Order of the White
Moon Presents
Isis, Healing Queen
© Moonwater
All original material
in this site is under copyright protection and is the intellectual property of
the author
. This website created as a level one final project for Sisters in Celebration.
"Blessings
of Isis"
A child's
laughter,
A mother's
smile,
Blossoming
heather
Or roses so
wild,
A healer's
touch,
A musician's
muse,
An artisan's
crafts or
The tools that
he'll use,
The faith of a
priest,
The success of
a fisherman,
The joys and
the sorrows
Of every
single woman,
From the deep
blue sea
To the ever
fertile ground
The blessings
of Isis
Around us
abound.
© Jennifer Runham-Stark, September 2008
Isis
is arguably the most renowned Goddess of all time amongst the pagan
deities. Worshipped throughout Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire1 over
a period of millennia, Her worship continues to this day amongst neo-pagans and
within the cult of the Black Virgin2. As such a revered
figure, the myths of Isis are taught extensively, and are the focus of numerous
books, academic articles, and websites. This page is dedicated to Her
healing and fertility aspects.
The
healing attributes of Isis were so revered that Plato, one of histories most
celebrated scholars, referred to Her as “the gentle nurse.”3
As a Goddess of Healing, She is associated with coral4, lapis lazuli5,
myrrh6, onions7, roses8, vervain9,
the ankh (Egyptian symbol of eternal life), the sistrum (an
Egyptian rattle)10, the element of water11, the caduceus12
(later associated with the Greek God Hermes, and still associated with the
modern medical profession), snakes13 and scorpions14.
She is hailed as both the healer and protector of all poisonous stings and
bites, having cured both Her father, Ra, and a mortal child of such ailments15.
Scorpions were seen as symbols of protection when associated with Isis, yet
they were also viewed as harbingers of chaos16 to be kept at
bay. Snakes appear frequently in Egyptian art, jewellery and mythology as
symbols of healing, wisdom, creativity, magic and rebirth. They are even
referred to as “the sacred eye of Ra”17, tying them further to Isis,
the Daughter of Ra. The snake is also the primary symbol of the uraeus,
the Egyptian circlet worn by all royalty and deities, and the caduceus,
a staff with intertwining serpents. As the teachers of civilization to
Egypt, Isis and Osiris, her brother-husband, taught humanity all the skills
they would need, including how to cure illnesses and care for the sick18.
Teaching by example, several key stories of Isis revolve around Her healing
prowess, including the restoration of the wedjat eye of Horus, the
“lunar left eye”19, and the reassembly and resurrection of Osiris,
demonstrating the ultimate healing power of Egypt. It is through this act
that Isis became eternally associated with life, as well as new life and
fertility since She conceived Horus after the resurrection of her husband.
© Trustees of the British Museum
As
a Goddess of Fertility, Isis is associated with coral20, pearls21,
figs22, the date palm23, the sistrum (which were
not only symbols of life themselves but were occasionally decorated with
fertility symbols)24, cows25, the Nile River26,
the rosette27, and the tiet28 or Knot of
Isis. The fertility aspects of Isis can not only be seen within the
context of human fertility and procreation, but also in that of plants and
animals, creativity, and general prosperity. In our modern language, we
tend to solely associate fertility with biological reproduction, yet remnants
of the creative and artistic connotations remain. For instance, when
discussing abundantly creative writers or artists, we describe them as having
fertile imaginations. Within the worship of Isis, this creative aspect of
fertility is most often represented by images of dancers and musicians playing
sistrums. The magical association between music and the element of
water29, combined with Isis’ extensive associations with the Nile
River, further connect Her to this area of fertility. In terms of general
prosperity and fertility of the land itself, both aspects are also tied to Isis
through the Nile River. The cyclical flooding of the Nile was, and still
is, the source of the self-renewing fertility of Egypt’s farmland.
