MODERN HYMNS AND POETRY FOR IANUS

Ianus
by P. Sufenas Virius Lupus

May Ianus Patulcius open the door for me
as I open this prayer, may all doors be opened;
May Ianus Pater watch over and protect me
as he watched over Saturn in his exile;
May Ianus Bifrons keep guard before and behind me
as age is ahead of and youth is afar from me;
May Ianus Quadrifrons protect me on all sides
as ways converge in me and as paths branch out of me;
May Ianus Geminus' temple doors ever open for our aid,
and may his doors ever close for our peace;
May Ianus Clusivus close the door for me
as I close this prayer, may there be a close to all troubles.


For Ianus
by Erik Dutton

Looking in, looking out
You guard the threshold of the home and city
Watching for danger
That comes from outside
And offering wisdom, if we will listen,
To us within.

Looking forward, looking back
You govern the moment of decision
Seeing the future
That we create in every moment
And reviewing the past in order
To teach its lessons.

Guardian of the door
by Amanda Sioux Blake

Mighty Janus, Guardian of the door
To Thee I pray
My life is confused, my path is dark
You can see the way
Pater Janus, lover of the fair nymph Cranae
As You are the door,
She is the hinge
That enables the door to open
I pray to You, Janus and Cranae
I offer to You, Cranae and Janus
Guard my door,
You Gods that reside so close to mankind
Let no evil influences cross my threshold
I burn this candle for You
And offer sweet beeswax and burning incense on Your altar
As a gift to Your Divine Graces.
May my path me made clear to me
Protect me and mine
As We leave the safety of our home,
And go out into the world.

Ancient Ianus
by Amanda Sioux Blake   

Ancient Ianus
Guardian of the door
Two-formed, all-seeing
Who gazes in both directions
To Whom the future, as the past, is made clear
Come to me, keeper of keys
As I stand upon the threshold
I hesitate, for I am mortal
I hesitate, for it is dark
I hesitate, for I cannot see
Order and Chaos, Beginning and End,
What are they to You?
You, Who sees and comprehends all.
Every beginning ends,
And Every ending begins.
Forever and ever, a cyclic rhythm, spinning into eternity.
Tell me, Pater Ianus
Where in the cycle am I?