January 29, 2015

Imbolc Thoughts by Cressida Pryor

The Goddess has no body on earth but ours.
The Goddess has no hands on earth but ours.
Ours are the eyes through which she
Streams compassion to the world.
Ours are the hands with which she
Is to bless all beings.
May we have the grace to know this mystery,
The courage to give ourselves to it entirely,
And the strength to enact its truth in the world.

These words inspired by Teresa of Avila very simply describe my personal theology. My experience of the Divine is that she, he, it is in everything and everything is in he, she, it. That means both the snow drop and the tree creeper; the hope and the despair.

I do not require or expect any member to share my belief; I respect your right to whatever is your truth. Indeed I am proud that the FOI does not require any tenet of belief of its members except to acknowledge their need to, in Olivia’s words, experience a closer communion with feminine divinity and the agreement to abide by the manifesto’s values.

The FOI was founded by visionaries who recognised that one of its most important tasks was to heal and return the world to wholeness through sacred being and sacred doing. The fellowship and sacred meeting within the FOI’s Festivals and liturgy fuel hope and energise the heart in the face of challenges inherent in working for transformation in these chaotic and confusing times.

Indeed peace and passion walk hand in hand; joy and heartbreak are just a whisper apart. The FOI has much work to do. I hope we do not get distracted by internal strife so that we lose sight of what we are here to do; which is to serve the Goddess. We also need to practice the path of compassion that we believe in; to foster reconciliation where there is a true ‘dropping of the knife’. Please join in the silent time of prayer and contemplation on Sundays at five pm for peace and reconciliation in the world and our own community.

The FOI is its members and priesthood. One well of inspiration and strength comes from the Temple and sacred waters deep in the Foundation Centre in Clonegal, Eire; tended by members of the Circle of Brigid who also hold its regular festivals. The fellowship needs to be deeply embedded in the real world; nurtured, informed and inspired by spirit and acting with truth, beauty and kindness.

At Imbolc snow drops hold a pale resilient presence
in the freezing winds;
a tree creeper scurries up a tree trunk
seeking grubs in hope to survive the snow.

We stand by Brigid’s forge, poised to transform;
feeding the flame to bring bright
the new growth ready for spring.
 
 

January 27, 2015

Foundation Center Statement

 
Fellowship of Isis; Foundation Centre Statement
by Cressida Pryor, FOI Steward
January 27, 2015
 

January 23, 2015

Castle Yew Walk


"The Yew Walk is a line of 120 yew trees which bend over, forming an arch.  It is thought to be over 600 years old, being part of the Old Abbey grounds.  It forms three sides of a rectangle.  The corners were cut out by H. Robertson, to allow a vista to the east and the south.  The largest tree is at the N. West end by the arcaded wall, measure 41 feet high; in width 12 feet and 9 inches.  The branches of different trees join together."  

Written by Lawrence Durdin-Robertson in the booklet "Clonegal Castle".



(photo copyright J.D. Mabbott)

January 19, 2015

Sun and New Moon in Aquarius

 
Happy Sun and New Moon in Aquarius!  The above Shrine of Aquarius is located in the Temple Sanctuary of the FOI Foundation Center and is dedicated to the Goddess Amaterasu No Kami.  Click here to listen to a meditation by Olivia Robertson from a past ritual:  (mp3 file/3 mins/692kb)
 

Audio transcript:
"The air and water of Aquarius symbolize spirit in union with emotions.  You rise above the situation in Aquarius - you have some terrible row or some problem at your work, or you've been having rows with people - the Aquarian method is to rise above it and look down and it becomes in proportion.  You don't ignore it. 
 
Have you any problem, don't hide it away and then it pops out at you later when you sleep in a nightmare.  Face it now and rise above it - look down on it from this starry standpoint.  All problems vanish when you are your true Self, for we are only players in this shadow world.  Now, at the birth of a new aeon, we look ahead, now we've solved our problems, to what we plan for our own future, not only now but in future lives, whether on earth or in the stars. . .
 
There is no jealousy, envy or hatred in the new aeon, for we share others' triumphs and glories.  There's no competition.  As we feel this, we feel the waters of Aquarius and the stars pour through us. . .Happiness is not yesterday or tomorrow, it is NOW and that now extends like ripples right through the whole of one's being.  Sorrow passes, joy lasts forever. 
 
You are receiving inspiration from the stars. . . and you can see the star Cassiopeia, the great "W" in the sky, the northern constellation and you know that beneath, below the south pole, is Aquarius.  And the stars are always there.  There is no loss.  We are shrouded with a starry mantle.  When the sun goes down the stars are seen: so in Winter, when our earthly vitality perhaps decreases, our inner spirit shines forth. . ."



(Photo by Minette Quick, audio by the Fellowship of Isis Homepage Archive, copyrights reserved.)

January 17, 2015

Animals of Clonegal Castle


The photo above is one of the lovely garden peacocks at Clonegal Castle. The peacock is often mentioned as a symbol of the Goddess Juno, which is this month's Oracle. You may also see other photos of the animals at the Foundation Center and also read about the Animal Family of Isis, by clicking on the links below:







(photo copyright Durdin-Robertson, all rights reserved: Huntington Castle website.)

January 13, 2015

Fellowship of Isis Prayer

 
"We thank you our Holy Mother Isis
for your Love, Beauty and Truth,
which surround us now and evermore."
 
 
 
 
(FOI Prayer by Olivia Robertson. Photo of the Foundation Center High Altar by Minette Quick: "Isis of the New Aeon of Aquarius" carved by David Durdin-Robertson.)
 
 

January 8, 2015

Sybil, Oracles of the Goddess

 
"Sybil, Oracles of the Goddess" 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 always read it in its entirety at no charge at our website as well.) This book features 48 Oracles from the FOI Liturgy, as well as 6 illustrations, all from co-founder Olivia Robertson.
 
From the Introduction:
"The Deities have Their own Bodies of varying coloured radiations, stronger and more beautiful than anything we can imagine. Yet we and all other beings partake in Their Glory because we are all born of the Cosmic Mother. We project our shadow selves into incarnation in order to learn through experience. We develop discrimination and will power through choosing the good, and rejecting evil. Some hardy souls prefer to spend self-directed life-times of suffering, and so evolve through lone effort. Others who follow the path of the Mysteries gladly ask for and receive help from Those qualified to give it. These Oracles are for those who are willing to accept guidance in their efforts to bring the Divine Plan to fruition on earth."
 
 
Related Link: Online Bookstore

January 4, 2015

Altar of Juno

 
To go along with this month's Oracle and the January full moon,
the Shrine of Cancer at the Foundation Center,
which honors the Goddess Juno.

January 1, 2015

FOI Oracle of the Month

 
"You need beautiful minds to be one with the stars
and kindly hearts to feel their loving warmth."
 
 
Happy 2015 to all Aset Shemsu!  This month's Oracle features the Goddess Juno. You may read it in full by clicking on the link below:
 
 
 
 
(Photo of Olivia Robertson by Dennis Murphy, Logic Reality.)