Is is An d Os iris
Th e Goddess a n d t h e Dism em ber ed
Sa vior God
B y M ary L on gen eck er Frorer
Is is a n d Os iris Th e My th
In t h e begin n in g t h er e wa s on ly N u n , t h e
pr im a l ocea n of ch a os, wh ich con t a in ed t h e
s eed s of ever yt h in g t o com e. Ou t of t h es e
wa t er s by a n exer t ion of will a r ose t h e Su n God
Ra . In t im e h e wa s m oved t o give bir t h t o Sh u
en d Tefn u t , t h e god a n d goddess of Air a n d
Moist u r e. Tefn u t , a s t h e goddess of Moist u r e,
con sor t ed wit h h er spou se, Sh u , a n d t h ey in
t u r n ga ve bir t h t o Geb a n d Nu t , t h e E a r t h god
a n d S k y god d es s . An d t h u s t h e p h ys ica l
u n iver se ca m e in t o bein g.
Aga in st t h e or der s of Ra , Nu t a n d Geb
lik ewise con sor t ed, a n d N u t , t h e Sk y goddess,
beca m e p r egn a n t . Ra wa s a n ger ed by t h is
d is obed ien ce of h is r oya l d ecr ee, a n d h e
a n n ou n ced t h a t Nu t cou ld n ot give bir t h in a n y
m on t h of a n y yea r . N ow in t h ose t im es t h er e
wa s a per fect yea r of 360 da ys. So, Th ot h , t h e
god of Tr u t h , con t r ived a pla n . H e wa s fon d of
N u t , a n d t o r esolve h er pligh t , h e wen t t o t h e
Moon goddess. In ga m blin g wit h h er , h e won
on e-seven t iet h of h er yea r ly illu m in a t ion s, or
t h e equ iva len t of five d a ys . Th en Th ot h
pr ovided Nu t wit h t h e five ext r a da ys on wh ich
h er ch ildr en cou ld be bor n .
Th e five ch ildr en of N u t a n d Geb wer e
O s ir is , H or u s t h e E ld e r , S e t , I s is , e n d
Neph t h ys. 0f t h ese, Osir is, t h e eldest , beca m e
t h e ben eficen t k in g a n d r u ler of pr eh ist or ic
E gypt , a n d h u sba n d of Isis. H or u s t h e E lder ,
wh om som e r efer t o a s Apollo, wa s la t er t o
becom e H or u s, t h e ch ild of Isis a n d Osir is, bu t
h e wa s con ceived wh ile bot h of t h em wer e st ill
in t h e wom b of Nu t . Set , bor n on t h e t h ir d da y,
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Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
is t h e god of da r kn ess, dea t h en d evil. H e wa s
bor n , n ot by n or m a l m ea n s, bu t bu r st t h r ou gh
h is m ot h er 's side. Accor din g t o a n a lt er n a t ive
t r a dit ion , h e a n d N eph t h ys wer e bor n fr om
Geb, n ot N u t . S et a ls o goes by t h e n a m e,
Typh o, a n d lik e t h e Gr eek m on st er -ser pen t ,
Typh on , Set is som et im es r epr esen t ed a s a
ser pen t . At ot h er t im es h e is descr ibed a s
h a vin g r ed h a ir , a n d is sa id t o be t h e god wh o
r u les t h e ba r r en dr y la n ds of E gypt . Isis, t h e
fou r t h ch ild, is t h e wife of Osir is a n d m ot h er of
H or u s. Sh e, t oo, a ccor din g t o ot h er sou r ces, is
sa id t o h a ve been bor n n ot of Nu t , bu t of Th ot h ,
t h e god of t r u t h . N eph t h ys, t h e fift h a n d la st
ch ild of N u t , becom es t h e com pa n ion of Isis
a n d t h e wife of Set . Bu t in u n ion wit h Osir is,
sh e gives bir t h t o An u bis, t h e J a ck a l-h ea ded
god wh o gu ides decea sed sou ls t h r ou gh t h e
Un der wor ld.
Isis a n d Osir is a r e t h e fir st m yt h ologica l
r oya l fa m ily of a n cien t E gypt . Toget h er t h ey
wer e en ligh t en ed r u ler s, in t r odu cin g t h e a r t of
cu lt iva t ion . Th ey t a u gh t t h e pla n t in g a n d
h a r vest in g of cr ops in a ccor da n ce wit h t h e
a n n u a l ir r iga t ion of t h e la n d by t h e Nile r iver .
I s is a n d Os ir is in t r od u ced la n gu a ge, a n d
est a blish ed la ws for t h eir people. Th ey a lso
p r om ot ed com m er ce a n d t r a d e, a n d ot h er
civilizin g a r t s, en d t a u gh t t h eir su bject s t o
wor sh ip t h e gods. All wen t well, u n t il on e yea r
wh en Osir is wa s off visit in g n eigh bor in g la n ds.
