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Isis-Seshat Journal Personal Post of the Fellowship of Isis Issue #35 Autumn 2012
Volume 9 Number 3
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September Blessing by Demetria Nanos
Lift a cup to the goddess of the vine, Geshtinanna Lift a cup to the goddess of the beer, Golden Siduri, Golden Siduri Lift a cup to the goddess of the dates, Inanna Inanna Inanna
May September be sweet and savory for thee! May the skies be clear and the stars guide thee! May the nights be restful and the days happy for thee!
Lift a cup to the Goddess!
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Isis-Seshat Journal Issue #35 Vol. 9 No.3 ISSN: 1552-082X
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Cover Art: The Metagalactic Rose, by Victoria Preobrazhenskaya ...... p.1 Inside Front Cover: September Blessing, by Demetria Nanos ...... p.2 Subscription Information ...... p.3 Letter From the Editor……………………………… ...... p.4 News Alerts ...... p.5 Alone, poem by Hennie Van Geel ...... p.5 News Digest From FOI Websites ...... p.6 Members’ Notices...... p.8 Prayer request from Nigeria ...... p.8 In Memoriam ...... p.9 Reviews ...... p.9 Great Goddess, Holy Breath of Being, poem by Wynn Manners ...... p.11 Report On Gathering at Clonegal Castle 25 August 2012, by David De Roeck ...... p.12 Special Guided Journey for the Dark Time of the Year, meditation by Lady Olivia Robertson……………………………………p.13 Stella Being, poem by David deRoeck………………………………………………………………………………………………….p.16 Spell-Working Is Not a Game, essay by Lady Skydancer…………………………………………………………………………….p.17 Iseum of Hathor, Lady of the West, article by Donna Swindells...... p.20 Pan: He Is All, essay by Sarah Kobuszko ...... p.21 About the Culture of Russian Spirit, essay by Victoria Preobrazhenskaya ...... p.22 Nephthys, a channeling by Sarah Rooke ...... p.30 Invocation of Maat, an account by Lady AMber Dawn ...... p.31 Tlachtga and the Ancient Roots of Halloween/Samhain, article by Luke Eastwood ...... p.32 A Matter of Life and Death, article by Jerry Gardner ...... p.35 Hekate, article by Duirin ...... p.37 Contemplating the FOI Manifesto, by Deena Butta ...... p.42 Goddess Festival forms ...... Contributors to this issue ...... Inside Back Cover: FOI Directory of Key Personnel ...... p.48 Back Cover: FOI Manifesto ...... p.55
Uncited artwork from Dover Publications and Microsoft Clip Art All legal rights reserved by the contributors.
ISIS-SESHAT SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Inside USA: $30 per year or $8 per issue, shipping included. Outside USA: $38 per year, or $10 per issue, shipping included
ISIS-SESHAT c/o Deena Butta 3334 W. Eastwood Ave. Chicago IL 60625-5334 USA
Please make checks out to “Deena Butta” with “magazine” in the memo line.
You may also send payment via Paypal to [email protected]
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Dear FOI Family,
My September Letter is usually a poorly constructed quickie because by now we are all up to our eyeballs in Goddess Festival planning: rehearsals, silk scarf painting, choreography, programming, correspondence, costume design, catering, and everything else connected with the Annual Chicago FOI Equinox Goddess Festival.
The closer we get to the Mayan Galactic Alignment of December 2012, the more my thoughts turn to wondering what the re-setting of this Galactic Clock will be like. Of course it will not be the end of the world in any prosaic sense. Will it be like the Times Square Ball Drop? If we think metaphorically, of course it will have much to do with “time squared” and “crystal ball.” Turning out the lights will allow us to simulate the experience of the psychic journey to Aquila and Lyra, the darkest part of our galaxy. This year’s Goddess Festival concerns this dark hole at the center.
We all have gone through personal darkness at some time in our lives. This alignment of sun and dark centers is very much like uniting yin with yang. Can they ever be united? How? We all know what happens when we try to push together the polarities of the magnet. “The difficulty of uniting Yin with Yang” is the subject of this year’s main liturgy, Magical Journey to Aquila and Lyra.
We strive to unite opposing principles, which reminds me of the statement made by Eckhart Tolle about this planet being an insane place, because of the human error of identifying with thought and emotion. Let us instead do this metaphorically. Let’s allow ourselves to drop into the Yin-Yang symbol to see what happens. We fall into the arms of a great swirling polarity. Is this the great mother and the great father? Perhaps we should not over-think and over-feel, since that is what seems to cause much misery on our planet. Lets return to the darkness of the womb and the brightness of emergence. Regardless of what happens we are safe in their arms. Is the uniting of egg and sperm the answer to the riddle? Maybe not, because the issue of polarity is theoretical. Yet indeed the only way to unite the polarities is through love..and to top thinking, stop feeling. We are made of love. Eros is the oldest of the gods and we are made of love.
The dark hole says to me that the increase in anxiety and insanity in our world is The Creator trying to figure itself out. We are fragments of the Great Mystery, the Creator, 7 or 8 billion fragments of The One manifesting as The many. We are…all of us…The One figuring itself out. We think of ourselves as children of the gods, and indeed our species does act like children. The wiser we think we are, the more we behave like children.
As we go forward into Autumnal Equinox and thence to Samhain, let’s celebrate this time of darkness and release. What a relief to release it all, and make room for something new. We must invite the new into our world, because the old is no longer working. Lets become the parent…to help God figure itself out. Let’s send healing light to God. It’s time for our species to become The Loving Parent.
The closer we get to Galactic Center Alignment, the more polarized our societies become. Polarities may be good and necessary in nature, but not so good in politics, religion, and other social situations. The more we try to unite them the faster they spring apart.
There is comfort in some concepts from the interesting book, A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. He says, “One can go so far as to say that on this planet “normal” equals insane. What is it that lies at the root of this insanity? Complete identification with thought and emotion, that is to say, ego." (article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_New_Earth)
It is a relief to let go of ceaseless thinking, ceaseless anxiety. Metaphorically speaking, humanity has dropped the ball…so let’s Drop The Ball. Let’s embrace the dark center of our galaxy at Aquila and Lyra, and welcome something truly new to which it is laboring to give birth. Where Inanna has gone, we may follow. Let your heart be at peace, and let your mind be at rest. May you have a Good Equinox, and a Blessed Samhain. See you at the Goddess festival! Blessings, Deena
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NEWS ALERTS
CONCERNING MALICIOUS RUMOURS ON FACEBOOK AND ELSEWHERE Negative and alarming messages of a dubious nature proliferate on the internet in general, and on Facebook in particular. FOI members never should believe information unless it comes directly and officially from Foundation Centre, and should not engage in communicating it further.
NOTICE FROM LADY OLIVIA ROBERTSON: ETHICS WITHIN THE FELLOWSHIP “In ISIS we rely not on rules and regulations, But on the Divine Power of Her Winnowing Wings of Protection. In Her we trust.”
“The Fellowship of Isis is all about developing an inner love of the Divine Feminine and the Sacred Masculine together. There is therefore an onus of integrity and responsibility upon every individual member to uphold and adhere to the principles and ideals of the Fellowship, as set out in the Manifesto.
It has come to our attention that the Fellowship of Isis with its friendly honour for all genuine faiths has, in certain cases, become misused to validate the illegal manipulation of vulnerable members leading to inappropriate behaviour and violation of boundaries. Often first contact is made through the social media leading on to illegal spiritual, emotional and physical abuse.
All members need to know that such sacrilegious desecration of the spiritual religion of The Goddess constitutes legitimate grounds for automatic expulsion from the Fellowship of Isis. It should be remembered that no secrecy or binding vow is sanctioned in the Fellowship. Any member has the right, at any time, to seek assistance from outside authorities.”
“I am She Who Was and Is and Is to Be. No mortal man hath lifted my veil.” Isis lifts her veil to those with loving hearts, Who seek the truth.
Alone by Hennie Van Geel
Summer's waning days shorten lovers left alone Nights are growing silencing birds and my dreams left alone will the equinox still find me searching for the light?
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News from FOI Websites
FELLOWSHIP OF ISIS CENTRAL SITE AND NEWS, http://www.facebook.com/groups/361723650498/ Sarah Rooke--Jul 17: “I am delighted to announce that the Rev Dawn Tottle of the Lyceum of Children of the New Dawn, has undergone her consecration on 16 July 2012 by attunement as Archdruidess in the Druid Clan of Dana. Her new Grove is called Children of the New Dawn, based at Fareham, UK. Dawn’s aims of her Grove are as follows:To bring community awareness to nature, paganism and all things and beings sacred to our Mother. To bring in children to actively participate in the ceremonies, whether by collecting flowers or handing out oak cookies. Children are our future and we must teach them wisely." --Jul 27: “I am pleased to report that over this Lughnasadh, Willow Jacky has been Ordained as a Priestess of Mab, the Morrigan and Isis in the Fellowship of Isis by attunement. Willow already has an Iseum called The Hearth of the Falling Stars. Iseum of the Morrigan and the Dagda is based in Stoke on Trent, UK. --Aug 1: New Mirror of Isis is out, mirrorofisis.freeyellow.com, Issue Number 145 Lughnasadh 2012 http://mirrorofisis.freeyellow.com/isiannewsofficialnewsletterofthefellowshipofisis/id244.html --Aug 1: “Many congratulations to the Rev Anne Novis, who has been consecrated this Lughnasadh as Archdruidess in the Druid Clan of Dana. Anne's new Grove is called Grove of the Black Crow and is based in London, UK. Grove of the Black Crow is dedicated to the mysteries of The Merlin, and the Triple Goddess aspect’s of Morgen, Modron and The Morrigan. Anne’s aims for her Grove are: To honour the Grove’s deitie; To honour the deities of this land and their connections to other lands; To honour all forms of life; To assist and teach others to connect to diverse life forms; To seek the mysteries of the ancients in all their guises; To celebrate the Wheel of the Year as it turns.” Well done Anne, and many congratulations! --August 18: “Many congratulations to the Rev Allen Gittens, who has now been initiated by attunement as Knight Commander in the Fellowship of Isis, Noble Order of Tara. Allen's new Priory is called the Priory of the Oak, and its aims are one of Truth, Honour and Justice, and to respect the Old Gods and protect our Sacred Sites, and give aid to those in need, and is based in Torquay, Devon. Well done mate!” --August 27: “… Rev Claire Stewart has been initiated by attunement this Bank Holiday Monday as Dame Commander in the Noble Order of Tara. Claire's new Priory is called the Priory of Gaia-Sophia and the Lantern, and is based in Northumberland.” --August 27: Rev Anne Novis has been initiated by attunement as Dame Commander in the Noble Order of Tara. Her Priory will be called the Priory of the Black Crow and is based in London. Magickal Hummingbyrd --August 23: “ A wonderful video interview with Fellowship Of Isis ArchPriestess Caroline Wise!” See the interview at http://www.open.edu/openlearn/history-the-arts/culture/religious-studies/video-interview-the- fellowship-isis#.T4YDl_rdC-E.facebook The Open University's Graham Harvey talks to Caroline Wise about the Fellowship of Isis. Linda Iles----August 23: “Ten Beautiful Photos from Dennis Murphy of Logic Reality have been uploaded to Fellowship of Isis Central. Dennis and Steven Jones of Logic Reality created the wonderful DVD titled Olivia: Priestess of Isis. Thank you for sharing these lovely photos, Dennis! --Leda and the Swan, a painting by Olivia Robertson, is shown in a photo by Caroline Wise, taken during Olivia's 95th birthday celebration earlier this year. “Love the rich colors!” --August 1: “For visits to Clonegal Castle, go to the central global website and click on Circle of Brigid. --August 1: Isian News is available. The cover features artwork by Olivia Robertson titled Maya and Kinich and Her Firebird. Deirdre Wadding-- August 27: Cait Branigan and Deirdre Wadding, Priestess-Hierophants of the Lyceum of the Three Mothers, wish to announce the beginning of this year's Priesthood training programme. The introductory meeting will take place at 12 noon on wed 19 Sept., and is open to all. After the introductory session, candidates will be required to make a full commitment if they choose to pursue training. Please phone Deirdre 0877742383 or Cáit on 0868550734. Caroline Wise-- July 29: Caroline inquired about tuning in to the FOI Rite Magical Journey to Aquila and Lyra, to be performed in Chicago at the Equinox Goddess Festival on Saturday, September 29. “Maybe some others on here would too. Can you announce the time of it nearer the date, please? I note that Philip Pullman uses Lyra as the name of his protagonist in the extraordinary His Dark Materials books. The girl Lyra leads the way beyond controlling and guilt based patriarchy and religious authority to a new way of understanding the
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'loss of innocence' in this re-visioning of Paradise Lost. So to me the constellation of Lyra symbolises a clean new guilt and sin free spirituality.” Attunement times will be announced shortly before September 29, which incidentally is the traditional Catholic festival of Archangel Michael…interesting because the goddess Niu Gwa to whom this rite is dedicated is an ancient dragon goddess who was known as the creator of all things. Archangel Michael has been recognized as the master of the dragon power of the ley lines as well as master of the dragon symbolizing negative entities. The medium John Edward recommends reciting the traditional Prayer to St. Michael, or simply calling on Archangel Michael, at times when strong negative forces are present. --August 25: Caroline Wise has been invited to speak at an event in Italy. I will be presenting a talk for Antica Quercia on The origins, Ethos and Practice of The Druid Clan of Dana, including the rich history of the Fellowship of Isis and the influences that led to its foundation. This will be the expanded version of The Call of Isis by Olivia Robertson that Caroline published in 1993, and based on her talk The Pre- History of the FOI that she gave to the Pagan Federation's 40th anniversary last year. There will also be a workshop, The Horned Goddess - Elen of the Ways: Restoration and Evolution of a Lost Archetype. Elen is the Goddess Caroline brought to public pagan attention from the 1980s. She is very apt for a Druidic event. For more information visit http://www.anticaquercia.com/ Caroline will present a second workshop on the Sunday called Blessings of the Sun and Moon which looks at the interplay of energies between the solar and lunar deities.
FELLOWSHIP OF ISIS CENTRAL BLOG http://fellowshipofisiscentral.blogspot.com Linda Iles-- August 26: A new photo taken by Caroline Wise of Olivia Robertson with the artist Lucy Raverat, has been uploaded to Olivia Robertson's Online Log on Fellowship of Isis Central. http://fellowshipofisiscentral.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-photo.html
ASCENSION OF ISIS http://www.facebook.com/groups/161179523978873/ David de Roeck --July 30: “To one and all with great joy I would like to announce that two Ascendi have been raised up by attunement to Hem Hwt nTr. This is the 4th degree Magi and I would like you all to welcome Hennie Van Geel, Hem Hwt nTr, and Máire Doyle, Hem Hwt nTr, as brother and sister priest\priestess. With their vocation to the spiritual ethos of the Mystery school tradition, AOI and FOI, I know and trust wonderful things will be following shortly. So in this ever changing globe that we share it is becoming ever brighter by the path of those who are willing to lead away forward Blessings to all and my humble congratulations to our new Ascendi Hem Hwt nTr. Words by Hennie Ascendi Hem Hwt nTr:
This is the morning of Light, my Heart shines. Goddess awaiting help is that a blasphemy or just a simple fact? Goddess asking help to bring the Love back to the living Goddess' call forever the reason of the Light in my heart
FOI HOMEPAGE ARCHIVE Connia Silver--August 21, 2012 Communion With The Goddess. Idols, Images and Symbols of the Goddesses: India, Another book from the "Communion with the Goddess Series" by the late Lawrence Durdin-Robertson has been uploaded. You may find it at www.fellowshipofisis.com/ldr7_india.pdf The Writings of Lawrence Durdin-Robertson Our continuing thanks to the Durdin-Robertson family for permission to publish these works, and a special thanks to T. Lynn of the Iseum of the Mystic Isis, for her proofreading skills. You may read the book at http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/lawrenceworks.html Please also see our blog for the most highlighted audio and artwork of Olivia Robertson, http://foihomepage.blogspot.com/
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MEMBERS’ NOTICES
From Lorna Goshman: Lorna’s brother, the late Tauronn Paganus, published his Occasional Papers in 1991. Lorna is making her brother’s work available for sale now. These scholarly writings by this well known FOI member are informative and thought- provoking.
Modern Pagan Vices, 9 pages, Number 1 in the series of Occasional Papers published by Mother Earth College of Ontario, Canada, c1991 Tauronn Paganus. Postage paid US $2.60, elsewhere $6.60.
Nehushta, 30 pages, Number 2 in the series of Occasional Papers published by Mother Earth College of Ontario, Canada, c1991 by Tauronn Paganus. Postage paid US $3, elsewhere $8.
