Saulé

Pronounced: SOW-lay

ORIGIN:

Latvia; Lithuania

Saulé, Sun Goddess and Matriarch of the Cosmos, is among the most beloved and popular Baltic goddesses. Her name means “the sun.” Saulé is the female head of the Baltic celestial pantheon. She is the mother of the planets. Her daughters include:

• Vaivora (Mercury)

• Ausriné (Venus; Morning Star)

• Zemyna (Earth)

• Ziezdra (Mars)

• Indraja (Jupiter)

• Selija (Saturn)

Saulé and her daughters live in a castle with silver gates. She drives a chariot with copper wheels across the sky pulled by a pair of fiery white steeds with golden manes called the Asviniai. Sometimes Saulé travels via nine chariots drawn by one hundred horses. Her horses never sweat, tire, or rest. Every night Saulé sinks into the sea to bathe her horses following her daily journey. The she crosses the Underworld in a golden boat.

Saulé’s strength waxes and wanes with the sun. As days grow shorter in winter, she weakens in her annual battle against the forces of darkness. People perform rituals and spells to strengthen her so that light triumphs over darkness.

Saulé was married to Meness the Moon, but she divorced him, scarring his face in anger because of his infidelity with her daughter, Ausriné. Saulé is also associated with Kalvis, the divine smith who may or may not have created her. Although Saulé is the subject of myths that focus on her love life with male Baltic spirits, she consistently remains a potently independent goddess. Her power is her own and not dependent on her relationship with any other spirit.

Saulé is a benevolent, responsible, fair, good mother. Evil spirits flee from her presence. Thus, day was considered spiritually safer then night. Saulé has dominion over fertility, healing, and anything to do with women and what were once considered traditional women’s tasks and roles. Prayers and petitions for Saulé must be offered with uncovered heads (no hats, scarves, and so forth, just your head bared beneath the sun).

FAVOURED PEOPLE:

Saulé loves everyone. The sun shines on everyone equally. Saulé is also the matron of single mothers.

MANIFESTATION:

Look up in the sky and see the sun: There’s Saulé! When manifesting as a woman, her hair is golden as are her clothes. Saulé wears a golden crown and a gold silk shawl. Her shoes are silver.

ATTRIBUTE:

Red apple. Saulé plays the kanklès, a traditional Lithuanian instrument akin to a zither. First developed in the Iron Age, the kanklès, now typically considered nothing more than a musical instrument, was originally a magical ritual instrument that allegedly protects against evil. It was played during Pagan feasts, weddings, and funerals.

Emblem: Wheel (Solar wheel)

PLANET:

Sun

Metal: Copper

Creatures: Horse, grass snake

Flowers: Daisies and roses

Trees: Apple and linden trees

Feast: Solstices, equinoxes. Festivals honoring her coincide with the modern winter solstice and continue until 6 January (corresponding in time with Christmas and Epiphany). On 13 December, the Feast of Saint Lucy and the pre-calendar-reform winter solstice, Saulé dances with her daughters.

Sacred site:

Saulé was venerated in a sacred apple orchard, an apple grove.

SEE ALSO:

Ashvins; Ausriné; Indra; Kalvis; Meness; Zemyna

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.