The structure for the pillars is up and steady. Here is a picture of the work so far, along with an inset of the scale model. The serious-looking fellow in the temple is our Imhotep, Michael. He and his wonderful crew of temple builders have accomplished wonders so far!

Our temple architect kneels with the scale model inside the Temple of Isis that will grace SunFest XXII, a Celebration of Isis the Radiant Goddess.

This is the second of two offering rites for Isis in which we will participate at SunFest XXII. The offerings for this rite are offerings of ritual created entirely on-site by festival participants in their Cities.

About the Rite: This rite is to present to the Goddess the offerings that were created by each City, including the City of Children, earlier in the day. Cities will have practiced their offerings at a rehearsal immediately prior to this rite.

Ritual Tools: Cities should bring anything they need for their specific ritual offerings into the circle with them. Priesthood should have their sistra.

Preparation: All Citizens should remain in their Cities until called by the heralds. Upon entering the ritual circle, Citizens will please remain with their Cities. City of Children should stay with the priestesses of Philae.

Gathering of the Cities

Heralds walk from City to City, requesting each City to come to the Temple of Isis to make offering to the Goddess. (Isiopolis is already at the Temple.) As each City arrives, they move into the circle and remain near their Cities. Priesthood of Isis asks people to have their representatives chosen. When all are present, Offering Priest/ess shakes sistrum to call everyone to order. All priesthood joins in.

Offer P/s: We call upon Isis the Radiant One, Lady of Flame, Mother of Light. As Isis feeds us with Her Love and Her Power and Her Magic and Her Wisdom at this Summer Solstice season, so now do we nourish Her with ours.

Invocation

Offering Priest/ess comes to stand between the Shrine and the Lotus Pool so that all may see her/him, and faces center.

Offer P/s: We invoke You, Isis the Radiant One! You are the Lady of the Solstice Sun. You are the beautiful Golden One. You are the Inducer to Growth, the Feeder of Souls. Come, Goddess, we ask You! Come Goddess and receive the offerings that we, Your children, have prepared for You. Come, Great Isis, and accept these offerings of our hearts.

Offering Priest/ess steps back into the circle.

Offer P/s: We further invoke Our Lady with singing and the sistra that please Her. Let us call Her with this chant: “Arise, Isis. Arise, Isis. Arise, Isis for me!”

All: (Chanting) Arise, Isis. Arise, Isis. Arise, Isis for me!

Offer P/s: Hear my voice, I speak the truth. By the Magic of Isis, I know that She is truly present in Her Temple and in this circle!

(To the Goddess) All-Radiant Isis, we praise You: You, Goddess Black & Bright, are the Lightbringer to the Earth. From the darkness of the Otherworld, Your face rises, floods the world with light, and the world takes shape. From the moon-chaos of dream, we awaken each morning and are taken into Your beautiful day. You are a living fire, creating day. In the sun-quickened air, O Isis, we drink Your sunlight. O Isis, we breathe You in. O Goddess, we eat You magic. Radiant One, take us within.

Beautiful One, accept our offerings and shine Your Light upon us.

Offering Priest/ess takes up small bowl with the numbers 1 through 9 each written on a slip of paper. Note: the City of Children will go last; they need not draw.

Making Offering

Offer P/s: Let the representatives of each City come forth.

Done.

Offer P/s: I ask you each to draw a number from this bowl. This is the order in which your group will present its offering. When the group that has drawn number 1 is ready, simply begin. When the first group is finished, the second group may begin, and so on, until all the offerings have been made. The offering of the children will be the last offering.

This is done. Cities makes offering to Isis, taking 2 minutes each.

Closing

Offer P/s: We have been washed in the sacred sunlight of Isis. We have climbed up on sunbeams. O Isis, give us Your hand for we have made offering unto You.

(To group) Sing with me, Her Sunlight Chant: (singing) Isis, we drink Your sunlight, Radiant One, we breathe You in…

All: (Repeating) Isis, we drink Your sunlight, Radiant One, we breathe You in…

Offer P/s: Isis, we eat You magic, Radiant One, take us within.

All: (Repeating) Isis, we eat Your magic, Radiant One, take us within…(repeating as desired).

Offer P/s:  Be in peace, Isis, be in peace. Amma, Iset

All: (Repeating) Amma, Iset!

Offer P/s: We have made offering to Isis. At 6:30 we gather for a shared feast and Shenu Shenit talent sharing, then at 8:30 we begin the Rite of Carrying the Sun. May you all be blessed.

The rite is finished. All exit.

I realized I hadn’t posted an photo of the Temple of Isis for SunFest…so let me remedy that now. This is what our Imhotep, Michael Agee, and his crew of temple builders is working on. So far they’ve done the flooring and the base for the lotus pool. The lotus pool will actually have water in it. It’s the structure you see between the obelisks. We will have a sacred image of the Goddess within the inner shrine. We’re using my 3 ft. high seated Isis. She is an already-consecrated sacred image and I can’t wait to see Her in this temple.

This is what the Temple of Isis complex will look like for SunFest, a Celebration of Isis the Radiant Goddess

...and a close up

Every morning at SunFest XXII, we will offer a morning meditation for those who wish to join us. This is the Saturday morning meditation.

The Iset Ib Meditation

All gather at the Temple of Isis.

Wings & Breath of Isis

Guiding Priest/ess teaches the Wings & Breath. Repeat 7 times.

Greeting the Goddess

P/s: Let us begin a soft chanting and freeform singing of the name of Isis. Feel free to be inspired. No need to be loud; it’s early. As we do this, let us also take turns entering the temple and greeting the sacred image of Isis. Remembering that the spark of Isis’ consciousness has been awakened in this image this very morning, you may touch the image, bow to Her, or make any other kind of greeting that seems right to you. The Goddess is present in Her image as She is present in all things.

NOTE: In chanting, include the epithets Radiant One, Great of Magic, All Goddess, Isis-Hathor, Isis-Sekhmet, Wise One, Green One, Great Mother, Black One.

