Isis, the Egyptian Goddess

Isis, often called the patron saint of women, is also known as the Goddess of Magic, Goddess of Fertility and Motherhood and Goddess of Death and Rebirth.

Isis the center of many legends. One such legend mentions that she tricked the god Re (also known as Ra) into revealing his name. Once this happened, she gained more power than she previously had and also gained power over him.

Many other legends have to do with her husband Osiris, who was also her brother. Different versions of the legends exist but the stories often involve Isis bringing her husband back to life after another god, Seth (also called Set in some stories) the god of Chaos, kills him. Some legends say that Seth and Osiris were brothers as well.

Isis resurrects her dead husband after Seth drowns him in the Nile River and again after Seth killed and mutilated his body, hiding the different pieces throughout the desert. It took Isis many years to recover all of the parts but afterwards legends say she became pregnant with her son Horus, who later avenges his father’s deaths by murdering Seth.

The Cult of Isis had followers that were both male and female. Today, the religion is seeing a resurgence today as followers, particularly feminists, look to the past for current enlightenment.