Happy New Year to you and yours. Thank you for the Monday morning blobs that start my week in such an interesting way. The 12 round fruits and the 12 peaked my curiosity. My English grandmothers believed that one should try to have 12 pieces of Christmas fruitcake (one at each home visited during the festive season) for good luck for the New Year. Have you ever heard of this tradition? May 2023 be extra kind to you and all at Highcere Castle. Saskatoon Canada
Thank you for the interesting information.
Happy New Year to you and yours!!
Lady Carnarvon,
Happy New Year to you and your family. I love the line about taking a "cup of kindness" and joining hands. If we could do that all year, our world would be a better place. I hope that 2023 will be the best yet at Highclere!
It's hard to believe we are starting another year. It seems the years go by more quickly these days. Here in the southern US, we eat black-eyed peas, collards, and cornbread on New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity in the new year. Lady Carnarvon, I wish you both good luck and prosperity this new year.
Pam
Lady Carnarvon, part of your story today is so me. I worry so very much. It might have been what I wrote or said but truly meaning to be polite. I many times I feel I am not enjoying the present moment. A new year has started and I want it to be a new me. This story is so meaningful. Cheryl
Happy New Year to all .For auld lang syne, my dear
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And there’s a hand my trusty friend
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right goodwill draught
for auld lang syne
fondly Jenny Modave
Happy new year, Lady Carnarvon!
Thank you for this thoughtful and amusing commentary start to off the new year, Lady Carnarvon. Two days ago on New Year’s Eve, I went to a lovely party that witnessed and celebrated the 20-year renewal of wedding vows of dear friends — a wonderful beginning for 2023. Best wishes and blessings to all at Highclere!
Let's all hope for and work towards lots of cups of kindness this year - much needed among all the challenges!
Lady Carnarvon. May you and Lord Carnarvon have a very happy healthy and prosperous new year. I've noticed in your blog, video clips and the Viking programs that you have a very special relationship with your dogs. You are definately the center of their affection.
Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you so much for the uplifting words and traditions in regard to the New Year! Also, I so enjoyed your picture of Highclere Castle. The winter light and reflections in the water are beautiful. Happy New Year to you, your family and the Castle crew!
Debra Goyen
I don't believe I have ever experienced a New Year's Eve without Auld Lang Syne, a tradition carried over the sea with both sides of our family. I find it extraordinary how many people from many backgrounds, often with no knowledge of Robert Burns, have "taken" to this song.
Lang may your lum reek!
Truly enjoyed your Monday Blog, wonderful stories with cheerful endings. Looking forward to 2023 with a smile on my face.
Thank you for sharing the life and times of your Estate.
With warm regards,
Laura Lee
I learn something new from your brilliant writing every week and this is no exception - thank you!
Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Lady Carnarvon, to you and all the staff and helpers at Highclere.
May it be filled with lots of sunshine, family, friends and most of all, laughter.
All the best.
Diana Squibb
South Florida
Very interesting, thank you.
And a Happy New Year and much prosperity for the entire Highclere family!
I love your blog Lady Carnarvon,especially about your gorgeous dogs.thank you.
Another wonderful history read. I'm loving this. Thanks for all the hard work you put into these gems.
Happy New Year to you and your family! Fascinating information about New Year’s customs.
I think we all need to try every favourable tradition!
Sounds yummy!
Thank you - yes wishing you all Happy 2023!
Thank you Susan
It is the cadence and the tune plus we never really know what we are singing !!!!
Good Luck with the move
Thank you for the comments - thank you
Merry New Year to you & yours! I love your picture of Highclere. I'm looking forward to your posts in the coming year. God Bless!
Donna from Chicagoland
That is New Year - both faces of Janus.. our mothers would always have said that worrying does not help, yet we do so! So, back with the four legged enthusiasm for now!
What a lovely thing to do
And they help me..
And there is a fun Instagram too today.. made me smile, hope it makes you smile!
Thank you - happy New Year
They are a bit muddy I have to say
Thank you Donna
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you so much for that informative and whimsical and hopeful New Year's blog today.
I've seen that Janus symbol many times and never knew it's significance or true origin.
That was so helpful and inspiring a bit really. The Roman god of doorways and change, beginnings and endings. Something so relevant for the New Year but meaningful all year. Everything is always changing. I must look for an acceptable reproduction to have in the house as a helpful reminder that everything is changing. Just think of all the changes Highclere has experienced. As of course you must!!
I am imagining your group at the castle holding hands and singing Auld Lang Syne while going forewords and backwards. How marvelous and fun. The lucky man in your doorway. How wonderful or jumping off your chair into the New Year. Great ideas for starting some new traditions. Ready for some change...
2023, to hope and change and more understanding and kind hearts.
Very Sincerely,
Charles DeAinza
Robert Burns 's Auld Lang Syne celebrates old friendships and good old days. It refers to the old times and memories in which we can find inspiration to carry on now. So we must take " a cup of kindness " and go on and on with Hope, as you said. Your post makes me remember Downton Abbey ' s characters while singing Auld Lang Syne in series 6 last episode ...I wish you all an enchanting New Year full of Hope and Joy!
Lady Carnarvon
Best wishes for Happy and Blessed New Year!
Katie from Los Angeles
Dear Lady
Wonderfully written . I’m from California but my ancestors were from the south in Louisiana. I have adopted a southern tradition of cooking black eyed peas and greens for the New Year. To bring Good luck and prosperity. Who knows if it actually works. Still, I do it year after year. It makes me feel good and feel hopeful. I’m thinking of adding the opening of the front and back doors…
I like the sound of that one. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year to you and all at Highclere .
