JANUARY HOLIDAYS & FUN OBSERVANCES: A FRESH START TO THE NEW YEAR WITH DAILY CELEBRATIONS

January marks a fresh start, setting the tone for the year ahead with a sense of renewal, reflection, and possibility. In a month associated with chilly winter days, and cozy routines, this is a perfect time to slow down, reset priorities, and embrace life’s simple pleasures. With the holiday season coming to a close, January offers meaningful moments and lighthearted celebrations that bring warmth to the coldest weeks of the year.

January proves that winter doesn’t have to feel dull or uneventful. With its blend of meaningful holidays and playful observances, the month offers countless ways to celebrate, connect, and ease into the year ahead—one cozy, creative, or inspirational day at a time.

JANUARY FUN FACTS

1. January is named after Janus, the Roman god of doors, gates, and transitions. Janus is depicted with two faces—one looking back at the past and the other forward to the future. This perfectly symbolizes our reflection on the past year while also looking forward to new beginnings in the new year.

2. January was not originally part of the Roman calendar. January and February were added around 700 BCE by King Numa Pompilius to account for the cold, dark winter period. This took the calendar from its original 10 months to the 12 month calendar we use today.

3. January wasn’t the first month of the year until 153 BCE. This shift from March to January was primarily for administrative reasons and military command.

4. Earth reaches perihelion (its closest point to the Sun) in early January—despite it being winter in much of the world. That is because seasons are caused by Earth's axial tilt, not distance. The Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun during this time, which causes winter despite being closer to the Sun.

COLOR

While garnets are most commonly seen with deep red hues, they occur in nearly every color of the rainbow.

• Red: Almandine, Pyrope (most familiar and traditional)

• Orange: Spessartine (often bright and fiery)

• Yellow: Mali garnet (rare)

• Green: Tsavorite and Demantoid (among the most valuable)

• Purple: Rhodolite (a red-purple blend)

• Color-Changing: Some garnets shift color under different lighting, similar to alexandrite famously sapphires are a deep royal blue, but they come in pink, yellow, green, purple, and there are even color-changing varieties! The one color you won't find is red - that would be a ruby.

SYMBOLISM

Many cultures believe garnets, especially Almandine and Pyrope, bring good health, prosperity, protection, and vitality to those that wear them, particularly to those born in winter months like January. Ancient Egyptians used them for protection in the afterlife, Romans believed they protected warriors, and healers used them to increase a person’s vitality, linking the stone's deep color to blood and life force.

ORIGINS

Garnet is not a single gemstone, but a family of closely related minerals that share similar crystal structures and physical properties. Garnets have been used as gemstones and abrasives for over 5,000 years, making them one of the oldest known gemstones in human history.

Garnets form under high pressure and high temperature deep within the Earth’s crust. They can be found in Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar), Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan), Europe (Russia), North America (United States - Arizona, Idaho) and South America (Brazil).

FUN FACTS

• Garnet is the traditional gemstone for second wedding anniversaries.

• The name garnet comes from the Latin granatum, meaning "pomegranate" due to the stone's resemblance to the fruit's seeds.

• Ancient Egyptians buried garnets with their dead as symbols of eternal life.

• Garnets have been found in meteorites, showing they can form under extreme cosmic conditions.

• Some garnets are over 3 billion years old, placing them among the oldest minerals on Earth!

• Some green garnets are more valuable that emeralds, depending on their quality!

COLOR

Carnations are known for having a wide color range, each with a distinct meaning.

• Red: Deep love, admiration, devotion

• Pink: Gratitude, affection, a mother's love

• White: Purity, innocence, good luck

• Yellow: Disappointment or rejection (traditional meaning)

• Purple: Capriciousness or unpredictability

• Striped/Bicolor: Regret or refusal (historical meaning)

SYMBOLISM AND MEANING

Carnations are the official flower of Mother’s Day. This tradition was started by Anna Jarvis, who chose them because they were her mother's favorite and symbolized enduring motherly love. White carnations honor deceased mothers, while pink ones celebrate living mothers.