In h is a bsen ce, h is evil br ot h er , Set , plot t ed
a ga in st h im , u n bekn own st t o Isis. Set secr et ly
obt a in ed t h e m ea su r em en t of Osir is's body,
a n d wit h t h e h elp of t h e d a r k Qu een of
E t h iopia en d seven t y-t wo con spir a t or s, Set h a d
a lea d -lin ed coffin bu ilt t o exa ct ly fit t h e
d im en s ion s of Os ir is . On Os ir is 's r et u r n a
specia l ba n qu et wa s h eld, a n d Set a n n ou n ced
a ft e r t h e fe s t ivit ie s , t h a t w h om e ve r fit
per fect ly in t o t h is m a gn ificen t ch est wou ld
becom e it s own er . Osir is wa s t h e la st t o t r y,
a n d, a s h e st epped in t o t h e ch est , Set a n d h is
con spir a t or s n a iled down t h e lid a n d t h r ew t h e
ch est in t o t h e N ile. Som e sa y t h a t t h is even t
t ook pla ce in t h e t wen t y-eigh t h yea r of h is
r eign , wh ile ot h er s cla im it wa s du r in g t h e
t wen t y-eigh t h yea r of h is life. I t is a ls o
r ep or t ed t h a t t h is even t occu r r ed on t h e
seven t een t h da y of t h e m on t h of At h yr , wh en
t h e su n wa s pa ssin g t h r ou gh t h e sign of t h e
Scor pion . Th e coffin , a s it is a lso r efer r ed t o,
t h en floa t ed down st r ea m a n d wa s ca r r ied by
t h e wa ves of t h e sea t o t h e coa st of Byblos. 2
Th er e it lodged a ga in st t h e ba n k of a r iver , a n d
a t a m a r isk t r ee gr ew u p a r ou n d it , en ca sin g
t h e coffin com plet ely wit h in t h e t r ee. Wh en Isis
r ea lized wh a t h a d befa llen h er h u sba n d, sh e
t r a veled t h e len gt h of t h e N ile in deep gr ief,
sea r ch in g for t h e ch est con t a in in g Osir is.
I s is d r es s ed in m ou r n in g a p p a r el, a n d
lea r n in g t h e wh er ea bou t s of t h e ch est fr om
som e ch ildr en , t r a veled t o Byblos t o r et r ieve it .
Upon a r r iva l, sh e r est ed beside a fou n t a in , en d
ch a n ced u p on t h e m a id s er va n t s of Ou een
Ast a r t e. Spea kin g kin dly t o t h em , sh e br a ided
t h eir h a ir , a ll t h e wh ile t r a n sm it t in g t o t h em a
m a r velou s per fu m e fr om h er own body. Wh en
t h e Qu een lea r n ed of h er , sh e sen t for Isis a n d
en ga ged h er a s a n u r se t o h er n ewbor n son .
Isis soon fou n d t h a t t h e t r ee con t a in in g t h e
ch est h a d been cu t down , a n d wa s in t h e Kin g's
pa la ce, ser vin g a s a pilla r t o su ppor t t h e r oof.
Isis n u r sed t h e in fa n t , offer in g h im h er fin ger
in pla ce of h er br ea st E ver y n igh t sh e secr et ly
per for m ed a m a gic r it u a l t o m a k e t h e in fa n t
im m or t a l, pla cin g h im in t h e fir epla ce in or der
t o bu r n a wa y h is m or t a l pa r t s. Bu t on e n igh t
t h e Qu een in t er r u pt ed t h e cer em on y, cr yin g
ou t t o sa ve h er son 's life. Ala s, t h e spell wa s
br ok en , en d t h e ch ild wa s den ied t h e gift of
im m or t a lit y. At t h is poin t Isis r evea led h er self
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
a s t h e Goddess, a n d r equ est ed t h e t r ee t r u n k,
or pilla r , con t a in in g t h e ch est . Rem ovin g t h e
coffin fr om t h e t r ee, sh e wr a pped t h e sh ell of
t h e t r ee in fin e lin en a n d per fu m ed it wit h oil.
Th en sh e pr esen t ed it t o t h e k in g a n d qu een
wh o pla ced it in t h e t em ple of Isis. Th ey sa y it
is wor sh ipped t h er e t o t h is da y by t h e people of
Byblos.
I s is r et u r n ed wit h t h e ch es t t o E gyp t .
Aided by N eph t h ys, Isis t em por a r ily r evived
Osir is t h r ou gh m a gic, a n d con ceived a son by
h im . Ru m or of t h is n ews, h owever , got ba ck t o
Set , a n d Isis h a d t o flee in t o t h e swa m ps of t h e
Nile Delt a t o esca pe h is evil in t en t . Sh e h id t h e
ch est con t a in in g t h e body of Osir is, a n d r a ised
h er son , H or u s, in seclu sion , u n t il su ch t im e a s
h e wou ld be m a t u r e en ou gh t o win ba ck h is
r igh t t o t h e t h r on e of E gypt .