Both for $3.80 postage paid US, $11.30 postage paid elsewhere.
These Occasional Papers may also be purchased in person at the FOI Chicago Goddess Festival for $3 and $6, or both for $8, with no postage fee.
From Anastasia Fennel: Jean Foster’s book, Temple Beautiful: The Lyceum, is available on Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, and Amazon Kindle. Victoria Preobrazhensky granted to Jean the use of Her Painting to design her book in mystic art style. Part two of Temple Beautiful will be available in 2013. Members with lovely divine manuscripts can ask for help with publishing and editing, formatting for the tip, after publishing. We accept only manuscripts dedicated to the Divine- Cosmic Mother of Ten Thousand Names. We can publish on Lulu, Amazon, iBOOK, NOOK, Barnes and Noble, Kindle.
From Sorita D’Este: The long-awaited book THRACIAN MAGIC by Georgi Mishev is now available for pre-order from our website, http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/catalogue/hellenismos/thracian-magic with a release date of 21 September 2012. “Thracian Magic is a truly unmissable work which opens the treasure trove of Balkan folklore and magical practice to a wider audience for the first time, and in doing so expands the horizons of European magic to new levels. This unique and ground-breaking book combines scholarship and practice, as Georgi Mishev provides a thorough and detailed overview of the magical practices of Bulgaria and the surrounding Balkan countries, tracing them from the ancient world through Christian and Islamic overlays to their existing forms." You may also want to take advantage of our very generous August Special Offers, valid only until the end of this month, http://avaloniabooks.co.uk/special-offers
PRAYER REQUEST FROM NIGERIA
Our friend and FOI Priest, Vincent Akpabio of the Lyceum of the Aquarian Isis, updates us about the extreme difficulties people are experiencing in Kano State, Nigeria.
Here are excerpts from his letter: "...Sister Deena, truly since we entered 2012, we in this part of our country (Northern Nigeria and Kano State in particular) have not been at ease due to terrorist attacks. The one in Kano occurred on the evening of 01/01/12. The night of 01/01/12 was a war between the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram and the Federal troops. In no history of my33 years staying or living in Kano, this was the most bloody day I had ever experienced. Many people lost their lives. Myself and my family members were protected and safe. This event marked a turning point in Kano State as many non-indigenous (those from southern part of Nigeria) fled or left Kano State and economic situation in Kano crumbled. Even at the moment of writing many non-Kano indigenous are still relocating their selves from Kano. Normalcy has not been restored but Federal troops are doing their best to protect the citizens and their property. On Sundays churches are always under tight security and sometimes back
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Please keep Vincent and his family and his people in your prayers! Write to him at: Vincent Akpabio P. O. Box 14949 Kano NG 700213 Kano State Nigeria
In Memoriam Steven Browne, of the Arch Druid Union and the Grand Commander Union
Steven owned and operated the Universal Pathways retreat center with his wife Mary Browne in Berne NY. He was killed in a tractor accident on July 24, 2012 while tending this beautiful land as a true Gael Knight of Tara. May Osiris welcome Steven to his Hall with much love and kindness.
REVIEWS
Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story / by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor. – Viking, c2009. Reviewed by Deena Butta As a lifelong devotee of the goddess Persephone, and a relatively recent devotee of Sue Monk Kidd, I couldn’t wait to read this book. I was not disappointed. In an internal sort of way, it was a contemporary visit to the Eleusinian Mysteries, and the author is aware of and honors Eleusis and the pilgrimage to it. The book is a nonfiction account of alternating parallel experiences by Sue and Ann, who are mother and daughter. I love Sue’s writing, which is deeply thoughtful, honest, original, graceful, and articulate. The Mermaid Chair and The Secret Life of Bees were fiction; but this memoir radiates the same archetypal power. Sue and Ann were raised Protestant, and do not claim to be Jungians, Pagans or Wiccans. Yet they totally connected with the archetypes of underworld, grieving mother, lost daughter, and metamorphosis. They had planned an ordinary journey to Greece and France. But because they have always taken dreams seriously and diligently record them, the journey opened levels of consciousness they did not anticipate. They came to realize their experiences as metaphor, which allowed them to comprehend synchronous events that occurred. Over the course of a two-year journey through a very dark Underworld, they met local people who shared stories and experiences with them, and who essentially gave them back their lives. The trips to France and Greece do not take them to ordinary tourist venues, but to ancient places of power you will enjoy
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10 discovering through their eyes. Especially unforgettable is the taxi driver who at first did not want to take them to Eleusis, arguing that it had become forlorn, desolate, and disappointing. He was reluctant despite their insistence. But then his eyes fell on the small red glass pomegranates they wore around their necks. He suddenly became very quiet, and agreed to take them. The book is filled with surprising legends of miraculous madonnas and old women, icons with a will of their own, trees that tell magical stories, and more. The magic of this book will work in your soul and show you one way in which Persephone and Demeter emerge from the underworld and bring with them the gifts of peace and healing.
Power Crystals: Spiritual and Magical Practices, Crystal Skulls, and Alien Technology / by John De Dalvo. – Destiny Books, c2012. Reviewed by Deena Butta This book is an excellent, balanced introduction to a wide variety of crystals, and their physical and metaphysical properties. The author has interviewed authorities who have had much experience with a variety of crystals, and who share thoughtful, unique first-hand information about their experiences. There are 4 main parts to the book. The introduction discusses the author’s fascination with quartz, and explains why he wrote the book. Part 1 covers everything you need to know about quartz: what it is, its history, psychic studies involving it, and healing with it. Part 2 presents research, interviews, and scientific studies involving crystal skulls. Part 3 discusses scrying, meditating, and healing with quartz crystals. Part 4 offers fascinating information about the relationship of quartz crystals to Atlantis, alien implants, the space time matrix, and the author’s life with quartz crystals. Throughout the book, the author focuses on what can be documented by experts who are knowledgeable, thorough and articulate in their descriptions. Some unique and practical sections include techniques for achieving higher states of consciousness using both traditional and channeled meditations. The emphasis is on presenting a variety of approaches Many photographs and color plates, footnotes, and a bibliography are included. This book is an excellent foundation in learning about quartz crystals because the author has remained grounded in what is verifiable at the same time he presents a variety of practical material that is diverse and interesting.
The Sacred Key: Hymns To Egypt’s Divine Places / written, performed, and produced by Gary Lyon – distributed by Iseum Temple Harakhte, Charlottesville VA, c1993 Gary Lyon – (434) 245-8629 – www.templeharakhte.org Reviewed by Deena Butta How I have missed this wonderful, special, and unique album, which I used to own on audiotape and played until it wore out…and how thrilled and grateful I am that it is available again, as a CD! The music is perfect for meditation, or for Pharaonic dance. The sound quality of the CD is great, whether played loudly or softly. There are 11 tracks expressing the quality of sacred places in Egypt, along with two unnamed tracks, one of which invokes Isis. The slow and stately tempo hardly varies from track to track, although the melodies, instrumentations, rhythms, and vocalizations are different for each. You will enjoy hearing the ancient Egyptian words being chanted and vibrated resonantly and powerfully while being enhanced by the musical renderings. Equally effective are the celestial voices and wordless chants which harmonize beautifully with the instrumental melody. The volume level is even and consistent without being monotonous or repetitious. All of this makes it easy to relax into the music and allow your consciousness to shift without being distracted by changes in volume. The beautiful, evocative melodies awaken a longing to be in the Egypt of your dreams and memories. This album is like coming home. It will bring joy to your heart, your ears, and especially to your spirit.
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Great Goddess, Holy Breath of Being by Wynn Manners
Dear Goddess, You are my heart*hope's longing of soul*sweet's remembrance of Home in You before this incarnation began...
This Earth is bodied in the Heaven of You and You are bodied as this Earth, too!
Oh, Beloved, the endless Expanse of You -- inturning the Outer into the Innermost, revealing the Innermost into the Outer!
Our love for You is the Gateway into the Heaven of You; this whole world is a matrix of a cross-dimensionality of consciousnesses (our dreams, fore-shadowings), with You the Weave that interlinks All That Is.
In the slow Dance of the galaxies You are the Cosmic Flow; and You are the Surge of Love crescendoing Being with being that we live inside the Secret where Your Mystery dances the whirl of the Universes, themselves -- *inside* us, too, that this even be known!
Out of the aloneness, out of the Silence, You were the First Wave of Being into being... the Originator of All that is. And You are the Reality that ever-is.
Enveloping All-That-Is, o wonder of wonders that You commingle with *us*, as the pure Love within us, unfolding today.
Why has the Divine Existence of You chosen to be the love enfleshed as *us*? -- that we realize, more deeply, *other* glorious things You are doing in Your everlasting effectiveness from the depths of Truth Revealing?
Great Goddess, the cries of the future are being heard *now*! Change is essential... and in the surgings of the Feminine Spirit new directions are discerned.
Whispers of hope reassure and activate each who takes upon he/rself the Great Discipline of the Mother.
Like Breath of Being upon our hands lifting up to You in reverence and adoration, You are faithful in Your sojourn with us, within us, as Living Divine Energy *Causing* the Changes, Breathing thru us, *as* us.
When we come to You in purity & integrity, You awaken us.
You are no longer hidden to those who *know* Your Presence. "She lives here!" exclaims each awakening consciousness in You.
You live as the Spirit of Loving Mercy.
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Report of Festival at Clonegal Castle 25 August 2012 by David de Roeck Ascendi Wi nTraA
Setting off on my journey to Clonegal with gentle mistlike rain, and with wishes wisping in and out of my forethoughts of sunnier climes, I stopped at my obligatory station for diesel and vanilla-flavoured coffee. Musing on the idea of would it save me to go with cinnamon apple muffin, deal with ordinary coffee, or the vanilla hazelnut coffee and no muffin, ‘twas simple as shafts of sunlight graced the vanilla coffee dispenser. Mind made up, coin paid, and journeyed onward. I was anticipating a day of mirth and merriment as the clouds, runcible in countenance, evaded each other like ducks on pond and cast mystical shadows across the fields. As I drove towards the celebrations, I was uplifted to say the least. Turning into the tree lined avenue, the way leading to the castle was sumptuous with greens, golds, blues and lavenders. Flora was indeed a Goddess today. With the reassuring crunching sound of tyres on gravel I alighted from my chariot into the courtyard theatre coffee shop buzzing with energies and chit chat of new and old passengers on this spiritual train we were about to board.
Greeting and hugging warmly those known and yet to be known as we are all one in the great make-up of things so restrained I must say I am not? Then from the Castle entrance Lady Olivia spritely walked across the pristine gravel courtyard to the theatre, our usual greeting posed and received with the knowing of wonders to come. Lady Olivia introduced a world renowned physic, an FOI member from America who had come for the festival from Milan as he had been on tour there. We had several other visitors from America, Holland and the UK, plus our more local ones who now reside in the Emerald Isle. It often has the effect of feeling I have come home, and all we need now is a more conducive climate.
We all entered the theatre and sat in a giant circle in the chairs provided. Lady Olivia took to her feet and regaled us with wondrous tales of recent events and characters she had encountered. Then she turned to me she said, “now we are going to hear predictions of what is to come for the rest of 2012 and especially the ending months of this year (Julian Calendar).” She then reposed in a rattan peacock chair that one would find in the raj. I duly stood and endeavoured to make my predictions as clear and sequential as possible, paying due diligence to the positive premise that “I and we” will be enjoying many more festivals in 2013 and beyond.
We than in procession went from the theatre through the ancient granite wall to the gardens with powerful chants and drumming coming from our gifted sister priestess Deirdre around the orchard midway to the fountain, then across the manicured lawns to the temple entrance of Persephone, where a Priestess, Maureen, invoked the energy of Persephone. “All Hail Persephone!” rang out as we entered the main temple through this most sacred portal, moving in line to the gate-keep Andrew who granted us all permission to enter.
At the well of Brigid all the priesthood invoked Goddess and Gods appropriate to this wondrous rite in many tongues, culminating in the blessed waters being handed to four priestesses to give blessing to all present, and the showing of the Grail of the new Aeon. Then on to a priestess in trance with Isis, who gave an efficacious oracle to all as energies swirled around the temple like pipe smoke in a cosy thatched cottage warming and comforting with hope.
Then Lady Olivia asked if our guest from across the water would give predictions or answer questions from those present, and in true fashion he spoke eloquently of love, the divine, and the perfect now with all being as they should be “perfect in the mirror of perfection.” A few questions later as time slipped as it does when enthralled by gifted and wonderful people surrounding you, we had come to the blessings, and thanked the Gods and Goddess for being with us we remembered in prayers and thoughts all those who are part of our greater circle, who are in need or are helping those feeling like a drop of water in the ocean. We were and are all one. Then priests and priestesses gave healing and counseling to those who wanted it.
I would like to say we went down to our local hostelry, Osborne’s…but alas, myself, Lady Olivia, Andrew, and the guest went to Olivia rooms where we talked; laughed; discussed; philosophized; drank tea; had cake, cheese, and
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crackers, and a most heart-warming port. It was then time to journey forth back to our respective abodes and allow our most gifted hostess a well-earned rest, as it was indeed a day of mirth, merriment, and wisdom.
I thank you all for being in my thoughts as I remembered you who remember me Blessings to you and yours.
(Thank You to David De roeck, Temple of Isis Michigan, Ascension of Isis, and FOI Central Site and News)
Special Guided Journey for the Dark Time of the Year by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson
The lovely thing about the religion of the Mother as well as of the Father is that you are born of the Mother, you are part of Her, so you are divine, you contain within yourself a part of the Mother. It’s just one part, so it is unique to each individual, it is original. And that is a good thing. To acknowledge the good in others makes for happiness - not just oneself - but for all those whose life you may touch. There is a bit of the divine in everybody and that divinity is real. Sometimes we need to ‘rekindle’ our flame of divinity by returning to the Divine Source of All - to the Mother.
For some this is a dark time of the year. It all begins November 1 - the Gaelic New Year. Food was out for the fairies, October 31st to November 3rd, it was the same for the ancient Egyptians. This same time of year they mourned the god Osiris, who was murdered - but Isis brought him to life again. The ancient Egyptians celebrated his death and resurrection at the same time of year, during Samhain.
This time of year is wonderful for meditation and reflection. I see people in dreams and visions. I love helping these people I meet in dreams. So many of you, Aset Shemsu, like those in my dreams, I may never meet. But you also can help. Or perhaps, you need help yourself. Perhaps you may be feeling a bit lonely or though you may be in a group, you may feel separated from the others for some reason - on your own, alone. I suggest you relax and take a magical journey with me to the stars. Absolutely relax. You can become very relaxed and very happy, and as you feel happiness come in, don’t lose consciousness and drift into sleep - it’s awfully easy to drop off to sleep. Just shut your eyes so you can see better and visualize.
And I want you now to realize how holy and beautiful our Mother Earth is. And you allow yourself to sink through the floor, sink, sink, sink. And the earth is insubstantial, it’s like a mist, it’s beautiful and you realize that in the centre of the earth is a sun. And that sun in its magical form is the hearth of the Goddesses. This is the home of the Goddesses. And as you approach you find yourself in the inner earth, the psychic earth. And it’s circular, beautiful like a rock cave. There’s a lovely fire, hearth fire like a globe of light. And round the fire are seated three figures, they are the earth goddesses. They appear, you can’t see them very clearly because they are robed. But they want you to honor your roots, do not be ashamed of having a physical earthly body, do not be afraid of the sort of evolution of animals, trees, earth, plants, you are a part of this earth. And you sit there and you allow any worries, or any torments that you have, guilt or fear, or unhappiness of any sort to come up, because in the presence of the Mothers, and in silence, you don’t share it with me or anyone else, you tell the Mothers about your sorrow. Maybe you were abused, maybe, worse, you abused, maybe you hurt, maybe you were hurt, maybe you killed, maybe you were killed, maybe you have been unhappy, or you have
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made others weep. All this tell the Mothers and they will take this from you and by alchemy transform it into an energy of growth. (So for a few moments we will be silent.)
Glows the holy fire of Brigid in the centre of the earth. Softly glows the fire of Brigid in the womb that giveth birth.
And you know now that you may come to the Mothers at any time when you are unhappy. And especially before you go to sleep. And the Mothers give you a key. This key will bring you to the spheres, a key through all the spheres. When you think of this, it may be a flower, an emblem, a picture, something you like. You hold it in your hand. And you are told now you have been introduced to this lovely realm, the warm hearth, the circle, loving friends. You suddenly are aware that you can be in touch with those who have passed into the world of spirit. They love you still. These are the ones who haven’t moved on very, very much. They’ve just passed on recently. They are here.
