December 28, 2014

Credo of the Fellowship of Isis

 
"We grow from the Earth
And we share Her fruits.
We fly with bright wings
And we reach the stars.
We are Immortal with all that is.
Evoe Isis!"
 

(Credo and painting by Olivia Robertson)
 

December 24, 2014

Highlighted Artwork: The Twin Mothers

 
"The Twin Mothers", illustration by Olivia Robertson.  Here are some quotes from the book, "Juno Covella" by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson: 
 
Anglo-Saxon: THE MOTHERS; Modraniht, Night of the Mothers. (Hislop, The Two Babylons, p.93):  "As the 25th of December was called by our Pagan Anglo-Saxon ancestors, 'Yuleday', or the 'Child's day', and the night that preceded it, 'MotherNight' " (Hilda Davidson, Gods, Myths, N. Europe, p.112). . . "Bede mentions them in De Temporum Ratione (13), where he tells us that the night before Christmas was known in heathen times as Modraniht, 'The Night of the Mothers'. There seems little doubt that they were closely connected with the birth of children".
 
Babylonian: THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN. (Hislop, The Two Babylons, p. 93) on the festivals held on December 25th: "Long before the fourth century, and long before the Christian era itself, a festival was celebrated among the heathen, at that precise time of the year, in honour of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven. . The same festival was adopted by the Roman Church . . This tendency on the part of Christians to meet Paganism half-way was very early developed."
 
Semitic (General): THE HEAVENLY VIRGIN, THE HEAVENLY GODDESS; ASTARTE. (Frazer, Golden Bough abgd. p. 358): "No doubt the Virgin who thus conceived and bore a son on the twenty-fifth of December was the great Oriental goddess whom the Semites called the Heavenly Virgin or simply the Heavenly Goddess; in Semitic lands she was a form of Astarte".
 
Egyptian: ISIS, NUT. (Eisler, Royal Art of Astrol. p. 270): "The goddess Isis, the Virgo Caelestis, the Egyptian sky-goddess Nut [was] believed to give birth to the Sun on the 25th of December". (Fell. of Isis Dir.) "December 25th: ISIS AND HER SON HORUS. Festival of children and young animals and birds and other creatures".
 
Persian: SPENTA ARMAITI. (Frazer, Golden Bough abgd. p. 358):  "Mithra . . his nativity also fell on the twenty-fifth of December". For Spenta Armaiti as the mother of Mithra see Days of the Month: 25th.
 
Cyprian: MYRRHA. (Hislop, The Two Babylons, p. 97): "The mother of Adonis . . was mystically said to have been changed into a tree, and when in that state to have brought forth her divine son (Ovid, Metam. lib. x. v. 500-513) . - And this entirely accounts for the putting of the Yule Log into the fire on Christmas-Eve . . As Zero-Ashta, 'the seed of the woman', which name also signifies Ignigena, or 'born of the fire', he has to enter the fire on 'Mothernight', that he may be born the next day out of it".
 
You may read more about this day in Juno Covella:
Juno Covella - FOI Goddess Calendar

(Text and artwork, copyright reserved.)

December 22, 2014

Winter Solstice Festival


Foundation Centre
Winter Solstice Festival
20th December 2014
 
We were blessed with a crisp dry day as we met for our last ceremony of the year. As ever in addition to our regular membership we welcomed one or two members and their guests who had travelled to be with us for the first time, and there was an air of spiritual warmth amongst us as we set off singing to the Druid’s Grove. Here members of the priesthood invoked Deity in both Irish and English as we stood within its sacred circle, drawn to look up in amazement at the sheer height and majesty of these mighty trees - towering above us and reminding us again that Nature is our Mother, who meets our every need.

On this occasion it wasn’t possible to visit the ancient Abbey in the grounds, so we paused at Persephone’s Shrine, to invoke her permission to enter the Temple with pure hearts, before filing quietly into the beautiful atmosphere which awaited us within. As we gathered for invocations and individual blessings beside Brigid’s Well of Truth, the powerful energy of the sacred water rose up to inspire and welcome everyone to the hearth of the Goddess where all hearts are known.

During the blessings a beautiful Solstice version of Silent Night was sung and all was wrapped in magical peace as we proceeded to our seats around the High Altar, where a silver-veiled figure awaited our arrival to give us an Oracle from the Cailleach, the ancient Irish Goddess of Winter. Quiet yet clear as a distant bell on a frosty morning, she spoke from the perennial wisdom of the ages.

2014 has been a hard time for many of our members, a time of death and yet renewal, of coping with personal loss, yet continuing to seek to draw upon deep wells of connection to the divine for comfort and understanding. So we were invited to enter a space of rest and reflection for a while to the beautiful strains of the harp played live beside the Altar.

