A Safe Haven

 

Everyone deserves a peaceful and safe home – this can take the form of a physical home, a hearth dedicated to the Goddess, it can also be a quiet place within oneself, where our heart is the altar of the Goddess (or the God). As we walk upon this earth, we know our time upon it is limited. Earthly life provides a priceless opportunity to find internal harmony, which is expressed in the outer or material world through Temperance - uniting Justice with Compassion. And so it is within our wonderful Fellowship of Isis – we don’t point fingers, we don’t seek conflict, we do not vilify. Instead we learn, we educate, we grow.

The Fellowship of Isis was conceived, founded and dedicated to further awareness of the Divine Feminine and to bring balance between the Goddess and the God. Our purpose is to assist humanity's awakening into the Golden Age of Peace. The Age of Peace is sorely needed.

Fellowship of Isis Central exists to provide a safe haven, so that certification and degrees are not rescinded, teachers are not shamed or nullified. We honor the autonomy of the workings of every FOI center, which is inspired by the inspiration of the tutelary deity/deities of that center. If one does not agree with the workings of a center, leave the founder and the members of that group alone in peace.

The Manifesto of the Fellowship of Isis clearly outlines the principles upon which we are based, that of peace, tolerance and respect for all spiritual expression.

I say to any who need to read these words: “Sheathe the Sword.” May Healing Rays be sent forth in Peace for All FOI Members, and for All Beings.

Linda Iles

FOI Central Website Manager, member, FOI Union Triad

www.fellowshipofisiscentral.com

Photo of FOI co-founders Olivia Robertson and Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, courtesy of Loreon Vigne

Isian News Beltane 2023

 

Beltane Blessings, Aset Shemsu! Isian News no. 188, Beltane 2023, has been published! The cover features a lovely photo of FOI co-founder Olivia Robertson carrying an offering of flowers to the Belvedere on the grounds of Clonegal Castle. This issue features the Oracle of the Goddess Mahadevi and the ritual Festival of Wesak from the FOI liturgy book “Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess” and “Psychic Rescue Work” by FOI co-founder Olivia Robertson.  Editorial “The Time of Blessings” by Hamsa Devi. Book Reviews: “Little Book of Qi” by Janet Seaforth; “Euphrosyne & Harty Spring” by Sonia McNally; Book Recommendation: “The Girl in the Tunnel” by Maureen Sullivan. Heartfelt thanks to the following members for their contributions: Marie Alexander; Normandi Elli’ Caroline Wise; Linda Iles; Patrick Norwood MacAllister; Sara Gamberoni, Kasey Conder, Alexandra Axinte, Michael A. Starsheen; deTraci Regula; Hennie van Geel; Claudiney Prieto; Celia Thomas; Christine Rhone; Baya Rouzoul; Setjataset; Mana Youngbear; Denise Dumars; Sarah Rooke; Ivana Modesto; Shannon Michaela Doree Smith; Ossian D’Ambrosio; Ann Brigit Waters; Sheila Broun. Dulce Domum: Ayah Buonaugurio.

 

Thank you to all who contributed photos, reports, articles, poetry, and news from their centers!

 

You may view the current issue as a pdf at this direct link:

 

Isian News Beltane 2023

Happy Anniversary to the Fellowship of Isis

Blessed Vernal Equinox, Aset Shemsu! Today we honor the founding of the Fellowship of Isis, which was established on theVernal Equinox in 1976. Did you ever wonder why the founders chose this date? Olivia expressed her views in an interview given at the Nesu House, Isis Oasis, in 2003. She offered some beautiful insights the reasoning why this date was chosen, including this passage: "Spring marked the time of ancient Egyptian harvest. My brother, through his studies, discovered the four faces of Khufu’s pyramid are slightly concave - as commented upon by Petrie; the intent of this construction may have marked advent of the equinoxes. Lawrence discovered the pillar of Osiris, known as the djed, was used as a kind of celestial measuring-pole. The djed, when shown tilted, symbolised the Autumn Equinox and the confinement of Osiris within the coffin; whereas the djed when upright, denotes the Spring Equinox and the recovery of Osiris by Isis." You can read the whole interview at the link below.

https://www.fellowshipofisiscentral.com/olivia-robertson-vernal-equinox

Photo courtesy of Loreon Vigne 

Founding of the Fellowship of Isis

Blessings Aset Shemsu! In honor of the upcoming anniversary of the founding of the FOI, during the FOI Convocation at Isis Oasis, Geyserville, California, USA, 2006, Olivia Robertson gave the following account of the Founding of the Fellowship of Isis

Enjoy!

