Report on the
2006 Convocation
Of
The Fellowship of Isis / Temple of Isis
Isis Oasis
Geyserville, California
By
Rev. Elda Lantz
ArchDrs., Grove of the Avalon Rose/Solar Prs. Alchemist, Solar Iseum of the Twin Suns
The annual Convocation began on Friday evening with a lovely dinner. Dinner was followed by an Opening Ceremony in the Grand Temple with Prs. Le’ema Graham offering a Dance of Ma’at (the Goddess for this year’s Convocation) . Lady Olivia followed with a beautiful guided meditation which took us “into a place of depths of the heart ¾ within the Womb of the Mothers.” As we completed our meditation, “We … passed into the veils of light.” We concluded the evening by drawing a word from the Cauldron of Ma’at and writing a proverb that we shared with everyone while also introducing ourselves. For example, my word was kind and my proverb was, “Sharing a kind word with a stranger brings joy to our heart.”
Following the Opening Ceremony some of us enjoyed relaxing conversation around the hot tub while others enjoyed a cup of tea in the Dining Pavilion.
Saturday morning began for some with Early Morning Yoga on the beautiful green grass outside of the Dining Pavilion led by Dragonfly. This was followed by breakfast and then we returned to the Grand Temple for a presentation on the Ancient Birds of Egypt by Rev. Linda Iles. Linda began her presentation by speaking of the Birds in Egypt Today. Some may not be aware that Egypt is a “destination of avid bird watchers” from across the globe as it is a major migration corridor attracting approximately 280 species of birds annually. She then spoke about Birds and the Ancient Egyptian Religion. Linda pointed out that the “hieroglyphs of the ancient Egyptians contain more signs in the form of birds than any other animal.” She went on to talk about Birds in Ancient Egyptian Religion and Art where we learned that over 76 different species of birds were used in Egyptian art and that the scenes were “often symbolic, and not meant to be taken literally.” For example, “The Grey Heron could represent the deified Kings of Pe and Buto, or be representative of solar energies and rebirth.” Linda then spoke about Birds and The Ba where she pointed out that “the religion of ancient Egypt was deeply connected with the cycles of nature.” Linda then spoke about eight specific birds that were important to the Ancient Egyptians. These included: Heron (Creation, Birth, Rebirth); Goose (Creative Energy); Pelican (Mother of the King, Protection); Ibis (Wisdom, Time, Judgment, Record Keeping, Moon); Vulture (Royalty, Motherhood, Protection); Swallow (Solar Guide, Dawn, Love), Kite (Protection, Breath of Life); and Falcon (Sun, Sky, Life, Kingship). She then spoke of the Ostrich and it’s relationship of the Goddess Ma’at. Finally, she spoke of Nathor, the Pre-Dynastic Bird Goddess. In closing, Linda shared with us a poem she wrote about the Great Bird a Mother of the Nile, who some have called Nathor.
The Ancient Mother,
The Radiant, Golden One,
Came forth from the Abyss,
Searching for the Other.
Below Her, a speck of golden light
Which loomed ever larger
As She dove to meet it.
Feathered with fire,
The Tips of one Great Wing
Brushed the surface of the silent water.
Screeching in disappointment,
She rose again into the heights,
Now knowing it was Her own mirrored beauty
That had beckoned.
Crying, she rose upwards,
The Strong and Fiery One,
Shaking droplets of water from Her Wing Tips
Which were alight with the fire of Her Body.
Thrown out into the depths of heaven
They became the eternal stars.
Far below Her, in the moist darkness,
Her Touch brings a quickening.
Tendrils of light flow out into the still water,
They take hold, and coalesce, drawing
Strength into a kernel, a hidden seed.
The seed becomes mantled in a mound of fertile earth,
Which has rushed to form around it,
And it rises from the ancient silent sea.
Engendered by the Touch of the Radiant One,
The seed bursts forth Pure and Fragrant,
As a Great Blue Lotus with a Heart of Golden Fire.
Reflecting the Perfect Beauty and Living Light
Of the Strong-Winged Mother of All.
(As a side note, I took Amtrak to this year’s Convocation. One of the reasons that I enjoy this journey is that it goes through not one, but two wildlife sanctuaries and I saw seven (American versions) of the birds that Linda was to speak about the next day. Then as we neared Santa Rosa, I saw (20) vultures flying in the skies. AND, because of the traffic on Hwy. 101, our Amtrak Bus driver, Bonnie, took a detour into Healdsburg where we passed a place that had two, Ostriches! .. Linda and I took that as a very good sign.)
Following Linda’s presentation, I had the privilege and honor of presenting the Oracle of Ma’at. As usual, I don’t recall anything I said, but Linda Iles shared with me a part of the Oracle that I now present here. (Thank you, Linda).