This was followed by a sharing of the deep inner release which may be evoked by connecting with the Dark Goddess such as the Welsh Goddess Ceridwen and Nepthys the sister of Isis. To provide balance we were reminded of working with the Divine Masculine in the form of Aengus Og, the Celtic God of Love. All revelation comes through devotion and entails inner work on ourselves, and each of us comes to it and expresses the fruits of it in different and uniquely valuable ways – so many thanks to the members of the priesthood who took part in this, and to everyone who joined in with the spirited chant which was offered to lift up our hearts in preparation for the truly inspiring Seasonal Story-telling treat which came next!

Spell-bound we listened to the telling of the wonders surrounding the conception and birth of a son - ‘achieved within the span of one full day only while the Sun stood still’ - of Aengus Og himself, the magical love child of the Ancient Irish God the Dagda Mor and the Goddess Boann. Told in tones of wonder, using her ‘bohran’ (the traditional Irish hand drum) to perfection, our powerful story-teller held us in the palm of her hand.

The main proceedings were completed with a quiet inner journey, offered by yet another member of the priesthood, and the golden and silvered energies of her gentle steadying voice brought inner peace and returned us safely back to ourselves in the Temple.

Minette Quick
 
 
(photo of belvedere on Castle grounds, copyright reserved)

December 21, 2014

Solstice Sun and New Moon in Capricorn

 
Blessings of the New Moon and the Solstice Sun in Capricorn! Hear an audio file of Olivia Robertson speaking of the Constellation of Capricorn and the stories behind the stars:

 (mp3/ 90 sec/ 354kb)
 Audio text:
"At Clonegal Castle in Ireland, it is Winter in the constellation of Capricorn. Let us contemplate this mystery of the humble Earth at the far distant stars of Capricorn, which some saw as a sea goat. Teachings given to us by the Magi. For they would ask a simple person: "my friend what is that in the sky?" They would say: 'it's goat's horns.' And the Magus would say, 'I will tell you concerning that goat.' And so the starry book revealed myths not known to astronomers, yet written in the Book of Fate. Despise not the myths of the stars, for they were linked to the simple imagination of humble fellow friends who gazed at the sky and called them names, and the teachings were given. And so their souls were brought nourishment. Let us contemplate the Earth and the constellation of Capricorn. . ."



(Cropped photo by Minette Quick of the Well Chapel of Brigid, Foundation Center Temple, Ireland. This north-east corner is also the Shrine of Capricorn. The well cover was painted by Olivia Robertson and represents the Sidhe of Water and Earth. Audio and photo copyright protected.)

December 20, 2014

Solstice Blessings

 
"In a Seasonal Rite, the invocation is connected with a special time of year, with the cyclic movements of the celestial bodies and with the climatic changes of the earth. For those living in a town, cut off from nature in her wild form, even the visualising of Stonehenge and the Polar stars at the Winter Solstice brings food for the soul, a reminder of past incarnations, a harmony with nature spirits. When a group gathers for a seasonal festival, even in a small room, affinity is realised with the cosmos. Above is not a mere plaster ceiling with an electric light bulb suspended from it - but the starry glory of the heavens. Behind the television set is the mystery of the setting sun: beyond the radiator is the radiance of the circumpolar stars: by the door may be felt the influence of the centre of our galaxy, near Vega, the Weaver Maid. And mighty Orion is rising below the sitting-room carpet, as he chases Taurus, and in turn is followed by the Star of Isis now below the earth."  (Olivia Robertson from the book, "Dea.")

(The Inner Sun painting by Olivia Robertson, Foundation Center Temple, Ireland.)

December 17, 2014

Jocelyn Almond: Dulce Domum rite

 
Blessings to all Aset Shemsu.  The FOI's funeral rite, the Dulce Domum, will be held for Dr. Jocelyn Almond on Friday, the 19th of December at 12:20pm GMT. (7:20am EST). Those who wish to attune are invited, and you may download a copy of the ritual from her memorial page here:

 
 
 
 
(photo of Window Shrine for Absent Friends at the Foundation Center Temple, by Minette Quick)

December 10, 2014

Temple Doors

 
"A spiral procession slowly and surely winding its way through a garden inwards towards a temple blends two spheres, the earthly and the psychic. After such a ceremony, the garden or field has a different, more psychically alive atmosphere, which may be felt even by those unacquainted with the occult. The wearing of robes and regalia, the playing of musical instruments, enhance the effect. However, if neighbours may wonder when they hear chanting, the clash of symbols, the eerie notes of the flute and the rattle of the sistrum, all that is needed is a quiet walk around the garden in everyday clothes. During this silent walk, thoughts are sent forth to bless plants and the earth. The procession then winds inwards to the hall door and so within to the shrine. So is the outer acknowledged and blended with the inner. After the Rite within the shrine, which brings through the Power needed for the good purpose of the ceremony, it is needful that the procession should return out-of-doors, preferably in a contrary spiral movement. This return is not to inhibit the Power, nor to dispense with the aid of those elemental and other Beings who have chosen to join in the ceremony. It is to disperse the power outwards so that it may radiate blessing to the whole neighbourhood and the surrounding plants, earth and streams."  (Olivia Robertson, "Dea: Rites and Mysteries of the Goddess")
 
 
 
 
(photo of the doors to the Foundation Center Temple, painted by Olivia Robertson.)