P/s: Now let us be reseated and close our eyes…

Breathe deeply and slowly of the breath of Isis. Remember the fire that burns at the very center of your beating heart.

Heart Joined to Heart

P/s: Listen to the morning. And hear the heartbeat of Great Isis all around you. Her heartbeat is in all things. In the breath of the sky. In the song of birds. In the wind moving through grass and trees. In the flowing of the waters. In the thrumming of the great, deep Earth.

Listen and find the rhythm of the heartbeat of Isis, the Golden One—the Great Goddess. (Pausing to do this) Become very aware of that rhythm.

Now, become aware of your own heart—awakened and alive and open within your body. Place your finger on your pulse if need be to feel the beating of your own life.

Now attune your heart to the rhythm of Her Living heart. Let it slow or speed to meet Hers. Attune your heart to Hers until the two hearts beat in harmony. (Pausing) Confirm my words as if they were your own as I speak them…

My Mother. My heart. My Mother. My heart.

I am aware in my heart. I am in power in my heart. I am aware and in power in my heart, which is the heart given to me by my human mother—and by my Great Mother Isis.

My Mother. My heart. My Mother. My heart.

I am intelligent in my heart. I am compassionate in my heart. I am intelligent and compassionate in my heart, which is the heart which drums in rhythm with the heart of Isis, the Golden One.

My Mother. My heart. My Mother. My heart.

I am alive in my heart. I am full in my heart. I am alive and full in my heart, the center of all Being, the beginning of all Becoming. I am alive and full in my heart, and my heart knows all the joys and pleasures of my life.

In the fullness of my Being, I am Becoming joyful. The Star of Isis arises—all is well. Isis comes—peace returns. I am sitting in the Throne of Abundance bathed in the light of the day. Once again, I attune my human heart to Her Divine heart.

With human heart joined to Divine Heart, we are grateful. Let us continue our thanksgiving at this Summer Solstice, this pinnacle of the light of the year. In our hearts now, let us name some things for which we are grateful.

I am grateful for: 

Allow time for all participants to name several things. NOTE: if the group is small, priest/ess may choose to have participants name things aloud. If large, keep it silent.

P/s: (Completing the thanksgiving) My Mother. My heart. My Mother. My heart. I am aware in my heart and I am grateful in my heart. You have blessed me, Isis, and I bless You in return. Amma, Iset. Grant that it ever be so.

May the blessings of Isis be upon us all this day.

Modern Pagans often think of Isis as a Moon Goddess. And, it’s true, in later periods of Her worship, She was indeed associated with the Moon—and, in fact, that’s how She entered the Western Esoteric Tradition. The Isis-Moon connection first started when Egypt came under Greek rule in the 3rd century BCE, following the conquest by Alexander the Great. To the Greeks, Goddesses were the lunar Deities, so as Isis made Her way into Greek culture and hearts, Her new devotees naturally associated Her with the Moon.

In Egypt, Osiris, Khons, Thoth, and I’ah were the Deities most associated with the Moon. Isis, for Her part, was connected with the star Sirius as far back as the Pyramid Texts; the star was said to be Her ba, or soul. As the influence of Isis’ worship grew, She also became linked with the Sun—probably because the Sun was such a central symbol (as well as a Divine Being) to the ancient Egyptians.

Following is an excerpt from Offering to Isis that explains Isis’ connection with the Sun.

In Egypt, where the Sun was the image of one of the most important Gods, it should not be surprising to find that Isis, one of its most important Goddesses, also has strong solar connections. In some places—notably, Her famous temple at Philae—Isis was worshipped specifically as a Sun Goddess. Among Her solar epithets are Female Re (Re-et) and Female Horus (Horet).

Isis’ most common solar manifestation is as the Eye of Re, the Uraeus, the Cobra Goddess Who coils upon the Sun God’s brow to protect Him; and Who fights a constant cosmic battle against His great opponent, Apop (Gr. Apophis). An inscription at Philae calls Isis “Neseret-serpent on the head of Horus-Re, Eye of Re, the Unique Goddess, Uraeus.” A hymn from Philae calls Her “Eye of Re who has no equal in heaven and on earth.” The Eye of Re is His active power. While He maintains His place in the sky, the solar power—the Eye Goddess—goes forth to manifest His Divine will. In this way, Isis and the other Uraeus Goddesses (such as Nephthys and Wadjet) are similar to Shakti, the active, feminine Power related to the God Shiva in some Hindu sects. Isis is also one of the Deities Who travels with Re in His solar barque as it moves through the Otherworld. Again, Her function is to protect Him and help battle His foes.

Isis is also associated with the Sun God and the Sun in several of Her important myths. In the tale of Isis and Re, Isis gains power equal to Re’s by learning His secret name, first by poisoning, then by healing the ailing God. In another, with Her magical Words of Power, Isis stops the Boat of the Sun in the sky in order to receive aid for Her poisoned child, Horus.

But it was at Isis’ influential temple at Philae that She was most clearly worshipped as a Sun Goddess and as the Sun itself. A Philae hymn to Isis praises Her saying, “You are the one who rises and dispels darkness, shining when traversing the primeval ocean, the Brilliant One in the celestial waters, traveling in the barque of Re.” An inscription on the first pylon (gate) at Philae says Isis is the “One Who illumines the Two Lands with Her radiance, and fills the earth with gold-dust.”

Like many other Egyptian Deities, Isis was often envisioned with immortal, golden, solar skin. Some of Her sacred images would have been covered with gold, earning Her, like Hathor, the epithets The Gold and the Golden One. A Philae hymn addresses Her, “O Golden One; Re, the possessor of the Two Lands, will never be far from you.” Some scholars believe that the holy of holies at Philae may have once been gold-leafed so that it always appeared filled with golden, solar light.

At Her Philae temple, Isis is first of those in heaven: “Hail to you, Isis, Great of Magic, eldest in the womb of her mother, Nuet, Mighty in Heaven Before Re.” She is the “Sun Goddess in the circuit of the sun disk” and Her radiance outshines even that of Re.

