The Fellowship of Isis

Aset t fem. det. shm s w go, walk det. plural sign
Aset Shemsu The Retinue of Aset
Foundation Iseum: Clonegal Castle, Enniscorthy, Eire
The College of Isis Manual

Compiled by

Olivia Robertson

Cesara Publications

Clonegal Castle Enniscorthy, S. Ireland.

Contents

1. The Diagram of the College of Isis with its key. 2. Foreword 3. How to choose a Lyceum 4. How to found a Lyceum 5. The Priesthood Hierophancy 6. The Magi Degree Course 7. Guide-Lines for forming a Degree Course 8. Flamma Vestae: Initiation into a Lyceum 9. Flamma Sacerdotae: Consecration of a Hierophant 10. Correspondence Courses

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The Star of Ishtar and the Web of the Universe
Tiamat Dragon around the Divine Matrix
Ishtar and Tiamat are Babylonian Goddesses. The four spiral loops of the Dragon Tiamat illustrate four stages of consciousness: Physical-Etheric, Astral and Psychic, Spiritual and Divine, the latter encircling the Matrix, Source of Creation. The famous eight-pointed Star of Ishtar represents seven Cosmic Rays. 0 refers to a previous spiral, and 8 the higher octave begins a further spiral beyond. The diagram may be coloured around a white centre, moving inwards from violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, red and again violet, the latter indicating a further inner rainbow. The diagram and key was given to Olivia Robertson through inspiration. The artwork is by Chesca Potter.
COLLEGIUM ISIDIS. The Diagram of the Cosmic Web was given through inspiration to Olivia Robertson. It illustrates the emanation of Life from the Divine Matrix, Womb of the Goddess, and the Path of Return thereto with harvest of attainments. The spiral path to and from the Matrix is nondualistic: it shows that the Divine Plan includes both the in-breathing and outbreathing of the Cosmic Life Force. The spiral coils of Tiamat relate to Space and Extension, the Path of pluralist Awareness. The four coils represent the Etheric, Astral, Spiritual and Divine Spheres around the Matrix. The gradations are as subtle as those of the Rainbow. The focused Rays of Ishtar refer to Time and Measurement. They bring Enlightenment through concentration. Therefore the Candidate using rites on the diagram should choose them in the order most helpful to his or her own chosen Path. Magi degrees are attained through Communion with the Deities experienced by the Candidate, and the acceptance of this by the Hierophant and the Companions of the particular Lyceum. The 33rd degree is conferred directly by Deity and may be kept as a private initiation. The Liturgy of the Fellowship of Isis has been inspired by She whose name it bears; She who is crowned with the stars, is robed with the sun and standeth upon the moon. It deals with earthly, psychic and spiritual spheres. The three mundane facts of life; birth, work and marriage are treated in the Rites of Rebirth, Ordination and Wedding. Choice of one's role in the Divine Drama through identification with archetypal figures of Myth are presented in Five Mysteries in "Dea". Two Rites of Time and Space and three Elemental Rites of Sun, Moon and Earth are presented in "Urania", along with the ceremonial magic of the seven sacred planets. These relate to the psyche. The "Sophia" zodiac ceremonies introduce the seeker to the higher Sophia of the Trino-Sophia, thrice holy Gnosis of Wisdom.

KEY FOR THE STAR OF ISHTAR AND TIAMAT DRAGON DIAGRAM Connexions 0. North to Centre: Winter Solstice Earth Nature I. N.E. to Centre: Brigantia Fire Power II. East to Centre: Vernal Equinox Water Love III. S.E. to Centre: Beltane Air Truth IV. South to Centre: Summer Solstice Light Initiation Planets Earth & Pluto Numbered Rites 5 The Spheres 13 Earth Magic 21 Pisces & Ceridwen 29 Scorpio & Kundalini Cosmic Rays 0 & 8th White/ Rainbow
6 Demeter & Persephone 1st C.R. 14 Mars & Morrigan Red 22 Aries & Durga 30 Sagittarius & Brynhild 7 Eros & Psyche 15 Venus & Vishnu 23 Taurus & Isis 31 Capricorn & Terra 2nd C.R. Orange

Mercury

8 The Labyrinth 3rd C.R. 16 Mercury & Sophia Yellow 24 Gemini, Artemis & Apollo 32 Aquarius & Juno 1 Rebirth 9 Space 17 Jupiter & Hathor 25 Cancer & Tiamat 33 Mystical Initiation 2 Ordination 10 Time 18 Saturn & Astarte 26 Leo & Sekhmet 4th C.R. Green

Jupiter

V. S.W. to Centre: Saturn Lughnasadh Ether Science/Occultism

5th C.R. Blue

VI. West to Centre: Uranus (& 3 Wedding Autumnal Equinox Inner Sun) 11 Sun Bliss 19 Uranus & Sarasvati The Arts/Ritual 27 Virgo & Dana VII. N.W. to Centre: Neptune Samhain & Moon Night Mystical Awakening/Devotion 4 Awakening of Osiris 12 Moon 20 Neptune & Ngame 28 Libra & Kwan Yin

