Overview: Sulis is one of the very ancient English goddesses. From evidence found we know that she was worshiped at the hot springs in Bath, in the UK, going back to at least the Mesolithic period.

What we know about her can only be gleaned from the archaeological finds at the Roman Baths in Bath and a few mentions in ancient Roman documents.

This, this new book from renowned Pagan author Rachel Patterson Pagan Portals - Sulis, delves into the mysteries of Sulis, the ancient English Solar Goddess of these very same hot spring waters.

Verdict: For those unaware, and to tell her story from the start, Sulis, the great British Celtic healer Goddess, was originally a solar and fertility deity. Sulis’ shrine was located at Bath, England, where her power was strongest. Some scholars say she was a “Solar” divinity; her name is a derivative of the Celtic word “Sul” for “sun” and “eye,” and Suilead, meaning wisdom. She is also a Goddess of healing waters.

Perpetual fires burned at her shrines, which were natural mineral hot springs. The Romans called her “Minerva Medica” (healing). Statues show Minerva Medica as matronly, with a hat made out of a bear’s head, and her foot resting on an owl. She was also referred to as “Sulis Minerva” by the Romans. Minerva was a virgin warrior dedicated to women’s rights and freedom. The owl was her sacred bird, and healing and medicine were her themes.

Sulis is associated with the Roman goddesses Coventina and Nemetona, who were also worshippd at Bath. She has a connection to Brigit, who was associated with holy wells of healing water in Ireland. Sulis, like Brigit, was served by priestesses who kept her eternal flame burning. At Aquae Sulis as well as on the continent, she appears in multiple forms, the three-part Celtic Goddess “Suleviae.”

Symbols on her shrine are antlers, which symbolize the sun’s rays, and eyes, which signify the sun. The Roman God Mars Loucetius (light) also was invoked at Sulis’ shrine. The Sun is associated with hot springs, connecting hot water with healing.

Drawing upon personal experience, author Patterson (whose own journey with Sulis began back in 2009, when she and her husband took a visit to Bath) provides a dutiful introduction here into the ancient English goddess; one which is not only is highly informative, educational and very entertaining, but also allows the reader to discover and create their very own relationship with her too.

About the Author - Rachel Patterson has penned more than twenty five books on the rituals and practices of magic and paganism. She is High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven, and an Elder of the Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft. A Hedge/Kitchen Witch with an added dash of folk magic, Rachel writes regularly for Pagan magazines and blogs and gives talks at Pagan events. She lives in Portsmouth, UK.

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