As the summer solstice approaches, signaling the longest day of the year, I find myself reminiscing about my adoration for those lengthy, warm days characteristic of summer. There’s an undeniable joy in lounging on a sun-kissed beach, feeling the light breeze on my skin while the cool sea beckons nearby—this epitomizes my idea of true relaxation. Although the thinning ozone layer limits my sunbathing to mere moments, the sensation of sunlight on my skin still evokes vivid, colorful images in my mind.
Why do I refer to the sun as “She” when folklore predominantly features Sun Gods and Moon Goddesses? Yet, tucked away in the depths of mythology, one can uncover ancient traditions where the sun was revered as a goddess. For instance, Aditi is a Hindu Solar Goddess from India, and the Cherokee’s Uelanuhi also embodies solar attributes, showcasing female representations of the sun’s power and vital energy. Aditi represents the light that sustains life and consciousness, regarded as the source from which the universe and celestial bodies emerged. Uelanuhi was tasked with segmenting time and cleverly utilized Grandmother Spiderwoman’s web to harness the sun’s warmth for humanity.
In a similar vein, before the sun transitioned from a goddess to a god in perception, my Celtic ancestors worshipped Sulis—a goddess depicted with classic solar imagery. The etymology of her name, “Sulis,” reveals several interrelated meanings, suggestive of its proto-Celtic roots connecting to the word for sun, which is echoed in Old Irish as ‘súil’ (eye). This association possibly birthed her epithet—“The Bright One”—with her hair resembling the sun’s rays surrounding her visage.
Additionally, “Provider of Healing Waters” is another interpretation tied to Sulis. She is particularly linked to healing springs, notably the natural hot springs in Bath, England, which showcase archaeological evidence of use dating back to Neolithic times—over 10,000 years ago. The Celts, arriving around 700 BCE, likely discovered Sulis already worshipped in these areas and constructed the initial shrines at the springs. Unlike the summer solstice, the Celts celebrated the sun on Beltane, observing their fire festival on May 1 in honor of Sulis.
During the Roman occupation, the baths were renamed Aquae Sulis, in homage to Sulis as the eminent Goddess of this locale. The Romans fused Sulis with Minerva, bestowing upon her the responsibilities of home and state, thus evolving Sulis into a goddess presiding over agricultural endeavors—an area profoundly tied to a sun goddess’s role of protection and nourishment.
With ties to Minerva’s warrior prowess, Sulis held the capacity to witness oaths, apprehend thieves, and recover lost items. Numerous curse tablets unearthed in Bath invoke Sulis’s name, pleading for retribution against offenders.
As the Goddess of Healing, Prophecy, and Blessings, Sulis is associated with the waters of healing and upheld by priestesses who maintained her eternal flame. The unending flames and hot springs symbolize Sulis’s essence as a Sun Goddess.
Her symbolism includes antlers—illustrating sun rays—and eyes, indicative of sunlight. She is frequently depicted alongside an owl, a representation of wisdom. Sulis embodies the sun’s divine illumination, harmonized with the rejuvenating essence of water, nurturing her children and their flora.
When you feel Sulis’s presence, remain aware of any intuitive flashes or prophecies that may come forth while seeking her guidance. Consider placing a statue of Sulis in your garden to assist in nurturing your plants. During your next visit to a hot spring, invoke Sulis’s name as you meditate on rejuvenating your body and spirit. Seek her blessings as you embark on your personal quest for light, vitality, and completeness.
One of my favorite locations is Eftalou beach on the Greek island of Lesbos. Here, warm mineral springs emerge right at the meeting point of the Aegean Sea’s gentle waves. As the sun beams down brightly, the hot waters merge effortlessly into the ocean’s cooler currents, a setting where Sulis would undoubtedly feel at home among her Greek goddess kin.
Judith Shaw, an alumna of the San Francisco Art Institute, has nurtured a lifelong interest in mythology, culture, and mystical studies. Originally from New Orleans, her travels have taken her through Mexico, Central America, and various parts of Europe, including Greece. These diverse experiences enrich her artistic palette and influence her unique style. Judith expresses her passion through creating art, dancing joyfully, and engaging deeply with the world around her.
Judith has exhibited her artwork in various renowned locations including New York, San Francisco, and multiple cities in Greece and the United States. She is the creator of two oracle card decks—Celtic Goddess Oracle and Animal Wisdom Oracle—and is currently working on an illustrated fairytale titled “Elena and the Reindeer Goddess.”
