As we near the summer solstice, the day that lasts longer than any other, I am compelled to reminisce about my passion for the extensive and warm summer days. There is an unparalleled joy in reclining on a beach, basking in the gentle sun and breeze, while anticipating the refreshing, welcoming touch of the sea beside me. This experience remains one of my favorite methods of unwinding. Despite the thinning ozone layer limiting my time in the sun, the sensation of its warmth on my skin continues to create vivid and colorful reveries in my mind.
But why do I refer to the sun as “She,” especially in a world dominated by male deities and moon goddesses? Delving into ancient traditions reveals that historically, the sun has often been revered as a goddess. From Aditi, the Hindu Solar Goddess of India, to Uelanuhi, the Cherokee Sun Goddess, these divine feminine figures embody the sun’s vibrant life force. Aditi was honored as the guardian of light, crucial for the existence of consciousness, and considered the origin of all creation, including the heavenly bodies. Similarly, Uelanuhi played a key role in partitioning time, relying on the web of Grandmother Spiderwoman to harness the sun’s warmth for humanity.
Before the male-god paradigm became dominant, my Celtic ancestors also worshipped a Sun Goddess named Sulis. Sulis, a deity celebrated among the Gauls and Brythons, holds significant solar imagery. The etymology of her name is complex, potentially connected to the proto-Celtic term for “sun,” which influenced the Old Irish word “súil” meaning “eye.” This connection leads to one of her titles, “The Bright One,” as her hair radiantly encircles her face like sunbeams.
Another interpretation of Sulis’s name is “Provider of Healing Waters.” She is associated with sacred springs, particularly the renowned hot springs in Bath, England, which have been utilized since Neolithic times, around 10,000 years ago. The Celts, who arrived around 700 BCE, likely discovered her presence and began constructing initial shrines at the site. Their festival, honoring the sun on Beltane rather than the summer solstice, took place on May 1st to pay homage to Sulis.
During Roman rule, the baths were named Aquae Sulis, celebrating her as the Great Goddess of the location. The Romans merged her identity with that of Minerva, thus granting Sulis authority over domestic and civic matters. In her role as Sulis/Minerva, she became the Goddess of the City, Handicrafts, and Agriculture, a realm where an ancient Sun Goddess could easily nurture life.
Through her association with the martial attributes of Minerva, Sulis possessed the ability to witness vows, capture thieves, and aid in locating lost items. Numerous curse tablets unearthed in Bath beseech Sulis for retribution against the wrongdoer.
As the Goddess of Healing, Prophecy, and Blessings, Sulis is intrinsically linked to restorative waters, tended by priestesses who maintained her eternal flame. The enduring fires and the thermal springs serve as a reminder of her origins as a Sun Goddess.
Her symbols, which include antlers, representing sun rays, and eyes, denote the sun’s brilliance. She is frequently depicted alongside an owl, the emblem of wisdom. Sulis embodies the divine luminosity of the sun, intermixed with the curative essence of water, fostering growth and prosperity for her human descendants and their flora.
When Sulis manifests, be attentive to any intuitive insights or premonitions as you seek her guidance. Placing a statue of Sulis in your garden can enhance the nourishment of your plants. During your next retreat to a hot spring, call upon her name as you meditate on your body and soul’s restoration, asking for her blessings on your personal journey toward enlightenment, health, and completeness.
One of my cherished locations is Eftalou, a beach on the Greek island of Lesbos. Here, an ancient hot spring emerges directly where the Aegean Sea meets the land. The sun shines gloriously as the hot springs mingle with the cold sea water. Sulis would undoubtedly feel at home in this serene setting, surrounded by her Greek Goddess counterparts.
Judith, a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute, has consistently been fascinated by myths, cultures, and mystical explorations throughout her life.
Through her travels to countries like Mexico, Central America, China, Europe, and Greece, Judith draws inspiration from her experiences. Her vibrant surroundings have profoundly influenced her artistic style and her belief in the interconnectedness of all life.
Her artworks reflect her spiritual pursuits and can be explored through her creative endeavors.