From Her great temple at Philae, Isis’ identity as a Sun Goddess flowed back up the Nile to Her temples at Memphis and Isiopolis in the delta. From there, it entered into the Graeco-Roman culture in the famous aretalogies (self-statements) of Isis. From a papyrus found in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, we learn that one of Isis’ many names is Name of the Sun and that She is responsible for the rising of the Sun:  “Thou [Isis] bringest the sun from rising unto setting, and all the Gods are glad.” In an aretalogy from Kyme, in modern Turkey, Isis says of Herself, “I ordered the course of the sun and the moon.” And later in the same text She says, “I am in the rays of the sun” and “I inspect the courses of the sun.”

Throughout Her worship, Isis has always shown Her life giving, fructifying power in the image of the Sun. She is the Radiant Goddess, the Lady of Sunlight.

This is the Friday night opening ritual for SunFest XXII, a Celebration of Isis, the Radiant Goddess.

Temple Arrangement & Ritual Tools: Incense & Nile water placed at the altar. 7 cups, 7 censers, firestarters. All priest/esses have sistra with them.

Becoming Blessed

All enter and take a place in the circle.

Ps Isis: Let us prepare to enter into the Temple of Isis, the House of Isis, where the Great Goddess dwells.

Let us stand and face the shrine of the Goddess. Cross your hands upon your heart and once again become aware of the Flame of Isis we ignited yesterday and which beats there. Say, “I am a Child of Isis. I am blessed by the Goddess.” Repeat this softly to yourself and to Isis until you know that it is true. Take your time. We are in no rush.

All: I am a Child of Isis. I am blessed by the Goddess. (Repeating.)

Ps Isis: Children of Isis, my sisters and brothers, let us be purified and consecrated for this rite.

Purification & Consecration

Purification Priest/ess comes to center, standing between the lotus pond and the temple (where s/he can be seen by group) and makes Sign of the Wings of Isis.

P P/s:  Isis is all things and all things are Isis.

S/he enters the Shrine, takes up vessel. S/he returns to where group can see her, and elevates the vessel and calls the purifying powers into the cup. 6 Priest/esses of the Ways get their cups, receive water from vessel, then spread out into the circle.

P P/s: (To group) Help us to charge this water with the purifying powers of Isis. In a moment, we will as you to join us in chanting “Iset Mu,” which means “Isis of Water,” and send purifying energy into the vessel nearest you.

(To the Purifying Powers) O, You Souls of Night, Water Dwellers, Purifiers, You of the Pure Water from the Sycamore Tree of Isis, I have come for You. By the Blood, by the Power, by the Magic of Isis, establish yourselves within these vessels!

Chant with me now! (Vibrating into chalice) ISET MU!

All: (Vibrating) ISET MU!

All Priest/esses: Isis is pure. The temple is pure. The temple is pure. I am pure. I am pure with the Purity of Isis. I am pure with the Purity of the Goddess.

Ps Isis: We’ll all be repeating this formula of purification. Priest/ess, will you teach us the words?

P P/s:  I will. Repeat after me. Isis is pure. The temple is pure.

All: Isis is pure. The temple is pure.

P P/s: The temple is pure. I am pure.

All: The temple is pure. I am pure.

P P/s: I am pure with the purity of Isis.

All: I am pure with the purity of Isis.

P P/s:  I am pure with the purity of the Goddess.

All:  I am pure with the purity of the Goddess.

Beginning wherever they are, all priest/esses circumambulate the temple, sprinkling ritualists and chanting.

All:  (Chanting) Isis is pure. The temple is pure. The temple is pure. I am pure. I am pure with the Purity of Isis. I am pure with the Purity of the Goddess. (Repeating as needed.)

P P/s: (When all complete the circuit) By the Magic of Isis, it is so.

All: By the Magic of Isis, it is so.

Purification Priest/ess returns to place. Ways Priest/esses return the cups and pick up the censers and incense. Consecration Priest/ess comes to center, standing between the lotus pond and the temple (where s/he can be seen by group) and makes Sign of the Wings of Isis.

C P/s:  Isis is all things and all things are Isis.

S/he enters the Shrine, takes up censer. S/he returns to where group can see her, and elevates the censer and calls the consecrating powers into the censer. Ways Priest/esses move out into the circle.

C P/s: (To group) Help us to charge this incense with the consecrating powers of Isis. In a moment, we will as you to join us in chanting “Iset Ash,” which means “Isis of Fire,” and send consecrating energy into the censer nearest you.

O, You Souls of Day, Fire-Dwellers, Consecrators, you of the Living Breath from the Mouth of Isis, I have come for you. By the Blood, by the Power, by the Magic of Isis, establish yourselves within this censer.

Chant with me now! (Vibrating into censer) ISET ASH!

All Priest/esses: Isis is consecrated. The temple is consecrated. The temple is consecrated. I am consecrated. I am consecrated with the Fire of Isis. I am consecrated with the Flame of the Goddess.

Ps Isis:  We’ll all be repeating this formula of consecration. Priest/ess, will you teach us the words?

C P/s: I will. Repeat after me. Isis is consecrated. The temple is consecrated.

All: Isis is consecrated. The temple is consecrated.

C P/s: The temple is consecrated. I am consecrated.

All: The temple is consecrated. I am consecrated.

C P/s: I am consecrated with the Fire of Isis.

All: I am consecrated with the Fire of Isis.

C P/s: I am consecrated with the Flame of the Goddess.

All: I am consecrated with the Flame of the Goddess.

Beginning wherever they are, all priest/esses circumambulate the temple, censing ritualists and chanting.

All: (Chanting) Isis is consecrated. The temple is consecrated. The temple is consecrated. I am consecrated. I am consecrated with the Fire of Isis. I am consecrated with the Flame of the Goddess. (Repeating as needed.)

