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Offering to Isis: Knowing the Goddess Through Her Sacred Symbols

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M. Isidora Forrest proved with her publication of Isis Magic in 2001 that modern
Neopaganism and Goddess Spirituality is capable of attaining depth and spiritual
maturity. Now with Offering to Isis, she joins the ranks of those who have
demonstrated that it is also capable of illuminating and deeply moving poetic
beauty in its worship.

Isis Magic provided a detailed history of the historic worship of Isis, and an
extensive set of spiritual and magical practices-- rituals, meditations,
devotions-- designed to develop a deep, rich connection with the Goddess Isis.

Now, in Offering to Isis, the author adds an important resource to the
repertoire of modern devotees of Isis-- a catalogue of nearly 75 symbols sacred
to the Goddess (the Heart, the Knot, the Lotus, Papyrus, etc.), and for each,
she does two things-- first, she explains in lucid and knowledgeable prose why
it is an appropriate offering to the Goddess in relation to its ancient place in
Egyptian life and particularly in Egyptian religion (its use, symbolism, etc.),
and second, she presents a beautiful and poetic offering speech or hymn to
accompany the Isiac's own devotional offering of that item to Isis.

This is not the book to pick up to learn the history and methods of ancient Isis
worship (that has already been presented in Forrest's Isis Magic, and by
DeTraci Regula, R.E. Witt, and other priests, priestesses, and scholars). This
is the book that will deepen your understanding and love of Isis, and will make
you wonder why you haven't already been exploring the beauty of that most
Egyptian of religious rites, the ritual of offering.

In the first part of her book, Ms. Forrest discusses "offerings". From modern day Seattle and the unusual custom that has arisen from leaving daily offerings of food and such for a work of art called "The Seattle Troll" to ancient offerings of symbols left at the temples of Egypt, Ms. Forrest examines our curious habit of leaving bit of things for both the common place as well as Deities. We see how symbols are part of Egyptian Magic or "Heka" and how this can fit into a daily practice of offerings for Isis. There is much history covered here and Ms. Forrest has done the research to allow even the beginner to understand the idea of offerings. The reader comes to understand the use of "Heka", or magic; that the word is the form, be it written or spoken and the offering of the word is the offering itself.

The second part of the book is the discussion and description of the offerings themselves, the glyphs and the meanings of each. The research is well done, easy to understand and each symbol is followed by an "Isis Offering" using that particular symbol.

For the practitioner who is looking at devoting their life to Isis, this is an indispensable handbook. Those who would make offerings, be they once a day or for special occasions, will find themselves referencing this book over and over. The work is in depth but the rituals are easy to follow even in their most complex form. The book will aid the follower of this path to make the most of their offerings and their connection with Isis.

The reader will also come away with an understanding of the meaning of the glyphs discussed in this book. They are pictured so the discussion of the glyph has a visual basis for the reader. You then copy the glyph that applies and use it in your own rituals.

This is a well presented book, offering much in the way of study for one looking at the Egyptian and Isis path. If you are looking at the practice and are looking for a single guide that will explain in depth the process and the rituals, this book is an excellent choice. boudica

This is really a useful, and powerful book. It goes well with her other Isis book, and is a useful tool for understanding Isis. I do recommend it.

I loved the show and I still do,as I have it on dvd. The book taught me alot about her.