This month is January, traditionally the first month of the New Year. In ancient times, however, the first month of the year was March, when Spring brought forth new growth and the world was 'reborn' after the long winter.

The start of the new year was changed to January by the Romans, to whom the month was considered sacred to the god Janus (hence, January), the two faced god of endings and beginnings, who kooks both forward and backward.

In American backwoods tradition, the January full moon is known as the Wolf Moon. The birthstone for this month is the garnet. January 6th is considered Twelfth Night, when the debris of the Yule festival must be cleared away. In the Old Style Julian calendar, Twelfth Night was Christmas Day.

On a sad note, the start of January indicates that we only have four months left before our Income Taxes are due.