6 C.R. Indigo

7th C.R. Violet
2. FOREWORD COLLEGIUM ISIDIS. THE COLLEGE OF ISIS
The College of Isis through its Lyceums offers a structured Magi Degree Course in the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy. Tuition is given by the Priesthood Hierophant. There are 32 working degrees, the 33rd relating to spontaneous mystical awakening. Each Lyceum provides its own course culminating in a rite of Liturgy. The rites are based on the 33 intersecting points made by the 8 pointed Star of the Goddess Ishtar bisecting the 4-fold coils of the Dragon Goddess Tiamat. These are: the basic triangle of "Rebirth", "Ordination", and "Wedding". Five Divine Mysteries in "Dea". 12 Planetary initiations in "Urania" and 12 Cosmic Rites of the Zodiac in "Sophia". Rites may be taken in any order suitable for the candidate's progress. The taking of a degree lies with the Candidate. If Divine Communion takes place in some way during the period of working the Rite, a degree may be conferred. Hierophants confer Magi degrees with consensus from Candidate and Group. Magi Degree Correspondence Courses are listed in each Isian News. The Sources of the Liturgy, given at the end of each Rite are from ancient texts ranging from India, China, Egypt and Europe, to America and Africa. These form part of recommended reading. Audio-cassette tapes, with Olivia Robertson as a Guide, are provided for all the rituals. 3. HOW TO CHOOSE A LYCEUM A list of active Lyceums is given in every issue of Isian News. Every Lyceum is also an Iseum, Hearth of the Goddess, so the addresses are given under "Iseums". Every Hierophant may conduct a course. A request to take part in a Magi Degree Course should be made to the Hierophant. Procedure varies as to acceptance: this may take the form of a personal interview or, if a Correspondence Course is desired, there may be written acceptance. In a College that looks to the coming of the New Aeon, telepathic assessment on the part of the Hierophant/s and spiritual Vocation from the candidate is essential so that group harmony may be preserved. Candidates choose their Lyceum because they are drawn to the particular aspect it shows forth. Every companion, being daughter or son of the Mother Goddess, has equal honour with the Hierophant, but voluntarily

submits to guidance and teaching. Increasingly they bring their own individual gifts to the Lyceum. When a King asks the way of a beggar, he is learning from the beggar: in this instance the beggar is the King's guru. Listening is the receptive side of teaching. There is rich exchange. It is a delightful thought that, as we ourselves are manifestations of the parent Deities in our own odd, peculiar fashion, so we can give Them our own original, peculiar gifts, which they can obtain nowhere else! Without each of us the cosmos is imperfect. Nuit lacks a star. 4. HOW TO FOUND A LYCEUM To found a Lyceum, the Founder needs to be a consecrated Hierophant. There is a Vocation from the Goddess to the would-be Founder to undertake the work with some clear intent. Acceptance is given from Foundation Lyceum at Clonegal Castle and the Blessing of the Hierophant/s who have consecrated the would-be founder. Goodwill is essential among all the Hierophancy of the College, who share a telepathic awareness of their spiritual work. 5. THE PRIESTHOOD HIEROPHANCY: THE COLLEGE PRECEPTORS The designation "Hierophant" means "One who shows forth." In Collegium Isidis, of the Fellowship of Isis, Hierophants already belong to the F.O.I. Priesthood. Their vocation from the Goddess is to act as Guides and Teachers of candidates, already F.O.I. members, who wish to attain Magi degrees in a particular Lyceum. A Hierophant has gained at least four Magi degrees attained through years of spiritual experience working in a Lyceum. The hallmarks of a fine Hierophant are wisdom and humility, love and understanding. The possession of a sense of humour brings the laughter of the Gods! "Status" means "standing still" and can lead to stagnation. Hence any superiority induced through obtaining an honorific title is not relevant to such a creative movement as our Fellowship! The wider the horizon that can be seen, the greater is the extent of the unknown. The Hierophant needs self-confidence derived from communion with the chosen Goddess, or Goddess and God. Knowledge that most of us make at least one mistake daily, encourages us to pray for help to the Cosmic Hierarchs, parents of all beings! Thus a cat or a dog may bring strong love and psychic power to a ritual, a channel for Bast or Anubis. No creature belongs to a sort of frogspawn of "group soul". Each bears the original spark from its Divine Parents.
The Mitre, the Pectoral, Sistrum and Crook represent Divine Gifts bestowed by the Immortal Deities. Immortality is not seen as a distant goal receding into a future of endless hard work and spiritual development. Rather immortality is enjoyed in the "now" or never. So every ritual, every practice may bring a Candidate awareness of the cosmos. Sudden mystical experience brings the thirty-third degree to the veriest beginner on the Path to Deity. Nonetheless, such mystics need the discipline, experience and hard work of fellow students. Mystical experiences are given as encouragement - the carrot - rather than as a reward at school prize giving! I give the words of the God Osiris, as channelled by our Priest, Noel Daly: "Be human. Have care for those whom I entrust to your charge." So many aspirants nowadays believe they are descended from the stars; so the injunction to be human brings an earthiness useful for dealing with physical problems. Care for others indicates fellow-feeling, empathy, rather than Patronage, associated with old-style Patriarchy. As the Fellowship is rapidly expanding, a new Hierophant, usually after a reasonable period, may wish to found a new Lyceum. This is by courtesy and discussion with the previous Guides and Teachers in the parent Lyceum. Each Lyceum, through its Dedication, is twinned with an initial Iseum, thus bringing the College into close communion with the wider network of Iseums. The Dedicatory Divine Names of Power of Goddess, or Goddess and God manifest particular attributes of the Deities concerned in the Iseum-Lyceum. Therefore there can be no set curriculum for the College. Deity in its eternal Being contains all aspects mirrored forth through the whole Company of Heaven, from Deities to birds. Thus Hierophants, through inspiration from their particular Deity or Deities, produce their own training Course. This reflects the democratic character of the Fellowship: the Hierophants require consensus from the Priesthood Magi and companions of their Lyceum to bring forth a good harvest. A Dedication to Minerva brings intellectual fruition; to Lakshmi, beauty and abundance; and to Bast, work for animal welfare. 6. THE MAGI DEGREE COURSE The degree system is helpful, bringing achievement through structured progress. There are 32 degrees in the F.O.I. liturgy. The 33rd degree and those beyond refer to expansion of consciousness bestowed directly by the Deities, hence not to be codified.

