Katrina Rosales
Janus, the two-faced Roman god, is the god of beginnings, transitions, openings, closings and entrance-ways. He is the holder of the keys to auspicious beginnings and provides access to the divine. Janus is the first spirit invoked before any invocations, sacrifices, or offerings made to other Roman deities. Incense is a suitable offering to Janus, along with wine, cakes, and flowers. Ovid, in his poem Fasti, describes the offerings to Janus as including frankincense, cakes, and meal sprinkled with salt. Cato the Elder also mentions that heaps of cakes were sacrificed to Janus before the harvest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense type | Bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers |
| Incense as an offering | Offered to Janus before invoking other Roman deities |
| Incense accompanied with | Cakes, wine, bread, cheese, honey, prayers |
| Incense offering purpose | To obtain access through Janus to other gods |
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What You'll Learn
Incense of bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers
Janus is the Roman God of beginnings, transitions, openings, closings, and entrance-ways. He is strongly associated with social order and harmony and is believed to hold the keys to auspicious beginnings, providing access to the divine.
Incense is a suitable offering to Janus, along with traditional cakes/pastries (strues) and wine. When offering incense to Janus, one can use bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers. Bay laurel is believed to have sacred powers, including purification, good luck, healing, change, protection, and dreams. The sweet-scented flowers, such as rose, induce thoughts of loving affection and peaceful harmonious vibrations.
- Approach the altar bearing gifts with your right hand held forward, palm up, in a gesture of offering.
- Recite a prayer or invocation to Janus, such as: "Come, be present, Father Janus, the Opener. Arise Planter (of the Stars). All things, truly, I entrust to Patulcium the Opener. Now You are Janus the Gatekeeper, now Cerus the Good Creator, now Janus the God of Good Beginnings. Come, now most especially, God of Gods, You who are the better of these kings."
- Offer the incense of bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers to Janus.
- Recite another prayer, such as: "Janus, though I propitiate other Gods, I do offer wine and cakes to You first, so that I may obtain access through You, Janus, to any of the other Gods I may call upon."
- Finish with a final prayer: "In You, dearest Father, in Your hands do we place our safekeeping."
It is important to note that the specific prayers and rituals may vary depending on personal beliefs and traditions. The above example is a general guideline for offering incense to Janus.
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Frankincense
The use of frankincense as an offering to Janus is appropriate not only because of its cultural and religious significance but also because of its therapeutic properties. Frankincense has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and immune-enhancing abilities, which can promote physical and mental well-being. Additionally, the act of burning frankincense resin as incense has been found to have antidepressive effects, which can further contribute to a positive ritual experience.
When offering frankincense to Janus, it is important to follow the traditional ritual steps. This includes saluting the deity with a prayer or hymn, inviting Janus to attend the ceremony, stating the purpose of the ceremony, and then presenting the offerings with a gesture of offering, such as holding the palm up and forward. The specific type of frankincense used may vary, but it is generally recommended to use high-quality resin with a strong aroma.
Overall, the use of frankincense as an offering to Janus is a meaningful way to honour the God and to seek access to other Gods. The therapeutic and ritual significance of frankincense makes it a valuable tool in ceremonial practices, contributing to a sense of purification, well-being, and connection to the divine.
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Incense with wine
Janus is the Roman God of beginnings, transitions, openings, closings, and entrance-ways. He is often depicted as a two-headed God, looking backwards and forwards, into and outside the home, eastwards and westwards, representing his role in overseeing transitions. Janus is a highly important God in Roman tradition, and rituals often involve making the first ritual offering to him.
Incense and wine are both considered suitable offerings to Janus. In Roman Pagan rituals, the incense is burned in a turibulum, a metal bowl, to Janus. Incense is offered to Janus to obtain access to the other Gods, as he is regarded as the Gatekeeper. Incense made from bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers is specifically recommended for Janus.
Wine is also offered to Janus in Roman Pagan rituals, often after the offering of cakes or bread. The wine is presented to Janus with a prayer, such as:
> "Father Janus, as I prayed humbly in offering the cakes, so wilt thou to the same end be honoured by this wine placed before thee."
In Roman Polytheist rituals, wine is offered to Janus alongside incense, cakes, bread, cheese, and honey. The wine is offered with a prayer or blessing, such as:
> "Hail, Father Janus, Lord of Beginnings! On these Calends of January, oh God of Commencements, I bring you offerings of wine, bread, cheese and honey, which I give to you with good prayers and a good heart, wishing to honour you on this day of yours, this New Year, and that you look kindly on this home and those who dwell in it, granting us your blessing and protection throughout the twelve months that start today."