C P/s: (Upon completing the circuit) By the Magic of Isis, it is so.

All: By the Magic of Isis, it is so.

All return censers to Shrine and return to their places.

Opening the Ways

Standing in center before the temple and facing group, Priestess of Isis raises her arms in the Sign of the Wings Of Isis.

Ps Isis: Open, O Heaven! Open, O Earth! Open, O East! Open, O West! Open, O South! Open, O North!  The gates of Your House shall be flung wide for You, Goddess Isis!

(Priestess may walk through group to be heard) We will open the Temple of Isis. We will invoke the Goddess to Her House. Let us see a great sphere of Radiant Light shimmering and encompassing the Temple and this whole circle. We will open the 4 quarters, above, and below us using this gesture. (Demonstrating it.) And as we do that, we will chant or “vibrate” one of Isis’ names. The Priestess or Priest of each quarter will tell you the names to vibrate. The names mean Isis of Air, Isis of Fire, Isis of Water, Isis of Earth, Soul of Isis and Energy of Isis.

Let us Open the Ways for Isis the Beautiful, the Radiant Goddess.

Priest/ess of Air comes to center, standing between the lotus pond and the temple and faces East.

P/s Air: Let the shrine of the East be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET NEF.

All: (Vibrating) ISET NEF.

P/s Air: See your aura opening to Isis, only Isis. Now breathe in and breathe Her breath. Feel the breeze upon your face. Smell the many scents upon the wind. Feel Her breath move your hair. Feel Her breath move your clothing. The House of Isis is open unto Isis of the Air.

Priest/ess of Fire comes to center, standing between the Lotus pond and the temple and faces South.

P/s Fire: Let the shrine of the South be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET ASH.

All: (Vibrating) ISET ASH.

P/s Fire: See your aura opening to Isis, only Isis.  Burning in the South is the Flame the Isis, which is Her heart and Her Divine Will. Feel the heat of Her power. Feel the heat of Her passion. Reach out your hands and warm them at Her fire. The House of Isis is open unto Isis of the Fires.

Priest/ess of Water comes to center, standing between the lotus pond and the temple and faces West.

P/s Water: Let the shrine of the West be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET MU.

All:  (Vibrating) ISET MU.

P/s Water: See your aura opening to Isis, only Isis. Imagine that you stand on the banks of a river. It is the sacred Nile, the River of Isis, the river that runs with Her blood, with Her tears. Feel the moisture that rises from the river. Taste it on your lips. Walk into the water and feel its refreshing coolness. The House of Isis is open unto Isis of the Waters.

Priest/ess of Earth comes to center, standing between the lotus pond and the temple and faces North.

P/s Earth: Let the shrine of the North be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET TA.

All: (Vibrating) ISET TA.

P/s Earth: See your aura opening to Isis, only Isis. Look out across this green Earth and see the body of Isis the Goddess. Feel Her nourish your body. Sense Her ancient wisdom. Let your roots reach deep, into Her, into Isis. The House of Isis is open unto Isis of the Earth.

Priest/esses of Heaven and Otherworld comes to center, facing each other. Priest/ess of Heaven extends her/his arms above her/his head, giving the Sign of the Opening of the Shrine.

Heaven: Let the shrine of Heaven be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET BA.

All: (Vibrating) ISET BA.

Heaven: See your aura opening to Isis above you. See the stars in the night sky and feel their Light rain down on you. Infinite is the Soul of Isis. The House of Isis is open to Her infinite Soul.

Priest/ess of the Otherworld lowers her/his arms to the Earth, giving the Sign of the Opening of the Shrine.

Otherworld: (Turning attention downward) Let the shrine of the Otherworld be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET KA.

All: (Vibrating) ISET KA.

Otherworld: See your aura opening to Isis below you. Isis is the Guide in this Mysterious Land. She is your magic and protection in this life—and beyond. Feel Her strength vibrate beneath you. Feel Her peace supporting you from below. The House of Isis is open unto the Energy of Isis.

Priest/ess Heaven and Otherworld return to place, Invocation Priest/ess to center and faces group.

Inv P/s: (Turning attention to the center) Let the shrine of my Heart be opened unto Isis, only Isis (making gesture). (Speaking) ISET IB.

All: (Vibrating) ISET IB.

Inv P/s: See the doors of your heart opening to Isis. Chains fall away from your heart. A shell that had formed there breaks open—now. The Flame of Isis burns brighter. The House of Isis is open unto the Heart of Isis.

Ps Isis:  Now let us all come to the center of the House of Isis and form a group with our arms around each other.

Done; ritualists wrap their arms about each other for support.

Invocation

Ps Isis: We now invoke Her. We’ll begin by whispering Her name. Just keep whispering as we ask Her presence. As you whisper Her name and as your sisters and brothers whisper Her name, let your desire for Isis grow and come forth from you to Her. Ask Her to come. Want Her to come. Desire Her to come. Let your longing flow to Her through all the Ways we have opened for Her. We begin now.

All: (Whispering) ISIS, ISIS, ISIS.

Inv P/s:  (Addressing the Goddess) We have opened the ways for You, Goddess Isis!

Come, therefore, Winged One and fill this vessel, Your Temple. Grace us, Isis, with Your presence. Enter into Your House and be with Your children. O come Beloved One, Great of Magic, Beautiful of Wings, Bright of Face. Open our eyes to Your everywhere-presence. Awaken our hearts to the voice of Your beating wings. Make bare our souls to the beauty of Your Words of Power.

We arise on wings of aspiration to You, O Isis. Come, descend from above, arise from below, expand from within—and fill Your House, O Goddess. From the rising bud of the lotus, to the mighty branch of the sycamore, to the Moon and Sun which are Your eyes, to the Stars which entwine Your hair, all the Universe is Yours, Isis—as are we.

O Isis, Goddess, Mother, Sister, Queen—the Ways are open unto You—we are open unto You.  We invite You—enter in now! Vibrate Her name with me, three times!