The student of the Qabalah can relate these degrees with the symbolic Tree of Life of Ancient Babylon. Its roots extend through the Underworld of the Goddess Allat. Its mighty trunk with its twenty-two branches extends through the heavens. Shining radiations flow through the branches, which bear the constellations as flowers. The fruits thereof are sun, moon and earth and the seven sacred planets. On the summit of the tree shines the Star of Ishtar. Let us follow the course of an imaginary girl who wishes to follow the spiritual life, one who would have taken the veil in the middle ages. She longs for her twin soul not now on earth, and so will not marry in this life-time. She undergoes the Rite of Rebirth (1) and Ordination of Priestess of Artemis, (2). She chooses to act as Persephone in her Mystery, so that she may experience the deep roots of the Tree that grow in the underworld, (6). Because of her involvement in reincarnation she chooses Time Magic, (10) and the tides of the Moon, (12). She is attracted by Atlantis, so she learns the Magic of Neptune and Ngame, (20). She wishes to help others to attain harmony through contemplation, so she chooses the Mystical Awakening of Libra and Kwan Yin (29). Altogether she has taken seven degrees through many years. She has evolved psychically and mystically, and is successfully leading a group in trance work, particularly regression and prophecy. She calls her group "The Centre of Persephone". Let us now imagine a vital, cheerful man, a Healer, who wishes to take a course to develop his gift, and also to help him in his career in the social services. He begins with marrying his magical partner, (3) followed by a double Ordination with his wife in the Priesthood of Hathor, (2). He identifies with the hero Theseus in the Mystery of the Labyrinth, (8), for he too wishes to build the celestial Athens. Expansive by nature, he enjoys Space Magic, (9) and enlarges his healing capacity through The Sun, (11). His wife and he practice the ceremonial magic of Venus and Vishnu, (15), and together contemplate the Mystery of Aries and Durga, (22). It is noted that this pair are like brother and sister in their vitality and expansiveness. The Healer would be more in polarity with the chaste Priestess of Artemis and, if they were to work together, powerful results from the union of opposites could ensue. Those who wish to balance rather than enhance their potentiality could do a course directly in opposition to their natural bent. Our Priestess of Artemis might - against the grain - undertake the Healer's degree course: he could struggle to attain the chastity and introspection of the Priestess of Artemis. However, harmonious progress may be attained through
using the rites depicted on one ray on the diagram, as these are in resonance with a chosen planet and cosmic ray. Although it is the Deities who bestow Divine Revelation at their own good time and place, not at our choosing, nonetheless rituals can produce a sudden onset of psychic gifts, and sometimes extended consciousness. 7. GUIDE-LINES FOR FORMING A MAGI DEGREE COURSE Although many Hierophants who have had long experience in the spiritual field choose to create their own course, based on the rituals of the F.O.I. Liturgy, there are others, both Hierophants and companions, who desire guide-lines for the forming of a course. STAGE I. IDENTIFICATION WITH THE DIVINE ARCHETYPE The candidate undergoes THE RITE OF REBIRTH and so experiences the descent and ascent of Goddess and God. Thus awareness of her/his own divinity may be attained. The five SACRED MYSTERIES in "DEA" are experienced, through study, meditation, path-working or enactment. The candidate chooses a role with which to identify, thus choosing her/his own spiritual path. The Initiations and the Festivals presented in "Panthea" are helpful. The keynote is SPIRITUAL AND PSYCHIC RECEPTIVITY. STAGE II. THE DEVELOPMENT OF WILL-POWER The candidate achieves ORDINATION into the F.O.I. Priesthood or participates in the Ordination of another. THE TWELVE MAGICAL RITUALS in "URANIA" are used, the candidate choosing to be the neophyte in rites which she/he chooses. The essential task of the wouldbe Maga and Magus is to learn to develop individual creative Will. In most human beings free will needs to be gained through strength. Thus control is won by the Spirit over the elements of being: soul, mind, emotions and body. The development of the psychic centres given in "Melusina" are of use. The keynote is RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S OWN DESTINY. STAGE III. COSMIC CONSCIOUSNESS The Candidate participates in THE ISIS WEDDING RITE either as groom or bride or friend. THE TWELVE MYSTICAL AWAKENINGS OF THE STARS from "Sophia" are presented. Here the Spirit turns from

the use of power, and instead becomes aware of the Deities. the true Maga and Magus receive inspiration, creativity and all good qualities through the Deities from Divine Source. Then they are able to share these qualities with others. The trance journeys to the stars in "Psyche" are of assistance. The keynote is HARMONY WITH ALL BEINGS. The Hierophant/s may offer breathing exercises, Yoga, path-workings, study sources and group meditations to enhance each stage. The names of new Magi and the attainment of new degrees are listed in Isian news. Hierophants receive Charters from Clonegal Castle Lyceum and their names are listed with those of their Lyceums in the world-wide roll of the College of Isis. 8. FLAMMA VESTAE. INITIATION INTO A FELLOWSHIP OF ISIS LYCEUM. ORACLE OF THE GODDESS VESTA. PRIEST HIEROPHANT: Come to us, Holy Light, Divine Spirit, Who are Vesta of the everlasting Flame! Without Thee we are lifeless, devoid of true being. We exist in a transient world of appearances, entrapped in delusions. When we struggle to free ourselves, we are dragged away from reality by the nightmares of our fellow sufferers. Free us with fire from heaven. Come to us through Thy Daughter! ORACLE (Through Priestess Hierophant): All those who pray for the Divine Light are answered, even if no Light is bestowed. For the weary soul, lost in a world of phantoms, can be driven insane by too much Light, too soon! All your work, your struggles, all your quest for goodness, however, form a foundation on which my Eternal Flame may safely burn. Know that your body is the Phoenix and it is My Fire which consumes the Sun Bird, burning upon My Altar! From this alchemy of transmutation, the Phoenix rises in glory from its ashes: so shall it be in the fullness of time with all who are born of the Mother God! The little flame that you bring forth with you from your Mother's womb is with you always, however dimly it burns. The only spiritual death is when that flame is wilfully put out. But even then through Divine Grace the flame may be reignited, when the soul is penitent and is ready. It is greed and cruelty, selfishness and contempt for others that stifle My flame. To live without it is impossible. For many years the soul may struggle on, becoming increasingly mechanical, trying to preserve its individual consciousness. Without the Vital Spark the body itself succumbs to diseases and perishes prematurely. Then the soul finds itself
in a limbo, neither in the Sphere of Spirits nor on earth. In such a plight the loving help of others is needed: many spiritual rescue workers bring light and warmth from My hearth. Truly, when you give generously to your fellow humans, animals, all earth's creatures, you suffer no loss, but rather increase! A candle flame is not lessened when a light is taken from it to light many other candles. There is more, not less light. Yet all the candle-flames come from the same source. So is it with My Vestal Flame, which gives forth the white Light of Truth and the golden Fire of Love to all. And yet honour the darkness, for it is from the matrix of night that day cometh forth. All spiritual and physical fires, whether animating the atom, the earth, the sun or the galaxies, emanate from My Eternal Flame. This is beyond both time and space. My Light is expressed individually through each creature, every atom; yet all are One in me. Share your Light and Love with all - and you will gain all. (On a white-draped altar let there be seven white candles, a vessel of water, incense, an ankh pendant and a white feather pen and ink by an unlighted candle. An open fire or glowing charcoal in brazier is in temple. Priestess of Vesta in gold headdress and white gown stands by fire. Priestess of the Tutelary Goddess of the Lyceum is seated by altar, in robes related to the Goddess. By her stands her priest. Before them stand Priestess and Priest Hierophant in Egyptian headdresses and robes. Before altar are: Priestess of Maat and Priest of Tehuti, each holding feather, in Egyptian robes and Priestess of Astraea in classical headdress and robes. Companions wear purple robes. On a Table are: wine, fruit-juice, a glass of water, a loaf of bread and a loving cup or glasses. By door stands Priest of Anubis in black and gold wearing sigil of the jackal. Candidate waits outside door and wears white with white veil (woman) white hood (man). Companions hold candidate's gifts of incense, flowers and work of art. The Guide, Priest of Hermes, is in classical robes and bears Caduceus Wand.) THE ADMISSION (Guide instructs Candidate to knock on temple door three times.) PR. OF TEHUTI: Honoured Guardian of our Temple, Priest of Anubis, who seeks admission to the College of Isis?

