the ancient Romans dedicated New Year's day (1 January) to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces, one looking forward and the other looking backward..

meanwhile, over in ancient Persia, they were celebrating New year on 21 March.

Back here in Sydney, it's a great relief that Christmas + the New Year are past. I'm enjoying the sense of peace and not doing anything in particular that comes after NY. truly a time to relax, examine, discard, and move on.