Despit e Isis's pr eca u t ion s, Set ca m e a cr oss
t h e body of Osir is on e n igh t wh ile h e wa s ou t
h u n t in g u n der t h e ligh t of a fu ll m oon . H e t ook
t h e cor pse a n d, cu t t in g it in t o fou r t een pieces,
sca t t er ed t h e por t ion s a bou t t h e en t ir e len gt h
of t h e k in gdom . On ce Isis r ea lized wh a t Set
h a d don e, sh e pa t ien t ly t r a veled t h r ou gh ou t
t h e la n d ga t h er in g u p t h ir t een of t h e fou r t een
segm en t s of t h e body. Th e sexu a l m em ber sh e
wa s n ot a ble t o r et r ieve a s it h a d been
con su m ed by a n Oxyr yn ch u s fish . Sh e r est or ed
t h e body a n d m a de a m odel of t h e m issin g
ph a llu s.
H or u s, m ea n wh ile, con t in u ed t o gr ow t o
m a n h ood, h opin g t o r edeem h is fa t h er 's dea t h
a n d secu r e h is r igh t fu l cla im t o t h e k in gdom .
I n a n effor t t o h elp h im , Os ir is m a d e a n
a ppea r a n ce fr om t h e ot h er wor ld, a n d a sk ed
H or u s t wo qu es t ion s : Wh a t is t h e m os t
glor iou s a ct ion a m a n ca n per for m ?" To t h is,
H or u s r es p on d ed : To r even ge t h e in ju r ies
in flict ed u pon a pa r en t ." Th en Osir is a sk ed,
An d wh a t a n im a l is m os t s er vicea ble t o
soldier ?" H or u s r eplied, A h or se, for it ca n
over t a k e a n d cu t off a fleein g a d ver s a r y.
Th ese r eplies ga ve Osir is ca u se t o r ejoice, for
h e k n ew h is son wa s pr epa r ed t o defen d h is
ca u se.
S h or t ly t h e r e a ft e r , S e t 's con cu b in e ,
Th u er is , d es er t ed h is r a n k s . As s h e wa s
a ppr oa ch in g H or u s's a r m y, a ser pen t wh ich
wa s p u r s u in g h er wa s k illed by H or os 's
soldier s. In a ba t t le t h a t followed soon a ft er ,
S et wa s t a k en p r is on er . H or u s t u r n ed t h e
ca pt ive over t o h is m ot h er , Isis, a n d wen t off t o
fin ish t h e wa r . Bu t wily Set m a n a ged t o t a lk
t h e for givin g I s is in t o r elea s in g h im . Th is
a ct ion so in cen sed H or u s t h a t h e t or e off t h e
r oya l in sign ia fr om h is m ot h er 's h ea ddr ess.
Gr ea t Th ot h r epla ced it wit h on e fr om t h e cow
goddess, H a t h or : Set t h en pu blicly a ccu sed
H or u s of illegit im a cy, bu t a cou n cil of t h e Gods
decided in H or u s's fa vor .
Th e st r u ggle bet ween t h e t wo wen t on for
yea r s. Th er e wer e a n u m ber of a t t em pt s a t
cos m ic ju d gm en t , m os t ly t o n o a va il, for
n eit h er pa r t y h a d a clea r m a jor it y of deit ies on
it s side. At on e poin t , Set t or e ou t H or u s's left
eye a n d t h r ew it a wa y. Isis r et r ieved it . H or u s
r ipped off on e of Set 's t est icles. F in a lly t h e
Gr ea t Qu a r r el ca m e t o a h ea d wh en Th ot h a n d
Ra m a de clea r t h e issu es on bot h sides, for , a s
Th ot h decla r ed, Sh ou ld on e give t h e office t o
t h e m ot h er 's br ot h er , wh ile t h e dir ect son of
Osir is is a t h a n d?" An d spea k in g for Ra , t h e
Ra m of Men des cr ied ou t , On t h e con t r a r y,
sh ou ld t h e office be given t o a m er e la d wh ile
Set , h is elder r ela t ive (a n d m ot h er 's br ot h er , is
a t h a n d?" In t h e en d, Set did con cede t h e
t h r on e t o H or u s. H or u s's eye wa s r est or ed by
Th ot h a s t h e Wedja t eye. Th e lu n a r eye t h u s
beca m e t h e eye of wisdom a n d illu m in a t ion . In
fa ct , H or u s ga ve t h e r est or ed eye t o Osir is, so
t h a t h e m igh t be h ea led a s well. Osir is wa s
en t h r on ed a s Lor d of t h e Un der wor ld, a n d t h e
la n d of E gypt wa s a t pea ce on ce m or e.
Is is a n d Os iris Th e Co m m e n ta ry
Most a n cien t cu lt u r es h a d m yt h s t h a t wer e
cosm ologica l, su ch a s t h is on e, wh er e t h e m yt h
a t t em pt s t o descr ibe t h e or igin a n d st r u ct u r e of
t h e cosm os, offer in g a m et a ph or ica l a ccou n t of
h ow it ca m e in t o bein g. In t h ese m yt h s, t h e
god s a n d god d es s es a r e p er s on ifica t ion s of
a r ch et ypa l a n d u n iver sa l pr in ciples. Th e older
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
or or igin a l deit ies a lwa ys r epr esen t t h e m or e
a b s t r a ct fu n ct ion s or p r oce s s e s . I n t h e
E gypt ia n pa n t h eon , for in st a n ce, Ra r epr esen t s
t h e spir it u a l a n d cr ea t ive en er gy of t h e Su n ,
t h e God wh o ea ch da y r ises by a n exer t ion of
will ou t of t h e cosm ic ocea n of Nu n . In t h e n ext
gen er a t ion , t h e god S h u a n d t h e god d es s
Tefn u t a r e t h e su bst a n ces of a ir a n d m oist u r e.