(Priest of Anubis leaves temple, speaks with Guide and returns) PR.A: Noble Hierophants and Companions of the Lyceum of ***, the Psychopompos, Priest of Hermes, conducts a candidate hither. She/he is a member of Aset Shemsu, the Fellowship of Isis. She/He seeks membership of our Lyceum of ***. PRS. AST: Who stands Sponsor for this Candidate? (Sponsors speak in favour) PR. TEH: Who would refuse this candidate membership? (Coms. speak if any wish to.) PR. TEH: Let us confer. (Decision is made) PR. TEH: The Candidate is to be admitted! (Pr.A. admits Can. and Guide) FACING THE ASSESSORS GUIDE: The candidate must now face the Three Assessors. (leads Can. before priesthood of Maat, Tehuti and Astraea) PRS AST: (shows feather) Harken to the words of the Goddess Maat. "I am the Goddess of Truth. I hold this my feather before my soul. Each frond responds at once to the breath of the Spirit. Dare you face Truth with honesty, whether it be the soul-shaking winds of new ideas, the ugliness of wrong-doing of yourself and others, and the shock of harsh facts? CANDIDATE REPLIES PRS. MAAT: Though the mask of Truth may be feared as terrible, when She is faced with courage and faith, perfect beauty and goodness are seen! PR. OF TEH: (holds feather) Heed the words of the God Tehuti. I am the God of Wisdom. I show the soul my feather, that protects the sacred Ibis from the cold winds, and balances it in flight. Do you balance Truth with Compassion: Love with understanding? CANDIDATE REPLIES.
PR. TEH: Those who love, forgive others: those who face the truth are just: those with wisdom forgive themselves! PRS. AST: Harken to the words of the Goddess Astraea. "I am the Goddess of Justice who fled this world because of the wicked deeds of men. Now I return at the end of this age!" Are you just to those you dislike? Do you understand the point of view of those with whom you disagree? Are you just to all creatures, human, animal, plant? CAN. REPLIES. PRS. AST: Learn to recognise the good qualities in every being, including yourself, and you acknowledge that which is real and eternal! Be irritated by others' short-comings - and you waste time being angry with fleeting shadows. Be true to your real self! PR.TEH: Has any companion a question to put to the Candidate, before acceptance into our group? (If so, Coms. do so and Can. replies) THE ACCEPTANCE PR. OF LYCEUM-DEITY (To Can.) Do you in mind and heart adore Deity? Do you love Isis-Aset, Vesta of our Hearth and our own beloved Goddess (Goddess & God) of this holy Lyceum of the College of Isis? CAN: I do PR. OF LYCEUM: May our members signify acceptance of this candidate. COMS: (in turn): I accept this Candidate as a member of our Lyceum. PR. OF LYCEUM (to Can.) Which Goddess Name (WOMAN) God Name (MAN) do you choose, in token of your soul's birth through the Goddess? CAN: To the name/s given by my parents, I add the Divine name of ***. PR. OF LYCEUM: In the holy Name of *** (CHOSEN NAME) I declare you a member of our Lyceum of * * *, of Collegium Isidis.

THE OFFERING CAN: I offer incense to the Goddess Vesta! (sprinkles incense on fire) I offer flowers to the Goddess Isis and the God Osiris! (presents flowers) I offer this work created by myself (art, writing etc.) for this Lyceum of * * * (presents his /her work). PRIEST OF LYCEUM: I accept these gifts for the Temple, in the Name of Vesta, Isis and Osiris and ***. BESTOWAL OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS (Music: Bach, Scriabin, Mahler are suitable. Priesthood who hide veiled Priestess of Centre stand aside, so she is seen for the first time by Can.) PR. H. O Vesta, grant us Thy favour! In Thy service I open my lips. I was rapt in prayer; I felt the heavenly Deity, and the glad ground gleamed with a purple light. My ignorance was enlightened and my errors corrected without the help of an earthly instructor. Vesta is the same as the Earth; under both of them is a perpetual fire; the earth and the hearth are symbols of the home. The earth is like a ball resting on no prop. Its own power of rotation keeps its orb balanced. What wonder then if a Virgin like unto the earth delights in a Virgin Minister, and allows only chaste hands to touch her sacred things! Conceive of Vesta as a living flame. An undying fire is hidden in Her Temple with its curved dome. Vesta is so called as standing by power. The Hearth, her Focus, is named after her flames. PRS. V. (gives Can. taper) Light this candle from the hearth of Vesta. Share your power and your gifts with others and you will suffer no diminution, but rather add to your store of knowledge, power and happiness! (Can. lights candle. PRS. V. lays hands over Can's head and heart. Warm power may be felt and flame coloured lights seen.) PRS. V: May Vesta's light brighten your mind and Her Flame warm your heart. PR. H: Hear the words of a Priest of Isis to a candidate, as recounted by the Priest-Initiate of Isis and Osiris, Lucius Apuleius: "Now at last you have put into the harbour of peace and stand before the harbour of loving kindness. Rest assured that you are now safe under the protection of the true Fortuna, all-seeing Providence, Whose clear Light shines for all the