All: (Vibrating) ISIS. ISIS. ISIS.

Ps Isis:  (Improvising something like…) Reach your arms up, out, down…wherever you feel Her coming in. Welcome Her into your arms. Let Her Light flow into your aura for it is House of Isis that surrounds you always. Be with Her presence for just a moment. Move your body in response to Her energy if you like. Don’t ground this energy. Keep it with you and integrate it into your heart.

The Goddess is alive and magic is most definitely afoot. There are two more parts to this rite: a guided visualization of entering into the Temple of Isis, and—as we did last night—putting Her sacred image to bed for the night. We will not be Closing the Ways this evening for we wish to continue to receive Her Magic in this circle and in Her temple all weekend long.

However, if you need to return to your camp, this part of the rite is complete and now is a good time to leave the circle. If you wish to continue in the rite, please go to your City and gather around your priestess or priest and be seated. Let us go and be with our fellow Citizens now.

Priestesses and priests of the Cities gather their group by calling out the name of the City. Rite pauses as all who wish leave or join their Cities.

The Lotus Pool

High Priestesses and High Priests of the Cities each lead this visualization for their Cities.

H P/Ps City: Let us be seated.

Done.

H P/Ps City: We are now going on a journey into the astral Temple of Isis, the House of the Goddess that always exists. Close your eyes. Breathe slowly and deeply and begin to still your mind. Simply see the darkness behind your eyes, nothing more. Soft darkness. Comfortable, warm, nurturing darkness. And we begin…

Become aware of your bare feet as you stand in the desert sand. It is nighttime, a warm Egyptian summer night yet we can sense that dawn is approaching. As we look up, we see the great sand-colored Temple of Isis that lies before us. We walk towards it, our feet sinking in the sand. Upon reaching the heavy wooden temple doors, we knock three times. In a moment, two maidens dressed in diaphanous pleated robes open the doors. They move gracefully, as if they were dancing rather than walking, and they usher us into the interior of the House of Isis.

The House of the Goddess has high walls supported by huge pillars that are carved as lotus flowers. The walls, too, are covered with carvings. As we continue walking into the temple, up ahead we can make out a small pool, decorated with painted lotus blossoms. Walk up to it, and see that living blue lotus flowers float on the surface of the water.

This is the Lotus Pool of Isis. It is filled with the dark waters of the Nun, the waters of No-Thing-Ness that existed before there was anything. All possibilities are contained within the watery Nun. In this Lotus Pool, Isis grants visions to those who truly aspire to them. But for now, simply look into the dark, dark, still and ancient waters and let us whisper Her name together.

All: (Whispering) Isis, Isis, Isis.

H P/s City: At the sound of Her name, we sense a stirring in the waters. A scene appears before us. We sense that it is just before dawn and we begin to make out the line of the horizon. The nighttime sky is lightening to indigo blue for the Sun is rising, the Light is coming forth. A voice says, “I am Isis. I am all that was, that is, that ever shall be. I am the Great Goddess and you are My child.”

A ripple passes across the surface of the pool and the scene dissolves. For now a Great Being begins to rise out of the Lotus Pool. She is beautiful and She is crowned with the Sun. Of course, it is Isis and She is rising—shining, glowing. As She emerges, dawn breaks. She continues to rise from the Lotus Pool; taller and taller…until She is at least ten feet taller than we are. She is imposing and She is wonderful. Look at Her. She says, “Open your heart to Me.”

We can do this by breathing deeply into our hearts. With each breath, our heart seems to grow larger. With each breath, our heart expands. With each breath, our heart shines more and more brightly with Her solar radiance. It is opening, opening, opening to Isis, only Isis. Feel the opening of your heart unto the Great Goddess Isis. (Pausing)

With our hearts opened, we can hear the Voice of Isis more clearly. She says, “I have something to tell you.” She speaks and we feel a soft breeze and smell the scent of a million, million flowers and the spicy fragrance of cinnamon. Listen now and hear what Isis says. It could be words, or pictures, or just feelings. Hear Her Voice now (pausing)…

You have been touched by Isis. You are blessed.

Thank Isis in your own words, then watch as the Goddess slowly flows back into the Lotus Pool. When we see only the dark waters of the Nun, we turn and walk back through the temple, until we come to the outer doors of the building. The maidens have returned to open the ways for us. And, for now, we leave the temple.

Looking up into the sky, we see that the solar disk is upon the horizon. The day is dawning; Creation is renewed each day by the light of Isis, the Radiant Goddess.

Now let us return to the here and now, knowing that the blessings of Isis are upon us and that we are welcome to return to the Lotus Pool of Visions whenever we want to.

Let us take a moment to reflect upon our visions.

Priestess of Isis signals and all City priest/esses join in softly rattling their sistra until all the Cities are ready to proceed.

Learning the Sacred Hymn of Isis

High Priest/ess of the City teaches the “Isis is the Wisdom” chant to her/his City.

H P/s City: We have one more obligation before we close this rite. And that is to put the sacred image of Isis to bed for the night and to perform the Rite of Entering the Night.

As we prepare to do this, let us sing a simple chant: (singing one line then letting the group repeat) Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Morning. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Night. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Morning. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Night. Isis, Isis, Isis.

All: (Singing) Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Morning. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Night. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Morning. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Night. Isis, Isis, Isis. (Repeating as needed.)

Ps Isis: (Loudly to group) Continue singing and let us gather around the Shrine of the Goddess!

The Rite of Entering the Night

Group gathers around to see the image of Isis as best they can. All in the priesthood cross their hands on their chest and bow to the image of Isis; hopefully group will follow. Purification and Consecration Priest/esses stand beside the altar upon which is the censer with incense and cup of pure water.

P P/s:  A spark from the Heart of Isis resides within this sacred image of the Goddess.

C P/s:  We honor that spark from the Heart of the Goddess as we honor Isis Herself.

Consecration Priest/ess lights charcoal and places incense upon it, then elevates it toward the image.

