Fellowship of Isis
Encyclopedia
The Fellowship of Isis is an international spiritual
organization devoted to promoting awareness of the Goddess
. It is dedicated specifically to the Egyptian
goddess Isis
because the FOI co-founders believed Isis best represented the energies of the dawning Aquarian Age
. The FOI is a multi-faith, multi-racial, and multi-cultural organization, and despite worshipping pagan deities, does not consider itself to be a Neopagan faith, with its co-founder Olivia Robertson stating, in 2002, that it was a religiously plural
organisation that:
All members in the Fellowship of Isis have equal privileges within it, and membership is free. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to join – once an individual has read through the Fellowship of Isis Manifesto and finds themselves in agreement with the principles laid out within it. There are no vows of secrecy. Members are free to resign at any time, if they so choose and to rejoin again at a later time.
, Co. Carlow, Ireland at the Vernal Equinox of 1976. The three co-founders were Olivia Robertson and her brother, Lawrence Durdin-Robertson and his wife Pamela. Their aim was to create a fellowship to "help the Goddess
actively in the manifestation of Her divine plan." 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. The experiences shared within this group, along with the personal spiritual revelations and experiences of the three FOI co-founders led to the eventual founding of the Fellowship of Isis on the Vernal Equinox, 1976. From 1976 until the early 1990s, the group steadily grew.
In August 1993, the Fellowship of Isis was represented at the Parliament of the World's Religions
at Chicago 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. The Parliament "became a showcase for the new religions in America, especially since mainstream Christianity was much underrepresented . . . Two feminist neopagan groups, the Covenant of the Goddess
and the Fellowship of Isis, were among the sponsors of the parliament."
Custodianship of the legacy of the Fellowship of Isis has been entrusted to three Foundation Unions known as "The FOI Foundation Union Triad." The first was the Archpriesthood Union, created in January, 1999. It consists of 32 members of the FOI Priesthood, sixteen ArchPriestesses and sixteen ArchPriests. The ArchDruid Union and Grand Commander Union were founded by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson in October, 2009. The ArchDruid Union consists of 32 ArchDruids and ArchDruidesses of the Druid Clan of Dana. The Grand Commander Union consists of 32 Grand Knight Commanders and Grand Dame Commanders of the Noble Order of Tara. These two new unions join the ArchPriesthood Union to form the Fellowship of Isis Foundation Union Triad. Together the three unions act as "Custodians of the Legacy" of the Fellowship of Isis.
A series of advisory boards has also been created by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson to act as consultancies. The Star of Isis-AU consists of ArchPriesthood Union members. It was created by Olivia Robertson in 2003. Owing to the rapid expansion of the Fellowship of Isis over the past several years, the Star of Isis-AU has been joined by the Circle of Brigid (Ireland, 2004), Circle of Isis (USA, UK, Germany, 2004.) Circle of Pelagia (USA, 2006), Nemeton of Dana (for the Druid Clan of Dana, 2006), Round Table of Tara (for the Noble Order of Tara, 2006) and Star of Elen (United Kingdom, USA and Europe, 2008). There are three authorized central websites for the Fellowship of Isis, they are Circle of Isis (Fellowship of Isis Central), Star of Elen and FOI Germany. The authorization of three 'central' sites around the world is part of the continuing decentralization process initiated by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson. The Fellowship is a good example of a globally organised religion, whose international and Internet presence is very large by comparison with its Irish base.
of the Fellowship of Isis was written by Olivia Robertson, each ritual honouring 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.
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. "The ecumenical nature of this nonprofit organization reveals itself in a membership that includes Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Cabalists, Spiritualists, and Wiccan and pagan worshippers of all kinds."
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). There are sub-chapters of these societies of the FOI in many major cities and countries around the world.
The Fellowship of Isis claims over 24,000 members in nearly a hundred countries. Members often blend their own traditions and beliefs with those offered by the Fellowship.
