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[[File:Wien KHM Isis I 158.jpg|thumb|Isis in black and white marble (Roman, <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 2nd century)]]
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[[File:Wien KHM Isis I 158.jpg|thumb|<translate>Isis in black and white marble (Roman, <small>A</small>.<small>D</small>. 2nd century)</translate>]]


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The Egyptian goddess '''Isis''' is one of the most widely revered and sublime figures of the [[Divine Mother]] in ancient Mediterranean civilization. Texts written as far back as the third millennium <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. speak of the divine couple Isis and Osiris. In the Hellenistic period, the worship of this ancient Mother of the Nile spread from its cradle in Egypt and Ethiopia throughout the area of the Mediterranean. In later centuries the worship of Isis stretched to every corner of the Roman Empire, where it became a major religion. Traces of the religion of Isis have been found as far east as Arabia and Asia Minor and as far west as Portugal and Britain.
The Egyptian goddess '''Isis''' is one of the most widely revered and sublime figures of the [[Divine Mother]] in ancient Mediterranean civilization. Texts written as far back as the third millennium <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>. speak of the divine couple Isis and Osiris. In the Hellenistic period, the worship of this ancient Mother of the Nile spread from its cradle in Egypt and Ethiopia throughout the area of the Mediterranean. In later centuries the worship of Isis stretched to every corner of the Roman Empire, where it became a major religion. Traces of the religion of Isis have been found as far east as Arabia and Asia Minor and as far west as Portugal and Britain.


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As recorded in Egyptian texts, one of Isis’ special attributes was her ability to perform miracles by using “words of power.” Thus, we find among the long list of her titles that of “Lady of Words of Power.” E. A. Wallis Budge explains that  
As recorded in Egyptian texts, one of Isis’ special attributes was her ability to perform miracles by using “words of power.” Thus, we find among the long list of her titles that of “Lady of Words of Power.” E. A. Wallis Budge explains that  


<blockquote>Isis not only used the words of power, but she also had knowledge of the way in which to pronounce them so that the beings or things to which they were addressed would be compelled to listen to them and, having listened, would be obliged to fulfill her behests....</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Isis not only used the words of power, but she also had knowledge of the way in which to pronounce them so that the beings or things to which they were addressed would be compelled to listen to them and, having listened, would be obliged to fulfill her behests....


<blockquote>In the Hymn to Osiris ... it is said that Isis was well skilled in the use of words of power and it was by means of these that she restored her husband to life.<ref>E. A. Wallis Budge, ''The Gods of the Egyptians: Or, Studies in Egyptian Mythology'', Volume 2 (London: Methuen, 1904), p. 214.</ref></blockquote>
In the Hymn to Osiris ... it is said that Isis was well skilled in the use of words of power and it was by means of these that she restored her husband to life.<ref>E. A. Wallis Budge, ''The Gods of the Egyptians: Or, Studies in Egyptian Mythology'', Volume 2 (London: Methuen, 1904), p. 214.</ref>
</blockquote>


In one episode in the Egyptian text called the Book of the Dead, Isis—acting as the Mother in fierce defense of her child—performs a ritual of exorcism to save her poisoned son, Horus. In the midst of her commands which are intended to drive the poison out of her son, Isis proclaims: “I am Isis the goddess and I am the lady of words of power, and I know how to work with words of power, and most mighty are my words!”<ref>Ibid., p. 207.</ref> Her exhortations have the intended effect of healing her son and, as the text notes: “heaven was satisfied with the words which the goddess Isis” had spoken.<ref>Ibid., p. 208.</ref>  
In one episode in the Egyptian text called the Book of the Dead, Isis—acting as the Mother in fierce defense of her child—performs a ritual of exorcism to save her poisoned son, Horus. In the midst of her commands which are intended to drive the poison out of her son, Isis proclaims: “I am Isis the goddess and I am the lady of words of power, and I know how to work with words of power, and most mighty are my words!”<ref>Ibid., p. 207.</ref> Her exhortations have the intended effect of healing her son and, as the text notes: “heaven was satisfied with the words which the goddess Isis” had spoken.<ref>Ibid., p. 208.</ref>
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[[File:Isis.jpg|thumb|upright|Isis]]
[[File:Isis.jpg|thumb|upright|<translate>Isis</translate>]]


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== The mysteries of Isis ==
== The mysteries of Isis ==


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In about 300 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>., there developed along with the popular religion of Isis a mystery teaching involving initiations into sacred rites and inner wisdom which Isis herself was said to have established based upon her own path of initiation. C. J. Bleeker writes:  
In about 300 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>., there developed along with the popular religion of Isis a mystery teaching involving initiations into sacred rites and inner wisdom which Isis herself was said to have established based upon her own path of initiation. C. J. Bleeker writes:  


<blockquote>According to the official doctrine, Isis herself had instituted the mysteries. In a great hymn in which she enumerates her virtues, she declares, “I taught people the mysteries.”</blockquote>
<blockquote>
According to the official doctrine, Isis herself had instituted the mysteries. In a great hymn in which she enumerates her virtues, she declares, “I taught people the mysteries.”