C P/s:  We offer to You, O Isis Within, this sweet spice. May it please You and make Your rest peaceful.

Purification Priest/ess elevates libation cup toward the image, then pours it into a larger bowl. S/he steps before the image and slowly makes the gesture of Closing the Shrine.

P P/s: We offer to You, O Isis Within, this pure water. May it cool Your lips and make Your rest peaceful.

P P/s:  (Vibrating softly) ISIS.

Consecration Priest/ess steps before the image and slowly makes the gesture of Closing the Shrine.

C P/s: (Vibrating softly) ISIS.

P&C Ps/s:  (Together; speaking for the Goddess) I am that Star Who shines in the night. I am Isis Sothis Who lifts up your soul in the darkness. I am the giver of sleep and dreams, the Healer in the star-filled belly of My Mother. I enter into the night and navigate the River of Stars in beauty.

(Closing the doors of the shrine) Be in peace, Isis, be in peace. Amma, Iset.

All: Amma, Iset!

Closing

Priestess of Isis moves to where she can be seen by all. Invocation Priest/ess moves to center between lotus pool and the temple. Let group remain as they are.

Ps Isis: We will not Close the Ways to Isis, for She will remain with us all festival long and we want to remain open to Her Sacred Magic and Her Holy Voice.

Ps Inv/Heart: Yet we will ask Isis to bless and protect each of the Ways we have opened to Her this night. Simply reach out your hands to each direction as we ask the Blessing of Isis.

Let the shrine of my Heart be blessed and protected (gestures).

Priestess of Isis returns to place. Priest/esses of Heaven and the Otherworld come to center.

Otherworld: Let the shrine of the Otherworld be blessed and protected (gestures).

Heaven: Let the shrine of Heaven be blessed and protected (gestures).

Pries/tesses return to places. Priest/ess of Earth goes to center.

P Earth: Let the shrine of the North be blessed and protected (gestures).

Priest/ess of Earth returns to place. Priest/ess of Water goes to center.

P Water: Let the shrine of the West be blessed and protected (gestures).

Priest/ess of Water returns to place. Priest/ess of Fire goes to center.

P Fire: Let the shrine of the South be blessed and protected (gestures).

Priest/ess of Fire returns to place. Priest/ess of Air goes to center.

P Air: Let the shrine of the East be blessed and protected (gestures).

Ps Isis: We have Opened the Ways to Isis. Be with us, Isis, for this our Festival! Amma, Iset!

All: Amma, Iset!

All exit.

I’m taking a break from uploading the SunFest rituals to let you know that the foundation of the Temple of Isis was built this weekend.

2×4s, 2×6s, plywood, lots of nailing and sawing…and the base is accomplished. Many thanks to the Isiacs who helped. From here on in, it will really start to get really interesting. With the structure is in place, we can start the decoration. Pillars will be painted, shrines (with secret doors) will be created…and we’ll be charging everything with Her magic!

At Sunfest XXII, we will be making offering to the Goddess a number of times during the course of the weekend. This is the first formal offering, held at noon on Friday to honor Isis as the Radiant Goddess, the Golden One.

Ritual Tools: A cup or other vessel of pure water; a censer with charcoal and incense; fire starter for incense; three offerings chosen by Offering Priest and Priestess; a small reed mat (such as a table place mat); a sacred image of Isis; shallow tray of sand large enough to place one foot in; a bundle of fresh plants for sweeping the sand.

Prior to rite: Tell group what they are doing—transferring energy of offering to the sacred image of Isis and Her ka—also teach group the Purification and Consecration formulae and “Amma, Iset” confirmation.

Purification  & Consecration

All gather at the Temple of Isis. Let group simply gather around the temple, perhaps in semi-circles, so that they may see the Shrine as best they can.

Offering Priestess and Offering Priest approach altar of Isis and bow politely.

Offering P & Ps: (Together) Isis is all things and all things are Isis.

Priestess takes up the cup, elevates it.

Offering Ps: O, You Souls of Night, Water Dwellers, Purifiers, You of the Pure Water from the Sycamore Tree of Isis, I have come for you. By the Blood, by the Power, by the Magic of Isis, establish yourselves within this vessel!

She lowers the cup, then moves around the temple, then out into the circle, sprinkling the space and all in attendance.

Offering Ps: (Speaking while walking) Isis is pure. The temple is pure. The temple is pure. We are pure. We are pure with the Purity of Isis. We are pure with the Purity of the Goddess. (Repeating until she returns to the altar.)

All: Isis is pure. The temple is pure. The temple is pure. We are pure. We are pure with the Purity of Isis. We are pure with the Purity of the Goddess.

Offering Ps: By the Magic of Isis, it is so!

Offering Priestess returns cup to altar. Offering Priest takes up the censer, elevates it.

Offering P: O, You Souls of Day, Fire Dwellers, Consecrators, You of the Pure Wind from the Wings of Isis, I have come for you. By the Blood, by the Power, by the Magic of Isis, establish yourselves within this censer!

He lowers the censers, then moves around the temple and the Circle, censing the space and all in attendance.

Offering P: (Speaking while walking) Isis is consecrated. The temple is consecrated. The temple is consecrated. We are consecrated. We are consecrated with the Fire of Isis. We are consecrated with the Flame of the Goddess. (Repeating until he returns to the altar.)

All: Isis is pure. The temple is pure. The temple is pure. We are pure. We are pure with the Purity of Isis. We are pure with the Purity of the Goddess.

Offering P: By the Magic of Isis, it is so!

Entering

Offering P: (To group) Let us stand in adoration of Isis the Beautiful One.

All stand and make the Gesture of Adoration.

Offering Ps: Isis is upon Her Throne. The spirits awaken! They awaken in peace for they know we have come to make offering unto this Great Goddess.

She makes the Gesture of the Opening of the Shrine. Offering Priest places the tray of sand before the sacred image and steps in it to a footprint in the sand.