Now you find yourself slowly rising up through the earth up and up, and you come into the earth’s atmosphere. And now it’s a completely different atmosphere. This is extraordinary. You see the pale faced moon in all her radiance and a lovely, lovely rainbow round it. The moon is Hathor's Mirror. For the moon not only reflects the light of the sun, in a gentler way it reflects the heavens, every star that it faces is reflected in the moon. And you draw near to the inner spiritual moon that which mirrors forth your dreams. The moon is the place of dreams, and you have dreams and there is nothing wrong with dreaming because they’re your hope of the future. Here you have visions of the future, the earth is your past, the mirror shows forth your wishes.
And as you come you enter into the Temple of the Moon. And it’s beautiful, it’s circular and very big and shining and lovely. So beautiful, the colors, they keep shifting, you get the idea of rather angelic looking beings like faeries. And here is a pool, in the centre, the Well of the World’s End. And beyond it you see three figures. Have you seen them before? They’re wearing veils. These are the Moon Goddesses. They are those who are and will be, and no one lifts their veil. But you may look into the pool and this is the Pool of The Heart’s Desire. Here you can imagine what you hardly dare hope for as you look into the still waters. Do this. That which is impossible can happen here. A lovely face. The edges filled amethyst and gold is once more the old blue flower of the moon there where the ether like a diamond glows, the soul knows itself in beauty. This is the place of your soul. You may see glimpses of past lives, glimpses of hope. Now you may imagine what you want, look in this pool, and project what you want. You don’t get what you want, you get what you need. What the Goddess of Dreams will give you. Which will not harm anyone else. Yours is no selfish wish, so you see it in it’s truth. (pause)
You feel a feeling of hope, it’s as if some Spiritual Being is helping you, helping you to make a good dream. This is the realm of the Faery Folk if you know Faery Lore, Nature Spirits. You feel lovely people are helping you to create what you’d like, lovely woodland scenes are here shimmering in the light, distant mountain peaks that you long to climb, wonderful colored skies, all like a mirage, and yet you are told that this is more real than earth because what is imagined here becomes on earth. We are such stuff indeed as dreams are made of. And yet just when we are really happy and we would like to settle in here in this world of dreams, we are told we must move on. God, Goddess expects us to be active. So rather reluctantly we go away and we are told to approach to the sovereign sun.
Ah, our sun, part of the Milky Way and we are told to approach the Great Temple of the Sun in the etheric realm. So we rise towards the sun. And we see this temple from outside cause it is flanked by mighty sphinxes and golden steps. We’ve seen this in our dreams - it’s majesty. We climb up the steps and pass the sphinxes. And we enter into the hall of the sun which is octagonal and mighty, great pillars and yet there are gardens all around it. This is the place of the sacred beasts, the lions, the bulls and cows, the eagles, the place of angels. And we need energy and vitality, there’s a fountain of life pouring itself out in golden rays. But we do need help again. This isn’t a place of so much of faeries but of our totem animal. In nature we have a totem animal or more, or a bird. And this being helps us to relate to nature and bring us the fire of life. So now in silence we allow our own totem animal to manifest to us. (pause)
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There’s an old friend indeed. This animal will protect us on our souls journeys. When we take these journeys we need protection. This is good. Wonderful. And we think we’d like to stay here, this is beautiful, strong, and we feel now a glow in our solar plexus. We have the shining brow of the moon and now we feel strong in heart and plexus, we are strong, we have the power of the sun within us, we can hold the golden spear of the goddess Brigid and the wonderful solar shield of the goddess Minerva with a Medusa in it, that which is the sun with it’s rising rays. We are strong, we are powerful what do we need? We need something else, we are human. We need spirituality, something in us that longs for purest spirit. We must go further. Place of our longings.
And we face the wonderful stars of the Summerland. Orion, Sirius of our Milky Way, body of the Goddess Nut, it’s holy darkness scattered with stars. And we begin to rise up and now we know the music of the spheres. As we approach Sirius we hear the sound that every star, every planet lets forth a sound. We hear this. The Heart Beat of the Universe. It gets stronger, it’s like an angelic choir as we approach the Temple of the Heavenly Twins, the Divine Goddess and God. And we see before us a shining temple reaching to the stars. The Temple of Isis and of Osiris, we enter. This is the place of Isis and of Osiris, of Freya and Freyr, Magdalena and Christ, Radha and Krishna, Vishnu and Lakhsmi, Sarasvati and Brahma, Quetzacoatl and Coatlique, this is the place of the goddess and god in perfect harmony. Because only in the harmony of the Goddess and God can the Holy Spirit appear with it’s two beautiful wings. And we see the forms of the God and Goddess, we cannot, they are so dazzingly brilliant we can’t see very much. But we see above them a Spiritual Being with great, mighty wings. The Divine Spirit. And we enter that state of bliss some call ecstasy. It’s like fire and lightening comes through us. We are at one. We do not war with ourselves. We are at one. We are at peace. And we are told we still have the key of the spheres - we‘ve always had it - but we had forgotten our true identity and origin. We must remember this to better continue and complete our earthly work.
So we find ourselves in the center of the galaxy which we have been told by scientists is a mighty black hole, but we don’t see that. We just see earth, is it earth and a little hut and a fire in it. And we feel an awe we never felt before the great temples. Because we know what this is. We approach the hut, we bend our heads to get in. It is the place of the Fates. There is a fire and three women are sitting round. One, young and dreaming, one kindly and loving and one very, very old. And they are weaving the web of the universe. And yet of each individual person is precious, every flower, every leaf, everything, it’s beautiful. Their fingers weave, they never speak. But we are told to sit down, and we may now weave our own destiny. (pause) And we see it’s beautiful on the whole, but incoherent, we haven’t done very much, we pull out some threads we don’t like, and we put in something beautiful, we begin to see a pattern in our own destiny that we haven’t made before. We begin to weave it into meaning. Because we could, yes, we could cooperate with other people. We see their patterns and we’re all intermingled and suddenly our own pattern has a meaning and it gets so interesting, we decide we could sit here forever. But when we think this, we are told ‘no.’ We must come back to earth, but first we must view Sirius, Star of Isis.
We do not rise, we do not travel, instead, we are told to look into the fire. And we see an expansion within, as we realize the universe is like a magical fractal. We look deeply at the little fire - three crossed logs tended by the three women. And as we look at the fire, to our amazement, the flames become the light of the star, Sirius. The flame is Sirius. And still the Norns, the Fates are there. And we begin to feel we are diminishing in consciousness as we begin our return to earth. But we will remember all of this.
The flame now becomes the sun, the place of energy, the sun is changing, it’s becoming the moon, and even as we look, it becomes the center of the earth, and then we are told to come back, back, back to a room with three women seated. And one woman is holding a magical little wand with a red flashing light, and that is the inner fire. And we are back. And in this state of peace and happiness, of eternal harmony, we know we are eternal beings. We live forever and we live now. And we send out thoughts of healing and help and hope to any who need this divine consciousness, for the divine consciousness is within you. And we give thanks to the Goddess in whatever form she’s come and to the God. Amen. Baraka. So be it.
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Stella Being By David De Roeck
You said you knew the Dagda, Fodla and the Sidhe;
You said if I would listen you would grant their magick to me;
You told me of the Duir the Ruis and the Saille;
You said in months I honoured my magick nor would fail;
Yet watched you have as land is slough and cliff-face are corrupt;
Yet word not from your gouging mountains waiting to erupt;
Then what of those who blindly while prostrate on temple floor;
Faith in Omnipresent Gods listens for a closing door;
Say what of those devotees of Mammon’s holy grip;
Will salient force, avengers strip their luxurious ship;
And what of those with carefree lives not pondering of a jot;
If such a thing as an end is coming will they be on the spot;
So as we hurtle Samhain bound the Mayan calendar’s curtain;
Whether our Stella schism goes bang or slurp none I know are certain;
So waste not life’s true force intent on what others say you’re seeing;
Be true to your path loving life itself and know that you are a Stella Being:
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Spell-Working is Not a Game By Lady Skydancer
Spell working is the common name given to a particular kind of conjuration. Some even go so far as to mistakenly equate spellworking with a form of prayer. When I see comments such as this, I have to worry because it points out just how much the neo-pagan movement has separated itself from the old ways. Spellworking is a solitary practice except in very unique circumstances eg: coven work.
From Webster's Dictionary we find the following definition of "SPELL": [Middle English, talk, tale, from Old English; akin to Old High German spel talk, tale]
First appeared 1579
1 a: a spoken word or form of words held to have magick power: INCANTATION b: a state of enchantment 2: a strong compelling influence or attraction
As we can see, the word "spell" has been part of our language for a very long time. The word refers to magick (the act of creating change in accordance with will) however, it is not the word that contains the power or enacts "change" in and of it.
Spellworking is a formula. Like any formula, there are many elements to a "spell". "Working" is defined in Webster's as:”Engaged in bodily toil; laborious; industrious; taking an active part”. In the word alone, is the explanation that there is more to a spell than the incantation of words. There is a great deal of labour involved in creating change.
When a website, book, or teacher presents poems and rhyming words to novices as a formula for creating change in one’s life, they are unintentionally misleading students and seekers by applying the focus to the words, as opposed to the labour and energy. They almost always leave out the part about responsibility for the changes that are created through spell working.
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I get requests, on a regular basis, for spells. Most of the requests I get are for love spells or money spells. When I teach spells to my own students I teach them the skills necessary for making spells, but a spell is a very individual and precise conjuration that must be specifically tailored to each particular situation. If I gave someone a general formula for getting money and they didn't tailor it to fit the exact situation, they might follow it exactly and find that they had destroyed the very reason that they were trying to get the money. So I always remind students, be careful what you wish for, or, be precise.
I once knew a lovely but naive man who thought himself a great Magician and Conjurer. He wanted to get a great deal of money to give to a friend who was in need of it to improve his life circumstances. As a magician he focused his attention, time and energy to the attainment of the money. He performed a great and powerful ritual to cause the universal powers to deliver the money to his friend. Within a year, the lovely man had died and his entire estate went to his friend. The friend couldn’t enjoy it, and no longer followed his Pagan beliefs. I suppose this Magick worked in its own way. I know this is a tragic story, but it shows the need to be specific in what you ask for in ALL magical workings
Magick works. Magick works in powerful ways. Magick is not discriminating. Magick has no conscience. Magick has nothing at all to do with religion or spiritual path. Magick is the great power of the universe directed in a specific way to create change. Magick is not for children, amateurs or the undisciplined.
It takes many years of hard work and study with a wise and experienced teacher to learn the skills of magick. It is not something that you can learn just out of books because no respectable, experienced or worthy teacher will put all the secrets of magick into the hands of the unschooled.
The first thing that a teacher will work on with the student is various forms of character building and energy working. This is to ensure that there is a solid foundation upon which to place the knowledge. Trust, truth, patience and clarity of vision are key elements to learning the magickal arts. The second sets of lessons are of discipline. The mind and the body must both be trained to obey the conjurer. Some spells require hours, or even days, of work and/or physical attendance along with mental focus upon a single thought or idea.
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How many hours can you stand before a cauldron over a hot fire and stir it in a specific pattern while holding a single vision in your mind and chanting? Give it a try sometime. Build a campfire, set up a cauldron on a tripod, fill the cauldron up with water and get a long spoon and start to stir while chanting "Mary had a little lamb" and visualising the Coca-Cola logo in the water. I know I may sound flippant in saying this, but it is something to consider when spells involve brewing and seven day candle burning. Can you do that until the water boils down to a single cup without taking a break? It’s not easy!!!
Now, that is a stereotypical scenario however, real spell work requires this kind of discipline of both mind and body.
The next part comes in the clarity of mind and thought that is required to formulate the spell in advance of the actual labour. Consider Spell Working like the game of Chess. You have give long consideration to the work that you are to undertake. Do you know the result of each and every change that you are about to make in the fabric of the universe? If you ask for someone to fall in love with you, you are taking away the free will of another human being. How would you like it if someone that you don't like should force you to his or her will? This is the equivalent to being kidnapped and brainwashed. If that is what you really want to do, what price are you willing to pay for it?
There is a physical law which states that, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Some call this Karma, we call it The Rede. There is another law that teaches us that whenever an object is moved from one place to another, the void left in the space the object originally occupied, will be filled. What will go in that space? In short, if you want a new house, you may have to give up your new car to get it. Are you clever enough to overcome the physical laws of the universe to achieve your goals? How many moves ahead can you conceptualise? The wonderful thing about chess and other board games is that there is an end to the game, and it is only a game. The tricky thing about spellworking is that there is IT IS REAL.
©Rev. Lady Skydancer May 2012
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Iseum of Hathor Lady of the West: Hospice Work by Rev. Donna Swindells
Being in nursing for over 20 years, I some hospice care for several patients. I also was with patients who pass over into the afterlife, holding their hand and talking to them.
Over the years, I called for a Priest for Catholic patients, family members for others, or a minister for another. It was a common experience to be with a patient who would see their beloved family members. Some saw their mothers, some husbands or wives. When this would happen, I knew that they were close to their time to depart this plane.
These experiences and meeting Hathor in Egypt was the reason for founding the Iseum of Hathor Lady of the West. For people of the God/Goddesses, Pagan/Witch spiritual paths, who have no clergy to call, no spiritual comfort or support, I hope to give the students monthly meditations, and explore the guides and Deities who help us in the time where we leave our earthly shell, and are embraced by Divine Love and ecstatic bliss.
Each person in the Iseum will have their own prayers, and we will together work on Rituals for several paths: Egyptian, Greek & Roman, Celtic, Norse and Native American. I leave it up to each student whether they want their prayers and Rituals printed. I hope they do, it will be a guide for those who need it. They would have their names on their work.
The subject of preparing for our passing over into eternal life in so imporatant. Especially for Pagans of all spiritual paths, there are not enough clergy trained to give spiritual help, support and comfort at their time of passage. Six students passed and they worked in five diiferent pantheons. It is a year-long course, where the students do a lot of meditative and contemplative prayer. They learn to write not only their own rite of passage, but an additionall one. A family member or someone they feel close to or a best friend is the way to write a passage for someone besides themselves. They have composed their own prayers to the many Deities we have worked and explored with.
One student needed this Iseum for support for caring for her dying Mother. The Iseum is one that is needed, when there is no one around but you. I finished my first year, and have students wanting to join when I begin again.
I promised Hathor, who is Love Herself, that my iseum would do work that would help people who have no one for their passing over into the afterlife. When this Iseum, named for Hathor, Lady of the West, was approved by Lady Olivia Robertson, I took it as a sign that this is the work Hathor approves of. The Egyptians knew how important the afterlife was. Anyone who owned a Book of the Dead was a fortunate person of means.
Hathor leaves a deep impression on one's soul. Some of the students are starting their own journey to Her. She is revealing Herself slowly to them. Once touched by Her, they will never be the same.
May The Goddess of all delights always be with you, Donna Swindells Iseum of Hathor, Lady of the West
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Pan: He Is All by Sarah Kobuszko
Maybe some of us might remember first encountering the Great God Pan in reading the British children’s classic book ‘The Wind in the Willows’ by Kenneth Grahame. The seventh chapter entitled ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ shows the meeting of Mole and Ratty with Pan, who has taken into his care Otter’s young missing son. Pan wipes the animals’ memories of this magical meeting, in case this ‘awful’ (as in awsome) experience should remain with them and overshadow everything else in their lives. This is rather true isn’t it? The thought of a bodily, face to face meeting with God, and then having to return to an ordinary day to day existence without God being physically present might leave everything a bit grey perhaps.
Pan, known to have lived in rustic Arkadia, is a Greek god of many attributes. At the same time both pastural and wild, cultured and lustful: he encourages music, poetry and literary criticism, but leads the hunt and can bring panic to the lonely walker. According to myth, Pan enjoyed an afternoon sleep at around 12pm ( do not call upon Pan at this time!) and if any disturbed him, he would terrify them with an ear-splitting shout which would stand their hair upon end.
He gave Artemis her hounds and taught her to hunt with them. He taught to Apollo the secrtets of prophecy. Pan would also help hunters to find their quarry, although allegedly if they were unsuccessful in the hunt, they would scourge Pan’s statue on their return. However, when the power of fertility was needed, his statue was also then beaten with squills, a plant of the lily family - also called the Sea Onion.
There are references by Pindar to Pan being associated with Kybele (Cybele). To my mind, like Aphrodite whom I wrote about recently, this indicates a far reaching and more ancient origin to Pan’s beginnings.
