This Quarantine comes as a peculiar period, almost as a doorway which very clearly defines everyone’s life into how it was before, and how it will be once this period is over. While all of us know many who are metaphorically dispropus (even trisprospus or more, sadly), one cannot usually look both forward and backward at the same time.
Unless you’re Janus. The Roman God of doorways, and boundaries. Having two faces, able to look into two opposite directions at once. All boundaries, and doorways are therefore sacred to him. “Janu”ary, derives its name from Januaris (or time of Janus). And that is also why doorkeepers are called “jani”tors. No surprises there then, that this Quarantine seems like a long long month of winter which doesn’t seem to end. I wouldn’t recommend praying to Janus though, he’s two-faced.
Now that you know what a Janus is, don't be afraid to go crazy with it. Need a word that means two opposite things? It's a Janus-word (example, sanction means both permission and prohibition); need a new contact name for a friend? Bored at home during quarantine and looking for something new to do which also incorporates your random and obscure reading list and don't know what to begin with...?
Worth a peruse.
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