As summer solstice approaches, marking the longest day of the year, I find myself reminiscing about my fondness for the sun-drenched days of summer. The pure delight of lounging on the beach, feeling the sun’s warm caress and the gentle breeze, accompanied by the alluring coolness of the sea, represents one of my greatest forms of relaxation. Although the diminishing ozone layer means I can only enjoy this treasure in moderation, the sensation of the sun enveloping me still ignites vivid imagery within me.
In contemplating how to refer to the sun as ‘She’, I consider the prevalent depictions of sun deities in male forms. Yet, as I delve into ancient mythology, I discover that historically, the sun was indeed revered as a goddess. From Aditi, the Hindu Solar Goddess of India, to Uelanuhi, the Cherokee Sun Goddess, these figures embody feminine energy, representing the sun’s vitalizing force. Aditi is perceived as the guardian of the illumination that sustains life, serving as the progenitor of the cosmos and celestial bodies. Uelanuhi meticulously measured time, using Grandmother Spiderwoman’s web to ensnare the sun’s warmth for humanity’s benefit.
Similarly, long before the sun’s life-giving energy was transitional from goddess to god, my Celtic forebears acknowledged a Sun Goddess. Sulis, regarded as a Gaulish and Brythonic deity, exhibits typical solar iconography. The name “Sulis” carries layered meanings, possibly linked to the proto-Celtic term for sun, influencing the Old Irish word súil (meaning eye), which lends to one of Her titles, “The Bright One.” Her hair radiates around her face, akin to rays of sunlight.
Additionally, Sulis is interpreted as the “Provider of Healing Waters,” representing her connection with healing springs, particularly the natural hot springs at Bath, England. Historical evidence suggests the area’s mineral hot springs were frequented by Neolithic communities at least 10,000 years ago. When the Celts migrated to England around 700 BCE, they likely found Sulis already revered there. Most assuredly, they constructed the early shrines at these springs. The Celts celebrated the sun at Beltane, not during the summer solstice, holding their fire festival on May 1 in honor of Sulis.
During the Roman era, these baths were designated Aquae Sulis, in homage to Sulis as the Great Goddess of the locality. The Romans integrated Sulis with Minerva, further extending her dominion over both domestic and civic matters. As Sulis/Minerva, She governed urban development, craftsmanship, and agriculture—a sphere a primordial Sun Goddess could easily nurture and protect.
Through Her links with Minerva’s martial attributes, Sulis wielded the power to witness oaths, apprehend thieves, and locate lost possessions. Numerous curse tablets unearthed in Bath invoke Sulis to mete out justice to the wrongdoers.
Sulis, saluted as the Goddess of Healing, Prophecy, and Blessings, is intrinsically tied to healing waters, maintained by priestesses who tended Her everlasting flame. The perpetual fires and therapeutic waters echo Sulis’s origin story as a Sun Goddess.
Her symbolic associations include antlers—indicative of sunrays—and eyes—representative of sunlight. Additionally, she is frequently illustrated alongside an owl, representing wisdom. Sulis’s essence embodies the divine radiance of the sun, harmoniously mingled with water’s restorative powers, aiding Her human offspring and flora in flourishing.
When Sulis makes Her presence known, attentiveness towards any psychic insights or premonitions may be beneficial while seeking guidance from Her. Consider placing a statue of Sulis within your garden for the enrichment of your plants. During your next visit to a hot spring, call upon Sulis as you meditate on the revitalization of your body and spirit. Seek blessings from Sulis on your personal path toward brightness, health, and completeness.
One of my cherished locations is Eftalou beach on the Greek island of Lesbos. Here, an ancient hot spring emerges at the juncture of the Aegean Sea and the shoreline. The sun shines brilliantly as the hot waters merge with the cooler sea. Surely, Sulis would find solace among Her Greek Goddess counterparts in this sacred space.
Judith’s deck of Celtic Goddess Oracle Cards is currently available, promising an opportunity to delve into the wisdom of the Celtic Goddesses.
Judith Shaw, a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute, has been an avid explorer of myth, culture, and mystical studies throughout her life. Early in her career, while residing in Greece, Judith began to weave depictions of the Goddess into her artwork, continually drawing inspiration from the Goddess in various forms, including the captivating flora and fauna of our vibrant planet. She has displayed her art in diverse locations, including New York, San Francisco, and several cities in Greece and across the United States.