T h e i r offs p r i n g , G e b a n d N u t , a r e
per son ifica t ion s of t h e ph ysica l ea r t h a n d sky.
Th u s a r e cr ea t ed t h e fou r elem en t s: fir e a s Ra ;
a ir a s Sh u ; wa t er a s Tefn u t ; a n d ea r t h a s Geb,
wit h Nu t fu n ct ion in g a s t h e sky, or t h e spa ce,
wit h in wh ich t h ese deit ies exist . Geb a n d N u t
t h en give bir t h t o t h e five gods a n d goddesses
wh o a r e t h e cen t r a l ch a r a ct er s in t h is E gypt ia n
m yt h .
Th e Eg y p tia n P a n th e o n
Nu n
Th ot h Ra
Tefn u t ------------Sh u
Nu t ---------------------------------Geb
Osir is E lder Set Isis Neph t h ys
H or u s
Th ot h , t h e God of t r u t h , st a n ds a pa r t fr om
t h e sch em e of cr ea t ion , for h e is a n u n -cr ea t ed
a n d et er n a l pr in ciple, coexist en t wit h Ra . By
ga m blin g wit h t h e Moon , Th ot h win s t h e five
ext r a da ys du r in g wh ich Nu t 's ch ildr en ca n be
bor n . Th is even t a ccou n t ed for ou r sola r -lu n a r
yea r of 360 + 5 d a ys . Mor eover , five a s a
n u m ber h a s per en n ia lly been a ssocia t ed wit h
"m a n ," for h u m a n s h a ve five fin ger s on ea ch
h a n d, five ph ysica l sen ses, a n d st a n d u pr igh t
in t h e for m of a five poin t ed st a r . F ou r , in
con t r a st , h a s a lwa ys been t h e n u m ber sym bolic
of Na t u r e, t h e E a r t h , a n d t h e u n con sciou s. It is
a ls o t h e n u m ber a s s ocia t ed wit h t h e fou r
elem en t s, t h e fou r dir ect ion s, a n d t h e m a t er ia l
wor ld . F ive, a s t h e n u m ber of h u m a n it y,
b e com e s t h e n u m b e r of ch oi ce a n d
con s ciou s n e s s , a p ot e n t ia lit y for m ovin g
beyon d in st in ct ive m a t t er .
Th u s it is n ot a cciden t a l t h a t t h e Goddess
Nu t gives bir t h t o five ch ildr en . Th a t t h ey a r e
bor n ou t side t h e sola r yea r of Ra a n d t h u s
com bin e sola r a n d lu n a r in flu en ces is a lso
sign ifica n t . It im plies t h a t t h ese five gods a n d
goddesses pa r t a k e of a du a l n a t u r e, sola r a n d
lu n a r . An d a s t h e su n r epr esen t s t h e pr in ciple
of con s ciou s n es s (ligh t ) a n d t h e m oon , t h e
u n con sciou s (da r k n ess), so t h ese five ch ildr en
of Nu t a n d Geb will exper ien ce in a m yt h ic wa y
t h e sa m e st r u ggle bet ween con sciou sn ess a n d
t h e u n con sciou s t h a t h u m a n s do. In effect ,
t h ese five deit ies of H ea ven a n d E a r t h a r e
sym bolic pr oject ion s of t h e h u m a n self. E a ch of
t h em is a sepa r a t e a r ch et ypa l divin it y wh o, a t
t h e s a m e t im e, r ep r es en t s a fu n d a m en t a l
pr in ciple oper a t in g wit h in ever y h u m a n bein g.
Of t h e five, Isis is t h e st r on gest figu r e in
t h e m yt h , for sh e is t h e Mot h er Goddess wh o
com es fr om t h e pr e-pa t r ia r ch a l per iod in wh ich
t h e fem in in e en er gy em bodied in t h e E a r t h
a n d Na t u r e wa s wor sh ipped a n d h on or ed a s a
divin it y. Sh e is a lm ost a lwa ys t h e posit ive
a spect of N a t u r e, t h e ben eficen t , n u r t u r in g,
a n d ed u ca t in g for ce t h a t a s s is t s h u m a n
pr ogr ess. H er sist er , N eph t h ys, is t h e sh a dow
side of Isis, sym bolic of a da r k er a n d less
con s ciou s fem in in e. S h e is clos er t o t h e
in st in ct ive self, a n d t h e gu a r dia n of t h in gs
h idden a n d con cea led. Th u s sh e a ssist s Isis in
t h e pr ocess of r esu r r ect in g Osir is a ft er h e h a s
been sla in by Set . Osir is is t h e con sor t of Isis,
t h e br ot h er , h u s ba n d -lover of t h e god d es s .