Without this cycle, the land in the Nile basin would quickly be claimed by the
desert sands. Images of Isis lounging on boats30, on the banks
of the Nile, or beside Nilometers31, posts that were used to mark
the height of the river water, have been found all over Egypt. She is
also associated with the fertility of the land through Her depiction with
bountiful vegetation32, such as the date palm with its plenitude of
fruit33, or the fig tree whose fruit is associated with the womb34
by modern artists, feminists and neo-pagans. The rosette, shown with Isis
in the image below, can easily be viewed as being representative of the Wheel
of the Year, illustrating a further connection between Isis and the cycle of
the seasons as well as that of life, death and rebirth. The symbols of
the ankh, sistrum, and tiet are all representative of life
as well. In fact, it can be argued that the sistrum and tiet
are variations of the ankh, both having the same upright loop but with
the sides folded down instead of horizontal like a cross. The tiet
is also connected to life and fertility by virtue of being reminiscent of “a
cloth used during menstruation”35, which may explain why Spell 156
in the Book of the Dead invokes Isis’ “blood, power, and magic.”36
© Trustees of the British Museum
Images
of Isis as a Mother Goddess abound, making Her role as a Fertility Goddess in
terms of human fertility an obvious one. She is so frequently shown with
Her child, Horus, that She has become globally recognized as a Divine
Mother. For the Romans, this role coupled with Her associations to the
fertility of the land made it easy for them to see Isis as an Egyptian version
of Demeter. In their eyes, Isis was a Corn Mother, and was frequently
depicted wearing a crown of corn or holding sheaves of wheat.37
Both Isis and Demeter go through a period of mourning for the death of the one
they loved the most, the difference being that in Isis’ case this is Her husband,
not Her child as is the case with Demeter. The cycle of life, death and
rebirth, however, remains constant throughout the worship of both Goddesses,
making this connection inevitable upon Rome’s conquest of Egypt. The
other Divine Mother with whom Isis is readily compared is the Virgin Mary of
Christianity. In fact, it has been stated that Her cult, practises, and
numerous images38 were reused by Egyptian Christians, including
sacred sites and temples that were converted into Coptic Churches, such as the
sacred isle of Philae.39 Even Mary’s title of Stella Maris,
Star of the Sea, was first attributed to Isis. Gadon contends in The
Once and Future Goddess that images of Isis suckling Horus “were the model
for Christian icons of the Madonna and Child.” Isis, like Mary, is prayed
to for guidance, healing and fertility. They even share the concept of
the Immaculate Conception, since Isis conceived Horus after the death of Osiris
and His rebirth as the King of the Dead. Though Isis has never been viewed
as a mortal woman to my knowledge, She was impregnated by a God, just as Mary
was. It should come as little surprise then that the cult of Isis
survived throughout the centuries within the cult of the Black Virgin in
France.40 Such a prevalent icon of the Divine Mother is
difficult to silence or ignore, even when covered by the sands of time.
May She continue to guide and bless us always. Blessed Be.
Isis Healing Ritual
Items
needed:
-
Crystals: lapis lazuli, coral, moonstone (3 of whichever ones you have on hand)
-
Rose incense (in honour of Isis)
-
Green altar cloth
-
Photo of person who has requested healing, if possible, or piece of paper
-
Rattle or drum
-
Candles: white/silver for Isis, green for healing, and one to represent the
person being healed (their favourite colour, or pink for female/blue for male)
-
Large seashell full of salt water
Timing:
Waxing Moon for increasing health
Optimal
Timing (if possible): Sunday while Waxing Moon is in Virgo
Ritual:
Place
the photo of the person who requested healing in the centre of the altar; if
one is not available, write their name (and location, if known) on a piece of
white or green paper, placing it in the centre. If this ritual is being
done for multiple people, write a list of everyone involved. Place your
crystals around the photo/paper, forming a triangle with the stones.
Arrange the rest of your items on the altar as you wish. Purify yourself
and your ritual space in whatever way you feel comfortable. Ground and
centre. Cast the circle, sprinkling salt water from the shell along the
circle’s edge. Call the directions, emphasizing their healing attributes:
“Powers
of the North, I ask that you join me within this sacred space. Guardian
of the Earth, may you bring blessings of physical health with you.”
“Powers
of the East, I ask that you join me within this sacred space. Guardian of
the Air, may you bring blessings of mental health with you.”
“Powers
of the South, I ask that you join me within this sacred space. Guardian
of the Fire, may you bring blessings of behavioural health with you.”
“Powers
of the West, I ask that you join me within this sacred space. Guardian of
the Water, may you bring blessings of emotional health with you.”