FUN FACTS

• Carnations are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers, often staying fresh for 2–3 weeks.

• Carnations are edible and sometimes used as cake decorations or garnishes.

• The scent of carnations is often described as spicy or clove-like.

• They are among the most affordable flowers, making them extremely popular in floral arrangements.

DATES

Capricorn Season starts December 22 and ends January 19.

SYMBOL

The Sea-Goat (half goat, half fish) - Represents ambition, discipline, and the ability to navigate both the material and emotional worlds.

ELEMENT

Earth - Grounded, practical, responsible, and results-oriented.

RULING PLANET

Saturn - Planet of structure, discipline, responsibility, time, and long-term success.

PERSONALITY

• Ambition and perseverance

• Patience and self-discipline

• Responsibility and reliability

• Leadership earned through effort

Capricorns are often described as “old souls” with a strong sense of duty and purpose.

STRENGTHS

• Strategic thinkers

• Highly dependable

• Excellent planners and organizers

• Natural leaders in professional settings

CHALLENGES

• Strategic thinkers

• Highly dependable

• Excellent planners and organizers

• Natural leaders in professional settings

FUN FACTS

• Capricorn is considered one of the most ambitious signs of the zodiac.

• Many Capricorns thrive in leadership, finance, engineering, and management roles.

• The Sea-Goat symbol dates back to ancient Mesopotamian mythology.

• Capricorn season aligns with goal-setting, structure, and fresh starts, making it ideal for New Year themes.

The traditional birthstone for January is Garnet.

JANUARY BIRTH FLOWERS - CARNATION AND SNOW DROP

January Birth Flower - Carnation

January Birth Flower - Snow Drop

COLOR

Snowdrops are most commonly white, sometimes with green markings on the inner petals, with drooping, bell-shaped flowers that symbolize humility and grace.

SYMBOLISM AND MEANING

Snowdrops carry gentle but powerful symbolism and are most often associated with:

• Hope and renewal

• Resilience and perseverance

• Rebirth after hardship

• Consolation and sympathy

They are also frequently associated with comfort during difficult times, making them especially meaningful in winter months.

In folklore, snowdrops were once considered unlucky indoors—but today they are widely seen as symbols of hope.

They are often planted in remembrance gardens and memorial spaces.

Snowdrops appear frequently in poetry and literature as metaphors for endurance.

FUN FACTS

• Snowdrops can generate their own heat, allowing them to bloom in freezing temperatures.

• They are toxic if ingested, despite their delicate appearance.

• Snowdrops often bloom before crocuses and daffodils, marking the earliest signs of spring. are one of the longest-lasting cut flowers, often staying fresh for 2–3 weeks.

JANUARY ZODIAC - CAPRICORN AND AQUARIUS:

DATES

Aquarius Season starts January 20 and ends February 18.

SYMBOL

The Water Bearer - Symbolizes knowledge, innovation, and the sharing of ideas—not water itself.

ELEMENT

Air - Intellectual, communicative, visionary, and socially oriented.

RULING PLANET

Uranus (modern ruler) - Planet of innovation, rebellion, originality, and sudden change.

Saturn (traditional ruler) - Linking structure with progress.

PERSONALITY

• Innovation and forward-thinking

• Independence and originality

• Humanitarian ideals

• Intellectual curiosity

Aquarians are often seen as the visionaries of the zodiac, focused on what could be rather than what already exists.

STRENGTHS

• Creative and inventive

• Open-minded and progressive

• Strong sense of social justice

• Comfortable thinking outside the box

CHALLENGES

• Can appear emotionally detached

• Dislikes routine and restriction

• May resist authority or tradition

FUN FACT

• Aquarius is frequently associated with technology, science, and future trends.

• Despite the name, Aquarius is not a water sign—it’s an air sign.

• Many Aquarians are drawn to activism, innovation, and unconventional careers.

• Aquarius season is often linked to new ideas, community, and collective change.

JANUARY BIRTHSTONE - GARNET

Aquarius Symbol is the Water Bearer

Capricorn Symbol is the Sea Goat