H or u s, t h e ch ild wh o is bor n t o Isis a n d Osir is,
wa s pr eexist en t in t h e wom b of N u t a s t h e
E ld er H or u s . H e r ep r es en t s , a s Ch r is t d id
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
m u ch la t er , t h e logos pr in ciple of ligh t a n d
r ea son , exist in g fr om a ll t im e. Th u s P lu t a r ch
com pa r es H or u s t o Apollo, t h e god of ligh t .
H or u s is bor n a ft er Osir is's dea t h , con ceived,
a s it wer e, t h r ou gh t h e m a gic of t h e Mot h er
Goddess. Set , t h en , br ot h er of Isis a n d Osir is,
a n d u n cle of H or u s, is t h e a dver sa r y, a sym bol
of da r kn ess a n d evil-t h a t wh ich t h e h er o figu r e
m u st figh t a ga in st . Du r in g t h e cou r se of t h e
m yt h , H or u s a n d S et en ga ge in a len gt h y
ba t t le for r u ler sh ip of t h e kin gdom of E gypt .
Th is ba t t le for r u ler sh ip of E gypt , wh ich is
ba sica lly t h e t h em e of t h e m yt h , is a n excellen t
exa m ple of t h e wa y in wh ich t h e m yt h s of
a n t iq u it y w e r e a lw a ys in t e n d e d t o b e
in t er pr et ed on m u lt iple levels sim u lt a n eou sly.
Th is m yt h , t h en , is n ot a s im p le lin ea r
n a r r a t ive, bu t , a s on e a u t h or h a s pu t it , m or e
lik e a "polyph on ic fu gu e.4 F or in st a n ce, t h e
h ist or ica l level t h e ba t t le bet ween H or u s a n d
Set ca n be seen a s a m yt h ic a ccou n t of a n
a n cien t ba t t le wh ich did in deed u n ify wh a t h a d
been t h e t wo sepa r a t e kin gdom s of Upper a n d
Lower E gypt . Th e fir st k in g of t h is u n it ed
k in gdom of E gypt wa s k n own by t h e n a m e
Men es, a n d h e wor e a cr own t h a t sym bolized
t h e u n ion of t h e t wo la n ds.
Bu t viewed fr om a n et h ica l level, t h e m yt h
ca n a lso be seen a s r eflect in g t h e t r a n sit ion
fr om t h e u n ified wor ld of t h e Goddess t owa r d
t h e wor ld of du a lit y cr ea t ed by t h e Gods, wit h
Set , t h e u su r per , r epr esen t in g t h e for ces of
da r kn ess, a n d H or u s a s t h e h er o wh o figh t s for
t r u t h a n d ligh t . Th is ba t t le bet ween H or u s a n d
Set set s t h e st a ge for wh a t la t er cr ea t es t h e
du a l wor ld of opposit es. Bu t a s lon g a s m yt h s
or igin a t ed wit h in t h e a ge of t h e Goddess, t h e
ba t t le bet ween t h e for ces of ligh t a n d t h e for ces
of da r kn ess does n ot com plet ely pola r ize it self.
F or t h e Mot h er Goddesses, lik e Isis h er e, do
n ot con sist en t ly a lign t h em selves wit h on e side
a ga in st t h e ot h er . Th e Mot h er Goddess in h er
gr ea t wisdom r ecogn izes t h a t t h e ligh t a n d t h e
da r k a r e in h er en t ly On e, ju st a s da yt im e a n d
n igh t t im e a r e t wo h a lves of a la r ger cycle.
A t h ir d in t er pr et a t ion of t h e m yt h is t o
r ecogn ize t h a t it r a ises m a n y of t h e Issu es
in volved in t h e h ist or ica l t r a n sit ion fr om t h e
m a t r ia r ch a l t im e of t h e God d es s t o t h e
p a t r ia r ch a l a ge of t h e God s . I n p a r t , t h is
r epr esen t s t wo syst em s of in h er it a n ce. Is t h e
t h r on e t o descen d t h r ou gh t h e m ot h er 's lin e or
t h e fa t h er 's? In a m a t r ilin ea l societ y, su ch a s
wa s lik ely d u r in g t h e N eolit h ic a ge, t h e
m ot h er 's br ot h er a s a n a du lt h a s a legit im a t e
cla im t o t h e t h r on e a s lon g a s h er son is st ill a
ch ild . S et 's cla im com es ou t of t h is old er
t r a dit ion . H or u s, a s Osir is's son , r epr esen t s t h e
r isin g a m bit ion s of t h e pa t r ia r ch y. Th is is t h e
r ea son beh in d Osir is's r ea ppea r a n ce, a n d t h e
t wo qu est ion s h e poses t o H or u s, pa r t icu la r ly
t h e on e con cer n in g a soldier 's ch oice of a n im a l.
I n t h e N eolit h ic a ge of t h e God d es s , t h e
a n im a ls of wor sh ip wer e t h e bu ll, t h e ser pen t
a n d t h e lion , for t h ey r epr esen t t h e power of
t h e fem in in e u n con s ciou s . H or u s, h owever ,
a ppr opr ia t ely ch ooses t h e h or se, t h e a n im a l
pr ized by t h e pa t r ia r ch y, for wit h it t h e r ider
ca n ove r t a k e a n d w ip e ou t t h e fle e in g
a dver sa r y. Th is a n swer clea r ly a lign s H or u s
wit h t h e pa t r ia r ch a l posit ion . An d in a m yt h ic
sen se, t h en , h e is on e of t h e ea r liest of t h e
pa t r ia r ch a l h er o figu r es.