Interview on Video
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
organization devoted to promoting awareness of the Goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
. It is dedicated specifically to the Egyptian
Egyptian mythology
Ancient Egyptian religion was a complex system of polytheistic beliefs and rituals which were an integral part of ancient Egyptian society. It centered on the Egyptians' interaction with a multitude of deities who were believed to be present in, and in control of, the forces and elements of nature...
goddess Isis
Isis
Isis or in original more likely Aset is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic...
because the FOI co-founders believed Isis best represented the energies of the dawning Aquarian Age
Aquarian Age
Aquarian Age may refer to:* Age of Aquarius - astrological belief that the sign Aquarius has sovereignty over civilization during its part of the Great Year* Aquarian Age TCG collectible card game...
. The FOI is a multi-faith, multi-racial, and multi-cultural organization, and despite worshipping pagan deities, does not consider itself to be a Neopagan faith, with its co-founder Olivia Robertson stating, in 2002, that it was a religiously plural
Religious pluralism
Religious pluralism is a loosely defined expression concerning acceptance of various religions, and is used in a number of related ways:* As the name of the worldview according to which one's religion is not the sole and exclusive source of truth, and thus that at least some truths and true values...
organisation that:
All members in the Fellowship of Isis have equal privileges within it, and membership is free. Membership is open to anyone who wishes to join – once an individual has read through the Fellowship of Isis Manifesto and finds themselves in agreement with the principles laid out within it. There are no vows of secrecy. Members are free to resign at any time, if they so choose and to rejoin again at a later time.
History
The FOI was founded at Clonegal CastleHuntington Castle, Clonegal
Huntington Castle, also known as Clonegal Castle, is a castle in Clonegal, County Carlow, Ireland.The structure was originally a "plantation castle",, used for defensive purposes during the plantation of the area in the early 17th century. The original tower house, which served as a garrison, was...
, Co. Carlow, Ireland at the Vernal Equinox of 1976. The three co-founders were Olivia Robertson and her brother, Lawrence Durdin-Robertson and his wife Pamela. Their aim was to create a fellowship to "help the Goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
actively in the manifestation of Her divine plan." 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. The experiences shared within this group, along with the personal spiritual revelations and experiences of the three FOI co-founders led to the eventual founding of the Fellowship of Isis on the Vernal Equinox, 1976. From 1976 until the early 1990s, the group steadily grew.
In August 1993, the Fellowship of Isis was represented at the Parliament of the World's Religions
Parliament of the World's Religions
There have been several meetings referred to as a Parliament of the World’s Religions, most notably the World's Parliament of Religions of 1893, the first attempt to create a global dialogue of faiths. The event was celebrated by another conference on its centenary in 1993...
at Chicago 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. The Parliament "became a showcase for the new religions in America, especially since mainstream Christianity was much underrepresented . . . Two feminist neopagan groups, the Covenant of the Goddess
Covenant of the Goddess
The Covenant of the Goddess is a cross-traditional Wiccan group of solitary Wiccan practitioners and over one hundred affiliated covens . It was founded in 1975 in order to increase co-operation among Witches and to secure for Witches and covens the legal protection enjoyed by members of other...
and the Fellowship of Isis, were among the sponsors of the parliament."
Custodianship of the legacy of the Fellowship of Isis has been entrusted to three Foundation Unions known as "The FOI Foundation Union Triad." The first was the Archpriesthood Union, created in January, 1999. It consists of 32 members of the FOI Priesthood, sixteen ArchPriestesses and sixteen ArchPriests. The ArchDruid Union and Grand Commander Union were founded by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson in October, 2009. The ArchDruid Union consists of 32 ArchDruids and ArchDruidesses of the Druid Clan of Dana. The Grand Commander Union consists of 32 Grand Knight Commanders and Grand Dame Commanders of the Noble Order of Tara. These two new unions join the ArchPriesthood Union to form the Fellowship of Isis Foundation Union Triad. Together the three unions act as "Custodians of the Legacy" of the Fellowship of Isis.