Offering Ps: The sacred doors are opened to us. The light goes forth. It guides us on a fair path to the place where the Great Goddess is. We approach Your shrine, O Isis.

Offering to the Uraeus Goddess

Offering Priest takes up the censer, elevates it.

Offering P: (Addressing the Uraeus serpent form of Isis) The Sacred Eye is powerful. Lady of Flame, Great One Who is between the horns of the Sunshine Goddess, accept this perfume and let us enter in peace.

Using the Gesture of Giving, he offers the incense, places it upon the altar.

Invoking the Goddess

Offering Ps: (To group) If you desire, you may be seated for the invocation of the Goddess.

Offering Priestess and Priest stand before the image of Isis and make the Gesture of Invocation.

Offering Ps & P: Iu en-i. Iu en-i (Eeoou-en-EE). Come to me, come to me, Beautiful, Great One—Isis of Many Names, Lady of Sacred Magic, Great Mother, Great Goddess, come to me, come to me!

Offering P: (To group) Vibrate with us three times the name of the Goddess:

All: (Vibrating) ISIS. ISIS. ISIS.

Offering Ps: (To group) See within your heart, the light of the Goddess. Feel it glowing with sunny warmth and beauty.

(To Goddess) Fair is Your coming to Your temple, Isis. Beautiful is Your appearance in our hearts.

(To group) Now place your hand upon your heart, breathe in, and on the out-breath, send that light into the sacred image of Isis upon the altar.

Done.

Making Offering

Offering Priest places the reed mat before the sacred image of Isis.

Offering Ps: Our bodies being on Earth, our hearts being awake, our magic being in our mouths, we make offering unto You, O Isis.

Offering Priest takes up the first offering. With open heart, he speaks the invocation offering associated with that offering to the Goddess.

Alternative: If the Offering Priest and Priestess do not wish to use the existing offerings, they may choose any offerings they desire—just be able to make a statement about why the offering is chosen to be presented to the Goddess.

Offering P: (To group) Visualize <naming offering>. See it surrounded with light. Breathe in, then on the out-breath, see that light transfer to the sacred image of Isis.

Done.

Offering Priestess repeats this for the next offering beginning with “Our bodies being on Earth…”

Offering Priest repeats this for the last offering beginning with “Our bodies being on Earth…”

Closing the Temple

Offering Ps: (To group) See the ka of Isis glowing with the energy of the offerings we have given Her. Feel Her blessing upon us all in return.

Offering Priest takes up the bundle of plants and sweeps away the footprint in the sand. Both Priestess and Priest make the Gesture of the Closing of the Shrine, back away from the image and face the group.

Offering P: We have flourished on water. We have grown on incense. We have climbed up on sunbeams. O Isis, give us Your hand for we have made offering unto You.

Offering Ps: Be in peace, Isis, be in peace. Amma, Iset (AH-ma, EE-set; Egyptian: “Grant that it be so, Isis”).

All: (Repeating) Amma, Iset!

The Adma is finished. All exit.

All are invited to join together at the Temple of Isis for a morning meditation each day of the festival. This—or something like it—is the Friday morning meditation.

All gather at the Temple of Isis. Priest/ess of the Wings teaches Wings & Breath. Repeat 7 times.

Greeting the Goddess

P Wings: Let us begin a soft chanting and freeform singing of the name of Isis. Feel free to be inspired. No need to be loud; it’s early. As we do this, let us also take turns entering the small temple shrine and greeting the sacred image of Isis. Remembering that the spark of Isis’ consciousness has been awakened in this image this very morning, you may touch the image, bow to Her, or make any other kind of greeting that seems right to you. The Goddess is present in Her image as She is present in all things.

Note: In chanting, include the epithets Radiant One, Great of Magic, All Goddess, the Golden One, the, Healer, Wise One, Green One, Great Mother, Black One.

P Wings: Let us be seated and close our eyes. Breathe deeply and slowly of the breath of Isis. Remember the fire that burns at the very center of your beating heart.

Becoming the Blue Lotus

P Wings: Imagine that you are a Blue Lotus bud, floating soft upon the waters. It is just before dawn and the sky is passing from night black to a deep indigo. A thousand petals enclose the warmth of your heart, which waits to be awakened by the light of the Star of Isis. The dawn winds do not yet blow, there is only stillness and waiting. Before you, you can see the line, which divides the World of the Living from the World of the Dead. There, at the Horizon, a star is now coming forth from between the paws of the lions, Yesterday and Tomorrow; a star is being born from between the thighs of Nuet. You are witness to a miracle as the Goddess Isis, as Sothis, arises from the Underworld.

From out of the Hidden Place, you see the brightest star in the heavens rising—the Star of Isis. As you watch the star rise higher, focus attention on your heart. And together, let us vibrate “Isis” three times.

All:        (Vibrating) ISIS. ISIS. ISIS.

P Wings: We can feel Her presence now, the nearness of the Great Goddess Isis. Her star shines yet more brightly and moves through the dawning sky until it comes to rest just above you. As the starlight of Isis touches you, your lotus petals respond. You feel anticipation. “Open,” says the Light. And you begin to open.

The outermost petals of your Being open to the Light of Isis. Feel the starlight energy flow in from above you, into your heart, and out to the edges of your aura. ”Open,” says the Light. And you open. Another layer of petals blooms, responding to the Light of Isis. Starlight streams into your heart and washes outward as the petals blossom. “Open,” says the Light. And you open.

The innermost petals of your Being come to full life. Diamond starlight touches your heart and courses throughout your body and being. Let the Light grow brighter and brighter above you, this brightest star becoming like a sun above your head. Sothis, the bringer of nourishment, Isis the Giver of Life shines upon you. You are now fully open to Her Light. Your heart beats loudly. Listen to it. Then say with me, “I am open to the Light of Isis. I live in the Light of Isis. I shine with the Light of Isis.”

All: I am open to the Light of Isis. I live in the Light of Isis. I shine with the Light of Isis.