The word ‘panic’ (panikos in Greek) itself comes from his name: that sudden unaccountable fear that comes across you, willing you to run until you can run no more. This is not neccesarily a negative aspect of Pan. This need to recognise danger and to run from it could be seen as one of Pan’s protective qualities. It is a purely animal feeling and reaction- the need to sdeparate yourself from what could harm or kill you.
In art, Pan was always depicted as a man with horns on his head, and goat legs, feet and tail, but with a male phallus which was sometimes depicted as erect, normally when he was depicted chasing either nymphs or pretty youths. Pan also enjoyed playing pipes of reed called the Syrinx, now more known as ‘Panpipes‘. According to myth, Pan admired the nymph Syrinx, who lived and hunted in the mountains of Arcadia. She wished to remain a virgin and ran to the River Ladon, where she begged the river nymphs to transform her into reeds. Her prayer was heard, and she was changed. Pan reached her too late and apparently sighed at her loss, at which the sound of his breath across the reeds made a melodious sound. Pan cut the reeds to make the pipes that he named after her, and is always famously depicted with them in his hands, or blowing upon them.
A more beautiful story was of the seduction of the moon goddess Selene by Pan. He wrapped himself in a sheepskin to hide his goat-like form, and drew Selene from the starry heavens into the forest: this time he was successful as she responded positively to his advances!
Pan is said to have been fathered by the god Hermes with Dryope, Oenis or Penelope, or even the famous Amaltheia the goat who suckled Zeus as a child. However, Robert Graves in ‘The Greek Myths‘ sees Hermes’ fatherhood as impossible, as Pan was the foster brother of Zeus, making him older than Hermes. I can see why Pan was linked
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Pan has more links within modern reference as being Satan. This is perhaps a shame, but helps to keep up his bad boy image which frightens away the more timid amongst us, or those who just wouldn’t suit Pan at all; however I for one have a yearning for this wild and engaging God. Talk to Him when you are out in the wilds, to gain the power of prophecy, to write, make music or poetry or if you have a need for averting evil in your life, or if you just want to know Him better in all of His positive qualities.
About The Culture of Russian Spirit, or the Time of Pyramids by Victoria Preobrazhenskaya
«No one sword can upset the Culture of Spirit. Human mind can temporarily evade from primary sources, but again in definite time will return to them by renovated power of the Spirit … Where there is a Culture of Spirit, there it cannot be destroyed already. It is possible to kill a civilization. But the Culture of Spirit is immortal» --N.K. ROERICH). "Russian spirit" is a great cosmic power as well as an extraterrestrial theosophical concept. RUS means “enlightened, luminous homo spiritus!” Every warrior of the Mother of the World has RUSSIAN SPIRIT, regardless of nationality.
The concept of “Russian spirit” is familiar to everyone from the time of childhood thanks to the Russian national fairy tales of Pushkin, Bazhov, and Afanasyev. It is not just a combination of words, but a mythologem, reaching into an epoch of Russian epic heroes, titans, and giants. “Since olden days the nice people” won over evil spirits and darkness through Russian Spirit. Russian spirit has helped the Slavic people constantly, as in war with Sweden and the Napoleonic army, and in the Great Patriotic War. But, why enumerate events and wars! During the great history of Russian people the enemy constantly tried to break and destroy, separate and eradicate a mighty tribe of Slavs. But never before has anyone been able to achieve this and it will not be possible!
For the great Russian spirit is a superterrestrial divine power, which dark powers cannot overcome no matter what form they take.
Russian spirit is based on the culture of spirit. The culture of Russian spirit is a powerful hearth of Light round which all mankind is warmed.
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Let's examine the etymology of the word “culture.” This word is originally referred to a direct connectn with the earth, a field and agriculture. Clearly, before life arose, the fertile soil was filled with a seed. And, when the seed sprouted, there was a culture. Without Spirit’s participation — the stream of primary light—otherwise the culture would not sprout from Mother-Earth and would not be in light.
N.K. Roerich interpreted the word “culture” as “honouring of the light.” “Cult” refers to the artist, always honouring a good beginning; and the word “Ur” reminds us of the old east root integrated with light and fire.
In the twentieth century the word “culture” has passed with A. Belov's name which seriously tried to comprehend culture as a category. In his report on “The Way of Culture” he remarked: “The concept of culture is unique in its unusual complexity. It is easier to define the concept of science, art, life. Culture is the integration and organic connection of many parts of human activity; culture in the true sense arises only when life, art, science, humanity and society are integrated in one system. A culture is a style of life, and it is the creativity of life in this style, but not unconsciously; it is conscious and realized. A culture is defined by the growth of human consciousness; it is the story of the growth of our ‘I’; it is individual and universal simultaneously; it assumes the crossing of the individual and the universal. The crossing is our ‘I’, it is a unique intuition given to us. Culture is always the culture of an ‘I’.
The word-concept “CultUre” consists of two bases: “Cult” (the doctrine, system of sights, a science) and “Ur” ( light, gold, spiritual light, the sun, the Deity, Glory.)
Such was the primary sense of the word cult-ure. What accommodates this concept? We do not have to go far: just turn on the TV or look in mass-media. And then you will open a container of a surrogate, spiritless, cynical, repulsive, humiliating, worthless and immoral mass “culture” — the anticulture which destroys the person from within, forming a negative way of life where all basic valu is tampered with, and the person degrades and plunges into darkness. An ideology which is alien to human spirit helps to degrade it through all possible channels, cultivating greed, corruption, alcohol, drugs, violence and murder. And this Satanism more and more grows around our long-suffering Mother-Rus.
Dear Ruses, do not fall into despair and madness, fear and hopelessness! For any action there is a counteraction, on any poison there is also an antidote … Remember what our great Russian genius A.S. Pushkin wrote: “In character of the people — not to be afraid of weariness, physical sufferings; in character of this nation is observed the patience and activity, cheerfulness and grief, the sharpest contrasts have incorporated in it…The people which one hundred years ago, has defended the beard, will defend, nowadays, the head!”
Truly to say, when the human being gains spiritual vision, it will open in itself a soul- temple, sees in the roots the sources and realizes its mission on the earth, then he will become the unit of the universe, will shine in spirit and, like the Creator, will create the world around himself!
It is this Golden CultUre of the Mother of the World, the doctrine of light, which will put the human being on level with the deities and will open to him the immemorial truth — Omniscience--and the human being of the Sixth Race will arrive. During the epoch of Aquarius, when the equilateral cardinal cross merging two great epochs opens on the heavenly map (see the scheme №1 further down), the silent sphinx with four biblical faces of Lion, Taurus, the Human Being (the Aquarius) and the Scorpion at last, will open the great secret to the world.
On the scheme it is shown how the epoch of the Lion (the time of building of the great pyramid and the sphinx) mirrors the epoch of Aquarius; and how the epoch of Aquarius, which has already entered into the historical course, opens a new cycle of human life, or the beginning of a new solar year which lasts 25, 920 years. So mankind enters not simply a new time, but also in a new energetic layer, passes into a new time vortex, in a new cycle of life. And it is the new dimension, a new consciousness, the new earth and the new heaven which were predicted in the Bible in the Revelation of John the Divine. And this is the great process, rejoice! for in the age of Aquarius – the age
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The solar year is 25,920 years. One epoch is 2,160 years. The age of Leo opens the Epoch of the First Time — the Time of building the Great Pyramid and Sphinx, 12960 years ago. The Aquarius Age — is the Epoch of the Last Time and the beginning of the New Solar Year. Certainly, all that is new in this world cannot without effort drive through a tunnel on its own, because old rags, trash and junk still litter the way and impede progress.
But evolution in the universe is a natural process. Now, the planet is choking with the stench of negative radiation in which the entire world dwells, its breath is fetid, and the waters of life are dead. Naturally, the earth is intensively clearing itself, and eliminates from itself all that is objectionable, especially the parasites devouring it from within. Pole Reversal is the great astronomical process of the change of the magnetic poles of the earth. Clearance and deliverance of the earth from age-old contamination go at full speed, that’s why all ulcers, all evil spirits and Satanism in their death agony climb from their hiding places aand emerge to try to poison all surrounding space. But the cosmos does not doze, seeing that the heart of the universe, the planet earth, is perishing. It actively sends the cosmic forces to help.
Our heroic compatriot, the teacher of living ethics, H.I. Roerich, in the beginning of last century wrote about the role of Russia: “The heavy terms, the heavy times! But the best country becomes the cosmic basis of balance in the world. The best country becomes the most building and the finest. Our country learns to ardently blossom after manifestating cosmic signs of prosperity … The best country also will become the youngest. Nobody will cause it anxiety. It will not be mentioned by space signs and will go independently in cooperation with cosmic forces, the forces of light.”
And additionally: “It is such a terrible time, that only with the greatest fidelity and solidarity is it possible to pass to the great term, definite term of the new world. Unity and mutual respect among the most spiritual conscious minds and hearts will help very much in this great action» (H.I. Roerich. On the Path of Spirit. p.561).
Think, why were the ancient Slavs since earliest times invincible and mighty? The answer (Otvet – in Russian) — is simple (Ot Ved (“from Veda”) — from knowing, from knowledge. Russian spirit fed it. And the spirit was filled with thought — thinking. The thinking was expressed by a word. A word — by a letter. The letter — by an image.
The classic language of RUS was alive and magic. The great Russian word filled humanity from within with the luminous vibration. And humanity was the living, breathing word — logos, and spoke using its voice (golos). Humanity contained the world of spirit inside, and was perfect.
Primary light language was the language of hymns, poetry, language of the Heavens and Stars.
Oh, flame! from heaven descending! You merge with water! The language is sacred and true! You are the gold of heavenly light…
The Cult of RA was in Russia! It is the honouring of knowledge and of divine light, the absolute of spiritual substance Irradiating all the living with the light of LOVE, the Holy Spirit. The universe, the astral and fiery worlds were created by light. The light matrix was condensed, and the world of matter emerged, and the measure of all things was manifested in It: the humanity. And everything that is above was displayed below. A principle of hermeticism, phrased differently: merging of the terrestrial and the celestial, allowed humanity to be itself at the centre of the universe and to have with the source of light constant direct contact and feedback. This explains all the power and the will of the ancient RUSes.
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Russian Language was the only means of the universal and all-human communication. Russian words had such force that it was possible to bring miracles into being; and, to speak in the language of science, you could materialize thoughts into things. The Russian word “thing” (vesch’) from (Veschat’) means “to broadcast,” “to speak.” It was enough, for the wise Russian person (everyone was a wise person), to clothe the idea into the word, to pronounce it, and immediately a thing was materialized. The human being could levitate and move by air easily and freely. Do you remember, from fairy tales: “Boots-Fast Walker,” “magic tablecloth,” “magic carpet,”, “dairy- rivers” and “honey coasts?” Entire flying cities existed. It was not fiction, but knowledge of universal natural laws; in other words, the knowledge of the science of light and the application of this knowledge in your life.
Before the cutting-off of the Russian language by Cyril and Methodius, the Russian person was a witch-doctor, i.e. he possessed absolute knowledge because he knew his ancient original language, each letter of which vibrated and represented the whole spiritual message from above. If by any chance the old Slavic language was been brought to earth by gods, they also taught the ancient RUSes to decode letters and words. But during the Epoch of the Lion, 12- 13 thousand years ago when evil again revealed itself, there was a cosmic catastrophe. Since that time the great sphinx with the head of the Goddess Isis, and the pyramids, became the monuments of the greatest cosmic civilization, whose founders spoke in old Slavonic language. And this is the confirmed fact by genius scientists and historians. Among them, Peter Oreshkin, who disagrees with the fabrications of linguist Z.F. Champollion (who “decoded” Egyptian hieroglyphics) and proved the contrary. The ancient Egyptians did not have hieroglyphical writings (Hieroglyphics), but they did have a phonetic writing system: they talked and wrote in the Old Slavonic language!
“The curse of Tutankhamen,” says the witch, “is that anyone who enters the pharaoh’s tomb will die. So, Champollion has deciphered signatures all over the hall of a tomb of the unknown person — and so it is known in all “scientific treatises” of Egyptology.” P.P. Oreshkin has read this inscription as follows:
“Throughout the centuries, She bears the truth for living, The One you try to kill, putting up barriers.”
Such is the fine precept of wise people; such is one line from the message, which at last, has reached the addressee in millennia... There is a huge Sphinx in a valley of Nile — a being with the body of a lion and the head of a woman, with great art carved out of a monolithic stone. What thought was used as a pawn by the founders in its inscription, which it illustrates? In old slavonic language this thought sounds great and philosophical: “I Look at your vanity” (A.A. Luchin. Slavs: light and darkness of history).
Some words about the Sphinx. He was named Horakhty or Hathor which in Russian means literally: “hata” (house), the house of Horus, Sun, Horst, Christ. And Hathor, the Great Mother, personified the Sun House, i.e. the Solar Goddess giving birth to the Sun and being clothed with Him. “A Woman, clothed with the Sun” — this is the symbol of the Great Mother of the Apocalypse. The sign of the five-pointed star in a circle is embodied in the Pyramid Texts as the symbol of the Duat, the Heavenly World. One of the fragments says: “Orion is ‘swallowed’ by the Duat (the allegory of sunset in the west), and living (the rising sun) clears the Horizon…” The Duat implies the heavenly sphere, where a star prepares for its appearance, i.e. its new birth. As the sun ascends and clears the horizon, the stars Orion and Sirius plunge into the Duat.
Therefore the Duat, giving rise to stars, was personified as the Great Goddess-Mother. The constellation of the Lion is where the Sun is seen at summer solstice. The sphinx will reveal its secret during the epoch of Aquarius.
Confirming that Slavic writing and the spiritual culture existed 12 thousand years ago is the fact that at the time of Isis and Osiris (founders of a superior civilization on the 30th degree N latitude), the source of worship was the Light of the One RA. The Russian river Volga had been called by this name. But with the coming of Christianity, the river RA was depersonalized and called by a word derived from voda (water) or vlaga (moisture) i.e. Volga. The Milky Way (the Heavenly River of Life, or Milk of the Great Mother) in the land of Ancient Egypt (the country of Kamit) was reflected in the Nile. And this was the uniform root of the great people of ancient RUSes.
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Ancient Vedic sources also confirm that the country Kamit was established by nine White Gods who came from the Severa (North). Se-VeRA means “ knowing RА.” They were also called the Ennead of Star Gods. They come from Belovodye (RAssenia) by way of Antlan (Atlantis) to Kamit (Ancient Egypt). They founded the greatest culture in the world, which is confirmed by the great pyramids, the sphinx, space constructions in Karnak (Luxor) etc.
And it testifies that white people were formed almost 13 thousand years ago, and freely traveled from galaxy to galaxy, as well as to stars such as Sirius and Orion.
Various “scientists” for centuries have hidden the truth from mankind, which was left by the tribe of star gods on the earth. But today , the stones have begun to speak! The great pyramids and the sphinx are a heavenly revelation from the gods for you, RUSes! First of all, they are the most precise map of the sky on earth, displaying stars, ages past, and ways of returning to the spiritual world, the Duat, the kingdom of light. This is also a reminder of a tragedy – the cosmic catastrophe, which the people caused by their own acts…
But the priesthood hides cosmic knowledge from mankind as well as the truth about the life of our gods: the heavenly Mother, Father, and Son constantly visited our planet throughout the history of its existence to give to people true heavenly knowledge, and to help them overcome evil. Dark forces carefully hide it from the world, for they do not wish for human beings to be spiritual, for it is easier to influence the unspiritual human being.
For example, when our Russian princes by means of the Byzantine church decided to accept unlimited government, they caused a violent christening of Russia. Before christianization there was a Veche which pushed aside powerful princes if their actions were not acceptable by the people. Since then, the Russian language has lost its rich mentality. The history, writing, language, Vedic knowledge, and chronology have been gradually changed by Judaeo-Christian religions and emasculated from the memory of the people.
And with revision of the ancient Russian language, such as the reduction of the number of letters and introduction of the Vatican calendar, the people completely have lost their ability to commune with the cosmos. They lost the ability to think multidimensionally and to bring into being through words different wonderful creations. Ruses have lost multidimensionality of thinking and together with it the cosmic memory has gone, as well as knowledge of the source of power and truth in our lives, along with the possibility of freely traveling to galaxies and the entire universe. These were all a part of the ancient powerful universal cult-ure.
The history of the ancient RUSian civilization on the earth began in the wonderful paradisal conditions of the northern country of Hyperborea, nearly 20 thousand years ago. After that came the time of Lemuria, Atlantis, and Ancient Egypt the great witness of it. There was hardly a place on earth where the feet of our great ancestors, the ancient RUSes, would not have stepped. And wherever they dwelt there were mighty centers of ancient Vedic knowledge. Until today, the scientist and archeologists continue to open these priceless hiding places of the great universal culture. In spite of the fact that the dark forces constantly destroy our cosmic symbols, letters and books, and with them the access to cosmic knowledge, nevertheless Slavic proto-writing has survived to our time within the runes, the Tripoli letters, different ways of cryptography: the flower letters, the nodular letters etc.
