CIRCLE OF THE SEASONS. 



NEW YEAR S TIDE. 



+ JAN. 1. CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD. 

 New Year's Day. 



St. Fulgentius, anno 533. 



St. Odilo Ab. of Cluni 10th cent. 



St. Faine V. of Ireland. 



St. Almachus. St. Eugendus. 



St. Claunus abbot. St. Cronan. 



SS. Mochuae. 



Jano, Junoni, Jovi, et Aesculapio. — Julian Cal. 



Obs. The Festival of the Circumcision is kept as a holiday 

 throughout Europe, and is a Holyday of Obligation in the Catholic 

 Church. The bells and carillons of most churches are played on at 

 midnight, by way of ringing in the new year. The Song of the 

 Shepherd of Madonna used to be sung on this day. The custom of 

 renewing Christmas Festivities and the making of New Year's Gifts 

 today is very antient, and was practised in Rome in the time of 

 the first Kings. This day was dedicated to Janus the emblem of 

 Retrospect and Foresight united. 



CALENDAR OF NATURE. 



Laurestine Viburnum Tinus in flower. 



Obs, This plant is called also the Shrub of St. Faine from its 

 blowing on the day of her commemoration. 



At this season of the year many plants cannot be expected to be 

 in blow : in the present mild weather, 1827, however the Red Star 

 Windflower, the 'i'hreeleaved Antirrhinum, two sorts of Marigolds, 

 the Daisy, and the Polyanthus were added'to the Laurestine which 

 is in full blow at this time. The Black Hellebore also called Christ- 

 mas Rose was almost in flower. 



A familiar adage says of today : 



Whether the weather be snow or raine 

 We are sure to see the Flower of St. Faine ; 

 Rain comes but seldome and often snow, 

 And yet this Viburnum is sure to blow. 



That portion of the winter called the Hybernal Season or Late 

 Winter begins today. 



B 



