Initiation and Consecration Rites: Priesthood: Consecration of an ArchPriestess/Priest
Here is a Consecration Ritual of an Archpriestess, constructed according to Olivia's specific instructions for the late Laura Janesdaughter. According to FOI Co-Founder Olivia Robertson, the readings for the ritual can be tailored to the work of the individual (as they can be for the ordination rite). The ritual below features excerpts from Apuleius, Normandi Ellis, Isidora Forrest and Dion Fortune, which Laura loved and often incorporated into her own work. The Invocation, Oracle, structure of the rite and words of those participating in the ritual: ArchPriestess, Hierophant, Priestess of Maat, Priestess/Priesthood and Those Assembled; were all written by Olivia Robertson.
Consecration of
Laura Janesdaughter of Iseum/Lyceum of Isis Pelagia
as
ArchPriestess/ArchPriest
of the Fellowship of Isis
Flamma Sacra Isidis
ORACLE OF THE GODDESS ISIS
Invocation: Divine Isis, Goddess of Ten Thousand Names, I invoke your Grace. The Deities above adore You, the Deities below do homage to You: You set the orb of heaven spinning above the poles, You give light to the sun, You govern the universe. At Your voice, the spirits of earth rejoice, the elements obey. At Your nod the winds blow, clouds drop wholesome rain upon the earth, seeds quicken, buds swell. Birds that fly through the air, beasts that prowl on the mountain, serpents that lurk in the dust, all these tremble in single awe of You. Come to our temple, oh Goddess: dwell in our shrine: make our hearth Your altar: our hearts Your home.
Oracle through a Priestess of Isis
As a rambling rose grows upon cottage and temple walls, so like a rose does heart join with heart within My all-embracing Love. For the Love of the Mother penetrates through all spheres: the hearts of every creature, each plant, every atom. Where there is heart there is life. There are no beings that can be lost, however far they may have strayed from Eternal Reality, deceived by the phantasmagoria of many existences. For, when lost in delusion the soul calls on the Mother, source of its existence: and this call is never made in vain. For when Free Will is lost, the soul is not lost, but rather is found, saved not by its virtue but by the grace of the Mother.
Those who make a shrine to Me in a temple: a room or in a comer of a room stand forth. Those who go out and serve me, carrying My shrine in their hearts, stand forth. So shall your outer observance be a sign that you accept My grace. Wherever a Devotee places My picture, My statue, two candles, incense and a cup of water, there shall I dwell. Whenever a Devotee enshrines Me with love in their hearts, there shall I dwell. There shall Joy, Health and Abundance be the gifts of My eternal Love.
On a white-draped altar let there be two lighted white candles, image of Isis, vessel of water, incense, an ankh pendant and long red cord. The altar contains gifts presented in the name of the Candidate (Laura) in the form of incense, flowers and works of art. (This includes writing, so copies of Isis Papers, the anthology “Invoking the Scribes of Ancient Egypt” or something else that Laura has written would be appropriate).
ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis stands by altar. Priestess of the Tutelary Goddess of the Lyceum (Isis Pelagia) is seated by altar, in robes related to the Goddess. Before them, members of the Priestess/Priesthood and Hierophants in Egyptian headdresses and robes. Before altar: Priestess of Maat in Egyptian robes. All others wear appropriate ritual robes. On a table of offerings by the altar are: wine, fruit-juice, a glass of water, a loaf of bread and chalice or cup.
Candidate stands at entry of temple and is veiled. She shakes sistrum three times.
Hierophant: Who claims admittance to this holy Temple of Isis Pelagia?
Priestess of Maat: A Priestess and Hierophant who seeks Consecration as ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis.
Hierophant: Let her be admitted!
(Priestess of Maat conducts Candidate to altar and lifts veil from Candidate.)
ArchPriestess: (shakes sistrum and uplifts it) I invoke the Goddess of the ships and the sea, Isis Pelagia of this Lyceum. Holy Isis, be amongst us for the consecration of this Priestess as ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis, for she has demonstrated that she has received Your vocation and she has answered the call.