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Incense with cakes
Janus is the Roman Pagan God of beginnings, transitions, openings, closings and entrance-ways. Offerings to Janus include cakes, pastries, wine, and incense.
Incense is used in many religious ceremonies and rituals, and when paired with cakes, it can create a sacred and aromatic experience. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating a meaningful ritual with incense and cakes:
- Incense Selection: Choose incense that is natural and made from high-quality ingredients. Avoid synthetic fragrances and opt for natural essential oils or plant-based fragrances. Some incense blends are specifically designed for relaxation, purification, or energy boosting. You can select scents that align with the purpose of your ritual.
- Cake Offering: Prepare or purchase cakes that are suitable for offering to Janus. Traditional cakes or pastries (strues) are often used in Roman Pagan rituals. You can bake these cakes yourself, infusing them with symbolic ingredients or decorations that hold significance for you.
- Ritual Preparation: Before beginning your ritual, create a sacred space. This may involve cleansing the area with sage or palo santo smoke, setting up an altar with meaningful objects, and playing soft music to enhance the atmosphere. Ensure you have a safe and heat-resistant surface for burning your incense.
- Invocation: Light your incense and call upon Janus with an invocation or prayer. You can use traditional prayers or create your own. For example, "Hail, Father Janus, Lord of Beginnings! On these Calends of January, oh God of Commencements, I bring you offerings of cake and incense, which I give to you with good prayers and a sincere heart."
- Cake Presentation: Present the cakes as an offering to Janus, holding them with both hands or placing them on the altar. You may say something like, "Father Janus, in offering these cakes, I humbly beg your grace and mercy upon me, my family, and my home."
- Incense as Purification: Incense is often used for purification and blessing. Wave the incense smoke over the cakes and around your sacred space to cleanse and bless them. As the incense burns, visualise your intentions and prayers rising with the smoke to reach Janus.
- Meditation and Reflection: Take time to meditate or reflect during the ritual. Focus on the scent of the incense and the presence of the cakes as sacred offerings. Contemplate the symbolism of Janus and how your offerings honour his role as the God of beginnings and transitions.
- Closing the Ritual: Thank Janus for his presence and blessings. Extinguish the incense safely, following the traditional rituals and customs. Consume the cakes as a way of internalising the blessings and energy of the ritual, or offer them to others as a way of sharing the blessings.
By combining incense and cakes in your offerings to Janus, you create a multi-sensory ritual that engages sight, smell, and taste. This can enhance your spiritual experience and create a deeper connection to the divine. Remember to always practise fire safety when burning incense and never leave it unattended.
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Incense with prayers
Janus is the Roman God of beginnings, transitions, openings, closings and entrance-ways. He is the first spirit invoked before any invocations, sacrifices or offerings are made to other Roman deities. Incense is a suitable offering to Janus, along with traditional cakes or pastries (strues), wine and whole-grain farro wheat mixed with salt.
First, wash your hands in a bowl of water. Salute Janus with a prayer or hymn and invite him to attend the ceremony. You can say something like: "Come, be present, Father Janus, the Opener. Arise Planter (of the Stars). All things, truly, I entrust to Patulcium the Opener. Now You are Janus the Gatekeeper, now Cerus the Good Creator, now Janus the God of Good Beginnings."
Then, approach the altar bearing gifts with your right hand held forward, palm up, in a gesture of offering. Offer incense of bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers. You can say: "Janus, in offering to You this incense, I pray good prayers that You may favour me, my children, our house and our home."
Finish by pouring a second libation and turning around with your hand held liberalis to pray: "Thus for these reasons, as I have said, that You might be favourable to me, to my children, our house and our home, therefore may You be honoured by this small portion of wine. Thus it is done. May the immortal Gods make it so, as fortunate as it is pious."
You can also offer incense to Janus as part of a longer ceremony or ritual. For example, during the New Year or harvest rites, incense can be burned as an offering to Janus, along with wine and cakes, before invoking other deities.
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Frequently asked questions
You can offer incense made of bay laurel and sweet-scented flowers.
Incense is offered to Janus to obtain access to other Gods.
Traditional cakes/pastries (strues), wine, and whole-grain farro wheat mixed with salt are also offered to Janus.
Rituals for Janus are performed on the Kalends of January, the first day of the new year.
Janus is the God of beginnings, transitions, openings, closings, and entrance-ways. He is strongly associated with social order and harmony.