Gods that are! Rejoice now, as becomes a wearer of white linen. Follow triumphantly in the train of the Goddess Isis, Collegium Isidis. As you enrol yourself in her Holy Order, know that Her service is perfect freedom". PR. H:. Let the Candidate read to us all the words of Lucius Apuleius, as newly accepted member of Collegium Isidis. CAN: (reads) "The Company accepted me as one of themselves, a loyal devotee of the Great Goddess Isis. Not a single night did I pass, nor even doze off during the day, without some new vision of Her. She always ordered me to be initiated into Her sacred Mysteries, to which I had long been destined. I frequently spoke of this to the High Priest, begging him to initiate me into the Mysteries of the Holy Night. He checked my restlessness, so gently and kindly that I was not in the least discouraged. He explained that the day on which a postulant might be initiated during the Holy Night was always indicated by signs from The Goddess Herself. He said: "The Gates of the Underworld and the Guardianship of Life are in Her hands. By Her grace the Initiates of the Holy Night are born again and restored to new and healthy life." PR. H: When that time comes, my friend, you will be told by Isis. PRS. H: These are the words of Isis to Lucius Apuleius, as She appeared to him at night, shining over the sea: "I am Nature, the Universal Mother, Mistress of all the elements, primordial Child of Time, Sovereign of all things spiritual, Queen of departed spirits, Queen also of the Deities, the single Manifestation of all Gods and Goddesses that are. Under My protection you shall be happy and glorious, and when at the destined end of your life you attain the Land of Spirits, you shall have frequent occasion to adore Me. From the Elysian Fields you shall see Me shining with a Light as kindly and tender as I show you now" PRS. H. (anoints Can's brow with water): May Isis bring you enjoyment of your forgotten immortality! (silver power may be felt flowing through head and body of Can. and white light seen. Prs. presents Can. with Ankh) Accept this Ankh, the Sign of Life of Isis! (puts Ankh Pendant around neck) PRS. H. (presents Can. with white feather quill-pen): In the Name of the Goddess Maat, accept the White Feather of Truth from the Goddess Maat. May learning not obscure your vision. May ambition not erase your humility!

PR. H. (presents blank scroll or papyrus to Can.): In the Name of the God Tehuti of Wisdom, accept this blank scroll! Only with a pure mind that has cast aside prejudice, reflection of the thoughts of others, may you join the Magi! (Can. is instructed to write his/her new name and proposed work for the Lyceum on scroll with pen) ORACLE AND MANIFESTATION OF THE GODDESS PRIEST H: Companions of this Lyceum, the Holy Time has come! Power fills our Temple. Let us invoke the Divine Presence of our Goddess among us! (Curtains are drawn. Only light is from three candles on altar. Omnes sit except Priest Hierophant who raises his arms and gives the invocation. Silence. The Priestess Hierophant is veiled and in trance and the Priest H. protects her aura from interruption. If there is to be no manifestation, the Priestess H. lifts her veil and gives the printed Oracle. If a manifestation is to take place, Companions will observe a quickening in the air like dancing sun-motes or swirling steam. A sphere of light may appear above and behind Prs. H. The Goddess may appear to clairvoyants or on extremely rare occasions, materialise for a short while.) REPORTS (Priestesses, Priests and Companions give reports on any experiences, visual or auditory, received from the Goddess during the Holy Time) MEDITATION (Meditation on Oracle and on work of Lyceum, including use of talents of new member. Rays of friendship are sent forth to sister Lyceums all over the world. Discussion on future plans.) THE WELCOME (Companions welcome new member of Iseum. Wine, fruit-juice and bread are blessed. Feast. New member is toasted. Books and manuscripts are exchanged.)
THANKSGIVING AND BLESSING (Priesthood Hierophants give thanks to Vesta, Tutelary Goddess (Goddess and God), Isis and Osiris, Maat Tehuti, Astraea, Hermes and Anubis.) PR. ANUBIS: Let us go forth with the Divine Blessing. SOURCES: "The Golden Ass", Apuleius, trans. Graves, Penguin & trans. William Adlington, 16th Cent. "Fasti", Ovid, trans. Frazer, Harvard Heinemann. "Juno Covella", (Vesta, 9th and 15th June,) DurdinRobertson, Cesara.

