In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb

Roman Davis
Staff Writer
  Most of the focus in March is on celebrations and events, such as Saint Patrick's Day and Pi Day; however, the month of March is rooted deep in history and deserves an honorable mention. A lot of history resides behind the month of March such as how it got its name, the contents in its calendar, as well as its astrology.
  March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. Many of the other months were named after the Roman gods and goddesses as well, who all served different purposes that relate to the month. In Ancient Rome, March was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. It was also a time of many festivals, presumably in preparation for the campaigning season. 
  The Roman calendar, a complicated lunar calendar, had twelve months like the current calendar. Only ten of the months had formal names, changing after decades  and added January (Januarius) and February (Februarius) to the end of the year. In the early Roman calendar, March (Martius) was the first month of the calendar year; as March brought the first day of spring with the vernal equinox, so it was considered the time for new beginnings and therefore the start of the year. People now follow the Gregorian calendar based on the ancient Roman calendar, believed to be invented by Romulus, who served as the first king of Rome around 753 BC. The calendar went through multiple changes after it was taken from Romulus’ hands and eventually became today’s calendar. 
  With today’s interest in astrology, many people know about astrological signs like  Leo, Capricorn, Aries and more. Ever heard the saying, “If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb?” Astrological signs are based off of the constellations, and the constellations called Leo and Aries are both visible during March. Leo, the lion, rises in the east at the beginning of March and thus the month “comes in like a lion.” while Aries, the ram, sets in the west at the end of the month, and the month “will go out like a lamb.”
  Astrology has changed a lot of today’s thinking as people focus on how the planets are moving, lunar cycles, as well as constellations. Some of the 2022 events are as follows: March 13th is the New Moon, Venus will be at its highest point above the horizon in the evening sky on March 15th, and March 28th is the Full Moon.
  Many other things are happening in the month of March, but these things are not talked about much; many people favoring celebrations over other events. Instead of focusing on the popular events such as Saint Patrick’s Day, take a little bit of time to enjoy something such as one of the major astrological events. 

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