Celtic Gods: The Gaulish Goddess, Salacea (Goddess of the Willow)

Salacea
A Gaulish Goddess: Goddess of the Willow

Salacea is a Gaulish goddess known from a single inscription found at Vienna, Austria where she is invoked with the Roman Nymphs. This, and the other deities she is associated with suggests that she is a water goddess associated with willow trees.



Synonyms:
Gaul: Goddess of the Willow

Salacea is a goddess known from a single inscription found at Vienna, Austria where she is invoked along with the Roman deities IOM [Jupiter Optimus Maximus], Neptune and the Nymphs as well as the Celtic gods Danuvius and Agaunus. From her associaton with Neptune, the Nymphs and Danuvius (the patron deity of the Danube) it would seem highly probable that Salacea is a water goddess. Her name also suggests that this is probable, as Salacea's name can be derived from the reconstructed proto-Celtic components *salik-o-, the feminine deific particle -e- and the feminine ending -a. Thus Salacea's name can be interpreted as 'Goddess of the Willow'.

The association of willow and water is rather obvious and this interpretation of the goddess' name also places her amongst the list of Celtic deities who are the embodiment of trees: Abelio (the god of apple trees), Fagus (Beech), Darona/Daronwy (god(dess) of the oak grove) and Robur (oak).



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