Isis Nav

NOTE: the Deities in the following article are referred to by their Greek names as they would have been in the time frame of the Isis Navigatum. Names of role-players were obtained via availability.

This annual Isis Navigatum event was held at the Japanese Gardens in Van Nuys, CA. The ceremony itself was held in the main Tea Room overlooking a lake surrounded by bridges and lush landscapes. The open, screenless windows allowed a gentle breeze to flow through the room at all times. The weather was magnificent: clear, sunny and warm, but not too hot.

Great care and devotion were put into the decoration of the ceremonial area in the Tea Room. The Throne of Isis sat on an elevated platform surrounded with flowers, exotic materials and candles. Much of the décor came from the Isis Temple of Thanksgiving in Venice, established by Karen Tate who is also a founder of the Isis Ancient Cultures and Religion Society (IACRS).

Pre-ceremony celebrations for the guests included a performance at the garden's entrance by the Mighty Isis belly dance troupe, and an historical narrative by Pan Topanga in the role of Abu Bakar, an "Egyptian merchant" who had come to the Navigatum to petition the Queen of Heaven for prosperity in his business dealings. The Isis (AKA "Isidis") Navigatum was traditionally held to bless the merchant ships of Roman-Greco Egypt.

At the entrance of the Tea Room, the Priestesses of Isis (Senyt-menu, Raven Ganesha, Ruth Ellen Billion) and the procession musicians (Berit Jordhal and Cheryl Caddick) sang the Isis Navigatum song (composed by Jennifer Reif) , asking the Great Mother to bless and protect all who came into Her presence. The participants were then purified by Senyt-menu and Ruth Ellen who stood at either side of the entrance and spurged them with rosemary branches dipped in holy water. Raven stood within the doorway and recited the blessing," May your mind be clear, may your heart be pure, may your body be strong," for every participant who crossed the threshold.

The Priestesses of Isis (center) and procession musicians (far left) sing at the Tea Room entrance
watched by the Pharaoh Cleopatra and her attendant (far right)

A Veiled Isis waited inside on Her throne, with Anubis standing on Her right and Her standard-bearer (Vivian Pulido) on the left, as the people who had come to honor Her filed in and sat on cushions on the floor or in chairs along the sides of the room. When the Palanquin of Isis had been placed, and everyone was settled in worshipful expectation, the ceremony began with Senyt-menu invoking Anubis to open the way. At Anubis' invitation, Ruth Ellen recited the Budge translation of the flame and incense offering before the Veiled Isis. The Awakening of Isis invocation was then jointly performed by Senyt-menu and Raven, after which Isis' standard-bearer removed Her veil.

As the awakened Isis looked serenely on, more offerings and petitions continued. Abu Bakar came forward with an eloquent homage to Isis and a request for his business' prosperity. Cleopatra presented a large, impressive-looking glass container of rose oil and roses as her offering, along with many worthy prayers for her people and the world in general.

Xia Moon, founder of the Temple of the Goddess in North Hollywood, then performed a mesmerizing trance dance as her offering to Isis, accompanied by the visionary song and music of the procession musicians, Berit and Cheryl.

At the conclusion of the offerings and petitions, a satisfied Isis arose and bestowed Her blessings on the celebrants, concluding with a beautiful prose tribute to Isis composed by Dion Fortune. The Queen of Heaven then invited all to participate in a group spiral dance called The Isis Dance, as led by Phoenix Willow. The Isis Dance is a variation on The Kwan Yin Dance from the Dances of Universal Peace, and was adapted by Phoenix. It is a group spiral dance with hand and arm gestures that have specific meaning and intent.

(R-L) Rev. Ava Park as the Pharaoh Cleopatra and
Marcy Kievman as Charmian

After The Isis Dance, everyone proceeded to the nearby lake to launch their Boats of Intent while Isis and Anubis looked on from their nearby arbor. The happy rhythms of frame drum and riqq echoed in the background, floating across the lake from where the musicians played. The Boats of Intent were made of specially molded ice blended with food coloring upon which the individual could breathe his/her desire on and then launch on the lake (The boats were stored in ice chests at the launching site and handed to participants). Being made of ice, the boats could then melt harmlessly into the water without any pollution concerns.

After the Launching, the participants returned to the Tea Room for fellowship, food and refreshments. The latter included a lovely cake decorated especially for the Navigatum, featuring a colorful "Goddess Wheel" which depicted Goddesses of different cultures.

All in all, it is estimated that there were 65 participants (including facilitators) who attended the Isis Navigatum this year - the largest turnout ever! Two local newspaper articles promoted the event, which were probably contributing factors for this. Unfortunately, over 60 would-be participants had to be turned away at the main gate of the Japanese Gardens because of limits the Tea Room places on its maximum occupancy. Efforts are now being made to locate a larger facility for future events so as to accommodate more people.

The Isis Navigatum, started six years ago at Point Dume Beach in Malibu, was founded and organized by the Iseum of Isis Navigatum which became part of IACRS. It has been growing ever since - not only in attendance, but in the beauty and creativity of its ceremonies as well.

* While Cleopatra is most often referred to as a queen, she was the sole ruler of ancient Egypt, not a king's consort. For this reason I use the title of Pharaoh when referring to her, and many Egyptologists also describe her as the Last Pharaoh of Egypt.