Sirona

Sirona is a Celtic goddess associated with healing, fertility, and restorative waters. She is primarily known through Roman dedications in Britain, where she was often identified with the Roman goddess Minerva. Archaeological evidence, including inscriptions and votive offerings, points to her importance in the Romano-British religious landscape.

The name Sirona is believed to derive from Proto-Celtic roots meaning "star" or "goddess." Her cult sites were often located near natural springs or wells, reinforcing her connection to healing and purification. Many dedications to Sirona have been found at bathhouses and healing sanctuaries, such as those at Bath (Aquae Sulis) and Vint Hill.

Iconographically, Sirona is sometimes depicted as a matronly figure, often accompanied by a serpent, a common symbol of healing and regeneration in ancient cultures. She is also occasionally shown holding a fruit, possibly a pomegranate, which is associated with fertility. Her worship appears to have been most prominent in the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. While her exact origins and mythology are not fully understood due to the limited surviving textual evidence, Sirona represents a significant deity within the pantheon of ancient Britain, embodying the restorative and life-giving powers of nature.