Hear the words of Isis as Lucius beheld Her rising from the sea: “I am Nature, the universal Mother, mistress of all the elements, primordial child of time, sovereign of all things spiritual … the single manifestation of all gods and goddesses that are. My nod governs the shining heights of Heaven, the wholesome sea-breezes …” (*)
“All the Gods are one God, all the Goddesses are one Goddess, and there is one Initiator. In the beginning, was space and darkness and stillness, older than time and forgotten of the gods. The sea of infinite space was the source of all beings; life arose therein like a tide in the soundless sea.” (**)
Hierophant: (uplifts red cord) I invoke the Goddess Isis of this Lyceum. Divine Isis inspire Laura as she continues in your Divine Service.
“At the ends of the universe is a blood red cord that ties life to death, man to harmony, will to destiny. Let the knot of that red sash give me magic. I walk in harmony, heaven in one hand, earth in the other. I am the knot where two worlds meet. Red magic courses through me like the blood of Isis, magic of magic, spirit of spirit. I am proof of the power of the gods. I am water and dust walking.” (***)
Hierophant: What spiritual gifts has the Candidate to offer?
(Priestess of Maat from a scroll reads the encomium of the candidate)
Hierophant: (to Priest/esshood and Companions) Is the Candidate acceptable as ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis?
Priestess of Maat: In solemn assembly we have deliberated on the claims of the Candidate to guide and teach, and we accept Laura Janesdaughter as worthy to be ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis. She has proven her dedication to the aims of the Fellowship of Isis and the well being of the Fellowship of Isis through her years of service.
All Assembled: We have in careful council assessed the character of Laura Janesdaughter, and deem her worthy to be an ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis. She shows forth the aims of the Fellowship of Isis. She has arched over us, guided us, supported us and engendered our well being through her years of service.
Priestess of Maat: (to Candidate) Stand forth!
(In this part of the ritual, normally the Candidate would stand before High Altar.)
ArchPriestess: In the Name of Isis of Ten Thousand Names I consecrate Laura Janesdaughter as ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis!
ArchPriestess: (anoints Lauras head) With this oil, I honour thy Spirit!
ArchPriestess: (anoints Lauras breast and hands) With this oil, I consecrate thy heart and thy hands!
All in attendance shake sistrums.
ArchPriestess: Hear the sound of the sacred sistrum of Isis! May you awaken those who sleep!
Priestess of Maat: “Your heart has told your true purpose, your task upon earth, your True Will. And you have listened. Now you are Maakheru, True of Voice. Few have the privilege of the knowledge of the heart.” (****)
(Participants hold Laura in light for a few moments. Those who receive a message from the Goddess say whatever words come into their heart).
ArchPriestess: (shakes sistrum) In the Name of Isis, Tutelary Goddess of the Fellowship of Isis, I declare our Priestess, Laura Janesdaughter as ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis!
Priest/esshood and Ritual Participants in Turn Declare: I accept the Consecration of our Priestess, Laura Janesdaughter as ArchPriestess of the Fellowship of Isis.
Priestess of Maat: May our new ArchPriestess be blessed and walk in beauty as custodian of the legacy of the Fellowship of Isis.
Meditation
Participants send forth Light and Wisdom, Love and Healing to the Fellowship of Isis and to the world. All give thanks to Isis of Ten Thousand Names, particularly honoring Isis Pelagia.
Sources: “Sophia, Cosmic Consciousness of the Goddess”, Olivia Robertson, Cesara Publications, Clonegal Castle, Fellowship of Isis Foundation Centre, Ireland, first published 1986. “Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess”, Olivia Robertson, Cesara Publications, Clonegal Castle, Fellowship of Isis Foundation Centre, Ireland, first published 1988. “Dea, Rites and Mysteries of the Goddess,” Fellowship of Isis Foundation Centre, Ireland. “The College of Isis Manual.” Existing leaflets. "The Manual of the Fellowship of Isis - Communion with the Goddess", two issues of this series "The Temples of Asia Minor and Greece, First Part", and "The Temples of Greece, Second Part", Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, Cesara Publications, Clonegal Castle, Fellowship of Isis Foundation Centre, Ireland, 1977. New material.
(*) Quote from “Transformations of Lucius” by Apuleius
(**) Quote from “The Sea Priestess” by Dion Fortune
(***) Adapted from ‘The Red Knot of Isis’ from the book “Awakening Osiris” by Normandi Ellis
(****) Adapted from ‘Ritual of Knowing What is in the Heart’ from the book “Isis Magic” by Isidora Forrest