Coventina was a Romano-British Goddess of wells and springs. There are several references to her, including near the Carrawburgh spring along Hadrian’s wall in England. However, she is a deity that very little is actually known about.
Votive candles and other dedications were found in a walled area of the spring, which is now referred to as Coventina’s spring. These include 13,487 coins, a head of a male statue, a relief depicting three water nymphs, two slabs dedicated to the Goddess Coventina, ten altars to Coventina and Minerva, and two clay incense burners.
At least ten inscriptions to her were also found at Carrawburgh; below is an example of one;
"To the Goddess Coventina,
Titus D[unclear] Cosconianus, Prefectus of the First Cohort of Batavians,
Freely and deservedly (dedicated this stone)."
In 391 AD the Emperor Theodosius 1st demanded that all shrines to the old deities were to be destroyed, but there is evidence that worshippers tried to protect her shrine by surrounding it with stones and rock.
She is often depicted as a water spirit, partially clothed and reclining on the water or atop of water lilies.
Votive candles and other dedications were found in a walled area of the spring, which is now referred to as Coventina’s spring. These include 13,487 coins, a head of a male statue, a relief depicting three water nymphs, two slabs dedicated to the Goddess Coventina, ten altars to Coventina and Minerva, and two clay incense burners.
At least ten inscriptions to her were also found at Carrawburgh; below is an example of one;
"To the Goddess Coventina,
Titus D[unclear] Cosconianus, Prefectus of the First Cohort of Batavians,
Freely and deservedly (dedicated this stone)."
In 391 AD the Emperor Theodosius 1st demanded that all shrines to the old deities were to be destroyed, but there is evidence that worshippers tried to protect her shrine by surrounding it with stones and rock.
She is often depicted as a water spirit, partially clothed and reclining on the water or atop of water lilies.
Whilst there is not much historical evidence which sheds light on how this Goddess was worshipped, she is one that I work with often. One possible association of Coventina is of healing; in ancient times, wells and springs were often associated with healing, as were the deities associated with them. However, there is no 'direct' evidence to suggest that Coventina herself was associated with healing.
In my personal experience, Coventina is associated with the cycles of life; birth, death, renewal, and new beginnings. Interestingly, I associate her more with the 'beginnings' aspect of this cycle; working with Coventina can help you find the inner peace and balance you need to be able to move forward into a 'new' era, and is a great Goddess to call upon if you are starting a new project, or moving into a new phase in life. However, one of my friends associates her more with the 'death' aspect of this cycle, acting as a psychopomp who guides the souls of the deceased through to the afterlife (whatever that may look like). She is a great Goddess to call upon in cleansing and purification rituals, to help you remove negativity and help you clear any blockages which may be holding you back.
She has a 'mother' archetype energy, embodying honesty, integrity, and nurturing. She is a great Goddess to work with to help you connect with the natural world around you, with the land, with wildlife, and the flow of energy that connects us all. I find that she is especially connected with Spring and the promise that it brings.
If you want to work with Coventina, then great symbols and tools to work with include well water, bells, ribbons, fresh flowers, trees, plants, stones, and other natural items. Lavender is a herb often associated with her, as are the colours blue, pink, and green.
In my personal experience, Coventina is associated with the cycles of life; birth, death, renewal, and new beginnings. Interestingly, I associate her more with the 'beginnings' aspect of this cycle; working with Coventina can help you find the inner peace and balance you need to be able to move forward into a 'new' era, and is a great Goddess to call upon if you are starting a new project, or moving into a new phase in life. However, one of my friends associates her more with the 'death' aspect of this cycle, acting as a psychopomp who guides the souls of the deceased through to the afterlife (whatever that may look like). She is a great Goddess to call upon in cleansing and purification rituals, to help you remove negativity and help you clear any blockages which may be holding you back.
She has a 'mother' archetype energy, embodying honesty, integrity, and nurturing. She is a great Goddess to work with to help you connect with the natural world around you, with the land, with wildlife, and the flow of energy that connects us all. I find that she is especially connected with Spring and the promise that it brings.
If you want to work with Coventina, then great symbols and tools to work with include well water, bells, ribbons, fresh flowers, trees, plants, stones, and other natural items. Lavender is a herb often associated with her, as are the colours blue, pink, and green.