“Powers
of the Centre, I ask that you join me within this sacred space. Guardian
of the Spirit, may you bring blessings of spiritual health with you.”
Light
the candles and incense.
“Blessed
Mother, hear my plea,
Within
this circle, come to me.
In
this place and at this hour,
I
ask for your healing power.
Queen
of Heavens, Earth and Sea,
Blessed
Isis, come to me.”
Pause
until you feel the Goddess’ energy enter your space. Concentrate on the
photo/paper, saying:
“Blessed
Mother, Glorious Queen, this child of yours has asked for your healing to enter
his/her life. If it no longer serves his/her Highest Good, may this
illness be healed by your gentle touch. Should it serve a purpose still,
may your healing drift down to the Earth, aiding Her in this time of
imbalance.”
Pick
up the rattle or drum, starting with a slow beat and gradually building, while
chanting:
“Blessed
Isis of the skies
See
all ills with your eyes,
Blessed
Isis of the lands
Heal
all ills with your hands,
Blessed
Isis of the sea,
This
is my will, so mote it be.”
Once
you feel the energy peak, release it towards your intended target.
Thank
the Goddess.
Thank
the directions.
Open
the circle.
If
the candles are not burned down completely, snuff them out. Ground and centre
in your preferred manner.
© Jennifer Runham-Stark, September 2008
Footnotes
1) Bronze Sistrum. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/b/bronze_rattle_sistrum.aspx
2) Elinor W. Gadon. The Once and Future Goddess. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1989. p 196.
3) Plutarch, Isis and Osiris, 53. *Plutarch quotes Plato’s remark.
4) Scott Cunningham. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic. 2nd ed. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2002. p 98.
5) Ibid. p 127.
6) Scott Cunningham. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs. 2nd ed. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2001. p 181.
7) Ibid. p 188.
8) Ibid. p 217.
9) Ibid. p 251.
10) Bronze Sistrum. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/b/bronze_arched_sistrum.aspx
11) Scott Cunningham. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2006. p 42.
12) Silver Ravenwolf. The Ultimate Book of Shadows for the Solitary Witch. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2003. p 377.
13) James George Frazer. The Golden Bough: Abridged Edition. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1922. p 260-261.
14) Ibid. p 364.
15) Ibid. p 260-261, 364.
16) Black Steatite Cippus. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/b/black_steatite_cippus.aspx
17) Ted Andrews. Animal Speak. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2005. p 361.
18) Arthur Cotterell and Rachel Storm. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology. Hermes House, 1999. p 290.
19) Faience Wedjat Eye Amulet. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/f/faience_wedjat_eye_amulet.aspx
20) Scott Cunningham. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic. 2nd ed. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2002, p 98-101.
21) Ibid. p 145-146.
22) Scott Cunningham. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs. 2nd ed. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2001. p 116.
23) Ibid. p 192.
24) Bronze Sistrum. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/b/bronze_rattle_sistrum.aspx
25) Statue of Isis Protecting Osiris. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/s/statue_of_isis_protecting_osiris.aspx
26) Glass Cup. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/g/glass_cup_or_bowl.aspx
27) Isis Amulet. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=129407
28) Red Jasper Tiet. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/r/red_jasper_tit_amulet.aspx
29) Scott Cunningham. Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Woodbury: Llewellyn Publications, 2006. p 42.
30) Blue-green Glazed Finger Ring. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=134162
31) Glass Cup. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/g/glass_cup_or_bowl.aspx
32) Bronze Finger Ring. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=134167
33) Scott Cunningham. Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magickal Herbs. 2nd ed. St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 2001. p 192.
34) Elinor W. Gadon. The Once and Future Goddess. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1989. Colour Plate 45.
35) Red Jasper Tiet. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/r/red_jasper_tit_amulet.aspx
36) Ibid.
37) James George Frazer. The Golden Bough: Abridged Edition. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1922. p 382-383.
38) Arthur Cotterell and Rachel Storm. The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology. Hermes House, 1999. p 290.
39) Granite naos of Ptolemy VIII. British Museum. Egyptian Collection. www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/g/granite_naos_of_ptolemy_viii.aspx
40) Elinor W. Gadon. The Once and Future Goddess. San Francisco: Harper San Francisco, 1989. p 196.