Fellowship of isis
The Robertsons in the Temple Sanctuary 2007
The Purpose
The Fellowship of Isis is a contemporary spiritual group founded in 1976, by Olivia Robertson, her brother Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, and his wife Pamela Durdin-Robertson. Worship of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis and other gods connected to ancient Egypt and other cultures forms the foundation of the organization. I was introduced to this unusual topic by a friend who visited the property last summer.
It is a worldwide community of people that follow a polytheistic, goddess-focused ideology. The group is devoted to the worship and adoration of the Goddess in all her manifestations in diverse spiritual and cultural traditions. Honouring the divine feminine while promoting spiritual and personal development, creativity, healing, and empowerment are its goals. The Fellowship places a strong emphasis on spiritual growth and encourages one-on-one communication with the divine through mythical traditions such as ceremonies, rituals, and counselling. In addition to maintaining traditional goddess customs, it promotes contemporary spiritual practices, interfaith understanding, and a feeling of community and inclusivity.
Druidic customs, particularly those connected to nature worship and the devotion of the elements, had a significant influence on the founders. The Fellowship frequently incorporates strong Druidic elements into its ceremonies, such as the usage of sacred trees, stones, and Earthly components. I believe "The Silver Branch," to be one of them. It's an object that is believed to be a magical talisman connecting the members to the goddess. Similar to a shamanic staff, the Silver Branch is thought to have the ability to open portals to other worlds and is used in many of their most secretive ceremonies.
The FOI has no affiliation with violent or extremist ideas and is centred on nonviolent spiritual activities and individual empowerment. At least according to their website.
The Founders
Olivia Robertson was crucial in advancing this multicultural, multireligious society. she claims she began having clairvoyant visions at an early age. Shed converse with the spirits of several deities. she felt that these visions and messages led her to form the fellowship. She tried to achieve a balance between virtues like kindness, charity, and concern for the environment and the harmful elements of materialism and greed, motivated by firsthand spiritual experiences. She stayed away from building a "cult of personality" and concentrated on furthering the goals of the FOI.
Olivia Robertson 2007
When the Goddess religion was recognized as a global faith in 1993, she spoke on behalf of the Fellowship at the Parliament of the World's Religions. Robertson's teachings placed a strong emphasis on making personal sanctuaries, living in the present, and discovering the divine in ordinary things. She wrote *The Call of Isis*, her spiritual autobiography, and the Liturgy of the FOI before her death in 2013.
Lawrence Alexander Durdin-Robertson was a priest, spiritual leader, and scholar. He inherited Clonegal Castle after his father died in 1945, which he later used as the focal point of his spiritual activities. His ideas were first centred in the Anglican Church, but he gradually broadened them to include a wide range of religions, particularly those that emphasize the feminine divine, while assisting in the founding of the Huntington Castle Centre for Meditation and Study in 1963. In 1981, he gave the Temple of Isis to the Fellowship of Isis, and in 1979, he restored his family title, Baron Ruadh.
Durdin-Robertson also wrote many works. His work is highly acclaimed for its thorough research and devotion for the Goddess heritage.
Known as "Valentine" in “The Call of Isis”, Pamela Mary Durdin-Robertson had a strong spiritual bond with nature, especially with untamed flowers and plants. It is said she was born with the gift of clairvoyance and the ability to speak directly with nature, which she was humble about. Pamela found it easier to communicate with wild plants and experience their personalities and emotions. She frequently talked about the personalities of these plants, mentioning that they would communicate with her verbally or even poetically. Her connection to nature extended beyond the natural world and included interactions with fairies and nature spirits, and other mythical creatures. Which if you ask me makes this “gift” sound less believable and more like a symptom of schizophrenia and the sorts.