A series of advisory boards has also been created by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson to act as consultancies. The Star of Isis-AU consists of ArchPriesthood Union members. It was created by Olivia Robertson in 2003. Owing to the rapid expansion of the Fellowship of Isis over the past several years, the Star of Isis-AU has been joined by the Circle of Brigid (Ireland, 2004), Circle of Isis (USA, UK, Germany, 2004.) Circle of Pelagia (USA, 2006), Nemeton of Dana (for the Druid Clan of Dana, 2006), Round Table of Tara (for the Noble Order of Tara, 2006) and Star of Elen (United Kingdom, USA and Europe, 2008). There are three authorized central websites for the Fellowship of Isis, they are Circle of Isis (Fellowship of Isis Central), Star of Elen and FOI Germany. The authorization of three 'central' sites around the world is part of the continuing decentralization process initiated by FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson. The Fellowship is a good example of a globally organised religion, whose international and Internet presence is very large by comparison with its Irish base.
Practices
"Over the past 30 years a body of liturgy has developed, detailing how the [Manifesto] principles can be practised by interested members through establishing a relationship between self and deity. Members are encouraged to express this spiritual relationship by enacting rituals, prayers and meditations, as detailed in the liturgy. This liturgy is drawn from the ritual structures of contemporary paganisms, Goddess spirituality and diverse archaeological scholarship into religious experience in the ancient world." The LiturgyLiturgy
Liturgy is either the customary public worship done by a specific religious group, according to its particular traditions or a more precise term that distinguishes between those religious groups who believe their ritual requires the "people" to do the "work" of responding to the priest, and those...
of the Fellowship of Isis was written by Olivia Robertson, each ritual honouring different pantheons
Pantheon (gods)
A pantheon is a set of all the gods of a particular polytheistic religion or mythology.Max Weber's 1922 opus, Economy and Society discusses the link between a...
, and including a divinely channeled oracle
Oracle
In Classical Antiquity, an oracle was a person or agency considered to be a source of wise counsel or prophetic predictions or precognition of the future, inspired by the gods. As such it is a form of divination....
encouraging spiritual communion with that Deity
Deity
A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....
. These rites may be used for personal spiritual enhancement or, via instruction from a Fellowship of Isis center, various degrees may be attained.
Focus
The stated goal of the Fellowship of Isis 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. The Fellowship of Isis Manifesto. Olivia Robertson, Lawrence & Pamela Durdin-Robertson. 1976. "It practices total religious tolerance, forbids sacrifice of any kind and discourages asceticism."The Fellowship is dedicated to spreading the religion of all the Goddesses throughout this planet. The Gods are also venerated. The Goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
is seen as Deity, the Divine Mother
Divine Mother
Divine Mother or Mother Divine may refer to*Adi parashakti, a goddess of Hindu Mythology*Blessed Virgin Mary, of Roman Catholicism religion*Father Divine, an American religious leader active in the 1930s, and either of his wives:** Edna Rose Ritchings...
of all beings, as well as the embodiment of Truth and Beauty. "The ecumenical nature of this nonprofit organization reveals itself in a membership that includes Protestants, Catholics, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Shintoists, Cabalists, Spiritualists, and Wiccan and pagan worshippers of all kinds."
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). There are sub-chapters of these societies of the FOI in many major cities and countries around the world.
The Fellowship of Isis claims over 24,000 members in nearly a hundred countries. Members often blend their own traditions and beliefs with those offered by the Fellowship.
External links
Officially Authorized Global and Regional Fellowship of Isis Websites listed in alphabetical order:- Circle of Isis (Fellowship of Isis Central) http://www.fellowshipofisiscentral.org
- Circle of Pelagia http://www.circleofpelagia.net/
- FOI Chicago http://www.foichicago.org/
- FOI Germany http://www.fellowship-of-isis.de/
- Fellowship of Isis Homepage Archive http://www.fellowshipofisis.com
- Fellowship of Isis Online Directory http://lotuspharia.freeyellow.com/fellowshipofisis/
- Isian News http://www.isiannewsfoi.org/
- Portal of Isis http://portalofisis.info
- Star of Elen http://starofelen.org
- Temple of Isis Geyserville http://www.isisoasis.org/
- Temple of Isis Los Angeles http://www.toila.org/TOILAintro.html
Interview on Video
- Interview with co-founder, Olivia Robertson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBjshYBHEns