Salus (Latin: salus, "safety", "salvation", "welfare") was a Roman goddess. She was the personification of security and well-being (welfare, health and prosperity) of both the individual and the state. She is sometimes equated with the Greek goddess Hygieia, though her functions differ considerably. Salus is one of the most ancient Roman Goddesses: she is also recorded once as Salus Semonia, a fact that might hint to her belonging to the category of the Semones, such as god Semo Sancus Dius Fidius. (Wiki) She was held in great veneration among the ancients and an offering on a hilltop shrine to Saluswas believed to insure health and safety. In fact, She was so much honored by the Romans, that several holy days were appointed in which they worshipped Her. There was a gate at Rome that called Porta Salutaris because it was near to the temple of Salus. The Augurium Salutis rite was formerly celebrated in the same place. It was a kind of divination by which they begged leave of the gods that the people might pray for peace. Our English words salute, salutation, salutatory, andsalutatorian are all words that have been derived from Her name, suggesting a greeting that includes wishes for good health. (from Reclaiming The Dark Goddess)
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