Isis

What does this mean for you? You are loyal to the end. While you may not always be considered ‘in charge’ you are able to step up when necessary and take command when others cannot. You have also been through many struggles, but have defied the odds and come out of it stronger. You are a queen, nurturing and mothering, but ferocious and defiant when you need to be. 

The myth of Isis goes something like this: Long ago, in the ancient land of Egypt, the god of vegetation and life, Osiris, ruled as Pharaoh alongside his queen and sister, the goddess Isis. Both were beloved by the people, and Isis was known as the ideal wife and queen, wise, supportive and faithful to her husband and kingdom. She is also said to have taught women the arts of weaving, baking, and brewing. She even ruled in Osiris’s stead whenever he was away, acting as his second hand and a righteous monarch. Long was their reign, but chaos was stirring in the background in the form of their younger brother, Set, god of desert storms and rage, for he sought the throne he was never given. Although Isis was ever wary of the lies and trickery, Osiris was not so insightful, and trusted their brother regardless of his deceitful ways for he hoped to see the good in his brother. 

As a result, Osiris was tricked by Set, spelling the end of his earthly life. At a great feast Osiris held for Set, all the gods nonetheless honored their treasured Pharaoh and bestowed upon him many lavish gifts. Nearing the end of the day, Set said, “I have a gift for one of our guests here today, although I do not know who this gift will go to.” Everyone was intrigued, and Set had his personal servants bring in a large gilded box made of wood. “Here is the gift,” said Set, “and whoever fits perfectly inside shall have it.”

So all the gods tried to see if they fit in the box until at last Set offered for Osiris to try it. Not knowing the dangers, he laid himself within the box. 

“It is mine!” Osiris said, amused. 

“So shall it be,” Set said, “for it is the coffin that you shall die in!”

The gods could do nothing but watch, horrified, as Set and his vile servants shackled the lid shut, filled it with lead within a matter of seconds, and tossed it in the Nile River at the height of the inundation where it quickly flew down the river. Once word reached Isis, she immediately set out in search for the body of her lost husband. For until the proper funeral rites were done, his spirit could not be free to enter the Land of the Dead. 

Some versions differ as to what happened next, but it is known that Isis wandered and searched for until she found the body of Osiris at the foot of a tree along the Nile. Though she hid the corpse for a time, Set found the body and desecrated it, cutting Osiris into numerous pieces and threw them all across Egypt. Some say 14, others 42  or 26 or 12. Regardless of the number, Isis was forced to go on another search for all these pieces so they could be reunited for the embalming process. Although this took time, Isis was diligent in her task, and with the help of Thoth, god of knowledge, and Anubis, god of embalming, Osiris’s body was embalmed. 

He became the very first mummy. It is during this time that Isis, with her powerful magic, was able to temporarily resurrect Osiris and conceive a child with him. But his life was not meant to last, for his spirit descended into the Duat, the underworld, where he became king and overseer of the dead. 

As a result of this, Isis hid herself away in the marshlands of Egypt, waiting for the day she would give birth to Horus, the heir to the throne. In the meantime, chaos controlled the lands, for Set ruled with wrath and rage. As a queen in a patriarchal kingdom, however, she could not overthrow Set by herself, but she would use the system to her advantage and raise a child that, with her wise words and nurturing, could bring order back to Egypt.

So she nurtured and trained her son, Horus, the rightful Pharaoh of Egypt until the day he could properly combat his uncle, Set. She gave him directives, advice, and all the knowledge she had to offer. Though it took years, Horus did eventually win and became the new Pharaoh of Egypt, which never would have happened without the love and wisdom of his mother. 

By the end of it all, Isis went through the loss of her husband, kingdom, and power, but also gave birth in isolation and raised her son as a single mother. But she would not let this stop her. The fierce fire of a mother of not just a son, but of Egypt, burned in her immortal blood and she would stop at nothing to see prosperity restored. She persevered through it all, and none of it had been easy. It took time and patience and more than a little cleverness to survive these trials, but she prevailed. 

So ends the myth of Isis. 

Historically, Isis was so beloved as a goddess that by the Ptolemaic period (305 – 30 BCE), Cleopatra VII declared herself to be Isis personified on earth to garner support from the native Egyptian population. In fact, many of the Ptolemaic queens before her also declared themselves to be the incarnate of Isis. Such was her immense popularity amongst royals and commoners alike. Often rendered as the All-Goddess, Isis assumed the titles and powers of many previously well-respected Egyptian goddesses as time went on, especially in the Late (525-332 BCE), Ptolemaic, and Roman (30 BCE-641 CE) Periods where her maternal and nurturing aspects made her the ideal woman and goddess for ancient audiences. She traveled from Egypt to Rome and beyond for centuries, eventually transforming into the picturesque and saintly Virgin Mary that is so well known and beloved across the Christian world today.

But what does this mean for you, dear reader and established Isis? You are a motherly figure to those around you. Maybe you’re a parent in reality and this fits with your personality as you are fiercely protective of those around you and possess unwavering loyalty. You may also have a softer, feminine side to you. Motherhood may call to you. Maybe you’re already the matron of the household, holding down the fort and calling the shots, parenting your children with all your wisdom. Not to say any of this is easy. Isis certainly never had an easy day as a single-mother raising a child to combat a madman’s reign!

Regardless, you possess a heart that nurtures and helps those around you. That said, like Isis, you may forget your own heart and needs for your love of others. Don’t forget to find happy moments beyond the archetype of Isis for your own personal enrichment. Whether a queen or a mother or both, love yourself as much as you love others, dear Isis.