Isis
Intention: Draw on protection, healing and the power of words
Offerings & Symbols
- A white or blue candle
- Water in a clear cup
- Frankincense or myrrh
- A written name or invocation
Culture: Egyptian Associations: magic, motherhood, healing, protection
Who is Isis?
One of the most widely worshipped goddesses of the ancient world. In Egyptian myth she is the devoted wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. She gathers Osiris's scattered body and, through her power of heka (magic), restores him long enough to conceive Horus.
Story of the hidden name
In one well-known myth, Isis learns the secret name of the sun god Ra and gains authority over him, showing how much power sacred words hold in Egyptian thought.
Associations
Magic and the spoken word, healing, protection, motherhood, and the throne (her name is written with the throne hieroglyph).
Worship spread
Her cult spread across the Mediterranean in the Greek and Roman periods, with temples as far as Britain.
Ways people honor her
- Speak intentions aloud with care and clarity
- Offer water, incense or flowers
- Do something protective or healing for your family or community
Approach any deity with respect and do your own research. Practices vary widely between traditions, and modern devotional practice often goes beyond what survives in ancient sources.