“The magician takes from a hiding place a painted birch box. On the box there are paintings which have grown dull over time, there was drawn a part-bird, part-person Gamaun. He opens the box and hangs knotted threads on a framework. These are not ordinary knots, these are symbols of words, which one can sing and use to create magic. The magician unwinds a ball and starts to sings songs…’Arrive, Gamaun, prophetic bird…” (A.Asov: Slavs Runes and Accordion’s Hymn»).
The ancient Slavonic alphabet consisted of 147 multidimensional letters. There was a secret language of ancient RUS, devanagari, which means “the virgin on the mountain.” This is the language of the dance, performed by the initiated priestess, which conveys sign-letters and entire messages.
In Sodom and Gomorrah the priests reduced the number of letters to 56 signs. Cyril and Methodius shortened it to 43-44 letters. Peter I reduced it to 37. And Lunacharsky has finished with 33 letters. And now they try to reduce number of the remaining letters. But each letter is an entire heavenly treasure. And gradually losing letters, we lose words; and losing words we lose our mentality and memory. The person without memory is a person without a soul.
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So, the dark powers try to destroy the great Russian nation. And this was done throughout the history of the cosmic race, although its roots had been planted all over the world.
Since becoming separated from the universal cosmic race on earth of the nations and languages, when the united super terrestrial culture was hidden by dark forces, the earth has entered into the chain of karmic epochs and has taken on the name of Terra. It has become the biographic code of the planet. (See «The Book of Magic Symbols- Letters of All-Enlightened Grammatics». Issue. №1).
“Terra” means “Tower of RА,” “ House of RA.” The sacral Russian language, though, has undergone many distortions and changes during the history of its existence, but , nevertheless, it has kept its spiritual and enlightened roots..
“The word RUS (Russia) is the unifying and justifying origin of all kinds of matters giving rise to cosmos, that (Cosmoses) in development becomes the Universes.
Let’s admire the beauty of the writing of the great word
is the letter rekuche — does this letter remind you of a sprouting seed of the tree of the mental, the head, brain, and spinal cord? This letter is a multidimensional projection of cosmic phenomena, connected with human consciousness. uк — this letter symbolizes the male chromosome (ygrek-chromosome). — slovo — c — is a cherishing word. A sign nourishing present for future, or a sign of the Unification of Heavenly and Terrestrial Forces.
— er —is a soft sign. What does this sign remind you of? — We see the ability to generalise all the best, reached in the concentrate of a sprouting seed of the tree of mentality and the essence of the human thinking ascending to cosmos. It is possible, only with the ability to co-create the new universes, where the human being becomes Homo Spiritus-Universalis …the Creator-Logos. (instead of the aggressor!). The planet earth is a universal matrix-creation. Earth’s sign is the letter — a vertical spiral of ascension, unifying heaven and earth. It is the DNA double helix — a spiral. Studying the sacramental reading and writing of cosmic symbols, letters can return humanity to the almighty and make of them the Logos unifying heaven and earth» (See The Book of Magic Symbols-Letters of All-Enlightened Grammatics. Issue. №1).
So, light-- RA — the spiritual sun of Russia, and the light of divine spirit, shines in the roots of Russian sacramental words. And these words should be repeated often in prayers and mantras. These magical words will not allow dark forces to destroy the Russian spirit, the universal Russian CultUre for all nations of the planet earth. For, Russia is strong, while its sacred language is alive and pure.
Repeat these cosmic words aloud and see how the space around you is transformed. Read the following transcription from the Russia as in Latin,with every sound, every letter, emphasize the RA-sound, which means light… the vibration of the absolute!!!) THE LIGHT FORMULA in SACRAL RUSSIAN LANGUAGE: "ZdRAstvuy RASSVET! RAduisya RAssia. CULTURA and PRAVDA PRAVYAT RAZUMOM! PREOBRAZHENIE RAduzhnoy StRAni, RAya-KRAya PREKRASSNOGO! VozRAzhdaetsa SfeRA URA, ZdRAvie PRAschurov, ObRAZOVANNOST' PYRAMIDI... STRAZHEY VRATA RASKRITI...PRAV' PRAZDNIK VERA, IZBRANNIE, OBRAtilis k RA! KRASOTA v HRAMINE VEDAYUSCHIH RA, URA!!!"
Literal Translation:
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Hello, Dаwn! Rejoice RAsiya! Culture and Truth rule the Mind! The TRAnsformation of the Rainbow country — PaRAdise — the beautiful Land! The Sphere URA is coming back! Health of the ancestors — the formation of a pyramid! The Gate is opened by Guards! Govern Celebration — Belief! The Selected Ones addressed to RA! The Beauty is in the Temple of those who Knows RA! URA! The Perfect Memory Of Divine Words reigns in the Universe!!! From this Cosmic Memory of Divine Words, The Universal LOVE Gets Spiritual Knowledge…
So, on the earth before the Flood there was a supercivilization of the highest level of culture (CULTURA), the universal platform of knowledge. Language and race were one. The word Slav translates from the ancient Slavonic language as 'One who Glorifies the Gods'. It was a universal name for many nations!!!
“Our ancestors weren't inhabitants of a farm, not a certain region and, finally, are not just inhabitants of the earth. They were inhabitants of the universe. Look, as they perceive the world surrounding them and the universal law by which people should live…The Cow Zemun (which is the constellation of Taurus) has gone to the dark blue seas (Sky) to eat grass and give milk. And that milk flowed on the abyss of heaven and was lit by stars above them in the night. And we see, how that milk shines to us, and it is the way of truth, it is the only way we should take…the milk is the Milky Way, our Galaxy. We should go on this way, by the way of the law which operates in the galaxy andin the whole universe». “(J.V. Mizun, J.G. Mizun. «Vedic Russia»).
If we turn to look back on the epoch of Leo, The First Time, we will see the same images: the cow Zemun, symbol of the Universal Mother, Goddess Isis, the Milky Way… the river RA, or heavenly silt (fertility), the Nile.
The star Sirius, brightest star in the Sky, is the symbol of Isis and a symbol of Russia. The name Sirius — is from Iriy, Kingdom of Light. Iriy is the Russian word having the same value. Horus, Son of Isis, is Horst, Sun RА, and The Christ. The following words are from these roots: horosho (well) horizon; gora (mountain): gorod (city); horovod (round dance): horoscope. Horus was represented with the head of a Falcon with the sun on its head. The word “falcon” designates a circle, kolo, like the Sun. The name Slav has gone through several stages of evolution, starting with the modern name: Slovene… sklovene…sklavy…s’klavy…sokolovy…sokol, which means “falcon.” “The Clear falcon” refers to a Russian prince. A godfather is called by the name “falcon” in Russia. And the image of Isis with the infant Horus became the prototype of the Christian God-Mother with the infant Jesus. «The General northern origin of ancient Egyptians and Slavs is proven also by scenes of some archaic myths. The Egyptian falcon-headed Sun-god Hor (Gore) is fully consistent with the description and function of the old Slavonic solar deity Horus. Precisely also the name of Ancient Mother of the Gods Hathor (it is written Ht-Hr) is deciphered, as the house (monastery) of Horus. Hathor initially personified the sky and she was represented as the Heavenly cow with a solar disk between the horns (the ancient Greeks considered herto bes the Egyptian Aphrodite, goddess of love). Because she has such name, literally meaning “Heavenly sun house,” in its structure, besides the already-noted theonym Horus enter other lexical components such as the word “hut,” which are consonant with Indo-European terms. The Egyptian word “hut” which means “house” completely corresponds to an East slavic lexeme for designation of a dwelling, «hata»”--(V.Dyomin. «Nordic Russia»). So, these all prove that Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Ruses had the one Russian CultUre and the one language. Perhaps that’s why the secrets of Ancient-Egyptian civilization were hidden from the people until nowadays? For in the Arabian state it is unprofitable for the people to devote themselves to the mysteries of ancient civilizations. Today it is proven by different scientists, archeologists, and linguists that the Ancient-
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Egyptian civilization and the still more ancient Russian gods had the one universal root-words and culture. This unity has existed since the time of Atlantis 13,000 years ago, rather than the fourth dynasty of the Pharaohs as is written in modern history books. And this Superterrestrial CultUre is alien to the Arabian mentality. Perhaps therefore orthodox Egyptologists so carefully kept secret that the time of the building of the pyramids and the sphinx coincides with the epoch of Leo? When the map of the heavens has been transferred to the earth and everything that above has been reflected below at the thirtieth parallel, three pyramids (called today by the names of the Pharaohs Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure) are displayed exactly at the belt of the constellation Orion. The sphinx represents the constellation Leo; the Nile River represents the Milky Way; and the heavenly world which was called Rostau. As you can see, the root is the same: “Ros.” Ideal coincidence of pictures in sky and on earth correspond to 10,500 BC when the arrangement of the Milky Way and the three stars of Orion’s Belt at the moment of meridian passage were the exact reflection of the channel of the Nile and the three great pyramids. Reproducing the position in the sky of the belt of Orion in 10,500 BC, the three great pyramids of Giza today mark a very important point in the precessional cycle of these stars in almost 26,000 years: the lowest point of their movement upwards and downwards along a meridian, when (in terms of the observer at the latitude of Giza) they reach the culminations at height 9 degrees 20 minutes above the horizon. In our epoch, the Epoch of the Aquarius, they are approaching the highest position which they occupy only in a cycle of precession: 58 degrees of 06 minutes above the horizon at the moment of meridian passage. As though in a narrow vertical slot the lever slowly moves: 12,960 of top to bottom, and then 12,960 years back from bottom to top (see the scheme №2).
Precession ascent and descent of Orion’s Belt on the meridian of the Great Pyramid in the Age of Leo and
theAge of Aquarius
It turns out, that the beginning and the end are joined together. And this proves that Russia has approached the culmination point when once again the epoch of great revelations returns; and the ascension-transformation of Russia to Russia Primary, sacral and sacred returns…and the CultUre of Spirit again will shine in the light of the great RА. Finally, a few words about the present day, and the spirit of death, decomposition, and devouring of the human soul that proceeds from the West. Week and helpless people, not knowing their roots and spiritual sources, and unaware of RA, are tempted by this dead spirit. But the RUSsian people, the ones, who are enlightened by knowledge and the spirit of the light, are the cosmic race chosen by God. And before the face of the great transformations will stand only true RUSES, who didn't lose their spiritual identity and their spiritual MotherLand; who are enlightened in their conscience and their consciousness; and who found true spirituality. For this spirituality is the daily bread of divine wisdom, accepted by all measure of RUSsian soul, wherever it occurs. HURRAH!
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NEPHTHYS CHANNELLING by Morgraine
This is a channelling that I received from the Egyptian Goddess Nephthys, sister of Isis, in 1991
Holding an aqua aura crystal, dedicated in service to Nephthys, the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of Revelation and Psychism, I entered a semi trance and saw the Goddess most beautifully dressed in sea green robes, the lotus by Her, and the silver chalice symbol on Her head, looking radiant and magnificent. With a veil over Her face, she stood between two pillars, one white and one black
"The time of the Stars is dawning and the Cosmic clock rings thrice for those who hear and see. Greetings. I come to you for the Orb of the Spheres. My sister Isis and I are One Goddess, just as Osiris and Horus are One God. In their unity all comes forth as the Spring of the Sea of Life in the Cosmic Rhythm - for there is One Initiator and by whichever Name you know Him or Her, or It. Return to us in light and love.
Seek and reach forth if you wish to know. Do not go beyond the boundaries of Time and Space where you would be unaccustomed. I am the Hidden One and my Mysteries are revealed to those who wish that their eyes could see, that their ears could hear and that their sense could feel. I am All That Is, That Shall Be and That Can Ever Be. Some know me as the Egyptian Goddess Neith, for I am not begotten but have always existed. Some liken me to the Egyptian Goddess Nuit, the Starry One. In the Stars you can find me, and in the Mysteries many know me. I am always here to guide you, gently and surely. Never be afraid to ask for my guidance and help when you are under stress and never be afraid to look Anubis in the eye lest he growls when fear and uncertainty are rife. He is my Son and is the Divine Psychopompos. the Jackal and Guardian of the Underworld.
I am how I appear to you! Let peace and tranquillity fill your soul, children of Gaia. There are many of you who do not take heed of yourselves when undergoing stress. If you were to learn to relax and be serene, the gift of the Lotus would be yours to have, but not until you respect yourselves and others. First, know yourselves. My lesson is to teach you humility and obscurity. If you wish to know Life, seek within. The Grail shall be yours and the peace of the Lotus will come as you face me as I am. If you seek the Goddess Nuit, gaze at the Stars on a clear night and feel yourself rise. There shall you dwell and see Nuit as the Great Cosmic Godddess. She is before you and inside you. If it is Neith you seek, first learn the skill of the weaver. Thus shall you come closer to knowing the Mysteries within My Veil- and then shall the Mysteries of Isis and the Moon be given to you in your dreams and magical consciousness states.
I leave you now with My Blessings and may Anubis and I guide you for eternity, wherever you call our Names in the Universe. So shall the waters of My Veil be parted for you...."
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Invocation of MAAT/Peace Be with You Ritual by Lady AMber Dawn
At this year's Pagan Spirit Gathering, I was very blessed to teach my first ever class at PSG. (It was also my dream to teach there for a long time!) I submitted five possible classes; however, only one was selected. The chosen class was the Invocation of MAAT/Peace Be with You Ritual. This article summary contains quotes from my actual ritual.
This ritual first originated on January 31, 2011 just few days after the first Egyptian uprising on January 25, 2011. I wrote this ritual in conjunction with the the early Arab Spring revolutions. David and I started to create this ritual in our apartment, alone at first. Within days, we added others to help with the spirit fire here as well as thorough my affiliations with FOI Chicago; Sacred Circle Books here in Alexandria, Virginia; and a few local Pagan Meetups.
Here are a few lines from the ritual:
My idea for right now is to make a circle with salt, shaped into a peace sign, then place 6 people inside the peace sign. Then I will make another circle with Egyptian sand around the peace sign. Inside the sign there will be one person at the top. In the middle will stand a woman who will represent MAAT, with a person on her right and another to her left. There will be two standing at the end points. I walk to the rhythm of 4 and 6 (which is the beat of Chango, who is the Loa and Orisha of Justice)
However, I wanted to expand on what I thought would be a powerful ritual. I asked my sister Demetria Nanos to help us create a ritual that was stronger visually. She has been adding to this Ritual since late February 2011. Her words for envisioning a stronger Egypt/Middle East really helped me create my Invocation of MAAT over the year.
Here is Demetria's visualization:
"Envision Horus, Montu, Sekhmet, Sobek, Set, Uadjat (Wedjat),and Wepwawet roaring, battling, destroying opponents!"
"Envision Egyptians FREE and protected by Neith, Nut, Auset, and Nebhetep, wings wide open and arms extended. See the people peacefully working, smiling, being gracious and hospitable."
While reviewing of her words, knowing that I had to submit more to Circle, I created The Invocation of MAAT, which begins like this:
"When you walk in PEACE, PEACE will follow up like a strong wind! When you speak in PEACE, PEACE will come out of the mouth of Thy Mother!" "Oh Mother Maat You are our Lady of peace, righteousness and truth! You are the keeper of all truth! Hail to the Lady who is forever pure, who is forever straight, who loves the truth!”
Before the Invocation was voiced by me, my partner David Motheral created a moving meditation called " Meditation to Call Forth The Gods within Us". He opened the ritual with it. My favorite paragraph of his meditation is, "As you feel yourself relax, think of the whole of your body as the realm of pure potential, much like the realm of Egypt itself!"
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David and I dressed in white and gold. I added a special feature. I wore my gold wings for added sparkles. After the Invocation, I asked the MAAT participants what MAAT means to them and what her relationship with peace also means to them, the participants. Many, many wonderful answers were given.
At this point offerings from MAAT were given to all of the participants. These offerings were: feathers: multi-colored and white ones; small moonstone pieces; white carnations; white doilies to hold the small white candles; small shells, and white shells.
A water blessing was given. The water was blessed using the white carnations, moonstone pieces and with Reiki! "Blessings are upon us from the Goddess MAAT!!" After saying that, I poured the blessed waters down the backs of the participants along with the Reiki power signs and symbol.
The water watching was adapted from one of the plan B components Demetria proposed. "Water in a bowl or jug could have non-toxic flower(s) floating in it. It could be blessed and used as a water blessing of purification and Maat later that day, whether as a drop or splash on face, or a drop mixed w/ water to drink."
