Image via WikipediaLong, long ago, Petrea asked for a goddess to "Get me away from it all." Finally, I have one for her: Sulis, a Celtic goddess from Bath, England. Not a lot is known about Sulis. The ancient Celts believed gods and goddesses resided in specific locations, and Sulis resided in the thermal waters and mineral springs of Bath, England. Even thousands of years ago, people would come from near and far (Rome!) to sink into what were considered these nourishing, healing waters. They would relax and imagine themselves surrounded by soapy bubbles, chirping birds and handsome men that look Ewan McGregor.
Yeah. Good times.
Unfortunately, public baths were not the safest of places--even then. You'd take your tunic off. You'd wrap it round your wallet (like that's gonna fool nearby thieves), and when you got back--wham--not even bus money. You can imagine that that totally foiled the whole holistic healing vibe Sulis was working on. So here's what she did: she allowed you to write her little notes--on little stone tablets--requesting compensatory curses. Here's one I found on Wikipedia: "Dodimedis has lost two gloves. He asks that the person who has stolen them should lose his mind and eyes in the temple where [Sulis] appoint." We can only hope Dodimedis got his wish.
Sulis is a close as I can give you to a Calgon moment, and on this post-election day, maybe that's what some of us may feel we need.
Channel this goddess: When you can't take vacation and your family won't even give you one half hour of peace to watch "The Middle," when you can't even take a bath because your tub is so dirty, and when all of the Halloween candy has mysteriously disappeared. Just say: "Sulis, take me away."
Need a goddess: I got goddesses. Post a comment telling me what you need, and I'll see what I can do. The queue is empty so, if you've been waiting, now is a good time to get the goddess you need.
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19 comments:
Woohoo, first comment :) I'm going to channel her right now - maybe it will make my 2 kiddos nap today!
I've got an actual box of Calgon under the bathroom sink next to the Drano. It never took me anywhere and no, I didn't get the two mixed up.
Petrea can also hop over to my place and spend a little time at our seaside cafe. No mineral springs, but plenty of virtual java :)
This is shriek inducing. You're just lucky you're not my neighbor. I think I scared away all the fauna in the vicinity.
PA, it's kind of scary, what you have under that sink.
wv: appled
I'm charmed.
Can I write my curses on stones and throw them at the person I am wishing the curse on?
Or maybe I should just make a pile of them someplace safe in my own back yard.I have always wanted a stone wall.
Rois, I like your first idea! ;-)
But I guess I'll just take a deep breath and move on.... sigh.
Oh Margaret! Only you know how perfect it is for me to have a Celtic goddess who hangs out in Bath. Thank you. Sulis is just what I needed.
Now, Sulis, take me to Joanne's place so I can check out the virtual java.
Oh--and I finally got a funny word verification but I couldn't use it. It was on another blog and the post was all serious. The mood was wrong. So can I just tell you? It was "gyrohaug." That'll be the name of my next pet.
Even the beautiful sound of her name is restful and relaxing. Thanks, as always, for enriching my life in such a fun way.
Oh, I forgot to mention: this is also the Jane Austen goddess too, with Bath, leisure and handsome men.
Jean....two words; no kids
I had ajax under the sink as well but the cat seems to have a taste for it so now it's on the shelf
Margaret your blog is always so inspiring!
From Rome??? :-)
Bec: Hope it worked!
Joanne: it is pretty relaxing over there--and closer to Bath.
Rois: I'm going to write all my curses on stones from now on. I definitely think it's the way to go.
Petrea: Of, course she had to be from England! And, actually, a gyrohaug is someone who eats all your gyros.
Jean: I thought of Austen too! I think Sulis was her muse.
...daisy...: Yes, Rome! You guys had the empire, after all.
Daisy, but of course from Rome! The Romans built the beautiful baths from whence Bath, England takes its name. And unless I'm quite mistaken, Romans are still welcome there. :)
I've been to Bath! One of the prettiest cities in the world -- like stepping back hundreds of years in time. Sorry, I guess I got distracted...
I love Sulis!
The Romans adopted her - but she was ours first. Unusual though for a Celt to throw curses - the circle 'fluence means you believe you are likely to get it back one day - maybe that's the Roman influence? They are a much more volatile lot. Good to see just how specific a curse can be!!
The Romans adopted her - but she was ours first. Unusual though for a Celt to throw curses - the circle 'fluence means you believe you are likely to get it back one day - maybe that's the Roman influence? They are a much more volatile lot. Good to see just how specific a curse can be!!
Word: I love that little tidbit about circularity. Must have been those conquerers.
I'm pretty sure it was a Roman curse. It was common for Romans to write curses. Plus, the Romans built Bath and occupied it for a few hundred years, so it's likely most artifacts dug up on that spot were theirs.
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