9. CONSECRATION OF A HIEROPHANT ORACLE OF THE GODDESS PALLAS ATHENA PRIEST HIEROPHANT: Pallas Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, come to Your Daughter now that she may be inspired by Thy Divine Spirit! Endow us with Thy Wisdom and Thy Might that Thy ancient glories may once more shine before the world! ORACLE: (Through Prs H.) It has been written that the Iron Age should prevail over the earth bringing with it suffering, toil and evil, through neglect of the Deities. Its darkness is not the holy night of the Owl of Wisdom, but the limitation of ignorance. Its light is the transient glow that comes from superficial knowledge gained from curious probing, rather than the spiritual illumination that emanates from the Deities. It was not necessary for the world of men to choose the Age of Iron; but Destiny that the choice be offered. For what goodness is there in worshipping the Gods and Goddesses when They reveal Themselves easily to all? It is simple to satisfy curiosity, but the labour of years of experience to gain wisdom! Sentiment is pleasant but passing: the warmth of love is ever-renewing. Understand the meaning of what I am, and you will gain comprehension of your own lives and destiny. I am not divided against Myself: Bright Pallas with her Spear of Light does not war with the Dark Owl of Night. Nor do the terrible flames of the Inner Sun that are Veiled upon My shield attack Athena, the Teacher of philosophy and the arts. I am Holy. Be Ye Holy. Be at peace within yourselves and cease from your philosophical warring! In verity the catastrophes of the Iron Age are due to deep division between mortals and the Deities: between mankind and
nature: and between differing ideas which are but the quivering reflections of absolute truth. The veil upon My Shield is beginning to wear thin, and the glory of the Rays of Medusa become apparent to earthly gaze! The inner power of the atom has been violently exposed, and reduces the physical body to the shadow which in verity it is. My Spear of Light brings Divine Inspiration to the mind, while My Owl carries messages of warning from the dark Rulers of the universe, which will be known to be what it is: whole and perfect. On your troubled earth mortals struggle and learn through harsh experience to put on Immortality; which in truth is latent in each creature. A bird knows more of Elysium than doth mankind! Do not reject any aspect of the universe, but recognise it as part of a glorious pleroma in which even suffering and evil are transformed through wisdom into good. Listen for My Voice. I speak in the silence. (N.B. The Priestess Hierophant may channel an Oracle through trance) (Priestess Hierophants wear crowns and hold sistrums in Ankh form. Priest Hierophants wear Egyptian mitres and hold crooks. All wear pectorals. Magi wear star robes, Maga star crowns, Magus, star headdresses. Companions wear robes in colours of the Lyceum and lamens of the Lyceum symbol. Psychopompos wears the insignia of Hermes and bears the Caduceus. Guardian as Anubis by doors. Altar with lighted candles, incense, oil. Nearby are Candidate's crown or mitre, pectoral, sistrum or crook. Outside temple door stands the candidate in priestly attire save for headdress and wand/staff, with two priestesses and two priests. Music. 1st Priest knocks three times on doors.) PR. H. Who claims admittance to this holy Temple of *** ? HERMES. A Priestess/Priest of our Lyceum who seeks Consecration as Hierophant. PR. H. Let her/him be admitted! (Guardian opens doors. Hermes conducts Candidate's procession before Priest and Priestess H. guided by Hermes) PR. H. (shakes sistrum and uplifts it): I invoke the Goddess Isis and the Goddess * * * of this Lyceum. Holy Isis and ***, be amongst us for the consecration of this Priestess/Priest as Hierophant of the College of Isis. Bring her/him your vocation.

PR. H. (uplifts crook) I invoke the God Osiris and the God *** of this Lyceum. Divine Osiris and ***, inspire her/him for your Divine Service. PR. H. What spiritual gifts has the Candidate to offer? (Hermes from a scroll reads the encomium of the candidate.) PR. H. (to Magi and Companions) Is the Candidate acceptable as Hierophant? 1ST MAGA. In solemn assembly we have deliberated on the claims of the Candidate to guide and teach, and we accept *** as worthy to be Hierophant, dedicated to the aims of our Lyceum. 1ST MAGUS. We have in careful council assessed the character of the Candidate, and deem *** worthy to be Hierophant, to show forth the aims of our Lyceum. HERMES (to Can.) Stand forth! (Can. stands before High Altar. Prs. H. shakes sistrum and anoints him/ her on head, heart and hands with holy oil) In the Name of Isis and of *** the Goddess/Goddesses of this Lyceum I consecrate you Hierophant! PR. H. (places crown/mitre on Can's head) With this Crown/Mitre I honour Thy Spirit! PRS. H. (places pectoral around shoulders of Can.) With this Pectoral I consecrate thy heart! (If the Can. be a Prs she presents sistrum) Accept the sacred sistrum that you may awaken those who sleep! PR. H. (If Can. be Priest presents crook) Accept the Crook. Care for those committed to your charge! (Can. is turned by Hermes to face company. Prs. H. and Pr. H. on right and left) PRS H. (shakes sistrum) In the Name of Isis and of ***, Goddess of this Lyceum, I declare our Priestess/Priest Hierophant of the College of Isis! PR. H. (uplifts crook) In the Name of Osiris and of ***, God of this Lyceum, I declare our Priestess/Priest Hierophant of the College of Isis! MAGI & COMPANIONS IN TURN DECLARE: I accept the Consecration of our Priestess/Priest as Hierophant of the College of Isis.
HERMES. May our new Hierophant give us her/his Oration. (New Hierophant gives oration concerning aims for Lyceum. MEDITATION. Reports on plans. Sending forth of Light and Wisdom to the College of Isis, the fellowship of Isis and to the world. Hierophants give thanks to the Deities invoked. Procession to solemn music out of the Temple. Guardian closes the doors.) Manual Sources: "Sophia", "Panthea", Existing leaflets. New material.
COLLEGE OF ISIS CORRESPONDENCE COURSES Because of the world-wide membership of the Fellowship of Isis, more and more members are asking for Correspondence Magi Degree Courses. The use of telepathy is becoming increasingly prevalent, and overcomes that sense of isolation which can affect the solitary practitioner. The use of the booklet "Maya: Goddess Rites for Solo Use" brings daily devotions which prepare a candidate for further spiritual experience. To join a Correspondence Course, the candidate should write to a particular Lyceum, chosen from the list printed in each Isian News. Intuition is vital in order to find the most helpful course, both on the part of candidate and Hierophant. Assessment is usually given on essays and other material posted by the candidate. If it is possible, Initiation is given through ritual if the candidate can travel to the Lyceum concerned. Magi degrees are conferred by the Hierophant who can also confer Hierophancy. The great Initiation comes from the Goddess, who will guide the candidate every day when communion has been established. The College of Isis is an extension on earth of the College of Isis in the inner planes, and so teachings may be given even during the hours of sleep, to be brought to mind in the day.