After the water blessing was done, we began to close the Ritual. Here are a few lines of the Closing Invocation:
"Guide me past the wandering shadows of the night Guide me away from pain and insecurity Let me know steadily of the reasons ffor my becoming! Let me rise up stronger TODAY than yesterday!"
Tlachtga and the ancient roots of Halloween/Samhain (originally published in druidry.org, November 2011) by Luke Eastwood
Most people have some awareness of the origins of the fire festival of Samhain, the time that is known in common parlance as Halloween. Samhain is the word for November in Gaeilge (Irish) and is thought to be derived from sam-fuin, meaning end of summer. The modern celebrations of Halloween are derived from the traditions of the British Isles and no doubt similar traditions around a festival of the dead existed throughout Europe. More than anything, the modern celebrations are influenced by the importing of North American practices, which are themselves the distortion and adaptation of customs exported to the New World, primarily by the Irish and Scottish emigrants.
In terms of modern paganism the main themes of this fire festival are as follows: Death and rebirth – at this point in time (end of October) the natural world appears to be dying, the Mabon, or Child of Light, passes beyond maturity into death and the otherworldly Cernunnos archetype retakes his place as consort to the goddess. This is otherwise symbolized by the time of the Crone, Hag or Cailleach who will re-emerge in spring transformed into the youthful form of the goddess. This was also a time of collecting the last of the harvest (Samhain being the last of 3 harvest festivals) and the time at which animals were culled prior to the onset of winter.
Festival of the dead – the acknowledgement of the ancestors and the dead in general was central to
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Samhain celebrations and offerings of food were commonplace throughout the British Isles. A person’s failure to pay appropriate respects to the dead (such as eating offerings of food) was thought to result in themselves being ostracized from such festivities when they too became deceased. Other customs and precautions such as throwing out all dirty water and proper attention to the hearth were observed - the consequences of failing to do so are described in the Irish myth Eachtra Nera where a hanged man’s spirit spits water over the members of the household he has entered causing their death.
Funeral games and divination – This was also a common time of divination and prophetic vision Eachtra Nera again being a prime example, Nera sees a vision of the possible events of the Samhain a year hence, an attack on the king’s dún by the sidhé. This was common time to play divinatory games or perform divination charms, particularly related to marriage or love. Indeed the Báirín Breac (fruit loaf) containing a mock wedding ring is a survival of such customs and is still commonly eaten in Ireland today. Trickery, cross dressing – particularly of young boys to confuse potential thieves among the sidhé was common. Suspension of normal order and time, removal of doors, moving of signs was indicative of the removal of barriers between the material realm and the otherworldly realm. Such activities as ‘trick or treating’ are descendants of the buachaillí tui - a group of disguised revelers who represented the spirits of the dead accompanying the goddess of the land in the form of a mock horse character an Láir Bhán, or the white mare. Apple bobbing is again a descendant of earlier apple games, apples being a clear link to the otherworld in Celtic mythology.
Sacrifice – the slaughtering of animals at this time was highly practical but it is also a time when offerings were made to the gods to ensure the return of the vital forces in nature and to protect the people and their means of survival through the dark and harsh winter months. Sacrifice of pigs was common into the medieval era and it is likely that in earlier times humans were also sacrificed – archaeological remains supports this theory. Sacrificial rites remain in Ireland even now in the form of ‘Bleeding for St. Martin’, albeit a christianized form of sacrifice of a hen or cockerel at the beginning of November.
Sacred fire – It is a common custom to light Samhain/Halloween fires even now for Celtic peoples of all religions, however in the UK the date has been displaced to 5th November in commeration of the attempted blowing up of the English Houses of Parliament by Guy Fawkes in 1606. This tradition is directly descended from the ancient Samhain fires of Tlachtga (Hill of Ward) in Co, Meath, Ireland. The druids lit a sacred fire, probably at the new moon (end of Oct/start Nov). Tlachtga was on the horizon from Tara, some 12 miles away, perhaps the Tara fire was lit once the Tlachtga was seen or the fire was brought from Tlachtga to Tara, possibly by boat. Tlachtga was the sacred place of druids, Tara (Teamhair) was the seat of the Ard Rí or High King, who feasted surrounded by the Rí Tuaithe (provincial kings) and flatha (nobility), symbolically demonstrating the unity and stability of the people at this time of growing darkness, chaos and threatening forces within nature. However, it was Tlachtga where the first fire was lit at this time and then after the lighting of the Tara fire the fires would be lit all over the country. The sunrise and moon rise at Samhain form an alignment from Tlachtga, to the quartz standing stone in Cairn L of Loughcrew (Slieve na Caileach/Sleive Bearra) and Lambay Island (off the coast of Dublin). Interestingly, the Mound of the Hostages (at Tara) is also illuminated by the sunrise at Samhain. This alignment continues west across the country also intersecting ‘Lugh’s Seat’ at the end of the volcanic ‘Pillars of Samhain’ and the cairn of Mór-Ríoghan above the Keash caves.
Now called the Hill of Ward, after a former owner of the 17th century, Tlachtga is a hill fort consisting of a series of four concentric banks with a central platform. It was disturbed in 1641 during Cromwell’s invasion but has never been properly excavated, although it has been suggested that there is a barrow burial there, probably dating from the Bronze Age. The person who is buried at Tlachtga is most likely an important figure, perhaps even a king or queen, but that will remain a mystery until a proper archaeological dig takes place.
There are three wells within a few hundred metres of the site, one near the main road from Athboy (Atha Buí) is relatively modern but is perhaps fed from the older nearby well also to the west. To the south lies a more ancient and much larger well that retains its old name Tobar Draoithe or ‘The Druids’ Well’, which most likely was the main well associated with and used for practices at Tlachtga. Modern druid
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ceremonies at the new moon make use of this well, whilst the more general public gathering on October 31st at Tlachtga (that has now taken place for over a decade) uses the roadside well on the road from Athboy.
It is well known that Tlachtga was one the great assemblies (aonach) of the Gaelic people, in 1168 Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair (last ard rí of Ireland), presided over a national synod of kings and prelates at the site. The rulers of the intermittent kingdom of Mide also sat here, although Tlachtga is often associated with the province of Munster and the medieval kingdom of Brega. Ceremonies centred around the lighting of the winter fires are said to originate from Lugh Lámfhota, (the Tuatha De Dannan hero of the second battle of Moytura and later high king) around 1450BC. This being the case, the tradition of Samhain fires is some 3,500 years old.
As for Tlachtga herself, there are several stories relating to this goddess, the most recent being that of the medieval metrical dindsenchas (place lore) and banshenchas (women’s lore), both of which refer to Tlachtga’s father Mog Roith as being a student of Simon Magus, and also describe Magus’ three sons raping her at Imbolc. She gave birth to triplets at Samhain at the site that bears her name and died in the process. This version of the story was most likely ecclesiastical fantasy, appearing to be based on a medieval tale of the beheading of John the Baptist, in which Mog Ruith takes on the role of executioner. In the banshenchas version Tlachtga's story is partly merged with the myth of Etain and Midir, also the unknown martyr that Tlachtga is said to have slain may be a confusion with the account of her father described above.
The earliest form of Tlachtga was a druidess type goddess that arrived with the Firbolgs, long before the Tuatha De Dannan and Milesians. The meaning of her name is ‘Earth Spear’, probably relating to lightning. She was described as daughter of the chief druid Mog Ruith of Munster who lived in the time of high king Cormac McAirt (mid 3rd century AD), although he may well have been a god in an earlier form, his name means ‘devotee of the wheel’, which probably relates to the sun.
Tlachgta is said to have created a pillar stone called Cnamhcaill meaning 'bone damage' out of a fragment of Roth Ramach her father's wheel. It is said to kill all who touch it, blind those that gaze upon it and deafen those that hear it. This pillar is thought to represent lightning, which would tie in with the meaning of her name, as lightning was likened to a spear thrown at the ground. Tlachtga was most likely not only an ancient goddess, discredited and demoted by Christian scribes, but a goddess of death and rebirth, the sun and lightning.
Whatever the circumstances of her death, Tlachtga is said to have given birth to three boys – Doirb, Cumma and Muach. In the oldest version of the story they became rulers of Munster, Leinster and Connaught (3 of the provinces of Ireland). It was said that while their names are remembered that Ireland would be safe from domination by strangers. Of course, they were indeed forgotten and Ireland, as we all know, fell under the yoke of the Normans. Her triple birth and subsequent death resembles Macha’s double birth and death from grief, giving her power to the land in the process, leading some to see Tlachtga as a form of the triple goddess.
So, it become clear that Tlachtga is intimately linked with the symbolic death and rebirth of the land at Samhain, perhaps this is why her story was rewritten to diminish her impact and ensure that she and her sacred temple were forgotten by mainstream society. They did such an efficient job that most modern pagans are unaware of either her, the ancient temple or her links with Samhain. Despite great efforts to eliminate Samhain, amongst other pagan traditions, there is still a direct link between the ancient sacred fire of Tlachtga and the modern lighting of bonfires, between the ancient festival of the dead and our modern pageantry of ghosts, ghouls and other such fun and games.
Perhaps now it is time for Tlachtga, this almost forgotten goddess, to retake her rightful place within Celtic culture and for a renewed understanding of her significance in Paganism, the history of the land of Ireland and also the Celtic customs and traditions that survive to this day.
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A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH By Jerry Gardner
What happens after we die? Do we each have a mortal body and an immortal soul? Does what we do on Earth in this life influence what happens to us in the afterlife? How does the Pagan view of death differ from that of Christianity? Trainee Shaman Jerry Gardner ponders these and other imponderables.
After birth, it could be argued death is the most important event in our lives. Yet in the Western world at least, death remains the greatest taboo. It is an unwelcome guest: feared, shunned, pushed into a corner, forgotten and ignored. Death has been largely sanitised and moved to the margins: out of sight and out of mind. Death is often seen as a tragedy, and in many circumstances it is exactly that. When a young child dies, we struggle to explain the heartbreak. But death is inevitable sooner or later for all of us. As the 16th century French philosopher Michel de Montaigne put it, “You do not die from being ill: you die from being alive.”
Are you dying to get to heaven? Is death really the end? Atheists would claim that it is, whilst religions like Christianity and Islam beg to differ, promising heavenly salvation or eternal damnation (terms and conditions apply). Indeed, it could be argued that the primary purpose of religion is to make sense of life and death. The problem is that you can never be quite sure who is right. I’ve always loved the Rowan Atkinson sketch where he plays the Devil welcoming the new arrivals to hell. To the Christians present he says, “Yes, I’m sorry, I’m afraid the Jews were right.” He goes on to tell the Atheists “You must be feeling a right bunch of charlies now.”
An astrologist friend said to me “Since nobody has indisputably ever come back to describe, or prove, what happens, we can only fashion our own beliefs that give us comfort and succour as we move along this path that leads inexorably to our deaths.” He is right. The greatest irony is that it is only by dying that we can find out for ourselves what the answer is. Is there a dark nothingness, or do greater things await us? As one ghost wisely said to another: “Do you believe in life before death?!”
Body and soul Some religions believe in the dual nature (or dualism) of human beings: the division into a material, mortal body and a spiritual, immortal soul. In this scenario, the belief is that at death, the mortal body dies, but the soul lives on, separate from the body.
This dualistic belief can trace its origins back far in time – at least as far as the Ancient Greeks, and most likely further back. The Ancient Greeks borrowed many – some might say all! – of their Gods, Goddesses and belief systems from the Egyptians. The Egyptians believed in a human body and five part human soul, consisting of the Ib (heart), Sheut (shadow), Ren (name), Ba (soul / personality) and Ka (Vital spark). At death, the Ba and the Ka united to form the Akh, the immortal soul which lived on for eternity. Thus there is good reason to believe the division of body and soul is a very ancient tradition.
Christinairy & Dualism It may come as a surprise to learn that dualism does not form part of the Christian creed. From a biblical perspective, the body and soul are seen as an indivisible “oneness.” At death, Christianity teaches that this “oneness” will be either resurrected to eternal life in heaven, or condemned to eternal damnation in hell. When the Bible talks about a “soul” it really means the whole of a person’s being (a “living, mortal, physical soul”), not some shadowy, formless entity that lives on after the mortal body dies and decays. When author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis said “You don’t have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body,” my understanding is that he was referring to the oneness rather than an everlasting essence. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin – a 20th century French philosopher and Jesuit priest who was condemned by the Church for some of his teachings – offers a beatuiful quote which is perhaps closer to the truth: “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
Nowhere in the Bible is there reference to the immortal soul. The Bible teaches us that only through Jesus can people find eternal life, and that non-believers are eternally damned. Although christened into the faith, I have never
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For those religions that believe in dualism, however, a whole range of exciting new vistas opens up. Reincarnation becomes possible. Interestingly, there is some evidence that certain branches of the early Church - the Gnostics, for example - believed in reincarnation, although it has no place in modern-day Christianity.
A Pagan Perspective As a Pagan and trainee Shaman, I believe in the dual nature of mortal body and immortal soul. I also believe that the soul, like energy, cannot be destroyed. Like energy, the soul can change its form or appearance, but it is, in essence, eternal. I base my opinions on many years of discussions, research, study, intuition, spiritual journeys and teachings (by both human and spirit beings!) - but in the end my opinions are just that: opinions. I share what I believe in the full knowledge that I may be wrong, and that your opinions are as valid to you as mine are to me! Pagans believe in the existence of several worlds or planes. The most obvious are the Upper World, Middle (physical) World and Underworld, which loosely correspond to Heaven, Earth and Hell. I believe there are other worlds which exist beside, above and below these three worlds, and that souls move between all of them, depending on factors such as where they are on their spiritual journey, where they are most needed, what they need to learn and what teachings they can impart. A soul can take several forms and may exist in more than one plane:
As part of a physical body and soul: This role is greatly admired in the other worlds, as it takes a massive commitment and great energy and effort to be born into the physical world. In certain circumstances – such as a spiritual journey, or a near-death experience – the soul may temporarily separate from the body. As a soul part: during times of great trauma or stress, a part of the whole soul can become detached and remain stranded alone in space and time (the Shamanic process of soul retrieval works to reunite the lost part(s) with the whole) As a soul in the underworld: the souls of people who have behaved badly on earth must spend time in the underworld until such time as they learn the error of their ways. Christian Hell is eternal: the Pagan underworld at least offers the chance of redemption. Many good souls also exist in the underworld to offer help and guidance. As a soul guide: a soul without a physical body, able to exist in both human and spiritual dimensions, and there to offer help, security and guidance to their chosen human(s). As a power animal: very similar to a soul guide, except their soul takes the form of animal, and exists only in spiritual dimensions As a soul in heaven: Christianity and Islam make mention of seven heavens – seven levels of heaven – and I believe this is one concept where they are on the right track. My understanding is that the higher you go in heaven, the more difficult it is to return to lower or different planes of existence. As souls ascend the higher levels of heaven, here they may aspire to become angels, and ultimately, in seventh heaven, to become part of divinity itself. To some extent, these ascending souls subsume themselves into the collective divinty, but crucially, they retain the option of returning to their individuality. Angels, as the most highly advanced form of the soul apart from the divinity, are able to move freely between the different planes of existence, though they tend mostly to do so only when they are called upon. As part of the collective consciousness: the universe needs this energy as part of its very existence. All souls are always a part of the collective consciousness - like separate drops of water which combine to create an ocean – but some souls exist wholly in this space and do their work there full time. The collective consciousness covers, exists in or connects to every other plane of existence. As a lost soul: souls who roam the Earth, or who are stuck in a certain place (often a graveyard) either because they lack awareness of the spirit world, or because they do not wish to face up to the consequences of their past evil actions and go to the underworld to serve their time. Some ghosts are lost souls.
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As a non-soul: in the underworld there are souls whose actions on earth were so evil, selfish and depraved that they give themselves up and selflessly choose to become “non-souls.” These “non-souls” I have only glimpsed, and I am not entirely sure of their purpose, but I do know that they serve a vital purpose. I don’t think “non-soul” is the correct word to describe them, but it’s the best I can currently come up with. Perhaps they are the underside of the collective consciousness, the Yin to the Yang. My understanding is that they cannot change from being a non-soul. As a “soul-less” soul: a friend has told me that she believes some souls can have their soul-memory (of DNA and Karma) wiped out, and then return to earth and other planes where they may act destructively. They are puppets acting on behalf of a more intelligent and evil source. These “soul-less” souls are similar to - perhaps the same as - non-souls (I don’t know), and may explain the presence of evil on earth.
