Sol is the deity
that is the sun. In the Roman tradition Sol is identified with Apollo, God of
healing (and illness), light, music, poetry and prophecy. He is traditionally conceived of as a beautiful youth with long, golden hair. Alternate names for
Apollo include Phoebus, the Greek Helios and Sol Invictus, the invincible sun. In the Germanic tradition Sol is a
beautiful Goddess, also known as Sunna, who will give birth to a new sun before
she is destroyed at Ragnarok. Like Apollo, she is associated with
hope, light and divine protection. I do not know if I regard Sol as a God or
Goddess. Excepting northern Europe, Indo-European religions generally conceive
of Sol as male, but were we to sail to Japan every devout citizen there would swear
that Sol (Amaterasu) is female, and it is the same amongst Indigenous
Australians (Yhi), and no doubt among many other peoples. Nonetheless, wherever
you go Sol is the embodiment of the sun, warmth, light and life. It is in
consideration of these fundamental aspects that the following prayers are put
forth.