Th is h elps t o expla in wh y Set is a lso ca lled
Typh o, a n d wh y h e is oft en pict u r ed in t h e
for m of a ser pen t . Set r epr esen t s t h e ser pen t
en er gy of t h e Mot h er Goddess, Isis, ju st a s
Mot h er Ga ia h a d t h e ser pen t P yt h on , a n d t h e
In dia n Goddess, Da n u , h a d t h e ser pen t Vr it r a .
Th e ser pen t em bodies t h e for ce it self, wh ich is
la t er r ecogn ized a s t h e p ower fu l ku n da lin i
en er gy, t h a t wh ich en er gizes a ll life for m s. Th e
h er o son of t h e F a t h er in m yt h a lwa ys ba t t les
t h e ser pen t , a s t h e sym bol of power of t h e
fem in in e u n con sciou s. It is a ba t t le in it ia t ed by
t h e con sciou s self in a n a t t em pt t o m a st er t h e
m u ch m or e power fu l u n con sciou s self. Apollo
a n d H er a k les d efea t t h e P yt h on in Gr eek
m yt h ology, ju st a s in t h e E a st , In dr a sla ys
Vr it r a . Th is m yt h wit h Isis a n d H or u s com es
fr om a n ea r lier a ge, h owever , a n d so Set , t h e
ser pen t (a n d br ot h er ) of Mot h er Isis, is n ot
t ot a lly defea t ed. H or u s ga in s t h e t h r on e, bu t
Set does n ot lose fa ce, even t h ou gh t h e ba t t le
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
cen t er s a r ou n d t h is cen t r a l issu e of t h e son of
t h e p a t r ia r ch y b a t t lin g t h e m a t r ia r ch a l
em blem of power . In fa ct , even in t h is m yt h a
s er p en t is s la in , for wh en S et 's con cu bin e
deser t ed h is r a n k s, a ser pen t pu r su in g h er is
sla in by H or u s's a r m y. Th u s t h e sym bolism is
h er e even t h ou gh it is n ot yet Set wh o is sla in .
An d, a ga in , given t h e a n t iqu it y of t h is m yt h ,
Isis does n ot t a k e sides in t h e lon g dr a wn ou t
ba t t le bet ween t h e cla im s of H or u s a n d Set .
F in a lly, t h e t r a d it ion of t h e An cien t
Myst er ies pr esen t s yet a n ot h er level a t wh ich
t h is m yt h wa s in t en d ed t o be r ea d a n d
in t er pr et ed. In t h e An cien t Myst er y Sch ools,
su ch a s t h a t of P yt h a gor a s a t Cr ot on a , t h e
disciples a n d in it ia t es r ea d cer t a in m yt h s, of
wh ich t h is wa s on e, a n d a pplied t h eir m ea n in g
t o t h e life of t h e in dividu a l disciple. F or t h e
m yst er y t r a dit ion r est ed on t h e belief t h a t
cycles, pr ocesses a n d t r u t h s a t t h e u n iver sa l
level will h a ve cor r es p on d en ces t h a t a r e
equ a lly va lid a n d r eleva n t for t h e in dividu a l,
s in ce, in va r ia bly, t h es e t wo r ea lm s a r e a
r eflect ion of on e a n ot h er . Th e m icr ocos m
a lw a ys op e r a t e s a ccor d in g t o t h e s a m e
pa t t er n s a n d pr in ciples a s t h e m a cr ocosm . A
d a y, for in s t a n ce, goes t h r ou gh a cyclica l
pr ogr ession fr om bir t h (da r k) t o fu lln ess (ligh t )
a n d ba ck t o d a r k a ga in . A yea r follows a
sim ila r pa t t er n a s it pr ogr esses t h r ou gh t h e
fou r sea son s, fr om win t er (da r k), t o spr in g a n d
su m m er (ligh t ), a n d ba ck t o fa ll a n d win t er
a ga in . Th u s, a t t h e level of t h e "m yst er ies" (a s
t h es e m yt h s wh ich exp r es s ed fu n d a m en t a l
t r u t h s wer e ca lled), ever yt h in g in a m yt h -t h e
ch a r a ct er s, t h e pla ces a n d even t s-wa s believed
t o h a ve cor r espon din g r eleva n ce a t in dividu a l
a n d u n iver sa l levels.