The immortal soul and an explanation of death Anyone who has experienced the gut-wrenching sadness of a child or young parent dying knows that one of the worst aspects is the senselessness of it all. It makes no sense that an omnipotent God could allow such misery, pain and suffering to occur. At such times, religion can offer little but cold comfort. Comments like “He is with the angels now” or “God has called her to heaven” may offer some solace, but they offer no explanation beyond the hollow “it’s all part of God’s plan.”
Paganism can offer no additional comfort at times of tragedy, but it can at least offer an explanation. Each person on earth – or more correctly, each immortal soul on earth - is here to teach and to learn life lessons which can move them further along or further backwards on their spiritual journey. The goal of that spiritual journey is to eventually find heaven. When a young child dies, it may be that their purpose on earth was to teach those around them a life lesson, or indeed that their own soul needed to learn a lesson. This may sound unduly harsh, but if you believe that the soul is immortal, and if you judge time on a circular, eternal, spiritual basis - rather than on an earthly and linear basis – then the very real pain of tragedy is, if not lessened, then at least understood.
In my current existence, my spiritual journeys have taken me back to past lives, and forwards to future events, including my eventual death. When I made the journey to my deathbed, it was as miserably upsetting as anything I have ever experienced. But now I am comfortable with what I have seen, because in my mind I understand the bigger picture. Death is not to be feared, it is to be accepted. Death is a natural part of life, but it is also so much more - it is but one stage on the most incredible, most wonderful and most beautiful spiritual journey imaginable.
My sincere thanks to the many friends who generously and open-heartedly contributed to this article.
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HEKATE by Duirin
Orphic Hymn to Hekate I praise lovely three-formed Hekate Propolos, saffron-veiled, of Sky, Earth, and Sea, who celebrates Bacchanalia at the tomb with the souls of the dead, Goddess of the Underworld, Lover of solitude, honored with cakes, Nocturnal one, Protector of dogs, Invincible Sovereign, Queen of Witches, magic and Sorcery heralded by the roar of wild beasts... Key-bearing Queen of the whole Cosmos.
Modified for Festa della Umbra 2004.
There are literally hundreds of topics and view-points we can use to talk about this wonderful Greek Goddess. Within our modern times, we have many different views and concepts of just who is this ancient Goddess, so I would like to take the time to pare it down from my own experiences and research. I will at the end of this provide you with a list of resources both modern and ancient for you to use at your leisure.
A linguistic note: I would strongly suggest that you use Google Translate and type in the names in English and translate them into the Greek and use the speaker button so you can hear the spoken pronunciation of the words. While they are using modern Greek- the pronunciations are very close to the archaic pronunciations since there has been minimal linguistical shifting within the area known as Greece. I was taught that one had to be very aware of the words and names of power and to strive to pronounce them as close to correct as is possible. This is why I bring this up.
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Historic/Mythic Origins: The earliest historic writings we have about Hekate are from about 700 b.c.e. with Hesiod’s writing Theogony. We do not hear about Hekate until we reach the lines of 406-452 where we find the parentage of Hekate as was understood by the people during the time of Hesiod. The early modern translations did not take into account that the Greeks loved to play with words and use words in their writings with double meanings. This brought to light confusion about the real parentage of Hekate. There is a new project that is being done online called the Perseus Project where there are literally thousands of people working together for more accurate and modern translations of the old Greeks texts that we have currently preserved. So the questionable parentage is still in question to this day.
In some of the translations we are led to believe that she is the only daughter of Asterie (the Starry One) the Goddess of Prophetic Dreams, Astrology, and Necromancy and her father was Perses a Titan of destruction. When we look at some of her roles in the societies of the time we can see where she would have received some of her aspects, but they still do not do her justice for all of the roles that she has. The other parentage is from Phoebe (Moon Goddess) and Koios (latin Polus) the Axis of the Heavens which all the stars and planets orbit. This begins to make more sense when we read further and find that Hekate was given a portion of Earth, Sea, and the Heavens. Remember that the Greeks have very specific words to denote the difference between Sky and the Heavens just like for ghosts and spirits.
There are also attributes that pre date the Greeks that have associations with Hekate which we will cover in a little bit, these are considered her Cthonic aspects:
In line 425 we find an interesting reference that “of all the children that Gaea and Uranus bore, who once had privilege (the Titans), she kept her due. She was known as the only Titan that stood with the Olympians in their revolt and from that she held her place of honor even by the chief of these younger gods Zeus and worshipped and honored by Zeus. It is said in some oral traditions that after the lots were drawn by Zeus, Posideon, and Hades, that she came forth for her reward and Zeus being struck by her beauty and power granted her whatever she requested without hearing her request and swore upon the river Styx a binding oath, whereupon she asked to have domain all that she could cover in three steps. Zeus agreed and upon his consent took her first step cover all the Seas of the world, with her second step she covered all of the Earth and with her final step covered all of the Heavens. Thus she has dominion over the Seas-which include the water entrances to the underworld (some would also say that the waters of the earth indicate dominion over the Underworld as well), the Earth and the cave entrances to the Underworld, and finally over the Planets, Constellations, and realms of the Gods themselves.
We do not hear about Hekate again until Demeter searches for her daughter Persephone and helps guide Demeter and loans Demeter her torches and finally at the end of the story to act as the guardian for the physical safety of Persephone so that she does not eat anymore the food of the dead thus plunging the earth into eternal winter. We then see her in The Golden Ass and also in reference to Medea with her maiden aspect being pushed aside into that of the crone and hag and vampiric in nature. There were several cursing tablets that were found and her role in them was over stated by those who discovered them and started the translations, when she was actually named less than the god Hermes with the petitions to carry those curses to the spirits who died an untimely death and were still haunting the earth (aoroi).
The best example of her in her role of Propolos is in the retelling of the myth of Persephone. In the Hymn to Demeter we see Hekate taking on the role of being both guide and attendant to the Goddess Demeter as well as a
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follower. In art this role is depicted showing the Running Maiden with Torches, which leads us to her next title of Phosphoros.
Phosphoros: Hekate is not the only goddess or god who bears the torches within the art of the ancient Greeks. Not much is mentioned about her role as her being the ‘Light Bringer’. However we do find four roles of Hekate in which the title of Phosphoros does have a strong role. These roles are in Childbirth, the Moon, the morning and evening ‘stars’ and finally as a guide within the Mysteries.
Childbirth: The association between Hekate and childbirth is not mentioned until the 5th century b.c.e. and then afterwards in a very minimal way. It might have been from when she loaned her torches to Demeter during her search for her daughter.
Moon Goddess: There is a common assumption that Hekate is a moon goddess that has been around for a few hundred years now. However, this is not in regard to the Greek Hekate but instead to the Roman Hekate and the explicit evidence is from Plutarch and the Chaldaean Oracles. There is no artistic evidence of her association with the moon until the Roman period. Many have made the assumption because she bears torches as evidence, yet we have seen that torches were symbols of a specific quality usually tied in with those deities that illuminate transitions or are the ones who bear the prayers and offerings of humanity to the gods. Now with that being said, there is some possible evidence of her link to the moon, possibly hinted at from earlier times. Sophokles equated her torches as being the twin lights of the sun god. Aristophanes with the illumination of the night, from Bacchylides refers to her as the torch bearing daughter of Night or Nox.
Morning and Evening “Stars”: Could the torches be a visual representation of the planet Venus? As we know the planet Venus had and has a great impact on both ancient and modern cultures whether people today realize it or not. In Greece the stars were titled Phosphoros (light bringer) and Hesperos (of the evening). As we know these ‘stars’ are seen at the time of transition between night and day and day and night- the liminal time. Unfortunately, we do not have any pre Roman evidence to link her to the stars. But, as a goddess of transitions and of the liminal times it does fit. For myself and my boschetto she is honored on the Dark moon the transition time for the ending of the old month and the beginning of the new and we also call upon her when the rites start at the liminal time of twilight.
Guide of the Mysteries: The fourth and final tie in with her torches and her title of Phosphoros is as the psychopomp within the mystery traditions. The artistic evidence is greatly tied in with her role of leading Persephone both to and from the underworld at the in between states between life in death and death in life. Her role as being one of the two that saw Demeter’s daughter Kore being taken to the underworld (Helios being the other) and being the guide to Demeter and intecessor for Demeter also hints at these roles within the mysteries.
Hekate Cthonia : Now we get to what I would consider the `good part', though all of it is good. Within the second half of the fifth century b.c.e. we begin to see Hekate herself going through a transition of how she was being perceived by the society at large. We start to see what some would consider a darker and new side of her that is in direct opposition of her role as being a mother type. We see her being more and more associated with spirits, ghosts, purifications ceremonies with animal sacrifices and such which was demonstrated in The Golden Ass. Within the archaic period
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there is no evidence of this that is a direct link. Part of this is the change in societal thoughts and patterns. So, what made those perceptions to change? We really do not know and all we can do is guess. A popular hypothesis is that the reason is that some where along the way the people took the qualities that Hekate has and reasoned that if she was the guardian and protectoress against all these negative things then she would by that reasoning be in control over them.
How does this then relate to her title of Cthonia? Cthonia means `of the earth' and as such we see several deities that share this title and it's attributes such as being of the earth, low lying earth altars, monthly sacrificial meals, keys, torches, snakes, multiplicity, dogs, dealings with the deals, crossroads, etc. These attributes have been emphasized with Hekate especially in today's modern society, and as we have seen there is no real archaic ties until later times.
One of the oldest concepts in many places is the respect for the crossroads as being a sacred or supernatural place. We see this even up to what we can consider modern times (Industrial revolution and later) when there were still hangings of criminals at the crossroads to confuse the spirit of the condemned so that they couldn't follow their accusers back to their houses and homes. In Greek literature we find references of the crossroads being places of purification both in ritual and emotional. Sophocles even mentions the power of the crossroads in his retelling of the story of Oedipus We do find at least one other pre Hellinistic reference to Hekate and the crossroads aside from Sophocles where Charikleides calls her Trioditi which means In the three way.
Let us now take a look at some of the more common Cthonic attributes, the one I would like to focus on is that of Hekate being the Key bearing Maiden. In the ancient Greek temples it was the role of a specific priestess or priest who would be in charge of the temple key. Now keep in mind that this key was HUGE! It was easily carried over the shoulder of the bearer each morning when the temple doors would be ritually opened and in the evening when they would be ritually closed. This key was not necessarily the key for the temple treasury either. When we remember that Hekate is of the liminal places, she can either open or close the doors for us and for the mysteries that we wish to explore. So she holds three keys, the key to the Earth, Sea and Heavens. She is the guardian and keeper of those secrets of our Body, Soul and Mind. She leads the spirits of the dead to their resting place, unlocking the passageway that their souls may enter, or return for a time to celebrate with us the sacred days. She opens the way for us to see and hear the powers of Nature and the spirits of the land around us and at the same time can shut us out from those connections. She also opens the pathways to the Heavens and the realms of the planets, stars, constellations, and gods allowing us to either travel to them as we work on our spiritual evolution, or she guides them to us here on earth that they may interact with us.
While doing so she traverses the body of Koios who can be seen as the nail of heaven or the World Tree, the Pillar that connects, etc. As she traverses and she has agreed to, she can guide us along those same pathways illuminating our path, guiding us, walking with us, and when needed protecting us for our own well being. As such we should show her some form of respect. So, we do so with a feast in her honor.
The feast of Hekate is a monthly feast that takes place on the dark of the moon, the time of transition from the old month to the new month. For us we cleanse and purify ourselves of the worries and woes hinderances and impurities that we have gathered from the previous month, leaving us refreshed and renewed for the coming month. We then set in our minds what it is that we desire to manifest and create in the coming month with a fresh new perspective. I hope that you would find the time to at least do one feast of Hekate and that if you do she finds favor and blesses you.
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Contemplating the Manifesto of the Fellowship of Isis by Rt. Rev. Deena Hartray Butta AU
What does membership in the Fellowship of Isis provide?
“Membership provides means of promoting a closer communion between the Goddess and each member, both singly, and as part of a larger group.”
The Fellowship of Isis was founded to fulfill the desire of those people wishing to honor the Goddess.
It was also founded so they can experience a closer communion with her…either individually, or as part of a group.
These two ideas go hand in hand. We have so desperately longed for the Goddess. We reach out to her in a silent embrace, like children reaching out to be picked up by their mothers. We long for her comforting presence, in whatever way that comfort expresses itself. Isis is a fierce protector of the young. She is also the fierce protector of all humanity, as we are her children. She wants humanity to do well, to be the best it can be, to evolve, and to survive in a good way.
Isis is the perfect model of motherhood for which we strive. Our earthly families struggle, and make mistakes. They are still learning to be the fiercely protective Isis God-Mother.
When the Fellowship of Isis was founded, people honored Isis by bringing into being spiritual circles and centers, as well as festivals, fairs, and creative works involving theater, dance, music, writing, and all the arts. It is the most natural thing for people who hold common values to be drawn together, to gravitate to each othe, and te celebrate each other. Where 2 or 3 people gather together in the name of a particular deity, that deity is present as well. Love for that deity creates a light that grows brighter as people grow in the knwledge, devotion, and ways of that deity. It is not necessarily a matter of reaching “critical mass,” because quality is as important as quantity. Yet, when people come together to honor the Goddess, wonderful things happen. They blossom, and she guides them to achieve things they never dreamed possible.
The purpose of the Fellowship of Isis is to promote this communion, both with the Goddess herself and with each other….because this creates a channel of communication for Goddess to speak to us. She communicates with us through our hearts and our dreams. She communicates with us through the natural world of plants, stones, and animals. We are a part of that natural world, and it is her language.
There is no judgment of how people choose to honor her. They are free to follow their hearts and honor her by the means available to them. They can commune with her in the privacy and silence of their own hearts and beings. The Goddess knows what is in our hearts. She has given birth to all the elements and to all diverse species. She loves their diversity, and she chooses to manifest in endless ways herself.
There are many Goddesses, and Isis is reflected in them all. They have diverse qualities, medicines, powers, and expressions. Everyone is free to choose the aspect of Isis to whom they relate best.
If someone lives in a place where there are no other members, this offers them an opportunity to start a center of their own. Creating a hearth for the Goddess creates a spiritual home for people who will be drawn to it. This hearth can be as large or as small as it needs to be. It can be run by as few as one or two people. Founding an FOI center is a very great blessing for all involved!
People are free to be members of the Fellowship of Isis in the way they choose… as single members, or as part of a group. They have a choice. The only requirement for membership in the Fellowship of Isis is to accept what is in the Manifesto. There is no requirement regarding groups. However, the hearth of the Goddess can promote communion with her, and thus it came into being. Communion with the Goddess is special and beautiful regardless of whether it takes place within a group or singly. Even when people are part of an FOI center, their most meaningful interactions with Goddess can happen when they are alone with her.
New needs will emerge, and will be addressed; but these original basic needs continue to be important.
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You are invited to attend Eleusinian Goddess Festival 2012!
A registration form is enclosed in this packet, along with a subscription form for Isis Seshat Journal, networking information, and a form for describing a presentation you would like to do at the Goddess Festival. We also hope you will submit an article to Isis Seshat Journal, and that you will encourage others to participate in our lyceum’s FOI community networking projects.
If you cannot attend in person, please join us by attunement on September 29. There is a study guide for the liturgy at http://aquilalyra.blogspot.com/
Please share the enclosed information with others, and especially with members of your Grove, Iseum, Lyceum, or Priory. If you can make and distribute copies among FOI societies and members, that would be very much appreciated! Your assistance in making FOI members everywhere aware of the FOI Goddess Festival is extremely helpful, and we are grateful for this support.
We look forward to seeing you the last weekend of September! blessings from the Lyceum of Alexandria
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FELLOWSHIP OF ISIS CHICAGO GODDESS FESTIVAL Saturday, September 29, 2012 Sponsored by members and friends of the Lyceum of Eleusis Chicago Latvian Community Center, 4146 N. Elston Ave. Chicago IL 60618 , 9 am to 7 pm “Magical Journey to Aquila and Lyra” Dedicated To The Goddess Nu Kua
EVERYONE IS WELCOME! *
CELEBRATE AUTUMN EQUINOX * DISCOVER THE SOURCE OF CREATION * PREPARE FOR THE COSMIC SHIFT OF DECEMBER 2012 * RAISE YOUR VIBRATORY LEVEL * COMMUNE WITH ISIS OF TEN THOUSAND NAMES, WITH NU KUA, AND THE STARS OF AQUILA AND LYRA * MEET LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE * RECONNECT WITH SPIRITUAL FAMILY. * LEARN WHAT’S NEW IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF ISIS * SHOP AT AQUILA’S EXPO * DANCE * MEDITATE * SHARE *LEARN * CELEBRATE!
