By Saraswati Devi
(Level III Final Project)
Isis, or Aset,
is a goddess of magic and the protector of the dead. Her origins are
ancient Egypt, or “Kemet”. She was later worshiped by the Greeks, from
which we get her commonly used name, meaning “throne” in Greek. Her
earliest depictions show her wearing an empty throne as a headdress.
She was associated with “the throne of Egypt”, which contained magical
power, and with the power of the pharaoh being dependent upon her.
This throne is blue in Egyptian art, this color showing her connection
to the heavens, and the primeval flood which fertilized the land of
Egypt, giving it life. This shows her ability to bring life to the
pharaoh, through the throne. She is also depicted with blue skin, in
Egyptian art, showing she embodies the power over life and death. She
is mentioned in the pyramid texts as offering assistance to deceased
pharoahs, and later evolved into her being a goddess who helps all
souls navigate their way to the otherworld.
She also is depicted wearing a headdress of a vulture, and is associated with scorpions and snakes; showing her connection to death and transformation. She is also shown wearing large, often spread, wings, said to shelter and protect the dead; and in addition symbolize the wings of a Kite or falcon, whose cries sound like the cries of women mourning. These wings she also used to fan her husband Osiris back to life, and therefore represent her magical power. She is also shown, as are many other goddesses, as a bird, symbolizing her transcendental nature. In addition to the ankh, or symbol of life, her symbols include the thet, or “knot of Isis”, which is red in color and represents the blood of life, particularly women’s menstrual blood. In Kemetic spiritual philosophy she is depicted as a black goddess, and represents the vast, unmanifest regions of existence.
Her specific associations to death and magic, later expanded to being mother goddess with similar attributes to other mother goddesses of the world. In the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BCE), she took on the qualities of Hathor, the primary goddess of earlier times, and began to be depicted wearing her headdress of a sun disk and cow horns, Known as the goddess of 1,000 names, she is known as Queen of Heaven, Mother of God, the Divine One, and Queen of All Gods. Isis, Osiris and their son, Horus were known as the Blessed Trinity.
Isis is considered to be the female archetype of creation, representing Nature herself. Kemetic teachings reveal another name of hers, “Rekhat”, meaning “wisdom”. She represents wisdom that transcends intellectual knowledge. She is creation, but also the hidden reality of that creation. It is said no mortal person can unveil her, as to know Isis means to become one with her consciousness. This process of intuitional realization, which requires steady meditation and reflection, with humility, causes her to be the patroness of sages, who are striving for this oneness with divinity. Kemetic teachings reveal another name for her, “Living Lady of Love” (Khnemet-ankhet); and it is is said her devotional love was instrumental in finding and restoring the pieces of her husband Osiris and restoring him back to life. A symbolic meaning is seen in this story, as well as the resurrection story of their son, Horus, to be how the deep love of the initiate, and devotion to the Divine, leads him or her to enlightenment. As with her love Isis became one with her divine counterpart, the initiate can become one with the divine through love and devotion.
We also see in this story, say the Kemetic teachings, that the wisdom of Isis is one that “puts missing pieces back together”. As Isis found and restored the pieces of the body of Osiris, the initiate shall collect the missing pieces to understanding spiritual philosophy; and once put together, discover transcendental truth. It is said this is the service Isis performs for Osiris and Horus in their resurrections; as having become one with Ra (the Divine/God), she brings them back to life with the power of her Self-Knowledge.
In this ritual we will honor our life blood, our essence as women, to bring life and vitality back to ourselves, and contact our magical power as witches--so we can use this power guided by wisdom.
Use a red or white altar cloth. Place a picture or statue of Isis on the altar.
Lay a picture or symbol of the thet, or knot of Isis in front of the picture.
Wear a red skirt, or wrap a red shawl around your lower abdomen.
Tie a blue scarf around your head, to symbolize Isis’ blue throne.
The red and blue show your connection to both heaven and earth, and to life symbolized by both water, and women’s life blood.
Purify yourself and your ritual space with holy water or cedar stick.
Cast a circle. Light a black candle, symbolizing magickal power and transformation.
Annoint the symbol with holy water or menstrual blood, or put a small cloth or cup with either in front of the picture.
Say:
Goddess Isis, mother of God and nature, you are my internal essence.
Consolidate my power, which is your power, in my womb, the source of life, and womanhood. From this center, it radiates outward, making me whole, and healing all who come in my presence.
As a vessel for your life force, my power never recedes, it is unending. Make me one with your consciousness, so I embody your wisdom, love and power. May I use all for my own enlightenment and the good of all.
Meditate holding an ankh, if available, to symbolize the life force Isis directs. Or, place your hands over your womb and picture it as a vessel for Isis’ power, and feel her life force flowing into it. With eyes closed, focus your attention on the space between your eyebrows and picture healing water flowing in from the top of your head, cleansing of all negativity. Feel fresh blood and vitality nourishing your womb and radiating power. From this center your direct your life, guided by the wisdom of your higher centers, for the highest good of yourself and all.
