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Isis: Difference between revisions
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The Egyptian goddess '''Isis''' is one of the most widely revered and sublime figures of the [[Divine Mother]] in ancient Mediterranean civilization. Texts written as far back as the third millennium <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. speak of the divine couple Isis and Osiris. In the Hellenistic period, the worship of this ancient Mother of the Nile spread from its cradle in Egypt and Ethiopia throughout the area of the Mediterranean. In later centuries the worship of Isis stretched to every corner of the Roman Empire, where it became a major religion. Traces of the religion of Isis have been found as far east as Arabia and Asia Minor and as far west as Portugal and Britain. | The Egyptian goddess '''Isis''' is one of the most widely revered and sublime figures of the [[Divine Mother]] in ancient Mediterranean civilization. Texts written as far back as the third millennium <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. speak of the divine couple Isis and Osiris. In the Hellenistic period, the worship of this ancient Mother of the Nile spread from its cradle in Egypt and Ethiopia throughout the area of the Mediterranean. In later centuries the worship of Isis stretched to every corner of the Roman Empire, where it became a major religion. Traces of the religion of Isis have been found as far east as Arabia and Asia Minor and as far west as Portugal and Britain. | ||
In the ancient city of Saïs on the Nile delta stood the temple of Isis | In the ancient city of Saïs on the Nile delta stood the temple of Isis. Known by a thousand names, Isis pervades the cultures of the world. Known by any name, she is the Divine Mother who ensouls all life. It is she who gave birth to all things, including the only begotten Son of God. She remains the Cosmic Virgin; for the Divine Mother preserves the Whole-I-Vision of the Godhead, and through the perception of the Eye of God within her forehead, the Christ victorious appears. | ||
== Attributes of Isis == | == Attributes of Isis == | ||
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<blockquote>In the Hymn to Osiris ... it is said that Isis was well skilled in the use of words of power and it was by means of these that she restored her husband to life.<ref>E. A. Wallis Budge, ''The Gods of the Egyptians: Or, Studies in Egyptian Mythology'', Volume 2 (London: Methuen, 1904), p. 214.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>In the Hymn to Osiris ... it is said that Isis was well skilled in the use of words of power and it was by means of these that she restored her husband to life.<ref>E. A. Wallis Budge, ''The Gods of the Egyptians: Or, Studies in Egyptian Mythology'', Volume 2 (London: Methuen, 1904), p. 214.</ref></blockquote> | ||
In one episode in the Egyptian text called the Book of the Dead, Isis—acting as the Mother in fierce defense of her child—performs a ritual of exorcism to save her poisoned son, Horus.In the midst of her commands which are intended to drive the poison out of her son, Isis proclaims: “I am Isis the goddess and I am the lady of words of power, and I know how to work with words of power, and most mighty are my words!”<ref>Ibid., p. 207.</ref> Her exhortations have the intended effect of healing her son and, as the text notes: “heaven was satisfied with the words which the goddess Isis” had spoken.<ref>Ibid., p. 208.</ref> | In one episode in the Egyptian text called the Book of the Dead, Isis—acting as the Mother in fierce defense of her child—performs a ritual of exorcism to save her poisoned son, Horus. In the midst of her commands which are intended to drive the poison out of her son, Isis proclaims: “I am Isis the goddess and I am the lady of words of power, and I know how to work with words of power, and most mighty are my words!”<ref>Ibid., p. 207.</ref> Her exhortations have the intended effect of healing her son and, as the text notes: “heaven was satisfied with the words which the goddess Isis” had spoken.<ref>Ibid., p. 208.</ref> | ||
[[File:Isis.jpg|thumb|upright|Isis]] | [[File:Isis.jpg|thumb|upright|Isis]] | ||
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<blockquote>“Therefore, she wove into the most secret mysteries the images—indications of previous sufferings—and she instituted a doctrine of piety and a consolation to men and women who find themselves in the same misfortune.”</blockquote> | <blockquote>“Therefore, she wove into the most secret mysteries the images—indications of previous sufferings—and she instituted a doctrine of piety and a consolation to men and women who find themselves in the same misfortune.”</blockquote> | ||
<blockquote>The last sentence is particularly noteworthy in that it reveals a side of the character of Isis which in that age became more and more prominent. She is a savior goddess, serving as a comforting example to the faithful in distress. She is able to redeem because she herself, through the courage with which she bore her suffering, had once obtained salvation.<ref>C. J. Bleeker, “Isis and Hathor,” in The Book of the Goddess: Past & Present, ed. Carl Olson (New York: Crossroad, 1987), p. 38.</ref></blockquote> | <blockquote>The last sentence is particularly noteworthy in that it reveals a side of the character of Isis which in that age became more and more prominent. She is a savior goddess, serving as a comforting example to the faithful in distress. She is able to redeem because she herself, through the courage with which she bore her suffering, had once obtained salvation.<ref>C. J. Bleeker, “Isis and Hathor,” in ''The Book of the Goddess: Past & Present'', ed. Carl Olson (New York: Crossroad, 1987), p. 38.</ref></blockquote> | ||