[email protected] www.foichicago.org (773) 478-4763
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REGISTRATION FORM: Goddess Festival
Name:
Address:
City: State: ZIP:
Phone: E-Mail address:
Prices: we encourage early registration! A) Reception, Friday September 28, 2012:
-- $10 per person x number of people______= total :______
(NOTE: Friday reception is in honor of Lady Olivia Robertson, co-founder of the Fellowship of Isis. Location is Lyceum of Alexandria, 3334 W. Eastwood Ave., Chicago.
B) Festival, Saturday September 29, 2012 : $35 pre-registered by September 1, 2012 $45 at the door
--Amount per person:______x number of people:______= total: enclosed______
C) Tables: Are you a member of the FOI, and do you or your Iseum produce Isian materials or services you want to make available to fellow members? A limited number of display tables are available for a $25 donation: Ask about availability.
D) Your Love Offering Will Help Us Very Much, because the fees do not cover all our costs…
____I am unable to attend this year’s gathering, but I want to make a donation
____I am attending, but I want to make an additional contribution to help with expenses
$ Your donation is very much appreciated! Thank you!
E) Silent Auction: Please check here if you have an item to donate to our silent auction:______
Grand Total: $
Deadline for pre-registration by mail is September 22, 2012. Please do not mail anything after September 15, 2012! No refunds can be given after September 1, 2012. Please make checks or money orders payable to: DEENA BUTTA, and write “FOI Gathering” in memo line of check. Mail payment and forms to: Deena Butta Lyceum of Alexandria 3334 W. Eastwood Ave. Chicago IL 60625 USA
(773) 478-4763 [email protected] www.foichicago.org
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE
Deena Hartray Butta is an ArchPriestess Hierophant, and a FOI Q&A Forum moderator. She is a member of the Grand Commander Union, the ArchDruid Union, and the Star of Isis Advisory Council. Deena has been a member of the Fellowship of Isis since 1977. She is founder of the Iseum of Eleusis, the Lyceum of Alexandria , and Solar Iseum ofo Argo. She has been editor of Isis Seshat Journal since 2003, and coordinates the annual FOI Chicago Goddess Festival.
David de Roeck is a priest in the Fellowship of Isis, and one of the eight members of the Circle of Brigid. He has been schooled in the Egyptian Mysteries for many years, and runs the Ascension of Isis online mystery school, www.ascensionofisis.com
Duirin heads the Coven of Draco Lupa Luna in Salt Lake City UT. He has a background in Alexandrian Witchcraft and practices "American Lasanga Strega,” traditional Strega mixed with American Hoodoo and Witchcraft. Duirin is devoted to Aradia and to Hecate Enodiia. He has been active with the Heartland Spiritual Alliance since 1990,
Luke Eastwood is facilitator of a Druid Clan of Dana grove in Co. Wexford, Ireland (Solas Nemed). He is also a member of OBOD, a writer, musician and horticulturist. You can read more of his work at www.lukeeastwood.com
Jerry Gardner is a trainee Shaman. Originally from Somerset, England, he now lives in Co Kilkenny, Ireland. He can be contacted at shamanjerry@gmail. To read articles on similar topics, subscribe to his blog at shamanjerry.blogspot.com.
Sara Kobuszko has been a member of FOI since she was a young teenager. she loves to read, and paints I Pagan subjects. She loves the Goddess in all of Her aspects. She is earning a diploma in Indian head massage at my local college in the Isle of Wight.
Lady AMber Dawn is a Priestess of Ausset in the Fellowship of Isis. She is founder of the Temple of Lotus Pyramid, and a Reiki Master-Teacher in Sacred flames Reiki, Sechim/Sehkem Reiki, and Usui Reiki. She is a student of Haitian Voudoun and Umbanda, as well as an activist, poet, and creative writer.
Wynn Manners is a 66 year old poet who is devoted to Goddess. His website is *Cosmic Mother, Wisdom's Lovers*.
Demetria Nanos was raised in a book and art-loving home by parents who encouraged learning as the key to personal excellence regardless of socio-economic status. She has been active as an astrologer working with various forms of divination and oracular work since 1968, and involved in magickal/philosophical organizations since 1974. Demetria received her B.A. in Cultural Studies from Columbia College Chicago in 2009. She and her family live in Chicago.
Victoria Preobrazhenskaya (www.victoriara.com) has worked with the Spirit of the Great Mother since childhood. She founded ISIS of the ARTS in 1990. Victoria was imprisoned for 4 years in Ukraine for preaching about Great Mother ISIS, but was released thanks to a note of protest by the U.N.. Victoria has continued her spiritual path, based on principles of love, brotherhood and freedom. The Cosmic Poliart of the Third Millenium is her newest project, dedicated to the Great Mother and Isis of the Arts.
Minette Quick is an ArchDruidess and Hon. Secretary of Circle of Brigid in Ireland.. [email protected]
Lady Olivia Robertson is co-founder of The Fellowship of Isis and the Circle of Brigid at Clonegal Castle, as well as an artist, author, and Oracle...but most importantly she is a source of healing and transformation to countless devotees of Isis, and spiritual mother to thousands globally.
Sarah Rooke has been a member of the Fellowship of Isis since the late 1980s. She was ordained priestess of Sekhmet and consecrated Dame Commander of the Noble Order of Tara in 1992. In 1993, she became an Arbandraoi in the Druid Clan of Dana. In 1995, she was consecrated Priestess Hierophant. Her Lyceum is called Isis and Sekhmet of the Stars.
Lady Skydancr is a Gardnerian HPS based in Scotland. She is a qualified Psychotherapist, Teacher and Counsellor, and married to a lovely Scottish man. She has two Iseums-'Daughters Of Qetesh' devoted to helping women and children in hardship, by raising money and sending gifts to Barnardos Children's Charity; and 'Iseum d'Orisha', which also raises money and gifts for a village for orphans in South Africa.
Donna Swindells has served as a CNA for over 20 yrs. Her Iseum of Hathor, Lady of the West provides spiritual comfort & support to help people pass into the afterlife without fear.
Hennie Van Geel is a Dutch man, age 55, living together with his wife for 32 years, father to 3 adult sons and grandfather to one granddaughter. From puberty on, Hennie has been interested in esoterica, astrology, herbals - and writing. He is a member of the Ascension of Isis Mystery School.
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Directory of Key FOI Personnel
AU = ArchPriesthood Union; ADU = ArchDruid Union; GCU = Grand Commander Union
Afarri, Prof. A. E., AU/ADU (Star of Isis, Nemeton of Dana)--Accra North, Ghana Akpabio, Vincent (Nemeton of Dana)--Nigeria Allen, Denise (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member)--USA Almond, Jocelyn, AU (Star of Isis; FOI Q&A Forum moderator)--Lyceum of Isis Myrionymous (BM Box 1129, London, WC1N 3XX England. [email protected] Astraea, Joanne (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member)--California USA Barikor, Abraham K. D, AU/GCU--Isis and Ngama Paradise, Rivers, Nigeria. Bhagavati Devi Dasi, Mother Beatrice, AU/ADU--Lyceum of the Cosmic Isis, Abia, Ebonyi, Nigeria Brannigan, Cait (Circle of Brigid) Browne, Mary (Round Table of Tara)--New York USA Brueckner, Dietlinde, GCU (Circle of Isis)--Germany Butta, Deena (Star of Isis; Isis Seshat Journal editor; Goddess Festival coordinator; FOI Q&A Forum moderator) & Raymond, AU/ADU/GCU--Lyceum of Alexandria (Chicago, Illinois 60625 USA.; (773) 478-4763; [email protected]; www.foichicago.org Campbell, Daniel (Nemeton of Dana)--USA Cwetna, Ronald (Circle of Isis)--Germany DeWitt, Mary (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member)--USA Dillon, Ruth & Richard, AU--Crystal Moon Lyceum, Matteson, Illinois, USA; [email protected]) Duncan, Karl, ADU--London, UK Ekwe, Uchechukwu Oko, AU--Lyceum of the Cosmic Isis, Abia, Nigeria Farah, Catherine (Circle of Isis)--California USA Fawcett, Kris (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member) Forrest, M. Isidora (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member) Goggin, Stephen, GCU--Ireland Greer, Mary, AU--Isis Aurea, Nevada City, California 95959; [email protected] Griffin, Patricia, AU/ADU (Circle of Brigid, Nemeton of Dana; Assistant Foundation Center Temple priestess)--Lyceum of Aine and Sophia, Ireland Iles, Linda, ADU/GCU (Circle of Isis Hon. Sec.; Circle of Pelagia Honorary Sister-Member)—California USA Janesdaughter, Laura, ADU (Circle of Pelagia, Star of Elen)--California USA Kelley, Elizabeth (Circle of Isis)--California USA Kurimoto, Sumika, AU/ADU/GCU--Lyceum Isis Orientalis, Tokyo, Japan; [email protected]) Lamond, Fred (Star of Elen)--Austria Langston, Alex, ADU--Cornwall UK Lawrence, Eileen, ADU (Circle of Brigid; Nemeton of Dana)--County Laois, Ireland Layson, Letecia (Circle of Pelagia)--California USA Lee, Callista (Circle of Pelagia)--California USA MacWatt, Ian, AU/GCU--Isis Invicta, England Ma’heo, Misha (Circle of Pelagia Hon.Sister-Member) Marshall, Jane, ADU--Glastonbury, UK Matthews, Caitlin & John, AU/ADU--Domus Sophiae Terrae and Sancte Gradalis Lyceum (BCM Hallowquest, London WC1N 3XX England; [email protected] McBride, Fee, ADU--Glastonbury UK McCabe, Sean, CGU (Circle of Brigid, Special Advisor) McCord, Julie (Estara T’shirai) AU: Lyceum of the Wayfarer, California; [email protected] Merron, John, AU/ADU (Circle of Isis; Nemeton of Dana; Star of Elen): Elen of the Green Ways (P.O. Box 196, London WC1A ILY England) Nwogu, Sunday, AU--Isis of Happiness, Imo, Nigeria Nwonti, Joseph, AU--Lyceum of Miraculous Healing, Rivers, Nigeria Ohnuma, Prof. Tadahira AU/ADU/GCU (Round Tablle of Tara)--Lyceum Isis Orientalis, Tokyo, Japan; [email protected] Okoruwa, Michael, AU/ADU/GCU (Round Table of Tara)--Temple of Ngame, Edo, Nigeria Onyeani, Apostel Paul, AU--Isis of Divine Healing, Cotoneu, Benin Republic O'Reilly, Padraic, ADU--Ireland Peterson, Cathleen (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member) Poorun, Störm (Star of Elen)--UK Pryor, Cressida (Star of Elen)--UK Quicke, Minette, ADU (Circle of Brigid, Hon. Secretary)—Ireland; [email protected] Ravenmoon, Anniitra (Circle of Pelagia) California USA Regula, DeTraci, AU/GCU (Star of Isis, Circle of Isis)--Throne of Isis Lyceum, California; [email protected] Robb, Kat (Circle of Pelagia)--California USA Robertson, Olivia, AU/ADU/GCU (Star of Isis, Circle of Brigid, Star of Elen, and Circle of Pelagia Overseeing Consultant; Circle of Isis Global Advisor; Nemeton of Dana; Round Table of Tara Chancellor): FOI Foundation Center; Grove of Eithne; Chancellor: Priory of Tara of 108 Names (Clonegal Castle, Enniscorthy, Ireland (FOI co-founder; FOI Q&A Forum overseeing consultant; creator of FOI policies and procedures) Robinson, Sara, GDC (Round Table of Tara)--UK Roca, Henri (Round Table of Tara)--USA Roeck, David (Circle of Brigid)--Ireland Rogers, Cathryn Anne, AU (Star of Isis; Nemeton of Dana; FOI Q&A Forum moderator)--Font of Isis Lyceum, Minnesota USA; [email protected] Sarocco, InannaMoon (Circle of Pelagia)--California USA Silver, Connia, AU (Star of Isis, Round Table of Tara; FOI central homepage; FOI central register; FOI Q&A Forum moderator)--Crossroads Lyceum [email protected] Smiles, Marian (Circle of Brigid) Staley, Michael, ADU/GCU (Star of Elen)--London, UK Starsheen, Michael Artonn, AU/ADU/GCU (Circle of Isis)-- Isis of the Stars Lyceum (203 Marion St., Dunsmuir, California 96025 USA; [email protected] Sudheer, Swami Prem, AU/ADU (Star of Isis, Round Table of Tara)--Lyceum of Brighid, Penicuik Midlothian, Scotland Taylor, Pat (Circle of Pelagia Hon. Sister-Member) Tristram, GCU--Ontario, Canada Veleda, Aauriane, ADU--Florida USA Vernon, Glory (Circle of Pelagia)--California USA Victor, Arisa (Circle of Isis)--California USA Vigne, Loreon, AU/GCU (Circle of Isis; Temple of Isis legal status / federal recognition in California USA) Isis Oasis, Geyserville California 95441 USA; [email protected] Wadding, Deirdre (Circle of Brigid) Wehmeyer, Claudia & Thomas, AU/ADU/GCU (Circle of Isis)--Tara Hedge Lyceum, Westfalia, Germany; [email protected] Wilson, Steve, AU/ADU--Isis of Time and Space, England; [email protected] Wise, Caroline, AU/ADU/GCU (Circle of Isis; Star of Elen; Circle of Pelagia Honorary Sister-Member; London Convention)--Isis of the Thames (P.O. Box 196, London WC1A ILY England Wright, Catherine (Circle of Pelagia)--California USA
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Aset Shemsu - The Retinue of Isis
hieroglyphs were researched by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson and drawn by Olivia Robertson Aset Shemsu - the logo of the Fellowship of Isis
MANIFESTO
Growing numbers of people are rediscovering their love for the Goddess. At first, this love may seem to be no more than an inner feeling. But soon it develops; it becomes a longing to help the Goddess actively in the manifestation of Her divine plan. Thus, one hears such inquiries as, "How can I get initiated into the Mysteries of the Goddess? How can I experience a closer communion with her? Where are her nearest temples and devotees? How can I join the priesthood of the Goddess?", and many other such questions.
The Fellowship of Isis has been founded to answer these needs. Membership provides means of promoting a closer communion between the Goddess and each member, both singly and as part of a larger group. There are hundreds of Iseums and thousands of members all over the world, since the Fellowship was founded in 1976 by Lawrence, Pamela and Olivia Durdin-Robertson. Love, Beauty and Truth are expressed through a multi-religious, multi-cultural, multi-racial Fellowship. The good in all faiths is honored. The Fellowship of Isis has no particular affiliations.
The Fellowship is organized on a democratic basis. All members have equal privileges within it, whether as a single member or part of an Iseum or Lyceum This manifesto applies also to the daughter societies: the College Of Isis, the Spiral of the Adepti, the Spiral of Alchemy, the Noble Order of Tara, and the Druid Clan of Dana.
The Fellowship respects the freedom of conscience of each member. There are no vows required or commitments to secrecy. All Fellowship activities are optional and members are free to resign without question. Membership is free.
The Fellowship reverences all manifestations of Life. The God also is venerated. The Rites exclude any form of sacrifice, whether actual or symbolic. Nature is revered and conserved. The work of the Noble Order of Tara is for conservation of Nature.
The Fellowship accepts religious toleration, and is not exclusivist. Members are free to maintain other religious allegiances. Membership is open to all of every religion, tradition and race. Children, listed as "Children of Isis", are welcomed, subject to parental consent.
The Fellowship believes in the promotion of Love, Beauty and Abundance. No encouragement is given to asceticism. The Fellowship seeks to develop friendliness, psychic gifts, happiness, and compassion for all life. The Druid Clan of Dana develops Nature's psychic gifts.
The College of Isis has been revived after its suppression 1,500 years ago. Like Aset Shemsu, The FOI itself, it has always been alive in the Inner Planes. It is from these Inner Planes that its return has been inspired. Magi degrees may be conferred through Lyceums of the College. Correspondence courses are offered. There are no vows nor secrecy.
Iseums are the very Hearths of the Goddess, or Goddess and God to Whom they are dedicated. These are listed, along with Lyceums in every Isian News. Tara Priories and Dana Groves are also listed regularly. All these centers and Isian News are for FOI members only.
The Fellowship of Isis Foundation Union Triad is over-all Custodian for the Fellowship. The Fellowship of Isis Priesthood is derived from a hereditary line of the Robertson from Ancient Egypt. Priestesses, priests, every member, have equal honor. Priestesses and Priests work with the Goddess - or Goddess and God - of their own Faith. Every human, animal, bird, tree is an eternal offspring of the Mother Goddess's Divine Family of Life.
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