Aveta

Aveta

ORIGIN:

Celtic

Aveta is a mysterious Celtic goddess about whom little information survives. Archaeological evidence indicates that her shrine in Trier on the Moselle River by a healing spring was a pilgrimage site. Inscriptions dedicated to her have been found in Switzerland and throughout France: she may once have been a very prominent goddess.

ICONOGRAPHY:

She is depicted as a woman holding a swaddled baby, lapdog, or baskets of fruit.

ATTRIBUTES:

Her attributes are the clue to her powers:

• Fruit baskets indicate abundance and prosperity, agricultural and otherwise.

• The swaddled infant indicates fertility and safe, successful childbirth.

• Lapdogs are Celtic emblems of healing.

OFFERINGS:

Clay votive images of Aveta have been found, indicating she may have been given images of herself.

SEE ALSO:

Arnemetia; Nantosuelta; Nehal ennia; Sequana; Sulis

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.