In these days of “self-isolating,” are you perhaps feeling a bit disconnected; not only from others, but from Her?
It’s pretty weird out there right now, folks. For one thing, I’m in Portland Oregon and it’s snowing. In mid-March. Politics? Don’t get me started. Oh, and then there’s the fact that every grocery store in town is out of just about everything because people are preparing to be “self-isolating” at home for a good long while. Of course, it’s not that we shouldn’t be taking this pandemic seriously. We should. And we are.
But all the crazy out there can make us feel a little, well, crazy. Which is not very conducive to experiencing our connection with Isis. It might even make us panic. Is She still there? Was She ever there? Am I “losing my faith”? What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with Her?
If you’ve been missing Isis (or perhaps She’s been missing you?) there are things you can do about it. Without adding to your crazy.
First, give yourself a break. Have you been trying too hard, pushing too much? While having a daily practice is wonderful, if you’re doing the same thing every day, that once-lovely little ritual can become routine, even boring. Consider taking a break. If you do a daily rite, cut back to once a week. Or try a different ritual. It could be that a rite that hadn’t caught your attention before would be just right now.
On the other hand (hey, these aren’t one-size-fits-all suggestions), a boring ritual might be just what you need. If you haven’t been doing ritual, pick one and do it. At least once a week. Pour a libation. Offer flowers. Perform the “Lotus Wand of Isis” or the “Opening of the Ways” (both in Isis Magic). Oh, and don’t expect any spiritual fireworks. You might get them. Or you might not. Either way, it’s okay.
Take a trip down memory lane. Think back on what first got you excited about Isis. What was that like for you? Reminisce. Perhaps there was a particular book that inspired you? Re-read it. Was there an experience you could recreate?
Give yourself a magical task. You can define this any way you wish. You might try something like this: every time you pass through a doorway/see a hawk/wake up in the morning, say to yourself, “Isis is all things, and all things are Isis” or “I open myself to Isis” or whatever seems right to you. By thinking of Her and speaking Her name, you will reweave your connection with Her.
Don’t feel guilty about it. This happens to every person who has ever been on a spiritual journey. If it has never happened to you before, you’ve beaten the odds. But it has now, and chances are, it will happen again. And that’s okay, too. That’s why we have to be kind to ourselves during these times of spiritual emptiness. We haven’t failed because we have doubts or have fallen away from awareness or practice. We’re just a normal human person and this is just part of the path. And She will be waiting there for us when we’re ready.
Nevertheless, persist. Always take the next step on that path. Sometimes a spiritual project is a great way to reconnect with Isis. If you’re solitary, you might create an artwork for Her/of Her. Write an invocation. Choreograph a dance. Cook an Isis feast and invite Pagan friendlies to join you in eating it and honoring Her. Are you a ritualist? Create a new rite for Her. If you’re fortunate enough to have a community, gather some fellow Isiacs and come up with something together.
Pick any one of these things to try. You’ll see. Oh. And now the sun’s out here in Portland. The snow is melting. And spring is coming.
Isiopolis 
I seriously needed to hear this. Thank you. I won’t bore you with the details. For me it’s all too common. I just need to find a way back. Somehow.
Thank you, Isidora! I needed to hear this, too. It’s not so much that I don’t have a very keen awareness of Her in my life–I do! It’s just that the “inner critic” keeps telling me I have really messed up, failed, whatever, and it’s all too easy for a “solitary” to absorb some of the negativity! This is also a VERY timely reminder to remember and pray for all the others who love Her, too–we’re ALL “Under Her Wings.” And there’s no better place to be!
Thank you, Isidora! I needed to hear this, too. It’s not so much that I don’t have a very keen awareness of Her in my life–I do! It’s just that the “inner critic” keeps telling me I have really messed up, failed, whatever, and it’s all too easy for a “solitary” to absorb some of the negativity! This is also a VERY timely reminder to remember and pray for all the others who love Her, too–we are all “Under Her Wings.” And there is no better place to be.
I went into a hard fallow time over winter. I completely cleaned out my temple room… all statuary, offerings, items pertaining to deity. And I stopped all rituals, I became too scattered with all the netjeru obligations and lost the feeling of connection. Definitely long dark night of the soulish. Instead I meditated on the universe and did yoga in my temple room. I only recently put Isis back in the temple room (I had moved Her statue to the living room). The break helped tremendously. I was feeling lost, alone and full of madness. I need the break to feel the connection again. Thank you for the timely article. Isis always leaves signs for us. My personal epithet for Her is She Who Has Never Abandoned Me. Dua Isis.
Sorry I had trouble and posted above as Anonymous. I’m William Joe Kirby, but I go by Joe. If it isn’t VERY obvious, I love Isiopolis!!!! Thanks again!
Reblogged this on Sanctuary of Horus Behdety.
Thank you for this post! It’s been a trying time and this was a wonderful reminder of ways to weave myself back into practice.
And after finally getting it together and performing a ritual of offerings to Isis, when I was in my car a little later (to deliver a few things to my parents that they need) I saw a hawk flying to a tree” and instantly thought of this post again and said “She is with me.”
Hi Isidora. Love your words. In my personal experience, When I started working with Her there was an amazing fire that took me to amazing places of spiritual growth. She accepted me as Her priest and the relation was pretty close. Two years ago without even thinking about it iI started to take some distance, to the point that I almost stopped my practices with her. For a long time I felt that we where so disconnected. During that period I was Initiated, and now I rediscovered Her, and I realized that I never forgot Her, that distance made me love IsIS even more, and now that Iḿ working with the Lady again, it feels powerful, consistent and mature. Thanks for being there always.
Juan
This makes me happy. Much love and blessing.