Close the circle and keep these images in your mind throughout the day, and every day.
Images:
https://designlooter.com/images/isis-deity-svg-2.png
https://cdn.mysticmedusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Isis-the-Goddess.jpg
https://i.frg.im/XW2lbfbc/8542-1.jpg
She also is depicted wearing a headdress of a vulture, and is associated with scorpions and snakes; showing her connection to death and transformation. She is also shown wearing large, often spread, wings, said to shelter and protect the dead; and in addition symbolize the wings of a Kite or falcon, whose cries sound like the cries of women mourning. These wings she also used to fan her husband Osiris back to life, and therefore represent her magical power. She is also shown, as are many other goddesses, as a bird, symbolizing her transcendental nature. In addition to the ankh, or symbol of life, her symbols include the thet, or “knot of Isis”, which is red in color and represents the blood of life, particularly women’s menstrual blood. In Kemetic spiritual philosophy she is depicted as a black goddess, and represents the vast, unmanifest regions of existence.
Her specific associations to death and magic, later expanded to being mother goddess with similar attributes to other mother goddesses of the world. In the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BCE), she took on the qualities of Hathor, the primary goddess of earlier times, and began to be depicted wearing her headdress of a sun disk and cow horns, Known as the goddess of 1,000 names, she is known as Queen of Heaven, Mother of God, the Divine One, and Queen of All Gods. Isis, Osiris and their son, Horus were known as the Blessed Trinity.
Isis is considered to be the female archetype of creation, representing Nature herself. Kemetic teachings reveal another name of hers, “Rekhat”, meaning “wisdom”. She represents wisdom that transcends intellectual knowledge. She is creation, but also the hidden reality of that creation. It is said no mortal person can unveil her, as to know Isis means to become one with her consciousness. This process of intuitional realization, which requires steady meditation and reflection, with humility, causes her to be the patroness of sages, who are striving for this oneness with divinity. Kemetic teachings reveal another name for her, “Living Lady of Love” (Khnemet-ankhet); and it is is said her devotional love was instrumental in finding and restoring the pieces of her husband Osiris and restoring him back to life. A symbolic meaning is seen in this story, as well as the resurrection story of their son, Horus, to be how the deep love of the initiate, and devotion to the Divine, leads him or her to enlightenment. As with her love Isis became one with her divine counterpart, the initiate can become one with the divine through love and devotion.
We also see in this story, say the Kemetic teachings, that the wisdom of Isis is one that “puts missing pieces back together”. As Isis found and restored the pieces of the body of Osiris, the initiate shall collect the missing pieces to understanding spiritual philosophy; and once put together, discover transcendental truth. It is said this is the service Isis performs for Osiris and Horus in their resurrections; as having become one with Ra (the Divine/God), she brings them back to life with the power of her Self-Knowledge.
Isis Ritual to Reclaim Magickal Power with Wisdom
In this ritual we will honor our life blood, our essence as women, to bring life and vitality back to ourselves, and contact our magical power as witches--so we can use this power guided by wisdom.
Use a red or white altar cloth. Place a picture or statue of Isis on the altar.
Lay a picture or symbol of the thet, or knot of Isis in front of the picture.
Wear a red skirt, or wrap a red shawl around your lower abdomen.
Tie a blue scarf around your head, to symbolize Isis’ blue throne.
The red and blue show your connection to both heaven and earth, and to life symbolized by both water, and women’s life blood.
Purify yourself and your ritual space with holy water or cedar stick.
Cast a circle. Light a black candle, symbolizing magickal power and transformation.
Annoint the symbol with holy water or menstrual blood, or put a small cloth or cup with either in front of the picture.
Say:
Goddess Isis, mother of God and nature, you are my internal essence.
Consolidate my power, which is your power, in my womb, the source of life, and womanhood. From this center, it radiates outward, making me whole, and healing all who come in my presence.
As a vessel for your life force, my power never recedes, it is unending. Make me one with your consciousness, so I embody your wisdom, love and power. May I use all for my own enlightenment and the good of all.
Meditate holding an ankh, if available, to symbolize the life force Isis directs. Or, place your hands over your womb and picture it as a vessel for Isis’ power, and feel her life force flowing into it. With eyes closed, focus your attention on the space between your eyebrows and picture healing water flowing in from the top of your head, cleansing of all negativity. Feel fresh blood and vitality nourishing your womb and radiating power. From this center your direct your life, guided by the wisdom of your higher centers, for the highest good of yourself and all.
Close the circle and keep these images in your mind throughout the day, and every day.
Images:
https://designlooter.com/images/isis-deity-svg-2.png
https://cdn.mysticmedusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Isis-the-Goddess.jpg
https://i.frg.im/XW2lbfbc/8542-1.jpg