P Wings: May the blessings of Isis be upon us all this day. You are all invited to join together once again at noon for an offering to the Radiant Goddess Isis when Her Golden Face—the Sun—is high in the sky.

The following ritual will be used to cast our circle around the festival site on Thursday night…and then enclose the sacred image of Isis within Her Shrine for the night. Fewer people will be there on this night, so this can be considered a pre-opening ritual. The main opening ritual will happen Friday night once everyone’s arrived.

Site: At the Temple of Isis fire pit

Previously prepared: Firewood assembled with one of two magic ingredients in place. Priest/ess of the Flame of Isis has second ingredient ready. Also have Sun-yellow votive candle and punk to transfer the flame from fire to candle.

All gather in Temple of Isis around fire pit or brazier.

Pss/Ps: Close your eyes and let us breathe together, slowly. In and out. The air is the breath of Isis. The air is the breeze of Summer. The air is the air Isis fanned into the nostrils of Osiris to return Him to life. The air is the breath of Isis. And therefore do we breathe the breath of Isis. Take the breath of Isis deep into your lungs. Exhale and relax your body. Move your body, shake it out if you need to. Then relax into the supporting Wings of Isis as you continue to breathe Her breath.

Breathe slowly and relax, relax.

We are come here to this beautiful place to celebrate the Summer Solstice Festival of Isis the Radiant Goddess. We know that we are welcomed here by Her—Isis, Great of Magic, Beautiful of Wings, Sweet of Love, Greatly Majestic.

In ancient days, Isis was known by many, many names. One of them was Isis, Mistress of Flame—Iset Nebet Neseret. She was called Isis the Flame because of Her fiery, protective, magical power. Nothing ill could pass by Her Fire. It was so in ancient days. And it is so now.

Within our hearts, we each carry the beating Flame of Isis and we can use that small flame to kindle Her greater flame to encircle and protect us during our rites and during this festival. We can do so now—at this sacred time and in this holy place.

Focus your attention at your heart and see there the Flame of Isis. Be aware of your heartbeat and in vision, watch the flame pulse.

Pss/Ps places the second ingredient in the fire.

Pss/Ps:  Now touch your hand to your heart and feel its pulsing warmth. In a moment, we will inhale the breath of Isis…then as we exhale, open our eyes, take our hands from our hearts and extend them toward the firewood—and we will begin to invoke Her flame. If you are ready, we will do this now:  inhale, exhale and extend your hand. And say, “Let the Flame of Isis arise!”

Done.

All: Let the Flame of Isis arise!

Pss/Ps: Join with me now as we invoke Her flame. Feel free to use gestures as well as chanting. Call upon your own magic to invoke the flame as we chant. (Chanting) Fire burn, flame protect. Arise, Isis, arise.

All chant and use gestures to invoke the fire. This continues until the flames come and chant comes to an end. Priest/ess of the Flame of Isis takes up votive and punk, lights punk, then lights candle with it.

Pss/Ps: From our hearts to Her heart. From Her heart to ours. We begin building the Temple of Isis. Let us each, silently and in our hearts, pledge ourselves to Spirit and Community during this festival weekend as we pass the Flame of Isis from hand to hand and heart to heart.

S/he passes the votive to the person to the left. This continues around the circle until the votive is returned to Priest/ess of the Flame of Isis.

Pss/Ps: (As flame moves from hand to hand) As the Fire of Isis moves around the circle, visualize a circle of magical flame encircling this festival site, protecting all who come here to honor Isis, the Lady of Flame.

(When votive returns to her/him) With the Isis Fire that burns in all our hearts, we have laid the foundations of the House, or Temple, of Isis and encircled this sacred place with protection during these holy rites. Let us join hands.

Done.

Pss/Ps: May Isis bless us, bless Her Temple, bless Her altars, and bless our Work during this festival as we say together: “By the Magic of Isis, it is so!”

All:  By the Magic of Isis, it is so!

Pss/Ps:  (Addressing group) Now all who wish may stay as we veil and enclose the sacred image of Isis for the night and bid Her goodnight. This rite is perhaps 5 minutes long. If you do not wish to stay, then we bid you have a beautiful night.

If you are staying, you may draw close around the altar that you may better be part of the rites.

Rite of Entering the Night

Presuming most will remain; Priest/ess of the Veil and Priest/ess of the Night move to the altar of Isis and cross their hands on their chest, bowing to the image of Isis. Priest/ess of the Veil lights charcoal and prepares incense. Priest/ess of the Night pours pure water into the libation cup and readies the libation bowl.

Veil & Night: (Singing together) Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Morning. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Night. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Morning. Isis is the wisdom that is given in the Boat of the Night. Isis, Isis, Isis. (Repeating until they feel attuned to the Goddess through Her image.)

P Veil: A spark from the Heart of Isis resides within this sacred image of the Goddess.

P Night: We honor that spark from the Heart of the Goddess as we honor Isis Herself.

Priest/ess of the Veil places incense on the charcoal, then elevates it toward the image.

P Veil: We offer to You, O Isis Within, this sweet spice. May it please You and make Your rest peaceful.

P Night: We offer to You, O Isis Within, this pure water. May it cool Your lips and make Your rest peaceful.

Priest/ess of the Night elevates libation cup toward the image, then pours it into a larger bowl. S/he stands and slowly makes the gesture of Closing the Shrine.

P Night: (Vibrating softly) ISIS.

Priest/ess of the Veil steps before the image and slowly makes the gesture of Closing the Shrine.

P Veil: (Vibrating softly) ISIS.

Both priest/esses take up the Veil to cover the image.

Veil & Night:  (Together; speaking for the Goddess) I am that Star Who shines in the night. I am Isis Sothis Who lifts up your soul in the darkness. I am the giver of sleep and dreams, the Healer in the star-filled belly of My Mother. I enter into the Night and navigate the River of Stars in beauty.

(Veiling the image) Be in peace, Isis, be in peace.

Amma, Iset.

All exit.