Anniversary of the Founding of the FOI: March 21

March 18- Celebrate the Birth of the FOI on March 21: “Earth Magic of Transformation” in Urania. Rite by Attunement for All FOI Members are free to join in by around the world on March 21st, Spring Equinox, which is the actual FOI Birthday/Date of the Founding - either as full ceremonial, or reading it, and visualising it.

There doesn't have to be a specific time as that is difficult to coordinate internationally, without it being inconvenient for some. All the rites can be done solo, by reading aloud, perhaps with a candle, and or incense, or more elaborate if you choose! Relax beforehand, and anoint your brow with water before you start. Make sure you won't be interrupted by phones or people. Cats and dogs usually like to join in! 

Juno Covella: Lupa

Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, "Juno Covella" has this entry for Valentine's Day: "Roman: LUPA (Whistler, English Festivals, p. 90) “St. Valentine’s Day, February 14th … Like the candles of Candlemas, recently gone by, it comes to us by direct descent from the Lupercalia of pagan Rome ... It was about the middle of the month that the names of willing young ladies were put in a box and well shaken up,... so that each young blood could draw out one at random; the girl thus won to remain his companion while the gaieties lasted ... centuries passed and still the lottery for girls continued ... ‘It is a ceremony never omitted among the Vulgar’, wrote Bourne in 1725, ‘to draw lots which they term Valentines. The names of a select number of one sex are by an equal number of the other put into some vessel; and after that, everyone draws a name, which for the present is called their Valentine, and is also look’d upon as a good omen of their being man and wife afterwards’.

Text and Photo © The Circle of Isis Advisory Board, Fellowship of Isis Central Global Website.

In Memory of Lawrence Durdin-Robertson

In memory of Lawrence Durdin-Robertston, FOI Co-Founder, who died on August 4, 1994

http://www.starofelen.org/Events.html

There are also recent updates at the Star of Elen website including a new Arts & Poetry page featuring a wonderful poem "Helena" by Alex Langstone.

Laura Janesdaughter, Spinstress SOE







Photo: courtesy of Olivia Robertson and Caroline Wise.

Copyright © The Circle of Isis Advisory Board, Fellowship of Isis Central Global Website.

The Temple of Isis Shrines, Clonegal Castle, Ireland

Excerpt from "Guide to Clonegal Castle" by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson M. A. (Dublin), Baron of Strathloch, Priest of Isis (1990)

On the N.E. wall of the Old Hall is a pair of double doors, being the original entrance to the castle. The right hand has a spy-hole and the left another spy-hole through which the muzzle of a gun can protrude. These doors open into the Porch built in 1680 which has its own door, strengthened with a gate. Above it is a coat of arms of the Rev. Lawrence Durdin-Robertson and his wife Pamela (Barclay). To the left of it is the certificate of registration from Mr. G. Slevin, the Chief Herald of Ireland; to the right and left of the porch are displayed the books written by Miss Olivia Robertson and the Rev. Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, connected with the Fellowship of Isis. This was founded in 1976 by Lawrence and Pamela Durdin-Robertson and the Hon. Olivia Robertson, basically as a form of religion to worship the Goddess in her many forms. It is multi-racial, multi-religious and its membership [includes] Catholics and Protestants, Hindus, Shintoists, Cherokee Indians and some others in sixty four different countries which include Ireland, Britain, U.S.A., Germany, Romania, Iceland, Japan and Siberia. Nearly of the F.O.I. are black, from W. Africa. Festivals are held in the Temple eight times in the year, and outside in the Dana Temple as well if the weather permits. Many members of the F.O.I. and other visitors visit part of the Castle and the grounds, and the Temple."

Reprinted here by permission.

Photo: Hon. Olivia Robertson and her brother, Rev. Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, Co-Founders of the Fellowship of Isis, in the Temple of Isis, Clonegal Castle, Ireland. Photo courtesy of Olivia Robertson and Loreon Vigne. All rights reserved.

Copyright © The Circle of Isis Advisory Board, Fellowship of Isis Central Global Website.