Agreed - a cup of kindness
Kind hearts - a lovely thought!
Happy New Year to you and your family. I never tire of your stories.
So much history and interesting traditions in this article.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you - and a happy New Year to you too
Thank you
Thank you - it is not the world any of us dreamt of perhaps - but lets hope and keep going!
We had better try everything!!!
Lady Carnarvon,
It is always fun to see other countries celebrate the beginning of the New Year before I can hear in North Carolina. Watching the celebrations in London with the Ferris Wheel showing up brightly brought back memories. Janus was fortunate to see both the future and the past! Wish I could have been in my favorite city. Wishing you a lovely New Year and the happiest of New Years as you continue to entertain and educate.
Martha G
Happy New Year ! I am a fan, of you, of Highclere, of the Carnavon ancestors, of Downton, of your column, your books, etc.etc.etc.
Wishing you a blessed, happy and prosperous new year
New Year's Eve in Portugal (where I come from):
My people stand on a chair and eat 1 sultana for each strike of the clock at midnight.
You have to make a wish for the new year for each sultana that you eat.
After that you go to the windows and play cymbals with the pan's lids (Just be careful which ones you choose or your first luck of the year will be Mama's fury!), so all the neighbours are at the windows doing the same.
After that we have beautiful firework displays - and I mean amazing!
You go out dancing, get well wasted, and head to the beach. - Remember to take a bottle of some sort of alchohol with you - you are going to need it to warm up during the night.
We cure our comatose by sleeping together in a bunch on the sand of the beach while we wait for the sun to rise.
After that it is the first sea bath of the year. The braves go in, the weak ones do the cheering up.
After that we head to St George's Cafe for the first breakfast of the year.
(I come from where the British built the submarine cable, so lots of British influence there. Incidentally it is where the British also started futeball in my country.)
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Happy New Year. Thank you for your wonderful article as always. Wishing you and yours a the best of years. Here is to a hopefully visit ( finally) to see you.
Most fondly,
Barbara Nieweg
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Wonderful post. I can almost feel myself joining hands with others dancing a circle dance, as you described, in your wonderful home. In my family, which has roots in the Southern US, we make black eyed peas with ham hocks and red onion. Not sure how this tradition came to be but it's always been that way in my family. We didn't honor the tradition this year as several family members are suffering through a very intense flu at the moment. Wishing you, your family and staff a wonderful and prosperous 2023.
Lady Carnarvon,
So interesting about Janus’ ability to look ahead and look back - would that we all were so lucky! Perhaps! Your doggies know how to expect what the day will bring for them, because they can remember and do know what to expect. We need their hope, faith and confidence in things to come, no matter the past. Thank you for a new beginning for this New Year. May this be a happy one for you and all of Highclere Castle.
Martha
Dear Lady Carnarvon
I wish you and your loved ones from the bottom of my heart a healthy happy new year and thank you most sincerely for your wonderful blog and the always so interesting as warming words. I don't know you or Highclere Castle personally and yet I always have a familiar, secure feeling when reading your blog and books, a big thank you for that.
I was very touched by your tradition of singing Auld Lang Syne, a piece I was introduced to in movies as a child and never let go. I am a mediocre piano player, but it was one of the first pieces I was able to play and it has been part of my regular "repertoire" ever since. I can't describe the positive feeling it gives me, but I very much wish to be able to celebrate a New Year's Eve in a place where it is sung someday.
My very warmest and grateful greetings from Switzerland
Karin Huck
I hope they feel better soon
Edinborough is a good place to spend New Year!
Thank you so much for your post.
You are kind
I just have the need to tell you, that you are a very special person in my life! Your books and blogs, speak to me and help me lead my life more aware! Keep going the way you are, I have met you and you signed my book
Thank you
Love your dogs and your beautiful home and everything
Living in the country (France)and in a castle but quite a little smaller I am inspired by your storys and your books!
Just ordered the christmas book and have already the 4 season book (in German) while I was there for a rather sad reason. My son had a very bad accident ....
It gave me so much comfort to have your book and see all the beautiful pictures
thank you
Emmy Postma
Chateau des Chauvaux
Dordogne
I am so sorry to hear of your son's accident, I hope he recovers quickly.
Lady Carnarvon,
Thanks for reminding us how important it is to live the present. Which I promise to do more of this new year. Dogs are so smart; we need to follow their example. Besides starting the new year with the flu, the family and I are
optimistic. Happy new year 2023!
Happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you and your family!
Blessings!
Dear Lady Carnarvon:
Thank you for your Monday blog, great pictures, and reminding us how intelligent dogs are. We need to follow in their footsteps.
Also, thank you for sharing your knowledge of different world-wide New Year's Eve customs. This household simultaneously opens the front door to let the new year in and opens the back door to let the old year out. Yes, we did watch on television the "ball drop" from New York City's Times Square while drinking our "spiked" egg nog.
So, until next week I wish you, Lord Carnarvon, and everyone at Highclere Castle a Happy New Year, Hello 2023!
Perpetua Crawford
I very much enjoyed reading you blog. A Happy and healthy 2023 to you and and your family.
Happy New Year!
Wishing you a very Happy New to you and all the family at Highclere.
What a great blog for the start of the New Year, I did not know most of these traditions from around the world so it was an interesting read.
We had quiet but perfect for us New Year watching the countdown and the London fireworks with a class of sparkly.....
All the best for 2023
Thank you so much for your wonderfully written and interesting articles!!
Love your dogs logic, knowing how true it is….HAPPIEST NEW YEAR to your whole “troop”….with all respect, Donnan