Isis

Introduction

One of the most important Goddesses of ancient Egypt is Isis. Originally known as Aset or Eset in Egypt, Isis being the Greek form. A moon goddess, she gives birth to the sun, creates and sustains all life, and is the saviour of all people. The Isis cult spread from Alexandria to all the Mediterranean countries especially Greece and Rome after the 4th century BC. It reached its peak in the 3rd century BC and died out in Rome due to the spread of Christianity by the middle of the 6th century AD. The last Egyptian temples to Isis closed around 550 AD. On her Temple in Sais is inscribed ‘I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever me unveiled’

Early in Egyptian history Isis absorbed the attributes of all the primitive and local Goddesses. Goddess of countless names, Isis is the Great Mother mostly identified with Demeter Hera and Selene, as she is patron of the moon, agriculture, divination motherhood, protection, re-incarnation, initiation, fertility, purification and domestic life. To the Greeks Isis was known as Demeter and to the Romans as Ceres. Her Latin name being Stella Maris or ‘Star of the Sea’

The name Isis is associated with the word for throne and her original headdress was
a representation of an empty throne chair belonging to her murdered husband Osiris. As the personification of the throne, she was an important source of the Pharaoh’s power. Other symbols linked with Isis include the tat, the girdle or 'knot of Isis', which represents her regenerative powers. She was often shown with her musical instrument, the sistrum, a kind of rattle. In addition she may be shown with the sistula, a breast-shaped container for milk, and a jug for carrying the holy waters of the Nile.

Isis is commonly portrayed with protective winged arms, meaning ascension, one of the only Egyptian winged deities, and with the moon perched upon her head, she is occasionally shown with a cows head or horns.

She is a sacred part of the holy trinity along with Osiris her husband, and Horus her son and is also linked with the phoenix, female bird of resurrection. The symbol of Isis in the sky was the star Sept [Sirius]. Its appearance marked the beginning of a new year and announced the flooding of the Nile, which indicated renewed wealth and prosperity of the country. Isis possesses the powers of a water goddess, an earth goddess, a corn goddess, a star goddess, Queen of the Underworld and woman. Goddess of medicine and wisdom.

Isis possessed great skill in working magic. As mistress of word she not only used words of power but had knowledge of the way in which to pronounce them so that whatever had the words addressed to them would be compelled to fulfill her bequest.

Isis colours are white and gold and cobalt blue, the colours of royalty and comfort.
Crystals and stones for Isis are pearl, coral lapis geodes and moonstone. Incense for Isis are myrrh, rose, iris and eucalyptus.

Festivals were held in the spring and autumn to honour Isis but the most prominent was the Night of the Teardrop on 16th June. This was a festival of remembrance to honour the losses of Isis and her eternal mourning for Osiris.
Isis was regarded as the ever-faithful wife, and mother, and constant mourner. In this role she was often represented as a Kite accompanied by Nephthys, her sister, also as a Kite, the two of them shown watching over the Canopic jars, or perched at either end of a coffin.
It is said that the priestesses of Isis could control the weather by braiding and releasing their hair. Isis taught the art of making magical knots and blowing on them to humans. The Goddess Isis, unlike other Egyptian Goddesses, spent time among her People, teaching women how to grind corn and make bread, spin flax and weave cloth, and how to tame men enough to live with them. Isis taught her people skills of reading and agriculture.
Her priests were called the mesnui meaning smiths, and worked with metals. As with many ancient cultures, these priest-smiths were said to receive their magick from secret connections with the Goddess and the female forces of Nature.


Isis has played an important role in the development of modern religions. During the 4th century when Christianity was taking hold in the Roman Empire her followers founded the first Madonna cults in order to keep her influence alive. Some early Christians called themselves Pastophori, meaning the shepherds or servants of Isis, which could be where the word Pastor originated. The influence of Isis is still seen in the Christian icons and the ancient images of Isis nursing the infant Horus influenced the style of portraits of mother and child for centuries including those of the Madonna and Child found in religious art.


From Temple of Ra