Heights of Queen Isis

Heights of Queen Isis

Plutarch a Greek scholar who lived in 46 C.E. wrote, Isis and Osiris, which is considered a main source about the very late myths about Isis. In it he writes of Isis: “she is both wise, and a lover of wisdom; as her name appears to denote that, more than any other, knowing and knowledge belong to her.” The shrine of Isis in Sais carried the inscription “I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised.” At Sais, however, the patron goddess of its Ancient Cult was Neith, many of whose traits had begun to be attributed to Isis during the Greek occupation. In The Golden Ass the Roman writer Apuleius later gives us his understanding of Isis in the second century. The following paragraph is particularly significant:

“ You see me here, Lucius, in answer to your prayer. I am nature, the Universal Mother, Mistress of all the elements, primordial child of time, sovereign of all things Spiritual, Queen of the dead, Queen also of the immortals, the single manifestation of all gods and goddesses that are, my nod governs the shining heights of Heavens, the wholesome sea breezes. Though I am worshipped in many aspects, known by countless names … some know me as Juno, some as Bellona … the Egyptians who excel in Ancient learning and worship call me by my true name…Queen Isis.

Painting using mixed media and gold leaf
102 cm x 42cm

Music – Across Egypt – by John Williams

16th December 2008