December 1, 2014

FOI Oracle for December


"Every time you send forth healing for all,
or for one animal or plant,
you change the world around you for good."

The Oracle for this month is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Jocelyn Almond. You may read it in full here:




(Photo of Olivia Robertson from the Logic Reality DVD "Olivia Robertson, Priestess of Isis." Copyright reserved.)

November 28, 2014

The passing of Dr. Jocelyn Almond


It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Dr. Jocelyn Almond in the early morning of Thursday, November 27th. She was an FOI Archpriestess and member of the Star of Isis. In 1995 she founded the Lyceum of Isis Myrionymous near London and had correspondence students world-wide.

Jocelyn was the author of many books, including Egyptian Paganism for Beginners, An Egyptian Book of Shadows, The Book of Egyptian Ritual, The Fall of Xeirozogenes, The Barricaded Tower and also several on the Tarot, co-written with her husband, Dr. Keith Seddon.

Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends. More information will be posted on this  page of our website as it is received:

 
 
(photo of the High Altar, FOI Foundation Center Temple, copyright M. Quick)

November 25, 2014

FOI Prayer of Thanks

 

FOI Thanksgiving Prayer
By:  Olivia Robertson

"Holy Isis, Holy Osiris;
We give you thanks
that your Love, Beauty and Truth
are manifest with Power and Peace
throughout all spheres,
within all beings,
and we accept your Blessing now,
in Mind and Heart."


Archival link: Fellowship of Isis Prayers

(photo of Winged Isis and Osiris in the Healing Chapel, Foundation Center Temple, by Minette Quick.)

November 21, 2014

Sun in Sagittarius

 
The Shrine of Sagittarius, Foundation Center Temple.

"Presided over by The Morrigan, Queen of All Rivers at Full Flow,
All Springs and Wells, She is the Virgin Source – the Baive.
Her husband is The Dagda Mor, Chief of the Danaans
She is also An Cailleach, the Widow, She Who Weeps.
Where Her Daughter, a tributary, joins her,
A Goddess Centre is traditionally established.
The Castle is on the Banks of the River Derry,
which is a tributary of the ‘River of Healing’- the Slaney.
The FOI as a Daughter of the Goddess
has established the ‘New Awakening’
And dedicated it as the Druid Clan of Dana,
Based in the Druid Grove
in the Wilderness in the grounds of the Castle."

 
 
(Commentary by Olivia Robertson and Minette Quick, photo by M.Q.)

November 18, 2014

Shrine of Persephone

 
"Harken to my words with your inner ear: and see with the Eye of Vision. The seed falls from the plant into the depths, there to draw within itself the elements of growth. When spring comes the plant grows through the earth into the bright air. The great trees and the small wild flowers alike give their gifts of colour and scent and good food. The birds make their nests in branches and the bees and butterflies are enchanted by the many coloured flowers. But when the autumn comes what then of the plants and flowers? Their seeds fall into the dark earth, as I did: and they are reborn on earth, as I was. But their true Selves enjoy eternal beauty with Demeter and all Deities: as I do, now and for ever more."  Oracle of Persephone, by Olivia Robertson.


(photo of the Shrine of Persephone, Foundation Center, copyright Durdin-Robertson, Huntington Castle.)

November 14, 2014

From Cressida Pryor: Olivia's Passing Anniversary

 
Olivia's Passing Anniversary
Message from Cressida Pryor
 
On today's anniversary of Olivia's earthly death I am sure we will all connect with our memories of her in our own way.

She was truly exceptional and her Tara poem seems so pertinent on the day we connect with a comet, which she would have loved, and we honour her life and death:

"The canopy of stars are mine,
Bright eyes of the black Mothers.
I draw the starlight through the spirals of space
To the dark earth's mountains and little hills,
So stars and earth are one.
See Me in the mirror of the moon
reflecting the Inner Sun.
I am with every being that is
For I am within you all."

Hail and farewell, dear Olivia.

Love and blessings,
Cressida

 

Archival Link: Fellowship of Isis Letters


(c) Tara poem and drawing by Olivia Robertson, from the NOT Manual/Compendium and Isis of Fellowship.

Olivia's Reflections - Audio

 
To further honor Olivia Robertson on the anniversary of her passing (see post directly below), we have uploaded fifteen new audio files. This adds two more hours of Olivia presenting her Reflections articles, often with additional commentary.  To listen and read the text as well, go to the link below, click on "Reflections" and scroll down to the new additions:

 
 
 
(Photo of Olivia by Logic Reality)

November 13, 2014

Remembering Olivia Robertson


Blessings to all Aset Shemsu.  Please join us in lighting a candle to remember and honor Olivia Robertson, on the first anniversary of her passing.