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The Call of Isis

By: Olivia Robertson CHAPTER 6 INITIATION OF THE MOON
We are seated in the library of the castle, in group meditation. Group meditation is more difficult, I have found, than directed trance. For in directed trance the psychic traveller is in constant touch with the Operator, and receives guidance. At any moment, if the experience becomes too much, he can be brought back. But some who have had successful trance experience find, when left to themselves in meditation, that unpleasant, even horrific visions can come to them, resembling waking nightmares. And it is an ordeal for someone, untrained except through studying a few books, to sit alone and in silence, allowing hidden depths of consciousness to unfold. If some expansion of consciousness should occur, this can prove overwhelming. A half-way stage between directed trance experience and solitary meditation, is group meditation. Here the travellers set forth together in shared imagining, concentrating on a chosen area for contemplation. Then comes the silence during which each individual treads his chosen path alone. But, at the end of a stipulated time, say ten minutes to half-an-hour, the leader of the group calls the wandering souls back. Symbolism is unravelled, and points of cross-reference discovered. It is diversity within a framework of unity. When I lead a group, I describe the same imaginary Temple or garden that I use in individual work for one person. I invoke Deity, and ask for the aid of Helpers. I then describe as vividly as I can the chosen scene, and ask my fellows in the circle to imagine this themselves. Beyond the Temple or garden, I say, is a pleasant landscape. Here each person may go forth on his chosen path, seeking guidance and inspiration. As some may enter deep trance, I stipulate that at the end of a certain period of silence, my voice will call them back to the set scene, in which we will send forth healing thoughts for others. It was in group meditation in the library that Fiona gave us her report of the Temple of the Moon. Our library is an oblong room, lined with books, and the furnishings are golden, light brown and green; It is on the second story of the Castle, with a battlemented balcony overlooking a terrace, and the long sombre line of the yew walk. In the evenings, when we had our meditations, the shadow of the old part of the castle lay lengthily aslant the lawn; and the woodpigeons and the rooks would call from their wilderness beyond the yew walk. The members of this particular group of sessions were Alexander, Valentine, Hari - an Indian Vedantist, Nicholas, and Fiona herself. Nicholas was taking his turn at being group leader, and so sat in the East, robed in white. However he did not remain there in Fiona's visions. In her first report she said Nicholas disappeared, and his place on the caned high-backed chair of honour was taken by a Moon Lady. This Lady had raven hair, silvery skin and wore a crescent Moon head-dress. The rest of us remained in her vision, and she assumed that Nicholas must be walking around outside somewhere. We were dressed, she said, in a mixture of Egyptian and late Graeco-Roman attire. She saw a strange young man as Gate-keeper at the Western door, who wore brown leather and held a sword. He knocked on the ground twice to begin proceedings.
My brother Alexander was facing the Lunar Priestess in the West by the door. He was dressed as an Egyptian, Fiona said, and held a staff with two points at the top. I was seated on the Lady's right, and was wearing a neat wreath of gilded leaves, and was busy writing notes. I did this in the earth library anyway! Valentine, Hari and herself were wearing Greek-style costume, We seemed to be an eclectic lot, rather as we were in daily life, I thought. I could imagine a liberal minded group of Graeco-Romans at the time of the decline of the Roman Empire, practising Egyptiantype rites in a pleasant temple attached to a white marble villa. For the visionary Temple in which we sat was large and circular, according to Fiona, and was made of white marble. The floor was checked like a chess-board, black and white. The Moon Priestess, during each vision, would first walk around the circle, sprinkling something like mica or powdered silver out of a little pot hanging at her waist. She would look at us as if to see how we were. Then we would group ourselves around a cauldron in the centre of the room, with a small fire burning in it. The Lady would sprinkle purple powder on to the little fire that made it spurt into flame. We would watch closely, waiting. At last, at the climax, from the fire would glide a golden serpent. The ritual would end as it had begun, with the Gate-keeper knocking on the ground, this time once. None of us knew what this could be about; but we enjoyed the glamour of Fiona's description. I said that Fiona was building us a nice white Flying Saucer in the form of a band-box white Temple, and that we all took off in this for a psychic trip, duly returning in time for supper! Particularly compelling were the later sessions in which Fiona reported that the scene was changing. I was reminded of my favourite 'Through the Looking-Glass,' when Alice began to move from one square to another. For some time Fiona had reported seeing a mysterious curtained door in the East. Later she had glimpses of a long dark passage. As this resembled a shift into deeper trance of an individual percipient, I was aware that our whole group might well be entering another level of awareness. Instead of the usual silent Gatekeeper Guide, Fiona reported seeing a mysterious bird. He was snowy white, she said, with a golden beak and golden legs. In our final session, she found herself in the dark passage and, through a narrow window, she had a glimpse of the Priestess of the Moon sailing away in a long black boat on a deep blue sea. She was rowed by bronze-coloured men with gold head-bands, like Egyptians. The Priestess raised a white arm in salutation. We had left the Temple of the Moon. It was only after many years that I realized that we ourselves in that group had moved from our preoccupation with the psychic world, into the more intellectual sphere of the Occult. From passive mediumistic experience we were moving into a more active participation in the esoteric field. Yes, but had we successfully passed a lunar initiation? For not one of the three Worlds, the physical, the psychic and the spiritual is more important than the other. Man has a tripartite being, body, soul and spirit, and a weakening of one of these leads to unbalance, even a fall back into an earlier stage. For a person can be successfully developed in one sphere, have a brilliant intellect and yet be lamentably deficient in emotion. Yet emotion well used is the fuel power of the will. Another sort of unbalance manifests in an emotional person who lives in a Wagnerian state of turbulent passion, without the controlling power of the mind. As for a lack of artistic appreciation in someone otherwise clever and feeling, this can lead to such unattractiveness that the person can even make goodness and knowledge seem boring.