<blockquote>Plutarch discloses the motives for this deed. “When [Isis,] the sister and the wife of Osiris, as his avenger, had tempered and extinguished the fury of Seth [who had murdered her husband], she desired that the struggle, the danger and the wanderings which she passed through, being so many acts of courage and wisdom, should not be forgotten.</blockquote>
Plutarch discloses the motives for this deed. “When [Isis,] the sister and the wife of Osiris, as his avenger, had tempered and extinguished the fury of Seth [who had murdered her husband], she desired that the struggle, the danger and the wanderings which she passed through, being so many acts of courage and wisdom, should not be forgotten.


<blockquote>“Therefore, she wove into the most secret mysteries the images—indications of previous sufferings—and she instituted a doctrine of piety and a consolation to men and women who find themselves in the same misfortune.”</blockquote>
“Therefore, she wove into the most secret mysteries the images—indications of previous sufferings—and she instituted a doctrine of piety and a consolation to men and women who find themselves in the same misfortune.”


<blockquote>The last sentence is particularly noteworthy in that it reveals a side of the character of Isis which in that age became more and more prominent. She is a savior goddess, serving as a comforting example to the faithful in distress. She is able to redeem because she herself, through the courage with which she bore her suffering, had once obtained salvation.<ref>C. J. Bleeker, “Isis and Hathor,” in ''The Book of the Goddess: Past & Present'', ed. Carl Olson (New York: Crossroad, 1987), p. 38.</ref></blockquote>
The last sentence is particularly noteworthy in that it reveals a side of the character of Isis which in that age became more and more prominent. She is a savior goddess, serving as a comforting example to the faithful in distress. She is able to redeem because she herself, through the courage with which she bore her suffering, had once obtained salvation.<ref>C. J. Bleeker, “Isis and Hathor,” in ''The Book of the Goddess: Past & Present'', ed. Carl Olson (New York: Crossroad, 1987), p. 38.</ref>
</blockquote>
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[[File:Egyptian - Isis with Horus the Child - Walters 54416 - Three Quarter Right.jpg|thumb|Isis and Horus (bronze, c. 680–640 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>.)]]
[[File:Egyptian - Isis with Horus the Child - Walters 54416 - Three Quarter Right.jpg|thumb|<translate>Isis and Horus (bronze, c. 680–640 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>.)</translate>]]


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== The figure of the Mother ==
== The figure of the Mother ==


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On a more personal level, writes Witt, Isis is “the acknowledged champion of those who most direly need help. At times of greatest hazard she steps in when all natural means of rescue seem impossible....
On a more personal level, writes Witt, Isis is “the acknowledged champion of those who most direly need help. At times of greatest hazard she steps in when all natural means of rescue seem impossible....


<blockquote>In the list of her praises from the Oxyrhynchus Litany we read in the succession the titles “giver of favours,” “gentle” and “affectionate”; yet she is afterwards magnified as one to whom “the spirits” (the demons, or “the elements”) have to show obedience.</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In the list of her praises from the Oxyrhynchus Litany we read in the succession the titles “giver of favours,” “gentle” and “affectionate”; yet she is afterwards magnified as one to whom “the spirits” (the demons, or “the elements”) have to show obedience.


<blockquote>True to the tradition of her native Egypt, where the peasant in the fields was never idle, Isis toiled without rest on behalf of her beloved human family, sheltering them on land and sea, banishing the storms that beset their lives, and stretching out to them the strong right hand of a Saviour....</blockquote>
True to the tradition of her native Egypt, where the peasant in the fields was never idle, Isis toiled without rest on behalf of her beloved human family, sheltering them on land and sea, banishing the storms that beset their lives, and stretching out to them the strong right hand of a Saviour....


<blockquote>Certainly, Isis gives her children the sure hope of eternal salvation: but in return she demands of them unquestioning, even blind obedience, just as she subjects them to the most gruelling tests before they reach the haven of their rest....</blockquote>
Certainly, Isis gives her children the sure hope of eternal salvation: but in return she demands of them unquestioning, even blind obedience, just as she subjects them to the most gruelling tests before they reach the haven of their rest....


<blockquote>The faithful must sometimes toil for long without reward before the everlasting arms of their Mother are suddenly reached out to rescue them.... She is in the fullest sense Love.<ref>Witt, pp. 134–135, 137.</ref></blockquote>
The faithful must sometimes toil for long without reward before the everlasting arms of their Mother are suddenly reached out to rescue them.... She is in the fullest sense Love.<ref>Witt, pp. 134–135, 137.</ref>
</blockquote>
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[[File:Coffin Fragment Showing Mourning Isis - Egypt, Late Period, Dynasties 26-31, c. 664-332 BC, painted wood - Brooklyn Museum - Brooklyn, NY - DSC08778.JPG|thumb|Coffin fragment showing mourning Isis (Egypt c. 664–332 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>.)]]
[[File:Coffin Fragment Showing Mourning Isis - Egypt, Late Period, Dynasties 26-31, c. 664-332 BC, painted wood - Brooklyn Museum - Brooklyn, NY - DSC08778.JPG|thumb|<translate>Coffin fragment showing mourning Isis (Egypt c. 664–332 <small>B</small>.<small>C</small>.)</translate>]]


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== The identity and purpose of the Divine Mother ==
== The identity and purpose of the Divine Mother ==


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Elizabeth Clare Prophet, November 29, 1981.
Elizabeth Clare Prophet, November 29, 1981.
 
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