Location
Lime Tree Avenue 2007
Clonegal castle is located in co. Carlow on the border with Wexford, in the middle of nowhere. It is hidden behind rows of trees which you pass coming up the long driveway. Unless you're looking for it, you won't see it. Perfect for any religious group trying to stay out of the public's eye, yet the FOI does not apply to this assumption. (2)
The Castle was originally constructed in 1625 and was renamed Huntington by its owner, Sir Laurence Esmonde, in 1680. The castle was renamed Huntington Castle in honour of the Lincolnshire town of Hunnington, where the Esmondes originated, according to Lawrence Durdin-Robertson. 'Huntington' was most likely a mispronounced name. In the 1970s, it reverted to its previous name, Clonegal Castle. Though the name Huntington has been restored by the Durdin-Robertson family who currently live in the castle, it is frequently referred to as Clonegal Castle within the Fellowship of Isis. Tours of the property are available however information about the fellowship itself is not mentioned much.
Clonegal Castle Fountain 2007, 600 Year old yaw walk 2007
Castle festivals
Clonegal Castle is home to the Fellowship of Isis Foundation Center. Among other responsibilities within the Fellowship, the Rainbow Circle of Brigid members oversee the Castle celebrations. Cressida Pryor is now the FOI's Steward. The Castle Temple is regularly maintained by Pamela Currey, Cressida's successor and granddaughter of Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, who lives nearby.
Created from the original Circle of Brigid to promote tolerance, inspiration, and support, the Rainbow Circle of Brigid was first introduced by Cressida Pryor in 2018. As it moves from control to community involvement, its main goals are to manage the Temple and plan Foundation Center Festivals. Initially founded by Robertson in 2004 as an advisory board, the Circle of Brigid functioned as the central parliament of the Fellowship of Isis, making decisions for the group and developing moral standards to improve its operations.
It reformed in 2020 to help community communication and festival development, as Robertson had envisioned this group.
During one of the periodic festivities, members are welcome to visit the Foundation Center Castle. There are eight occasions when people get together each year;
Brigantia, Spring Equinox, Beltaine, Summer Solstice, Lughnasad, Autumn Equinox, Samhain, and the Winter Solstice.
Only those invited may attend these festivals.
Some fun facts
Within the Fellowship of Isis, there is a special astrological system known as the "Lady of the Stars." It combines contemporary ideas with Egyptian astrology to assert that the divine feminine is intimately related to the energy of the stars and constellations. According to legend, the goddess Isis is an interplanetary being whose influence extends throughout the skies.
There is a half-burned angle statue on the premises that was taken from a burnt down church. The disfigurement is separated by a clear line down the middle. As if the other half had some magical protection.
Archangel Gabriel 2007
The idea that the goddess Isis reincarnated as a dolphin in the Mediterranean is among the most fantastical tales connected to the Fellowship of Isis. Some of their ceremonies, especially those that emphasize the therapeutic qualities of water, highlight this bond between Isis and dolphins.
The well in the Fellowship of Isis's worship space represents the life-giving power of water. It symbolizes purification, renewal, and a bond with Isis and is used for offerings, prayers, and cleansing. With an emphasis on life, death, and rebirth, the area encourages introspection, meditation, and spiritual development while creating calm and fortifying the connection between practitioners and the divine.
Well Chapel 2007
The "Isian Tarot," a Tarot deck created by the Fellowship of Isis, includes distinctive and elaborate graphics drawn from ancient mythologies. In addition to being a divin tool, the Fellowship uses the deck as a means of spiritual development and education.
If anyone found this overview even slightly entertaining i suggest visiting their website (https://www.fellowshipofisis.com/) as there is an abundance of information, there. And for anyone who'd like to join this not cult;
Visit the Fellowship of Isis's official website or get in touch with a local temple or member. The FOI provides a range of spiritual pathways, from solo practices to group participation. For individuals who prefer private practice, the FOI offers solo rites that promote spiritual growth. “Everyday devotion to the Goddess, whether expressed verbally or in silence, cultivates a loving relationship with her, encouraging personal expression and establishing a connection with the larger divine network that connects Heaven and Earth.” According to Olivia Robertson. The book "Maya" is useful for solo members to become familiar with the FOI Liturgy.
There is also a number of literature and art on the website that will provide a better understanding of the founders’ minds.
High Alter 2011
