Glenn King

When I started this blog, I had hoped that I would be able to post at least a couple of messages a month, if not more. Unfortunately my work has developed much slower than that. Initially I also had a clear idea of what this blog should be about. It should be about my own vision of Isian theology as opposed to those of the alternative spiritual communities generally. I was hoping to be able to logically present a broad vision of Isian henotheistic theology. To a certain extend I have been able to summarize important aspects of Isian theology on my home page but that is about as far as I have gotten. The problem is that both personal issues and the new ideas (it is too early to refer to these ideas as inspirations -they may be bad ideas actually) keep getting in my way. Therefore for the last few days I have decided to make some changes regarding how this blog will work.

First the articulation of an alternative theology of Isis will continue. However it will continue intermittently as significant ideas and inspirations hit me. I doubt that as new ideas come to me that they will flow in a constant direction nor in a constant pace. Neither will my posts normally be developed in any purely logical order.

Now as far as future content goes, Isis still holds central place in this blog. However there is a lot to life which can be understood without direct reference to Isian or any other theology. For example I started new article a few days ago which will take a while to complete. This article will be regarding the conflict between those who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” and of course those who while recognizing that religion, while having many sins to account for, always has had and still has a necessary role in life.

Another of the ideas that I wish to discuss will be about my own understanding of the Perennialist theology. Perennialism is the perspective that most if not all of the major religions of the world have as a common source a divine origin within the being of God / Thea, in spite of the fact that these religions often have significant differences. These are just two subjects which I want to discuss sometime soon.

Finally I want to start sharing selections from a body of literature that has been at the center of my own daily devotions for a while now. These are a collection of redacted (reworked by myself) psalms from a medieval work called the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I call these reworked hymns “Psalms of Thea” because to a significant degree they express much of how I relate to Thea / God. Not only do I think that they are beautiful prayers, are deeply meaningful, and express ways of relating to the world, and to Isis / Thea. They also express many of the ideal goals or possibilities of life. Any way I hope that by sharing these psalms that some may find within them something of beauty but also of spiritual value.

A last word periodically I also plan simply to discuss subjects here which are simply important to me or which I have enjoyed. These can be books which I have read or movies for example which I have enjoyed These may be without any reference the themes discussed so far. Thus in general this will be a multipurpose blog in which issues of Isis as Thea will dominate but not be all that is discussed.

I have had some problems knowing what to chose as my first subject for this blog. Obviously the subject should be about Isis, named as I was first introduced to her in the language of Greece, but as Aset as she was originally known within Ancient Egypt. The question is what should I first say about Isis. For most persons who have some sort of relationship with Isis whether through introduction to her as one of the numerous Kemetic goddesses, or through the more esoteric mode of New Age, magic centered spirituality movements Isis is viewed though the lens of a Pagan polytheistic identity, and thus she is more often seen as one goddess among many, to which one goes perhaps for healing of spirit or body.

Or perhaps one connects to her as a symbol or archetype of the soul or as a personification of esoteric knowledge, a spiritual guide, or as a giver of energies for one’s own magical work. Within these types of contexts one generally assumes that she functions in some types of work and not in others. She is one of a democracy of gods and goddesses, a part of a smorgasbord of deities one can chose to meet one’s spiritual needs. Or from the top down each deity of a broad national or international pantheon chooses for what ever reason which potential devotee to which he or she wishes to relate..

I have never thought of Isis is this manner. Basically from the time in which I converted to Isis as a follower I have been an Isis henotheist, whose worship and service is generally to Isis alone. I do accept the fact that other gods, goddesses, and spirits exist and that some worship may be due them by others and perhaps by myself. However Isis is the supreme Goddess and Creator to whom my overall loyalties lie.

I believe that Isis has many names, aspects, and persona, each of which represents Isis’ presence and work within the world. And as Apuleius and others have said she is all goddesses and each goddess is an aspect of her being. Thus while I worship her in her Name of Isis to honor the fullness of her being, I also often do worship and honor her through her other goddess names.

Thus Isis is Ma’at the spirit of truth, righteous action, and justice in all its forms. To the degree that I try to live by ma’at in my daily life I try to recall the name of Maat, of Aset Maat. Though out much of my life have had a strong interest in Athena the Greek goddess of war, defense, civilization, and of power, both mental and physical. While sometimes I see Athena as a separate individual goddess not necessarily thinking of Isis, more often than not I see her as Aset Atanna who give one the power one needs, for example, to exercise. During my dailly walks and bicycle rides I will normally recite the name of Athena or Atanna as I call on her to give me the strength and power I need continue on my way. Given my age and my tendencies toward physical laziness I need all the help that I can get. And besides this is a way of worship.

I see Isis in many other ways. She is the feeling of spring on a flowering, spring day, she is the night sky, she is Anahita the goddess of rivers and waters, she is the beauty which exists within all that exists. She has thousand of beautiful names.

Thus I see Isis as the One God, as Thea who creates out of her self the many gods, goddesses, peoples. beings, all. She is the One and the Many.

Isis as Thea and other matters

Author Archives: Glenn King

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