©Selina Fenech
http://www.selinafenech.com
Image used with permission
www.geocities.com/~firesilk/
Isis
Egyptian
Isis is frequently
considered a powerful Triple Goddess. Daughter of the earth and sky (Geb
and Nut), she's one of the post powerful deities - male or female - available
in any pantheon. This view was prevalent among members of the Golden Dawn,
and so she was passed down to Wicca.
Goddess of Magic
- The sun god Ra had created all things. From dust and Ra's spittle, Isis
created a serpent that she then left to waylay Ra in his daily passage
across the heavens. Because Ra did not create it, he could not undo the
poison. Isis boasts the ability to destroy the serpent and its poison,
but demands that Ra first divulge his secret name in payment. Names have
long been considered to contain power - demons, for example, might be
controlled or exorcised by someone knowing their name. By learning Ra's
true name, Isis gained power even over him. The power of names continues
to be involved in Ceremonial Magic, although far fewer Wiccans ascribe
to the concept.
Goddess of Motherhood,
Marriage, and Fertility - Isis's most common aspect is that of Mother.
Besides giving birth to the god Horus, whom she is often depicted as suckling,
she is credited with the nurturing of civilization, including the introduction
of the concept of marriage. She is also frequently associated with Hathor,
another fertility goddess.
Goddess of Life
and Death, Rebirth and Healing - When brother Set slew and dismembered
her brother/husband Osiris, Isis dutifully searched the world reassembling
the pieces and returning life to him. The realms of life and death are
frequently divided between Isis and her sister Nephthys, often considered
to be Isis's darker side.
Goddess of Sovereignty
- Depicted with an iconographic throne perched atop her head, Isis is
associated with rulership.