"My own dedication came from sudden awareness of identity with the White Light of Isis, a shining silver-white feminine figure with wide shining lightning flashes extending from either side of her head – that encompassed the stars. So I learnt that without Truth, Love becomes dissipated. I have always received inspiration from Those outside myself. I received the teaching: 'Approach Truth with courage: Love with humility.' Divine reality pervades every being. I learnt to honour the truth in all faiths and philosophies. To accept Deity in each creature and atom. I felt the love within all born of The Great Mother of All."  (Olivia Robertson, "The Call of Isis")


Archival Link:
The Life and Work of Olivia Robertson

November 12, 2014

Samhain Festival Foundation Center

 
SAMHAIN FESTIVAL FOUNDATION CENTER.
November 8, 2014. 
 
Greetings to all Members from Foundation Centre
As we approach the first anniversary
Of the passing of our Co-Founder
Rt. Rev. Olivia Robertson
On November 14th, 2013
 
The weather had been overcast and blustery with intermittent rain all week but it didn’t prevent us from processing the grounds of the Castle, to invoke Deity at the sacred places where the Druid Clan of Dana and the Noble Order of Tara were created by the Co-Founders of the Fellowship of Isis, before entering the Temple under the watchful eye of Persephone. It was wet underfoot but the sun shone upon the still green beech leaves high up amongst the magnificent tall trunks of the trees in the Druid’s Grove.
 
Many thanks to Pamela Currey, who as a member of the Durdin-Robertson family takes responsibility for the regular care of the Temple with the assistance of members of the priesthood. Their work continues to ensure that the life within the Temple itself which so inspired the Co-Founders is still palpable and provides a wonderful welcome to all who enter. The energy at Brigid’s Well of Truth, in particular, was incredibly powerful as water was drawn for the customary blessings of all present, a libation having been made to the Goddess of all Waters.
 
The programme on this occasion was very much cognisant of the legacy left to us all by Olivia, whom so many of us feel honoured to have known personally and spent so much time with. Marian who cared for her so exquisitely during the long months in hospital in Waterford presided on this occasion. At the High Altar we received an Oracle in deep peace from the Goddess Danu, and were enchanted in turn by some beautiful ‘a cappella’ solo singing, a poem inspired by the passing of a close relative, and an African chant which we all learnt and sang in parts led by Marian, but the centre-piece was a short Mystery Play the kernel of which was created by Olivia during her final months, and entrusted to both Marian and Cait who kept careful notes, as she wished it to be performed annually in the Temple at this time.
 
Many Blessings to you all from Foundation Centre! I haven’t gone into too much detail on this occasion, but you can be assured that the spirit of the Fellowship of Isis is still very much alive here at this time, and we believe that Olivia in closer Fellowship with the Goddess Herself is directing all our paths towards the growth of freedom to express our own inner divinity in love, beauty and truth together and pass it on in this troubled world.
 
Minette Quick
 
 
 
Archival Link:

(photo of Well of Brigid, Castle Temple, by M. Quick.)


November 11, 2014

Cave of the Mothers

 
The Cave of the Mothers, Foundation Center Temple:  "Wooden African Carving of Mother and Child. The Mother Goddess, Eke-Eyen. Behind left, the 3 Artistic Creators, Pele, Brighid and Maya. Stone figure of Child of Gaia. Painted cloth of Persephone, Queen of Hades."


(Commentary by Olivie Robertson, photo by M. Quick.)

November 5, 2014

Audio Highlight: Lawrence Durdin-Robertson

 
Listen to the words of Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, during a Fellowship ritual:
 
(mp3 / 54 sec / 204 kb)
 
Audio text:
"Know that the Divine Language of Symbols is comprehended throughout all spheres. Symbols not only have power within themselves, but also are the keys that unlock each successive door that guards the inner spheres. Each object on a lesser plane is a symbol on a greater level. Reality increases with consciousness. Every bird and tree here is a symbol of its greater being in the world of eternity. So with ourselves. Our bodies are a symbol for our souls in heaven, and our souls symbolize our spirits in realms of everlasting beauty."


(photo from the Occult Experience, created with permission, please do not reproduce.)

November 1, 2014

Nov. Oracle: Goddess Sarasvati

The true mystic becomes increasingly sensitive to the auras of others,
whether human, animal or plant, and honours and loves them all
as part of our Universal Family.
 
This month's Oracle features the Goddess Sarasvati. You may read it in full by clicking on the link below:
 
 
 
 
 
 
(photo of Olivia Robertson copyright P. Sudheer, with additional cropping by this site)

October 31, 2014

From Cressida Pryor


Cressida Pryor, Steward of the Fellowship of Isis, asked that this letter be shared today:

 
 
(photo of the Fellowship of Isis Foundation Center, Ireland)

October 30, 2014

Letter from Minette - A Samhain Reflection

 
Minette Quick (Hon. Sec, Circle of Brigid), asked that this letter be shared. She writes:
 
"The original version of this reflection was written shortly before Olivia’s passing on 14th November 2013. On coming across it again this Summer 2014, I decided to edit it with the first few lines in the form of a poem, which I lovingly dedicate to her memory. M.Q."
 
 
 
(photo of Olivia Robertson by Minette Quick)

October 28, 2014

Guided Tours at the Castle

 
 Eimear Burke, member of the Circle of Brigid, wanted to share this letter with everyone today.  It addresses the guided tours that regularly occur at Clonegal Castle.  To read, please click on this link:

Guided Tours at the Castle


"The energy in the Temple is wonderfully alive.
Olivia would most certainly approve.
Her presence there can be felt most strongly and lovingly.
Her heritage is solid and is a good base
for the unfolding of her vision for the FOI."

October 27, 2014

Durdin-Robertson Ancestors

 
Today we are honoring and remembering the ancestral line of the Durdin-Robertson family. This photo is of Olivia Robertson with a picture of her mother, Nora (Parsons) Durdin-Robertson. You may also see other portraits of Olivia and Lawrence's ancestors on this page:
 
 
 
 
(photo by Dennis Murphy, Logic Reality)

October 23, 2014

Solar Eclipse

 
To help mark the solar eclipse, here is audio of Olivia Robertson as the Oracle of Hathor:
 
The Sun is our Heaven
(MP3 / 1:36mins / 379kb)
 
Audio transcript:
"The sun is our Heaven, yours and Mine. Every dawn you see it rise and it culminates, and then it appears to leave you, sinking in the West. But in reality it is always there, awaiting you. For all of you are children of the sun. Your solar bodies are hidden in earthly flesh, as the sun is hidden during an eclipse. It is through your solar bodies of light and warmth that you hear not only the voices of those attuned to you on earth, but you also begin to receive words from the whole Company of Heaven. Your vision extends to seeing the divine form of myriad-colored Deities, and your minds are enabled to understand their spiritual teachings. Listen then for the voices of the Goddesses and Gods, and allow your vision to accept their presence. When the sun shines at day you do the works of earth: but when the outer sun is hidden in night, then is it time for your souls to awaken. The solar Spirit that shines in each of you and in all beings shines forth in glory!"
 
 
(Drawing by Olivia Robertson: "Achieving the Inner Sun")

Archival Link:  FOI Audio Gallery

October 22, 2014

Sun moving into Scorpio


Many blessings as the Sun moves into Scorpio tomorrow.  This is the Shrine of Scorpio, located within the Well Chapel of Brigid at the Foundation Center Temple. You may also hear an audio file of Olivia Robertson, giving a past meditation:
 
(MP3 file - 1 MB - 5 minutes)

Audio transcript:
"Visualize the Temple of all your dreams, surrounded by a rainbow of light .. . we enter through the southwest portal flanked by two mighty female sphinxes, wings reaching the glimmering roof. Now we notice four statues of a bull, a lion, an eagle and an angel! Let us approach the window of Scorpio in the West, overlooked by the golden eagle. We approach this window and seat ourselves before this stained glass surmounted by the sign of Scorpio. The picture shows a man in green robes holding aloft a wand entwined with a green and red cobra with raised hood. By him is a woman in purple robes, who is riding up on her tiger with her arms around his neck. Suddenly a wind rushes through the Temple, throwing open the window. Through it we see the brilliant ten stars of Scorpio shining above a mountain by the sea.
 
"You find yourself floating towards a red and emerald star, Antares. As you approach, you see a colour-filled land where fulfilled desires may be enjoyed. Think of this, enter this place - but beware! Do not lose yourself, caught by obsessive passions. Enter the paradise of fulfilled desire. Enjoy what you have longed for in your heart, and dared not feel. This divine within us - desire . . . love . . . but with it may come the desire of power over those we love. We face this in ourselves, to keep them safe within our own arms. With this comes jealousy, fear, hatred against a rival. . . there is the danger of total subservience, surrender to one person, one cause, one overriding desire. The cause for which we kill, for which we are manipulated. . .we are followers shouting slogans, filled with the obsessive passion for tribe . . . for ideal . . . for leader. And is the leader enslaved by passions?
 
"Here is the place of alchemy, these passions must be realized to be transmuted into Love, Beauty, Truth. The Truth of the idea, the Love within the passion. All evil slips away, transmuted into good. The power of the passions is enjoyed. And so we are enabled to receive love as well as give it, to give it as well as to receive. We regret being called back. We leave Antares, slowly withdraw, back away from this wonderful star, and come back before the stars by the doorway, of the Temple of the Zodiac."
 
 
(photo by Minette Quick)

October 20, 2014

Fellowship of Isis Healing Prayer

 
The Healing Wings of Isis
Protect, Enfold and Awaken you!
 
 
Prayer and illustration by Olivia Robertson.  You may hear Olivia's recordings of the Fellowship of Isis prayers and invocations here:  FOI Prayers

October 16, 2014

Letter from Cressida Pryor

 
Cressida Pryor, Steward of the Fellowship of Isis, asked that this letter be distributed today.  It concerns the central role of Circle of Brigid at the Foundation Center, as well as the dissolution of the FOI Union Triad.  Please note the Manifesto has also been updated to reflect this change. Our warm appreciation goes out to Cressida and the members of the Circle of Brigid for their outstanding work for the Fellowship of Isis.
 
 
 
 
Archival Links:
Fellowship of Isis Manifesto

October 14, 2014

Psyche, Magical Journeys of the Goddess

 
"Psyche, Magical Journeys of the Goddess", by Olivia Robertson, is now available in paperback. It may be ordered through Amazon or any other bookstore, and it is also available through local libraries.  You may read it in its entirety at no cost through our website as well.
 
From the introduction:
"Journeys of the psyche are the life giving joy of those who dream of perfection. The harder everyday existence becomes, the more we draw away from it and, denied peaceful sleep crowned with beautiful dreams, may create images of loveliness through creative imagination. We learn to escape from the unreal world of transient time and place into immortal reality: from boredom, pain and fear of death into realisation of our divinity. To imagine is to co-create with the Deities. It is to give birth to manifold forms. The inner planes are more pliable to the interaction of thought-feeling than is the physical world. What are planets but dream playgrounds of Goddesses and Gods? We are beginners in the art of creation. The spider weaves a perfect logarithmic curve and the bee, exquisite hexagrams for their honey stores: and when mothers give birth they also create. But this is unconscious activity. Through divine inspiration we are learning to choose the patterns needed for our lives. We shall know the future, for we shall have formed it."

 

October 7, 2014

Lunar Audio Clip


Many blessings of the upcoming eclipsed Full Moon.  Hear Olivia speaking on the moon in this audio clip:


Audio transcript:
"The Moon is our sister planet and her influence moves both the tides of the sea and our own souls. As she waxes and wanes she affects all plant life and our own emotions. In her fullness she is a mighty mirror that reflects to us the polarized rays of the sun. In her darkness she shows us our own black image, the earth's shadow. So she is an enigma that conceals the truth. For everything in this physical world is but a reflection of greater spheres. We need to know ourselves through the moon's magic mirror, so that we may transform the world."
 
 
(photo of Olivia Robertson by Dennis Murphy, Logic Reality)

October 1, 2014

October Oracle: Goddess Anahita

 
"For what good is flight without a destination?
To attain spiritual wings you need to discover
your own true role in the divine plan."

The Oracle for October is from the Goddess Anahita. You may read it in full here and also listen to Olivia Robertson give the Oracle:

 
 
 
(Photo of Olivia Robertson by Dennis Murphy from the DVD "Olivia Robertson, Priestess of Isis." All rights reserved.)

September 30, 2014

Fellowship of Isis Code of Ethics

Updated FOI Code of Ethics

This statement was released by Minette Quick on behalf of the Circle of Brigid and Cressida Pryor, current Steward of the FOI and Olivia's successor:



 

September 29, 2014

Fellowship of Isis Autumn Festival

 
AUTUMN EQUINOX FESTIVAL AT FOUNDATION CENTRE
27th September, 2014
 
We have been blessed in Ireland with a wonderful continuation of warm daytime temperatures this year.  At night however the temperature drops heralding all too soon the end of tender beans in the garden and the last of an abundance of blackberries and other fruits.  But Saturday dawned bright and clear and we had quite a large gathering of members and their friends to our Festival at Clonegal.  Many events take place at the Castle these days and a wedding was taking place the same afternoon, and with the fine weather, the Bridal Party had requested that they might take their vows actually in the old Abbey, which was a lovely idea and we all wished them every joy.
 
So we adjusted our usual plans to leave them in peace and processed down to the Druid’s Grove in the Wilderness to spend a beautiful peaceful time together in this sacred place which the Co-Founders dedicated to the Druid Clan of Dana.  There we invoked Her Presence and that of Tara and Persephone, that we might enter the Temple of Isis in purity of heart and thankfulness that provision had been made for us all in the Fellowship to connect in spirit with these special places and perhaps even visit one day.
 
At Brigid’s Well of Truth we remembered Olivia’s vision of ‘light energy’ coming directly into it from the heavens, providing healing of the spirit through its waters.* She maintained that it was this energy which enabled her and her brother Lawrence to bring forth and encourage a love for the Goddess again in our age. They researched and reconnected with Her manifestations throughout the ages, and established that the essential universal truths have always been remarkably similar.  They sought to re-establish and acknowledge the innate equality and unity of Goddess and God, as did Isis and Osiris, each fulfilling their divine destiny.  As a visionary, Olivia tuned into so many of the famous manifestations of the Goddess and received their wisdom for our time.  She preserved these Oracles at the heart of the Liturgy, which she created to illuminate our many and diverse spiritual paths through life.
 
After all had been Blessed with sacred water from the Well, we were introduced to three of the priestesses newly in training with our Lyceum of the Three Mothers, and were delighted to meet them and wish them every success and deep fulfilment as they dedicate their lives to the service of the Goddess.
 
Following this we received a powerful Oracle from the Goddess Danu who reminded us that we can all do something to further a more general awakening to the need to treat our Great Mother, the ground beneath our feet, with greater respect.  To protect her from the ravages of short-sighted, severely damaging attacks, offering limited benefits for the few, by acting together in the interests of everyone - She requires our hands and hearts and voices.
 
We had all been saddened to hear of the recent death after a long illness of a long-term member of the priesthood here, and were glad to welcome members of her close family and friends to join us in remembrance of her gentle, quiet, wise spirit.  This was quite a homecoming in a sense for one or two younger members as they had actually been blessed by Olivia as babies and had travelled quite a way to be with us from West Cork.
 
A feature of the Festivals that have taken place at Foundation Centre since Olivia’s passing has been the participation of everyone in the priesthood in the planning process, in order to provide a changing and interesting seasonal content to the ceremonies. This time we were taken on a ‘magical journey’ by one of our Circle members who is a wonderful story teller.  We also had a quite spectacular ‘mystery play’ central to which was the telling of the high drama around the birth of Athena (“She who comes”) as told by the Goddess Metis (“She who was of all beings the most knowing”)  But the centre piece  of our play was Athena Herself, resplendent with helmet, sword, shield and golden staff or ray, having sprung fully grown from the head of Zeus, who to protect himself had somehow swallowed pregnant mother and baby so that she might not be born! 
 
After all this excitement our time was nearly up, so having given thanks and prayed for the Blessings of the Mother on all in need, we repaired to enjoy the welcome tea which had been prepared for us in the village, and many of us stayed on there, quite a while, to enjoy each other’s company and get to know those who had joined us for the first time.
 
Minette Quick 29th September, 2014
 
* You may read Olivia’s full account which she sent whilst in hospital in June 2013 to the websites, referring to the importance of these sacred places for us all to connect with in spirit if we so wish.  The Manifesto of the Fellowship expresses the essential universal truths expressed over the ages for spiritual seekers of their time by many Goddesses and Gods.  Olivia's Letter:  Sacred Places
 
Archival Link:
 

September 26, 2014

Window Altar

 
North window in a niche of the Well Chapel, Foundation Center Temple.

September 22, 2014

Sun in Libra - Equinox

 
Blessings of the Equinox, time of Libra!  The photo is the Shrine of Libra at the Foundation Center Temple. It shows a statue of the Goddess Etain, carved by David Durdin-Robertson. She is bestowing blessings upon the a...nimals around Her. The wooden panel is by William Morris with inlaid fleur-de-lis.  You may also hear Olivia Robertson speak on the "Window of Libra" in this audio clip:
 
(mp3 file: 5:30 minutes / 1.25mb)
 
Audio transcript:
"How honored we are to be climbing the hill towards the Temple of the Zodiac. As we gaze at the stars wheeling around us, we realize that each star is the home of Divine intelligences and even mightier Beings and Deities who preside over whole galaxies. Is beyond our believing, yet each of us has a spark of star within us and we belong to the body of the Cosmic Mother. On we climb, up the hill, and we reflect that as each star is haven of Deities, bright beings we may become, yet there are also planets encircling, which are planetary schools for us, as is our Earth. We face the south-west portal of the Temple. It is flanked by mighty winged Sphinxes. Pass the Sphinxes and we enter. Look upon the twelve walls, these beautiful stained-glass windows are each crowned with a sign of the Zodiac.
 
"Come to the west window surrounded by the seventh sign, Libra: the scales of equal day and night, autumn and spring. The picture shows a Goddess beneath an Aspen tree, cradling the Yin-Yang egg. Think of a Goddess cradling it. The Consort of the Goddess encircles Her with His arms. Below we read the ancient words: 'The aspen will detain, The egg will all explain; Seek not; yourself be sought. All other search in vain.'
 
"A mighty wind rushes through the Temple, throwing open the window - feel this wind pouring through. We see through it the glittering constellation of Libra with its 28 stars. The star Se Han forms the south-western pan of the scales. Approach the window! Look at the constellation of Libra and enter into entirely other landscape of soft beauty, into this happy land of the Goddess Kwan Yin, full of all we have ever longed for, land of our heart's longing. Here we have the company of those we love, forever - or - as long as we choose. We make our own space and time in Infinity. Here grow the Peaches of Immortality. Taste them if you can find them. Those who have tasted these peaches may ever return, if they have the will to do so.
 
"Here, all are reconciled: love and truth, philosophy and religion, peace and activity. Above all we find harmony within ourselves and with others. Here is harmony with all Nature. Judgment is not judging others: it is having the judgment to bring harmony so there's no loss to any. Peace can only come with justice. Let us do justice to ourselves, and so we will be just to all, and so the Law of Love and Harmony prevails.  Thus, in harmony with ourselves, we are part of the Cosmos and the Music of the Spheres."


Archival links:
Audio Gallery
Shrines of the Zodiac

 
(photo by Olivia Robertson, cropped and enhance by this website. All rights reserved.)

September 19, 2014

Art Highlight: Finuala

 
This painting by Olivia Robertson is entitled "Finuala, Swan Sidhe of Air and Water." It is located on an altar at the left of the well in the Chapel of Brigid at the Foundation Center Temple.


(photo copyright Minette Quick)

September 16, 2014

Visiting the Foundation Center

MESSAGE FOR ALL WEBSITES

Huntington Castle is only open to the public for tours during the summer months, though there is a year round programme of special events. See www.huntingtoncastle.com for details.

However members are welcome, by prior invitation, to one of our Fellowship Festivals at the Castle which are private gatherings and therefore not publicised.

Might I suggest that to avoid disappointment members planning to travel to Ireland wishing to visit, make contact before final travel arrangements have been made.

Sincerely,
Minette Quick (Hon. Sec. Circle of Brigid)
 
For invitations to FOI seasonal festivals, please see this page:  Events

September 13, 2014

Book highlight: Juno Covella by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson

 
 
From the back cover:  "This Calendar is called after Juno, who was invoked as Juno Covella, of the New Moon, when the Nones of each month were announced (calantur), by the Roman Pontiff. (Varro).  The Calendar gives details of the Goddesses presiding over, or connected with, the various divisions of time. . . Material for the Calendar is drawn from a variety of sources. These include the traditional scriptures such as the Babylonian and Egyptian Ritual Texts, the Vedas, the Bible, the Zend-Avesta, the Kojiki, and the Nihongi, the Koran, the works of Classical writers including Hesiod, Aratus, Varro, Ovid, Ptolemy, and also the late Roman Calendars of Philocalus and Silvius. Among rarer or lesser known books are the Institutes of the Emperor Akbar, Dufresnoy's Chronological Tables and the Abbe de Montfaucon's Supplement to Antiquities Explained." 
 
 
Archival Link:
 
The cover illustration of this book is by Anna Durdin-Robertson.

September 8, 2014

Selene's Realm

 
Olivia Robertson wrote in the rite of "The Triple Moon":
 
'Let us make our voyage to the sphere of the full moon in our fair ship Luna. We sail through bright moonlight into Selene's spiritual realm. The moon in her beauty inspires the romantic dreams of poets and lovers, so that the humblest woman becomes a Goddess of eternal loveliness: a hump-backed man is transformed through love's eyes into a God. And this is no illusion, but the banishing of a false transient image. For ugliness, stupidity and cruelty are but distortions in our shadow world of the perfection that is our true being. Those who despise others are deluded by the passing play: wise are those who adore the ideal in their lovers.'
 
 
(photo of the Moon Goddess Shrine by Minette Quick at the Temple of Isis, Ireland, further cropped by this site.)

September 5, 2014

Clonegal Castle - Temple Portico

 
Clonegal Castle, columns indicate the Temple Portico.
 
 
 
(photo copyright Stacy S.)

September 1, 2014

September Oracle: Goddess Brynhild


"Though struggle appears necessary in the worldly sphere,
the best battle is against one's own wrongful ideas and passions,
and not against the neighbour."
 
This month's Oracle features the Goddess Brynhild.  You may read it in full by clicking on the link below:
 
 
 
(Photo of Olivia Robertson by Dennis Murphy from the DVD "Olivia Robertson, Priestess of Isis." All rights reserved.)

August 24, 2014

Circle of Brigid Notice - Fellowship of Isis World Map

Notice to all FOI Sites:

It is now 9 months since Olivia's passing, time which seems to have flown by as we deal with her loss. A time, also, when we come to truly understand the vast legacy she left behind, a legacy which continues to inspire and enliven us all on our vocational paths! In 2016 the Fellowship of Isis will celebrate its 40th anniversary, a profound vision of love, community and spiritual devotion to the Divine Feminine which Olivia and Lawrence created at the Vernal Equinox in 1976. As the Fellowship grows, with possibly as many as 30,000 members, we come to realise the expansiveness of that vision! The huge quantity of work that Olivia and Lawrence put into the FOI, is only now being realised as we take up the mantle and we thank the Gods for the gift that they both gave to us!

As part of the upcoming celebrations, we, at the Foundation Centre on the borders of counties Carlow and Wexford, felt that it would be wonderful to have a very clear sense of the extent of the membership and the Iseums, Lyceums, Priories and Groves and other groups in existence. We have discussed the possiblity of creating a world map with markings showing the location of all groups being run throughout the world. There is so much marvelous work being done throughout the Fellowship that it would be a lovely thing to honour it!

To that end, we are asking all Iseums, Lyceums, Priories and Groves, and other groups within the Fellowship, to renew contact with the Foundation Centre so that we do not, in error, leave anyone out! Perhaps you could also explain a little about the groups you run so that the members of the Fellowship come to know more about you.

We would ask that groups contact us by Samhain 2015 (October 31st) so that we can begin to create the map and have it ready in time for the anniversary itself.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

With the blessings of Isis,
The Circle of Brigid

Map Submission Form:  http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/worldmapform.html


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Archival Link: Circle of Brigid Notice