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Fellowship of Isis
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FOI Priesthood TrainingOlivia Robertson, FOI co-founder, writes:"All living things are born of the cosmic Mother Goddess: so each creature, great or small, partake of Her divinity. All of us are daughters and sons of the Goddess, not by creation from an outside Deity, but through birth. However, to become a Priestess or Priest in the Fellowship of Isis involves agreeing to work with Isis in Her divine Plan for this earth. This may take myriad forms - Isis has 10,000 manifestations through as many Goddesses, and Osiris manifests through Gods. "Who are these Deities? As Hesiod wrote, "The gods and men are of the same race." Translation this liberally, we may regard ourselves as essentially equal with deities - but need not get arrogant! We share this distinction with leopards and rabbits and hawks. . . The Egyptians recognised this innate animism in their deification of the ungainly hippo and the elegant crocodile. "Thus, devoid of self-pride and arrogance, we can learn to listen to the Deities as their priesthood - and in turn listen to those who come to us! A true member of the priesthood of Isis follows "She who listens." So understanding and loving with wisdom, we can truly heal, help, counsel and create. "We Her Priesthood claim no power over others. When we are called, we come; where there is suffering, we are there. When help is needed, whether for human, animal or plant, we give it. So we show forth Isis and Osiris in our unique way. We bring heaven down to earth."  FOI Priesthood Training Centers: Either a Lyceum or Iseum Administrator may provide Priesthood training: in person or through correspondence. It is done through an Iseum when the Magi Degree system is not a part of the overall training program. In all cases, the training Administrator is already ordained through the Ordination of Priestesses and Priests, and then registered with the FOI in order to provide training to others. The Fellowship does not ordain others based solely on "previous life experience" or previous titles gained. (This refers to previous studies and/or degrees obtained within other traditions in this current incarnation, as well as any former "past life" experiences.) In addition, there are no ordinations in the Fellowship of Isis under the legal age of adulthood. Both Iseums and Lyceums may provide FOI Priesthood training, as long as the training administrator has been previously ordained and registered with the Fellowship of Isis. If you want a center that provides Magi Degree training along with Priesthood training, this would be with a Lyceum. Please see the Centers Directory to find one of these centers near you or for one that provides training through correspondence. Summary of Guidelines for Priesthood training: 1) A 9-month to 2-year training program, either in person or through correspondence, with a certified FOI Priest/ess. 2) After training, enactment of the FOI's Rite of Ordination, either in person or through attunement with the training Priest/ess. 3) A year-and-a-day waiting period, before the FOI Priesthood certificate is issued and registered with an AU member. does not convey legal ministerial status. Priesthood Training in Further Detail: For those who wish ordination within the Fellowship of Isis, a training program is first required. An inquiry is made to a member of the FOI Priesthood within an active center. The recommended training period is 9 months to 2 years, and may be done either in person or through correspondence. Spiritual Vocation on the part of the member is essential. Each member of the Priesthood develops her/his own unique training program. At the end of this training period, the Ordination of Priestesses and Priests is enacted with the training Priest/ess, either in person or at a distance through attunement). This completes the first phase and confers direct Spiritual Ordination. Note: A Magi Degree is declared only when studying with a Lyceum. Priesthood is passed to the Priestesses and Priests of the Fellowship through the Rite of Ordination, and also through touch and oil. The oil blessed by Vocation is essential. The same ceremony through telepathic attunement is just as effective as the physical rite. Telepathy is the language of the New Aeon. (In attunement, members bless the oil themselves, holding their hands over it in the name of their Dedicatory Goddess.) By the request of Olivia Robertson, after the Ordination Rite, the Fellowship requires a formal year and a day to pass before the registration of the new Priest/ess is allowed. This procedure validates the ministry of the new Priest/ess in practical life through conscious participation in their Vocation over that time period. Also, good relationships with others become apparent, or difficulties can be dealt with by the teacher if they arise during this time period. Please see Olivia's announcement of this from October, 2001: Year-and-a-Day Policy. When the required year and a day has passed, the new Priest/ess will contact the person who ordained them to request formal registration. The ordaining Priest/ess will then issue a Fellowship of Isis Ordination Certificate, and register the appointment with an AU member. (See the section on FOI Registration.) Important: Only after formal registration is an ordination valid within the Fellowship of Isis. Registration is required before a member may call themselves a FOI Priest or Priestess and train/ordain other members into the Fellowship of Isis Priesthood. Priesthood Alchemical Degree System: In 2003, Olivia Roberson created the Spiral of Alchemy and the Alchemical Degree System. This is a program of study specifically for the FOI Priesthood in order to experience further transformation within themselves and in their personal Vocations to the Goddess. Alchemical Degrees are pursued by members of the FOI Priesthood who wish to discover the "Inner Sun" through training with Solar Iseums. For more information, please see the Priesthood Alchemical Degree System. Archpriesthood Union: The Archpriesthood Union is made up of 32 women and men who are custodians of the principles and policies of the Fellowship of Isis. One of the requirements to be an Archpriest/ess is to have a "sphere of influence" of 1,000 or more FOI members. This title is only conferred when there is an opening in the existing Archpriesthood Union. Related Articles October 18, 2001: Priesthood Year-and-a-Day Policy February, 2002: Vocation in the Fellowship of Isis October, 2003: Priesthood Alchemical System Priesthood Designations Priestess/Priest: Someone who has been ordained within the Fellowship of Isis. Addressed as "Reverend." Abbreviations: Rev. - Reverend, Prs. - Priestess, Pr. - Priest. Priest/ess Alchemist: A Priest/ess who has attained at least 4 Alchemical Degrees. Archpriest/ess: A member of the designated Archpriesthood Union. Sphere of influence includes 1,000 members or more. Addressed as "The Right Reverend." Abbreviations: Rt. Rev. - Right Reverend, AU - member of Archpriesthood Union, ArchPrs. - Archpriestess, ArchPr. - Archpriest. Priesthood Alchemical Degree System Return to the Iseum Section Return to the Lyceum Section Requirements for all Centers  All Rights Reserved. |