Exploring Mystical Paris, Part One: The Seine River
- joanneguerrero1
- Jan 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 15
Paris, the City of Lights, is renowned worldwide for its rich culture and sophistication. It is famous for its world-class art museums like the Louvre and the Musée d'Orsay, iconic Hausmannian architecture, and manicured gardens like the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin du Luxembourg. Fashion, gastronomy, and fine wines are celebrated features of Parisian life.
Paris has also been a hub for major artistic and philosophical movements throughout history. Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism found fertile ground here, while the Age of Enlightenment and modern philosophy flourished amidst the city's intellectual vibrancy. There is a lot to see and do in Paris, and it is one of the most visited cities in the world.
I was ecstatic when my family relocated to Paris in the summer of 2022. The City of Lights has long captivated my imagination, and moving there was a dream come true for me and my husband in many ways. We settled in our new neighborhood, with the Eiffel Tower, affectionately known as The Iron Lady---standing nearby. We delighted in the perfectly cooked baguettes, delectable cheese, flaky viennoiseries, and French bistros. My daughter loved discovering all the whimsical carousels scattered throughout the city. We walked along the Seine at night, significantly cooling during the warm summer nights. I visited multiple exhibits and discovered artists I had never known. The city’s offering of Classical music concerts allowed me to deepen my appreciation for Bach and Vivaldi, among many others.
Living in Paris has refined my senses. I now have an eye for Western art, an ear for classical music, a refined palate, and a newfound appreciation for architectural grandeur. I have always loved nature and did not think a condensed city would be as magnificent as it would be. But I was wrong. Paris breathed beauty, and I inhaled its beauty.
Beyond its renowned culture and sophistication, Paris unexpectedly unveiled a mystical dimension. It was mystical in that when I visited certain places (other places I will discuss in later blogs), I felt a stronger connection to the Divine, the universe, or, as some would say, God. I was filled with the same awe that had gripped me while walking amongst the Redwoods in California, exploring Sedona's red canyons, and watching the sunset on a Hawaiian beach.
This mystical energy became clearer as I uncovered the history of Paris. Around the 3rd century BC, the Parisii, a Celtic sub-tribe of the Senones, settled along the Seine River. The Parisii were one of the many Celtic tribes that made up the larger population of Gauls. The Gauls inhabited much of western Europe during the Iron Age and the Roman Age (5th century BC to 5th century AD), including modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, parts of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. They did not have a unified government or leadership but were composed of many tribes who could unite for large-scale military operations. They were known for their warrior culture and artistic achievements, such as metalwork, jewelry, and pottery. They built bridges and a fort, minted coins, and traded with other European riverine settlements.
The Gauls believed in many Gods and Goddesses. Their religion was deeply connected to nature, with spirits believed to inhabit forests, rivers, and other natural features. Druids, highly educated individuals with extensive knowledge of religion, law, medicine, astronomy, and other subjects, acted as religious leaders, teachers, and advisors in their community.
Based on etymological interpretations, Druids translates to the “oak-knower” or “knowing the oak tree.” Little is known about what the Druids were really like, and the recorded history written about them is from Roman accounts, which may not always be entirely accurate or objective. Some scholars believe women may have also played important roles within Druidic traditions, possibly as priestesses, healers, or teachers. Julius Caesar provides the most well-known Roman account of the Druids in his book "Commentarii de Bello Gallico ("Commentaries on the Gallic War").
Here is what was included in his description:
Religious Authority: Druids had the highest authority in religious matters among the Gauls. They were known to conduct public and private sacrifices, interpret religious doctrines, and settle disputes.
Education and Training: The training to become a Druid was extensive and lasted for many years.
Oral Tradition: Druids preferred to transmit knowledge orally to preserve secrecy and prevent the spread of their teachings among the general population.
Exemption from Military Service: Druids were privileged as they were exempt from military service and taxation.
However, the Roman conquest of Gaul, which included the area of Paris, and the arrival of Christianity led to the suppression of Druidic practices. In 52 BC, the Romans conquered the Parisii and established the Gallo-Roman town of Lutetia on the central island of Paris, where the Parisii settled. Christianity took root in Lutetia during the 3rd century AD.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Clovis I, the King of the Franks, seized control of the city and designated it as the capital of his kingdom. This began Paris' importance as a European political and cultural center.
Fast forward to the modern day, I was surprised to see Paris’ Celtic history represented at the Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics. As part of the program, a mechanical metallic horse carrying the Olympic flag galloped through the Seine with a rider wearing a metal suit. It was captivating and left a lasting impression on me. I wanted to learn about the symbolism, and I discovered that the horse and the rider symbolized not only the Olympic spirit of resilience, peace, solidarity, and unity but also the goddess Sequana, a revered deity in Gallic mythology.
Information about the Goddess Sequana is derived from excavations performed at her sanctuary located at the principal source of the Seine River called the Fontes Sequanae, near Châtillon-sur-Seine in the Burgundy region of France. In the mid-18th century, archaeologists discovered the foundations of a massive rectangular building (57 meters by 18 meters) within a valley near the source of the Seine River, with an inscription that read "DEA SEQUANA," identifying the site as a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Sequana. In 1933, renowned artist Henri Corot made a significant discovery: the bronze statue of the goddess Seine was found near a faun statue.
Archaeological excavations in 1863-1967 confirmed that this was once a pilgrimage site for devotees. Excavations yielded an impressive collection of roughly 1,500 votive offerings rafted from stone, bronze, and wood. The offerings contained specific body parts – eyes, limbs, sexual organs, and even internal organs – suggesting that the pilgrims must have sought the goddess's divine intervention to heal ailments represented by the body parts. Sculptures often depicted pilgrims presenting gifts to the goddess, such as money, fruit, or their cherished pets – dogs and birds. Despite her Celtic origins, Sequana was eventually adopted into the broader framework of Gallo-Roman religious worship.
The Seine, a 485-mile (780-kilometer) river, flows northwest through the heart of Paris and empties into the English Channel at the Normandy coast. Lined with charming cafes and iconic landmarks, it is one of Paris’ major tourist attractions.
I love going for walks along the Seine. Sometimes, I find a bench or place along the quai and sit there awhile. I stare at its beauty as the sun dances on its surface, and in the evenings, I bask in its glory as the illuminated lights of the city shimmer and sparkle like stars in its waters. Then the world slows down, and the city's frenetic pace fades into a distant hum as I go within to a place of stillness. I feel a sense of awe, a divine feminine energy surrounding me. Sequana, with her effortless grace, invites me to pause and simply be. She reminds me that amidst the chaos of city life, there is always a place for peace and serenity where my soul can find solace.
Living in Paris, I am slowly recreating the myth that connecting to the Divine in a big, condensed city is difficult. By uncovering Paris’ history and connecting to the beautiful myths of the people who once lived here, I, too, sense the magic they felt by the Seine River, the splendor of the Goddess Sequana.
Where do you live? Do you know your city’s history and myths? Do you have a place where you could be with yourself and simply BE?
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