OFFERING TO ISIS

Review

By

Corinne Wessel:

OFFERING TO ISIS: KNOWING THE GODDESS THROUGH HER SACRED SYMBOLS

By M. Isidora Forrest

“I am called The First To See Her, for it is my privilege and duty to open her shrine, unveil her face, and make offering to her each morning.  I know better than most how sweet it is to serve the beautiful one with the right offerings.”

This statement is the essence of the book Offering to Isis, especially for worshippers of Isis.  It is important particularly for her clergy to actively make the correct gift to Isis.  The offerings we make to Isis are our way of communicating with her and showing our gratitude for her having found us and allowing us to worship her. 

This book is highly instructive and it   plainly guides its readers through making all types of offerings.  As I am an artist, it was a wonderful way to spark my creativity by making my offerings of clay or drawing them on paper.

 Isidora teaches the difference between sacrifice and offering.  Offerings are motivated by love, appreciation, joy, growth, and connection to Isis.  Making offerings was essential to the Egyptian relationship with the Divine.  The literal nourishment of the gods and goddesses was a main function of offerings; also it is a way of giving thanks to them for what they have provided to humans.  This book states that the character of the giver is more acceptable to the divine than the “splendid ox” of the wrongdoer.  By offering and receiving blessings the connection between human and divine is eternally woven and rewoven. 

Isidora helps you choose an offering by first reading a highly enjoyable list of the types of offering the ancients used.  She also suggests offerings by specific purpose.  For example, if you are celebrating the birth of a child she recommends offerings that relate to Isis as divine mother… such as milk , birthing bricks ,children, or cows.  When making offerings just to please Isis, the book suggests offering by theme such as elemental, zodiacal, plant, animal, celestial, and terrestrial.

The book is helpful in listing offerings to communicate with a special aspect of Isis such as Lady of Abundance.  You could offer green plants, breasts, bread, wine, persea, or milk.  Suggested offerings to celebrate could be costly items such as gold or lapis; or you could choose an offering by chance. 

Isidora describes the sacred gestures and the offering rites themselves, all of which are updated and practical for modern devotees.  I highly recommend this book.