College of Isis Iseums, Hearths of the Goddess

"Nuit of the Milky Way" by Olivia Robertson

ISEUMS, Hearths of the Goddess

Iseums are the earliest designated type of center within the Fellowship of Isis. Iseums are described as the "Hearths of the Goddess." Each Iseum is dedicated to a particular Goddess or a Goddess and a God. Any FOI member may found an Iseum. They have a very special place within the Fellowship of Isis and a variety of callings can be answered through working in an Iseum. Heads of Iseums may operate as Adepti, Alchemists, or Teachers who train others for the FOI Priest/esshood, if they have attained these levels of training and been duly initiated, consecrated, ordained, and certified. Branches of study offered through Iseums include the Spiral of the Adepti and the Spiral of Solar Alchemy.

An Iseum is not required to offer courses of training or teaching. FOI members may join as many Iseums as they wish. Iseums may perform Fellowship of Isis rituals, celebrate the traditional seasonal holy days, such as Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice, etc. They may offer services to the Goddess Community through supporting various causes, such as protection and welfare of animals, exploring various spiritual paths, creating environmental awareness and prayer or healing work.

INITIATION INTO AN ISEUM (Flamma Vestae)

"Iseum members join together in loving cooperation. They become a branch of the Family of Isis. The Initiation rite for admittance into an Iseum is called "Flamma Vestae", interpreted from Latin it means literally “Flame of Vestae.” The Vestae were Priestesses of ancient Rome who guarded the sacred flame of their patroness Goddess, Vesta, the Roman Goddess of the hearth and heart of the home. So the Iseum is seen as the spiritual home, a center where members gather together for friendship, teaching, ritual and to draw strength and comfort from the fellowship amongst Iseum members." - Olivia Robertson, FOI Co-Founder

The rite of admission into an iseum can be found in the FOI Liturgy book "Panthea, Initiations and Festivals of the Goddess." It is titled "Flamma Vestae. Initiation into a Fellowship of Isis Iseum."

Flamma Vestae. Initiation into a Fellowship of Isis Iseum

The Fellowship of Isis was founded on the Spring Equinox, 1976. The first Fellowship of Isis Iseums were announced in Isian News, Issue No. 3, Spring Equinox of 1977.

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