[[File:Egyptian - Isis with Horus the Child - Walters 54416 - Three Quarter Right.jpg|thumb|Isis and Horus (bronze, c. | [[File:Egyptian - Isis with Horus the Child - Walters 54416 - Three Quarter Right.jpg|thumb|Isis and Horus (bronze, c. 680–640 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>.)]] | ||
== The figure of the Mother == | == The figure of the Mother == | ||
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On a more personal level, writes Witt, Isis is “the acknowledged champion of those who most direly need help. At times of greatest hazard she steps in when all natural means of rescue seem impossible.... | On a more personal level, writes Witt, Isis is “the acknowledged champion of those who most direly need help. At times of greatest hazard she steps in when all natural means of rescue seem impossible.... | ||
<blockquote>In the list of her praises from the Oxyrhynchus Litany we read in the succession the titles “giver of favours,” “gentle” and “affectionate”; yet she is afterwards magnified as one to whom “the | <blockquote>In the list of her praises from the Oxyrhynchus Litany we read in the succession the titles “giver of favours,” “gentle” and “affectionate”; yet she is afterwards magnified as one to whom “the spirits” (the demons, or “the elements”) have to show obedience.</blockquote> | ||
<blockquote>True to the tradition of her native Egypt | <blockquote>True to the tradition of her native Egypt, where the peasant in the fields was never idle, Isis toiled without rest on behalf of her beloved human family, sheltering them on land and sea, banishing the storms that beset their lives, and stretching out to them the strong right hand of a Saviour....</blockquote> | ||
<blockquote>Certainly, Isis gives her children the sure hope of eternal salvation: but in return she demands of them unquestioning, even blind obedience, just as she subjects them to the most gruelling tests before they reach the haven of their rest....</blockquote> | <blockquote>Certainly, Isis gives her children the sure hope of eternal salvation: but in return she demands of them unquestioning, even blind obedience, just as she subjects them to the most gruelling tests before they reach the haven of their rest....</blockquote> | ||
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The Earth Mother takes dominion over the entire physical universe. | The Earth Mother takes dominion over the entire physical universe. | ||
<blockquote>''I was instructed by Hermes,''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''I was instructed by [[Hermes]],''</blockquote> | ||
The God of Science ordains the Mother to teach mankind the laws governing the plane of material manifestation. | The God of Science ordains the Mother to teach mankind the laws governing the plane of material manifestation. | ||
and with Hermes I invented the writings of the nations, in order that not all should write with the same letters. | |||
The communication of God-ideas and identifications through the written and spoken Word is the process whereby the Mother makes intelligible to her children the consciousness of the Father. | <blockquote>''and with Hermes I invented the writings of the nations, in order that not all should write with the same letters.''</blockquote> | ||
The communication of God-ideas and identifications through the written and [[spoken Word]] is the process whereby the Mother makes intelligible to her children the consciousness of the Father. | |||
<blockquote>''I gave mankind their laws, and ordained what no one can alter.''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''I gave mankind their laws, and ordained what no one can alter.''</blockquote> | ||
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The commandments of the Lord and the laws governing the release of energy from Spirit to Matter, indispensable to the well-being of man, are the unalterable expression of Spirit in Matter. | The commandments of the Lord and the laws governing the release of energy from Spirit to Matter, indispensable to the well-being of man, are the unalterable expression of Spirit in Matter. | ||
<blockquote>''I am the eldest daughter of Kronos.''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''I am the eldest daughter of Kronos.''<ref>Cronus, the earth god.</ref></blockquote> | ||
While the Mother embodies the consciousness of the Father in the plane of Matter-earth, her energies issue forth from the plane of Spirit-earth. | While the Mother embodies the consciousness of the Father in the plane of Matter-earth, her energies issue forth from the plane of Spirit-earth. | ||
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<blockquote>''I am she who is called the goddess of women....''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''I am she who is called the goddess of women....''</blockquote> | ||
The World Mother represents God in the Womb-man. | The [[World Mother]] represents God in the Womb-man. | ||
<blockquote>''I am she who separated the heaven from the earth.''</blockquote> | <blockquote>''I am she who separated the heaven from the earth.''</blockquote> | ||