In t h is t r a dit ion of t h e Myst er y Sch ools, for
in st a n ce, t h e la n d of E gypt wa s pict u r ed a s
a n a logou s t o t h e h u m a n body, wit h t h e Nile a s
t h e spin e, a n d t h e t em ples a lon g t h e N ile a s
t h e m a jor ch a kr a s, or en er gy cen t er s. E ven t h e
h is t or ica l exp er ien ce t h a t E gyp t h a d gon e
t h r ou gh , of u n ifyin g t wo k in gdom s a n d t wo
peoples, of da r ker a n d ligh t er skin , wa s viewed
a s a fu n da m en t a l t r u t h s, on e of m a n y esot er ic
k eys wit h in t h e m yst er y t r a dit ion . F or it wa s
sym bolic of a pr ocess wh ich is r epea t ed wit h in
t h e life of t h e in dividu a l in it ia t e a s well. F or
in st a n ce, followin g t h e geogr a ph ica l u n ion of
op p os it es wit h in t h e la n d of E gyp t , t h e
P h a r a oh s cr ea t ed a m on u m en t a l cu lt u r e wit h a
spir it u a l t r a dit ion a n d wor k s of a r t for wh ich
E gypt h a s for ever been fa m ou s. Th is exa m ple
of t h e flower in g of E gyp t wa s s een a s a n
a n a logy for t h e sa m e pr ocess of fu lfillm en t
open t o t h e disciple of t h e Myst er y Sch ool. F or ,
in lik e m a n n er , t h e a lch em ica l m a r r ia ge or
u n ion of opposit es wit h in t h e disciple pr odu ces
per son a l in t egr a t ion , a n d it is t h is pr ocess
wh ich , in t u r n , lea d s t o t h e en ligh t en ed
in it ia t e.
Isis, pa r t icu la r ly, of a ll t h e Goddesses, h a s
a lwa ys been a s s ocia t ed wit h t h e m ys t er y
t r a dit ion . As N a t u r e, sh e is "veiled" Isis, a n d
yet sh e is a lwa ys willin g t o r evea l h er secr et s
t o t h ose wh o a r e per sist en t in t h eir effor t s t o
pen et r a t e h er dept h s. Th er e a r e m a n y legen ds
con cer n in g Isis t h a t r eflect h er power a n d
per son a lit y. As a Mot h er Goddess, Isis t a k es
gr ea t ca r e in r a isin g h er son , H or u s, pr ot ect in g
h im fr om t h e wiles of Set . Isis wa s a lso a gr ea t
h ea ler . At on e t im e, sh e h a d m a n a ged t o st ea l
fr om Ra h is secr et n a m e, wh ich h eld wit h in it
t h e k n owledge a n d power t o per for m m a gic,
a n d t o h ea l t h e sick a n d r a ise t h e dea d. Th is,
in it self, wa s su fficien t r ea son for h er t o be t h e
m ot h er of t h e m yst er ies. Th u s it is Isis a n d
N eph t h ys wh o r esu r r ect Osir is a ft er h e h a s
been sla in by Set .
Th r ou gh ou t t h is m yt h , Isis's son , H or u s,
a ct s for t h e m ost pa r t in con cer t wit h h is
m ot h er , u n t il h e becom es im p a t ien t a n d
a n ger ed by h er t oler a n ce t owa r d S et . H is
r obbin g h er of h er in sign ia is a n a ct ion t h a t
clea r ly sign ifies t h e dem ise of t h e Goddess in
gen er a l, eviden t pa r t icu la r ly in t h e fa ct t h a t
Isis's h ea ddr ess is r epla ced by t h a t of t h e cow
goddess, H a t h or . It is lik ely t h a t t h is in ciden t
in t h e m yt h , r epr esen t in g t h e r ise of m a scu lin e
in depen den ce, wa s a n a ddit ion t h a t developed
in t im e a s t h e m yt h wa s r et old over m a n y
cen t u r ies.
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
As t h e con sor t of t h e Goddess, Osir is is a
st r on ger m a le figu r e t h a n Du m u zl a n d Kin gu ,
h is m yt h ic pr edecessor s elsewh er e in t h e Nea r
E a st . H is a ccom plish m en t s a s descr ibed in t h e
m yt h wou ld lea d u s t o believe h e a n d Isis wor k
t oget h er a s p a r t n er s . I t is im p or t a n t t o
r em em ber , h owever , t h a t t h is m yt h , a s it h a s
su r vived, wa s r ecor ded by P lu t a r ch a r ou n d 100
A.D. Th u s wh a t t h is Gr eek biogr a ph er h a d in
h a n d wa s a m yt h a s it h a d been r et old over a
per iod of per h a ps 3000 yea r s! It is im possible
t o k n ow wh a t delet ion s a n d a ccr et ion s h a d
occu r r ed pr ior t o P lu t a r ch , a n d, t h u s, t o wh a t
ext en t we ca n a ccu r a t ely t h eor ize a bou t t h ese
m yt h ic figu r es. It seem s qu it e likely, h owever ,
t h a t , given Osir is's dism em ber m en t , h e is yet
a n ot h er exa m ple of t h e con sor t of t h e Goddess
w h o b e com e s t h e s a cr ificia l figu r e , lik e
Du m u zi, t h e con sor t of In a n n a of U r u k , a n d
lik e Kin gu , t h e con sor t of Mot h er Tia m a t in
t h e m yt h of Ma r du k. Non e of t h ese t h r ee m a les
h a s t h e per son a l ch a r a ct er iza t ion t h a t com es
wit h la t er sa vior figu r es su ch a s Dion ysos,
H er a k les, a n d Qu et za lcoa t l. Th ey cer t a in ly do
n ot exh ibit t h e h igh ly evolved sen se of m ission
t h a t Bu ddh a a n d Ch r ist did la t er . Osir is is
per h a ps closer t o t h em in t h e sen se of h a vin g
est a blish ed m or a l a n d et h ica l st a n da r ds for h is
people. Bu t , even so, Osir is is st ill a n ea r ly
exa m p le of t h is com p lex a r ch et yp e of t h e
sa cr ificia l figu r e, wh ich over t im e evolved in t o
a h igh ly exem pla r y r ole m odel for h u m a n it y. In
it s in it ia l for m , a s it is h er e, wh er e t h e god
r em a in s essen t ia lly t h e con sor t of t h e Goddess,
h is dism em ber m en t is n ot yet a con sciou s a ct
of self-sa cr ifice. Ra t h er , it is st ill equ a t ed wit h
t h e veget a t ive cycle, t h e sea son a l r ou n d of t h e
fer t ile a n d fa llow cycles of life a ssocia t ed wit h
t h e cr ops.
