Sulis is a renowned goddess in the Celtic pantheon, famously connected to a single significant site located at a thermal spring in south-west England known as Aquae Sulis. This site served not only as a place for bathing but also housed a temple dedicated to her Romanized version, Sulis Minerva.
The thermal springs at this location produced a unique reddish, iron-enriched water known for its healing properties, attracting numerous pilgrims who left behind offerings such as votive objects and a substantial quantity of coins. Visitors can still sample the waters, although many find the highly mineralized liquid challenging to consume.
Sulis’s name is believed to be associated with terms relating to the sun and vision, presenting her as a complex sun deity. She embodies the duality of the sun’s healing power while also holding ties to the underworld.
Roman Influence and Local Worship
The Roman presence in Bath may suggest an appropriation of the local goddess. However, inscriptions reveal six altars venerating Sulis and two for Sulis Minerva, with one altar being dedicated to her alongside the two Emperors by a centurion on behalf of his legion. Evidence indicates that locals had engaged with the springs and left offerings long before the Romans arrived. The area is characterized by three hot springs within close proximity to one another, located at a critical juncture of the river Avon, which served as a vital trading route.
The sole surviving depiction of Sulis dates back to the Roman era, presented in a fashion similar to statues of Minerva. Crafted from gilt bronze and slightly larger than life, this statue likely adorned the temple established in the first century AD. An intriguing artifact found at the site is the Gorgon’s head, representing a blend of Roman and Celtic traditions, showing a masculine figure instead of the traditional female monster, emphasizing the synthesis of local and Roman beliefs.
Connections with Other Goddesses
Sulis is one of several Celtic goddesses associated with Minerva. For instance, Belisama in southern France shares a similar connection, with inscriptions labeling her as Belisama Minerva. Like Sulis, she maintained an independent following. In Britain, Brigantia is shown in styles reminiscent of Minerva, yet has no inscriptions linking her directly to the Roman goddess. A recently uncovered goddess named Senuna bears visual resemblance to Minerva, with discoveries made at a site known for its freshwater springs.
Brigantia and the Irish goddess Brigit, along with the French deity Bricta, all have associations with healing springs. The latter, particularly, is fascinating due to her cult’s use of “curse tablets” in her spring, potentially linking her to Sulis through shared themes of water’s curative and punitive powers.
Sulis and these related goddesses might be considered deities of healing waters, possibly connected to the warmth attributed to Minerva. The association with warrior aspects, as seen with other goddesses, aligns these female figures with protective and healing roles.
Symbolism of the Eye and Sun
The etymology of Sulis’s name may derive from either a Proto-Indo-European root meaning “sun” or the Old Irish term for “eye,” reinforcing her connection to solar imagery. The dual symbolism of eye and sun is evident, linking Sulis to the all-seeing aspect of the celestial domain. The mineral-rich warmth of the springs may symbolize the transference of the goddess’s life-giving forces to the water, further enhancing its healing properties.
Another narrative involving St. Brigit highlights similar eye and water symbolism, illustrating folklore that connects these figures through their connection to spring waters and vision. This association also extends to other gods like Apollo and Belenos, wherein healing, water, and sight are intertwined, with Roman influences emphasizing Sulis’s celestial ties.
A More Complex Perspective
However, not all elements of Sulis’s worship were benign. Evidence from curse tablets indicates that devotees sometimes implored her to bring retribution on enemies, suggesting a darker side to the goddess. Moreover, parallels can be drawn to the underworld aspect of sun deities, where Sulis could embody both the life-giving energy of the sun and its darker, more ominous powers associated with justice and vengeance.
The symbolism of the goddess as an underworld figure is reinforced by rituals and myths across various cultures. Sulis may have been viewed as infusing the water with her solar energy, linking her to concepts of healing and transformation.
Water and Otherworld Connections
Imagery of Sulis among aquatic environments often depicts her ascending through water toward sunlight, generating discussions around her duality as both an otherworldly and solar deity. Just as Norse mythology involved divine beings residing in aquatic realms, the Celts may have shared similar beliefs about water as a conduit to the spirit world, with the practice of throwing offerings into springs affirming this connection.
The Suleviae Enigma
A further consideration is the relationship between Sulis and the Suleviae, which have been identified as mother goddesses spread throughout the Roman Empire. Although their names share a resemblance, the derivation of Suleviae points to a meaning related to guidance and leadership. One inscription links them to Minerva, indicating a shared reverence within the context of protective and familial deities.
There is also speculation regarding another site in England, Brockley Hill, which bears connection to Sulis through historical accounts, highlighting the broader geographical links to her worship.
In summary, the goddess Sulis serves as an exciting intersection of healing, divinity, water symbolism, and cultural syncretism throughout history, embodying the complexities inherent in the worship of Celtic deities under Roman influence.
