In the expansive realm of Roman mythology, the figure of Janus emerges as a deity, portraying transitions and passages. He is most known for his distinct representation with dual faces, Janus gazes simultaneously into the past and the future, offering a symbol of change. The question is, is it a change you would want? This article delves into the multifaceted character of Janus, exploring his mythological significance and drawing parallels with Shirley Jackson's thought-provoking short story, "The Lottery.”
In the pantheon of Roman deities, Janus assumes the role of the god presiding over transitions, thresholds, and doorways. Here’s the thing: we are always in motion. Whether mentally, spiritually, emotionally, or physically, we are always changing. Nothing will ever stay the same. Meaning, we are always transitioning, ending one thing to begin something else. I want you to ask yourself who you are following, what doors have you walked through, and what doors are opening to you now. You should always consider this, it is a matter of eternal life or eternal death.
Central to Roman religious practices, Janus occupies a pivotal role in the ceremonial aspects of transitions. Perhaps, this is why every New Year’s Eve, billions of people gather and celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of the next. But why?
Most people mistakenly believe the year we are in is how long the earth has existed. What??? That doesn’t make any sense. At any rate, the year marks the time the ruling empire has existed. We learned in grade school that the year means after death (AD). It also means, Anno Domini, which is Latin for “in the year of the Lord.” But what lord are they talking about? You may believe it’s Jesus, but I encourage you to think about it.
Was it not the Romans who played a role in crucifying Christ? As well as the Jews, Rome did target followers of Christ, yes? Yes. Didn’t Paul, a disciple of Christ, testify to how he, a Roman citizen, once put believers to death? Paul spent the rest of his life testifying to the man he was to whom he became. Jesus Christ is the only way and the only one who can open the door to eternal life.
However, the Roman belief system associates invoking Janus with favorable outcomes and protection when embarking on new endeavors or entering distinct phases of life. (And paved with such good intentions.) The symbolism of Janus extends to doors, gates, and archways, where his depiction frequently includes a key, signifying his dominion over entrances.
Throughout ancient Rome, Janus garnered a devoted following, prompting the construction of temples dedicated to his veneration. The renowned Temple of Janus, distinguished by its doors that would open during periods of conflict and close during peacetime, served as a tangible representation of the god's influence. Festivals such as the "Agonalia," observed on January 9th and 11th, involved sacrificial offerings to seek Janus's blessings for the ensuing year.
Drawing parallels with Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery," a poignant exploration of societal traditions and transitions, reveals intriguing commonalities. If you have been following me, you are familiar with the article, "Cancel Culture: The New Lottery," I wrote about the short story. Both the narratives surrounding “Janus” and the “Lottery” take us down a winding road of ceremonies and transitions, weaving us through the complexities and dualities that accompany change. While Janus encapsulates the cyclical and dual nature of transitions, "The Lottery" analyzes the darker avenues of human behavior amid societal rituals.
In both the Janus mythology and "The Lottery," the symbolism of doors plays a pivotal role. For Janus, doors represent the portals between past and future, embodying the fluidity of transitions. In "The Lottery," the opening of the black box becomes a metaphorical threshold, revealing the unsettling reality of a ritualistic sacrifice embedded in the town's tradition. Once you open the door and walk through, it’s too late to turn around.
If you don’t take anything else away from this blog post, remember to be careful of the doors you walk through, because there’s no turning back. That doesn’t mean that your situation won’t change, but you better make sure you have faith because you’re going to need it to survive.
Janus's two faces mirror the inherent contradictions and dualities present in society. Similarly, "The Lottery" exposes the tension between societal norms and individual morality, unveiling the contradictions between tradition and the potential for change. In “The Lottery,” there was talk of change, where traditions were broken in neighboring towns, but denizens of the city where the lottery was taking place didn’t want to let go of tradition. Fear that their “gods” would not bless them if they didn’t feed them. I guess what they really needed was to take a slice of the Bread of Life, they would never hunger again.
Speaking of the Bread of Life, there are many references in “The Lottery” to the Bible, but I think an underlying theme is the spirit of duality. On one hand, the elders didn’t want to break tradition and wanted to continue sacrificing for gain. On the other, they changed the tune of their song when it was their turn. The Word says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). They needed to sacrifice, but were afraid of being the sacrifice.
The enduring influence of Janus transcends sacrificing someone else for material gain. It now equates to sacrificing oneself to follow a deity through doors when there is only one door to salvation. There is no doubt that "The Lottery" remains a literary masterpiece, provoking contemplation on the consequences of blindly adhering to tradition and the potential for change in the face of transitions. So my question to you is what will you do from this point on when it comes to change and walking through doors? Are you prepared to face change? Are you ready to walk through the door, or are you afraid? And the most important question of all, who are you following?
Janus, with his two faces gazing into the past and future, stands as a compelling representation of transitions. But what transitions? Maybe transitioning from one side of him to another, from the one who you can trust to the one who has tricked you. I don’t want to mess around and find out.
My challenge to you is to be cognizant of your behaviors and actions. Always question why you are making a decision, and be honest with yourself. I love you all with the love of Christ. Honor your mother and father. Love your sisters and brothers. Be kind to your neighbor. Most of all, honor, love, and be kind to yourself.
If you don’t take anything else away from this blog post, remember to be careful of the doors you walk through, because you can’t turn around. That doesn’t mean that your situation won’t change, but you will have to fight to get to the other door.
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