To follow up on last week’s post—and by way of tangible proof that Her temples still live—I’d like to share with you the Temple of Isis in my backyard. It is named the House of the Lotuses, Per Sushenu, or the Lotus Temple. It was built for an Isis Festival in 2010 and reconstructed in our backyard following the festival since nobody could bear to see it destroyed. Incidentally, that festival is the same one for which I originally instituted this blog. As you can see, both blog and temple are still going strong.

The Temple of Isis lives in so many of our hearts. I am extremely fortunate in that I also have one living in my backyard. With that, here’s a tour of the House of the Lotuses:

The House of the Lotuses; it is about the size of a large gazebo, which is how we explain it to the neighbors: it's an Egyptian gazebo!
The House of the Lotuses; it is about the size of a large gazebo, which is how we explain it to the neighbors: it’s an Egyptian gazebo!
The temple is decorated with glass lotuses, each cut by hand and cemented in place.
The temple is decorated with glass lotuses, each cut by hand and cemented in place.
One of two lotuses planters in front of the temple; this year, we have speedwell growing, other years, it was grasses
One of two lotus planters in front of the temple; this year, we have speedwell growing, in other years, it has been grasses
The roof of the temple is painted as Mother Nuet's starry belly
The roof of the temple is painted as Mother Nuet’s starry belly
There are eight large, outer pillars and two smaller inner lotus pillars supporting the temple; they are shiny because they were urethaned to withstand the Pacific Northwest rain
There are eight large outer pillars and two smaller inner pillars supporting the temple; they are shiny because they were urethaned to withstand the Pacific Northwest rain; yes, I had to have my coffee with me!
A single lotus pillar; that purple bit you see behind it, is the grape arbor of Dionysos
A single lotus pillar; that bit of purple you see behind it, is the grape arbor of Dionysos
Another shot of the lotus pillars, Nuet's sky, and the glass decoration on the top of the temple
Another shot of the lotus pillars, Nuet’s sky, and the glass decoration on the top of the temple
The shrine area, is illuminated with the rays of The Radiant One and white lotuses
The inner shrine area is illuminated with the rays of The Radiant One and decorated with delicate purple and white lotuses
The copper repouse shrine doors slide open so that the standing Isises guard the sacred image within
The copper repousé shrine doors slide open so that the winged Isises guard the sacred image within
The Radiant Isis in Her shrine
The Radiant Isis in Her shrine
A side view of the House of Lotuses
A side view of the House of Lotuses
Coincidence? I think not.
Philae-Portland, Portland-Philae. Coincidence? I think not.