Religious beliefs of Ancient Egypt not only portrayed Isis as a gentle, womanly matron of daily life but also as the business-like, divine partner to aristocrats and rulers.
As the mother of Horus and wife of Osiris, Isis was adored and respected in a cult-like fashion during the Greco-Roman period before the rise of Christianity. She was a patron to many levels of society and led a colorful goddess life.
Isis and the Divine Feminine
The goddess aspect of spirituality was not an uncommon element in religious practices prior to the onset of Christianity. Many spiritual followers, after experiencing hundreds of years of monotheistic religion, are now yearning for a return to sacred balance by honoring the Divine Feminine.
According to Heidi Lowry, "Goddess teachings focus on compassion for all living beings and a reverence for the Earth itself as the body of the goddess." This notion of an empathetic, earth-friendly, female counterpart to a dominant, male God is a driving force behind the rising consciousness of modern spiritual communities.
Past-Life Regression with Isis
Author Doreen Virtue describes Isis as the goddess associated with alchemy, vibrational tones, manifestation principles, and memories of past lives.
As a spiritual guide, the Goddess Isis can be asked to assist during past-life regressions. She can help others move beyond deep-rooted fears and gain insight and answers to current problems that may have origins in previous incarnations.
Nurturing Mother Isis
The epitome of love and caring, Isis was a gentle wife and nurturing mother. The mother-child relationship she had with Horus is remembered as strong and highly bonded. Recorded in Egyptian myth, Isis bestowed magical information upon her son in order to help him defeat the god Seth.
A foe to Isis's husband, Seth killed Osiris and later participated in legendary battles with Horus. Isis remains as the devoted mother to her son's quest to overcome evil and restore balance to humanity.
Isis as the Goddess of Magic
Magic is an art form practiced by spell crafters world-wide. Those with veneration for goddesses often summon Isis in rituals and incantations. Several ancient tales relate the use of Isis's power as the Goddess of Magic.
Primarily, one legend describes Isis as masterfully tricking the sun god Ra into revealing the sounds associated with his name. This secret revelation instantly gave her full access to the knowledge of creation and all of Ra's power.
Lady of 10,000 Names
Isis, as the quintessential goddess, was connected with multiple symbols and alternate names. Considered a corn, earth, and water goddess, she was favored by Egyptians for her important awareness of land cultivation and the benefits of the Nile River.
The "complete female," Isis was also known by such titles as The Giver of Life, The One Who Is All, Isis Panthea, and The Brilliant One in the Sky.
Isis is symbolized universally as part of a creational myth and is represented as a divine life-giver, often depicted in art as nursing her son, Horus. Some believers also feel she was reincarnated as the Virgin Mary.
Regarded highly as an Egyptian goddess, the spirit of Isis can still be called upon during group ceremonies, such as pagan rituals, or even as a solitary request for guidance in love, mothering, or past-life memories.
Sources:
- Virtue, D. (2004). Guidebook for the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. California: Hay House.
- Crystal, Ellie. Isis. Retrieved from CrystalLinks.com on 12 June 2009.
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