“My Children,
Hear My words. Know that to walk the ancient path of Knowledge, is to walk the path of Truth, which is My path. Balance within yourselves is maintained in this world of duality by observing with clearly the reflection within you own hearts. This is a matter to be taken seriously, it is of the utmost importance. Particularly in this age. Many of you have walked the path of the initiate in the past. You have come back again in answer to My call, to act as stewards, as guardians of My Truth. Your service is to maintain a balance within yourselves in the face of the disharmony and chaos in the world. Your inner harmony will in turn foster pathways of higher energy to aid the forces of creation and therefore return a balance to the powers of nature. You are the vessels who bring stability and harmony to this planet. The balance is within you, the scales are tipped in either direction by your own heart, your own spirit. What is it that you see? What is it that you seek? Turn the mirror outwards, give brightness in darkness, give love to those who are angry. Do My Will and You will Honor My Truth…..”
Prs. H. Karen Tate then spoke about the 108 Sacred Sites that are the basis for her new book, Sacred Places of Goddess: 108 Destinations. Her book is published through the Consortium of Collective Consciousness and is available through www.cccpublishing. com
. Karen shared slides of some of these beautiful sites that carried some of those attending to a different place and time….a special journey of the Inner Soul.
Following Karen’s presentation, we had lunch in the Pavilion. Following lunch, many of us walked to the garden area at Isis Oasis, where the finishing touches to a Dome structure were made. On Monday, we took turns planting vines with will cover the “Divine Dome”…more on that in a few minutes.
Following the “raising of the Dome”, we returned to the Dining Pavilion where ArchPrs. deTraci Regula assisted us in the making of our Ma’at Crowns. Beautiful creations one and all.
After our creative endeavors, we returned to the Grand Temple for a presentation by Prs.H. Arisa Victor, on the Tarot Trump Card…Justice. The discussion surrounding the Justice Card became a realization of the Injustices in the world today and how we can balance the Scales of Ma’at / the Scales of Justice.
Following Arisa’s eye-opening presentation, those who would participate in the evening’s ritual rehearsed in the Grand Temple. Some of us, took part in a special Blessing Circle which is always a powerful experience for those taking part. We are hoping to find a time where more people can participate next year.
Following dinner, we returned to the Grand Temple for a presentation by ArchPrs. Loreon Vigne on The Nine Priestesses Traveling in Egypt and how they were guided to bring into modern times the Ideals (previously called Laws) of Maat. Prs.H. Elizabeth Kelly presented a beautiful slide presentation of the trip to Egypt as Lady Loreon spoke fondly of their travels.
Prs. Le’ema Graham and Prs.H. Elizabeth Kelly then led 21 Priestesses in the Spiral of Ma’at Dance/Ritual in which all 42 Ideals were presented. This was a very moving ritual for all attending. This was followed by a Dance of the Veils.
Sunday Morning began for some with Meditation Time in the Isis Chapel. This was followed by breakfast in the Dining Pavilion and then it was time once again for the Gnostic Mass of the Sacred Marriage presented by Prs. Elizabeth Kelly, Prs. Christy Salo, Prs. Sabina and this year assisted by Magdalene Prs. Catherine Wright. As always, the Mass was a moving experience for each person -- individually and collectively.
Mass was followed by a beautiful concert by Phoenix, one that he dedicated to his father who had crossed to the Summerland earlier in the week. I should also mention that the walls of the Grand Temple were lined with art that was also created by this mutli-talented Priest.
Following the concert we once again went to the Dining Pavilion for another wonderful meal. I would like to take this moment to publicly thank Jim, Yvonne, Jim, Barbara and all of the staff of Isis Oasis who once again made this year’s Convocation a marvelous experience.
Following lunch, we prepared for the highlight of the Convocation, the Ordinations. This year saw 15 Ordinations of new Priests and Priestesses, and Blessing for the return of a Priestess from South Africa, for three new Priest/esses Hierophants, and a Solar Priestess Alchemist.
Following a lovely Feast, we once again found our way to the Grand Temple where Prs. H. Arisa Victor presented the film The Secret. We also viewed a film on the great Sufi leader, Rumi.
Monday began with Water Neter Yoga in the pool with ArchPrs. Loreon. Following breakfast, we again entered the Great Temple of an Adoration of Ma’at. Each person was asked to review the Ideals of Ma’at and to then choose which one they presented the best in their life and which one they needed to work on. Following another presentation of the Dance of Ma’at by Prs. Le’ema Graham, and an individual Blessing of Ma’at by Lady Olivia, we broke into groups of 12 to make our way into the Tomb Room where we shared our Ideal that we needed to work on. After each person had their turn in the Tomb Room, we returned to the Light and then shared our “Best” Ideal and placed an offering on the Scale of Ma’at. In the end our hearts weighed Lighter than our Feathers.
Following lunch and fond farewells, a few of us returned to the Divine Dome where we planted 12 vines, each one destined to bloom at a different time of the year and each dedicated to a different goddess.
We then held our annual Temple of Isis Board Meeting and this was followed by the semi-annual meeting of the Circle of Isis Board Meeting.
Mark your calendars now for next year’s Convocation which will be held October 5 - 8. The 2007 Convocation will be dedicated to the Goddess, Neith.
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Elda Lantz
Prs.H., Lyceum of the Eclectic Rose
ArchDrs., Grove of the Avalon Rose
GDC, Priory of the Grael Rose
SPrsA, Solar Iseum of the Twin Suns
