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Egypt...
Temple of Isis
2011

In the dark of night, with the morning star glittering above and reflecting in the waters around us, we puttered softly through the calm of the River Nile. It was quiet but for our song wafting through the predawn air, "Oh sisters let's go down... Down on the river to pray." The boat docked gently at the island of Agilkia, the Temple of Isis, and with anticipation, we stepped on to the solid ground. Met by the Temple Keepers in their long white galabayas, we found our silent way through the dark up to the wide, open courtyard, surrounded by towering columns. Standing there, waiting, just ten of us in the quiet of early morning, with a myriad of stars above and the lapping Nile all around, we felt the ancient energies alive in the coolness of the air surrounding us.


When all was ready, we lit our candles and followed into the temple, through the portal, to the holy room which held the raised stone altar. There we set down our candles, illuminating the dark Holy of Holies, that was the ancient birthing room. After the procession settled in, we called out to awaken the Shrine of Isis. She soon heard us, as we felt the light body presence of the Spirit of Isis come to life, coaxed by the vibrations of the crystal bowl. We asked to merge with the Goddess, each part of our bodies together: our feet, our legs, our stomachs, arms, hands, hearts and heads. We became one with Isis, Isis who had mended Osiris, regenerated his phallus and given birth to Horus. Now, embodying Isis, we asked that we ourselves be used as instruments for creative, conscious healing, first for our own bodies and minds and then, for others.


We took some time for this healing meditation, hearing requests from others in the group and sending out an intention for the healing of those in need throughout our earth. Then we had a period of silence. As I lay there, on the stone floor of the inner-most room of the Temple of Isis which had been made thousands of years before, my mind became vibrant with light. Around my head, I felt a crown of stars forming. It was as if an endless string of sparklers encircled my head and lit up simultaneously, bursting with bright white light. I remembered my crown of sage from the Sundance last summer, worn to keep my thoughts pure and clear, so I could use the gift of my mind in the best possible way. The Elders taught us these things. Now I had a crown of glittering starlight surrounding my head. I literally felt illuminated. I felt ecstatic and the energy resonated throughout the room of people.


Happily, I lay there feeling the brightness of my starry crown, when I began to feel in my heart, a warm, golden ball. As I focused my attention on this, the golden ball began to spin around, faster and faster. I have often tried to meditate with the concept of golden light coming through my body. Never before have I felt that I literally had a golden ball of light spinning inside my heart. As it spun, golden sparks of pure energy flew out to all parts of me, and beyond! It was a thrilling time. I felt overjoyed.


After our meditation, we slowly left the inner, Holy Mammisi room and wandered out to see the light of dawn just warming the huge portico of the Temple. We were met by the the Temple Keepers. They were beaming with happiness, as we were all elated. They took some of us to see other parts of the Temple Island, leading me to a smaller, beautiful temple, facing the East and the rising sun. There was a sign that said "No Entry". They guided me past the sign over to the front altar of the Temple of Hathor, a forbidden, holy place on the island. Then they gathered around me and my friend took a picture of us. The energies were beautiful and my heart was full of love, especially for the gentle Temple Keepers, with whom I felt an inexplicable kinship. I was grateful and completely blessed for all I had seen, heard and felt at the Temple of Isis that early dawn.

~Tina



After absorbing my experience at the Temple of Isis for a couple of months, some clarity has come regarding what it may have been about. Although I cannot really make complete sense of it, I do have a reflection which I will share here, in case it may be helpful to others.

What I remember was an experience from outside of me. The brilliant Crown of Stars came down from the Universe. It illuminated me from without and from above. Then, much to my surprise and amazement, I was drawn inside to focus on my heart. There, I had the experience of the Golden Ball of Light which was like the earth below, round and warm and it came from within me.


I realize now that the Crown of Stars which was outside of me, around my head was connecting me to the Outer World, the one that we are all a part of, the essential routine of our daily lives. We all live here in the everyday world of interacting with others, working and shopping and it is important to do all these things. However, we need to do them as if we are always wearing that Crown of Stars, with a clear, conscious mind and an illuminated awareness of what is actually going on. Our activity in the outer world requires a consciousness of striving for the Good, in order to ultimately bring us joy. Every activity and each breath we take could be considered a prayer throughout the course of our lives. I thank Isis for reminding me of this important concept.


The Golden Ball spinning inside my heart was like the earth, below. I remember it was round, spinning, warm, full of love and energy. It was even throwing off golden sparks of vital energy like our own Mother Earth does, as it revitalizes all that lives here. I realize now, that this Golden Ball represents my own center of gravity and the pure divine light that exists inside myself. We all have this Golden Ball of Heart Energy inside ourselves. It is the spark of life that we were given to shine upon the Earth. It is the generosity in our hearts to share with others.


As the Crown of Stars came from above and was around my head, outside of me, the Ball of pure Golden Energy came from the earth below and existed inside of me. I felt completely ecstatic there at the Temple of Isis as I focused on these two precious gifts. What I have come to realize again, from this experience, is that when we are connected to both energy fields: above and below; within and without, then we can be whole. Then we find peace and great joy.