Fellowship of Isis
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The Fellowship of Isis (FOI) is a modern religious organization devoted to the worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis. It is multi-religious, multi-racial, and multi-cultural organization. All members have equal privileges within its ranks and membership is free.
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[edit] History
The FOI was founded at Clonegal Castle, Enniscorthy, Ireland at the Vernal Equinox of 1976. The founders were Lady Olivia Robertson and Lawrence and Pamela Durdin-Robertson, who wanted to create a fellowship to "help the Goddess actively in the manifestation of Her divine plan." Lady Olivia has described Isis as "God in female form." The FOI grew out of a "working group" created in 1963 called the Huntington Castle Centre for Meditation and Study. This Centre was active in gathering together various occult and theological figures such as Philip Ross Nichols, Josephine and Mohun Lall, and Gerald Gough. This group slowly changed over time, and in 1975 the group began organizing and preparing. From 1976 until the early 1990's, the group was mostly quiet, slowly gathering members and interacting with other pagan groups.
The Fellowship of Isis was represented at the Parliament of World's Religions at Chicago in August 1993 by Olivia Robertson and other member delegates. It is the first time that the Religion of the Goddess has been acknowledged as a world faith at this Parliament. [1]
In January of 1999, the Archpriesthood Union was created from thirty-two Fellowship of Isis Archpriestesses and Archpriests. The members of this Archpriesthood are the custodians of the policies and principles of the FOI. The "Star of Isis-AU" was later added by Olivia Robertson in 2003. It is made up of eight members of the AU in order to function as an advisory board and consultancy service to all Fellowship of Isis members. [2]
[edit] Practices
The Liturgy of the Fellowship of Isis was written by Olivia Robertson, each ritual honoring different pantheons, and including a divinely channeled oracle encouraging spiritual communion with that Deity. These rites may be used for personal spiritual enhancement or, via instruction from a Fellowship of Isis center, various degrees may be attained.
[edit] Focus
The Fellowship of Isis's stated goal is to support and promote the idea of the Divine Feminine. The Fellowship of Isis Manifesto sets out the basic principles of this society. The Fellowship accepts religious toleration, and is not exclusivist. Members are free to maintain other religious allegiances. The good in all faiths is honoured. The Fellowship of Isis has no particular affiliations. [3]
The Fellowship is dedicated to spreading the religion of all the Goddesses throughout this planet. The Gods are also venerated. The Goddess is seen as Deity, the Divine Mother of all beings, as well as the embodiment of Truth and Beauty. Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, including Catholics and Protestants, and Spiritualists have joined. From many countries followers of the esoteric traditions have become members, including practitioners of Wicca, Qabalah, Rosicrucianism, Celtic Mysteries and the Zen, Sufi and Tao paths. [1]
FOI sub-groups, called "FOI Foundation Center Societies" or "Daughter Societies" of the Fellowship of Isis consist of the ‘College of Isis’ (Lyceums), the ‘Spiral of the Adepti’ (Iseums), the ‘Spiral of Alchemy’ (Solar Iseums), the 'Druid Clan of Dana' (Groves) and the 'Noble Order of Tara' (Priories). Additionally, there are sub-chapters of these societies of the FOI in many major cities and countries around the world.
The Fellowship claims 24,000 members in nearly a hundred countries. Members often blend their own traditions and beliefs with those offered by the Fellowship. [1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c The Handbook of the Fellowship of Isis. Olivia Robertson. 1992. Cesara Publications.
- ^ Fellowship of Isis Homepage. [1]
- ^ The Fellowship of Isis Manifesto. Olivia Robertson, Lawrence & Pamela Durdin-Robertson. 1976.