Of course each individual takes life's initiations in a different way, and in different order. A tidy way is to control the emotions by the mind, and from there develop cosmic consciousness. In my own case I began with mystical experience and from there I tried to interpret through the 'sun level' of the mind; and finally realized the extreme importance of the emotional 'astral' sphere of the moon. The final result must be the same: in one's own unique way to synthesize the three worlds within oneself and from thence to relate successfully to all those whose lives in any way touch one's own, whether human or animal, plant or the elements themselves. Nonetheless, although many prefer to start with the Spirit or with the mind, most people with whom I have worked feel that they cannot deal with either of these states, without first dealing with their feelings. And, when in trance, this takes the form of a birth experience through the element of water. I have not observed the need for birth experience in women percipients; but each man I worked with, young or middle-aged, found himself as a small boy in his beginning trance experiences. The little boy would be poor and dirty and lost. At first when this happened I thought it might be a case of reincarnation. But the subsequent adventures were so clearly natal, that I had to face the fact that these men were bent on being born again in a more satisfactory manner! To take the experience of Owen. Having begun as the poor Arab boy and grown into a youth, guided by the Lady of the Water-jar, suddenly in one of our sessions he began a new trend. It was the Lady of the Doves who for him brought Ordeal by the element of water; though for him the ordeal was not very unpleasant. He found himself as a youth standing by a pool, and the Lady of the Doves was facing him across the water. She told him to undress and bathe in the pool. As he was modern in outlook, Owen was puzzled by the action of the Lady as he undressed and stood naked. She covered her face with her great white wings - and I felt here the Moorish influence of the veiled face. Perhaps the gesture had a deeper symbolism. Then Owen entered the pool. Now I could feel, as he lay on the library couch, that Owen was entering into a deeper state of trance. There was the usual altered rate of breathing. At these times I myself had a curious feeling of dual consciousness, as if I were not only sitting in the darkened room with my notebook, but was also projected into the trance vision, helping to shape and guide if need be. "I've got right under the water!" said Owen. "I've gone through the bottom of the earth. Now I am crawling down a very narrow black tunnel. It is very narrow. I can hardly move. But I've got to move on. Strange. I have become a baby." He seemed in no particular discomfort but was concentrating intently on his struggles. I waited patiently. Both of us were puzzled. I did not see why Owen had to turn into a baby, just when he had grown from the little Arab into a young man. I was used to people going down long dark passages, but this seemed more like the heavy and dangerous task of a coal-miner burrowing into the earth. I wondered what Owen was up to, and whether to help. But he seemed determined to press on unassisted. Then he suddenly cried: "I see the Light." I was relieved. I was thinking of mundane time, of supper! There was silence; then he said: "I'm looking out from the mouth of a cave. I'm looking down on a lot of people. They look like early Druids or something like that. The men have long grey beards and wear white robes, and the women have long garments. What they are doing is to hail the four quarters. They are turning to

each quarter in turn to hail the sun; and I am afraid that when they turn in my direction, they may see that I am spying on them. I am afraid of falling." It was strange that though Owen lay rigid in trance I felt that exciting things were happening to him. Then: "I fell right down from the tunnel into a cave." He said. "I tumbled down into the midst of them, but they are not angry. They have picked me up. It's all right. They are examining me." And so through the mediatorship of the Lady of the Doves, Owen felt himself reborn into the world of the Ancients. From then on he continued his adventures as an adult, still faithful to his earliest intention of seeking the Holy Grael. But I felt that already he had psychologically achieved the Cup of Water. He did not again find himself as an unsure boy. The final apotheosis of Owen's lunar initiation was the coordination of the three aspects of Eve as One. This was near the end of our course of sessions and, appropriately it was the autumn. "I find myself in a dark cave," he said. "It is very frightening, because here are three shapes in the darkness, which I can only dimly make out as women. When my eyes get adjusted to the darkness I will try to describe them. "The first one is very young and she is veiled. I can't see any glimpse of her face. The second one is completely wrapped in a black shawl. The third is just a black huddle on the floor of the cave. Ah, now I can see her!" I felt Owen's recoil. "She has the head of a black panther!" After this not very heartening apparition of the Triple Hecate, Past, Present and Future, Owen became aware of the Sage behind him. One of the women gave the Sage his own Moon Brooch. I wondered if Owen would stop here, and return from trance. But in this event I felt that in future he would turn more and more to some spiritual male Master, and have a very natural prejudice against The Fates, and possibly women generally. He would not have passed his feminine initiation, the transmutation of the emotions. However, the Sage beckoned Owen to follow him, and they left the cave. I was interested to note that the Three Women came along too, and so were not left plotting in the cave, and so in Owen's subconscious up they all went into a high mountain, the Sage, the Women and Owen. And they stood, all five of them, waiting for the rising of the sun. Slowly the darkness of night gave way to the first rays of the rose and orange dawn. And as the sun began to rise over the mountain, a golden disc appeared in the sky, and floated down towards them Owen said that a long-haired angel was within this fiery globe. And now a strange thing happened. The three women approached the golden disc as if to ascend into the sky. But first they turned round, and unveiled. "The first young one," said Owen, "is unveiling her face. And I know her. She is the lady of the well, who gave me a drink from her water-jar. And now the old crone is becoming young. She has thrown off her black shawl. She is the redhaired lady with pearls in her hair, who has the two candlesticks and the golden cup with rubies. And the third one, the woman with the panther's head, she too is changing. Now she is a tall and stately Queen with long black hair. They are going upwards, they enter the golden globe, and it rises into the dawn sun-light. "I am left standing with the Sage. And I hold my staff. I have the right to do so." So Owen himself achieved the realization that was put into words at the end of his first session in an Arab village:

"Night and Day are one. Sun and Moon are one. "All things are One." His next stage might unfold in good time. But not with me. Few people can attain beyond the sphere of the psychic; nor should they attempt to do so until they have realized consciousness beyond duality. No high-sounding occult school degrees give true degree. This is only gained through actual development; a natural growth from seed to flower. Real growth is true to nature. Nonetheless, often unexpectedly, we find ourselves on the threshold of a further expansion of consciousness. We hold the dark key of the sphere of Psyche. We control the waves of the feelings. So may we find ourselves before a doorway with the sigil of the sun.