D is m e m b e r m e n t is a n ot h e r of t h os e
con cept s wit h in t h e m yt h t h a t h a s sign ifica n ce
on m a n y levels. Th e on -goin g r ou n d of life,
dea t h , a n d r ebir t h wa s m ost r ea dily obser ved
in t h e sea son s-in t h e a n n u a l p la n t in g a n d
h a r vest in g of t h e cr ops. In t h e m yt h of ln a n n a
of U r u k , wh ich in it s or igin a l for m m a y be
n ea r ly con t em por a r y t o t h is m yt h of Isis, we
see Du m u zi a n d Gesh t in a n n a , h is sist er , bot h
s h a r in g t h is s ea s on a l cycle of life in t h e
"u p p er wor ld " a n d t h e "u n d er wor ld " in a
m a n n er t h a t su ggest s on goin g r ein ca r n a t ion .
Wh a t h a d been exper ien ced a s ba sic t o t h e
cycle of veget a t ion wa s t r a n sfer r ed in In a n n a 's
m yt h t o h u m a n exist en ce. To m ove r epea t edly
bet ween t h e wor ld s of life a n d d ea t h wa s
syn on ym ou s t o dism em ber m en t ." All life, a ll
Nature e x p e r i e n ce s t h is cy cl e of
dism em ber m en t , a n d Du m u zi a n d Osir is a s t h e
con sor t s of t h e Goddess of Na t u r e a r e t h e on es
ch osen t o sym bolize a n d sa n ct ify h er cyclica l
p r oces s . Bu t t h ey d id n ot ch oos e t o d o s o
con sciou sly. Th ey a r e ch osen , a n d t h u s wit h
t h ese ea r ly exa m ples of t h e dism em ber ed god,
t h eir sa cr ifice is st ill a n u n con sciou s a ct on
t h eir pa r t .
I n la t e r m yt h s , h ow e ve r , t h e b a s ic
a r ch et ype of t h e dism em ber ed god evolves in t o
t h a t of t h e cr u cified god, for t h e sym bolism -
h a n gin g on t h e cr oss of m a t t er -is t h e sa m e in
bot h in s t a n ces . Bu t wh a t is s ign ifica n t ly
differ en t wit h t h e la t er sa cr ificia l sa vior gods is
t h a t t h ey a r e a wa r e of t h eir d is m em ber ed
st a t e, a n d t h eir a ct of sa cr ifice is a con sciou s
a ct . Th ey a r e a wa r e t h a t t h e h u m a n exper ien ce
is a dism em ber ed st a t e of bein g, a n a ct of
sa cr ifice for t h e sa k e of sou l gr owt h . Th ey
ch oose t o em body t h is a wa r en ess, a s a n a ct of
fa it h , t h a t ot h er s m igh t com e in t o t h e sa m e
con sciou sn ess. We see exa m ples of t h is in t h e
m yt h s of Dion ysos, Qu et za lcoa t l a n d Ch r ist .
Osir is, a s a n exa m ple of t h e dism em ber ed
god, is n ot t h e on ly ch a r a ct er in t h e m yt h t h a t
t a k e s on s u ch m u lt i--d im e n s ion a l r ole s .
Look in g fu r t h er a t N ep h t h ys a n d I s is , it
becom es a p p a r en t t h a t t h ey r ep r es en t t wo
sepa r a t e dim en sion s of t h e fem in in e pr in ciple -
Isis, t h e h igh er con sciou s fem in in e, a n d h er
s is t er , t h e d a r k er fem in in e, r ela t ed t o t h e
wisdom of t h e u n con sciou s. Th ey con t in u e t h e
t r a d it ion of I n a n n a a n d E r e s h k iga l in
Su m er ia n m yt h ology, except t h a t t h ey wor k
t oget h er fa r m or e closely. Som et im es t h ey a r e
a ct u a lly pict u r ed a s t wo in on e. Isis is by fa r
t h e m or e a ct ive a n d b e n e vole n t Mot h e r
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
Goddess, a ct in g on beh a lf of h er ch ild, H or u s.
Neph t h ys is h er a ssist a n t , t h e in n er a n d m or e
u n con sciou s pr in ciple of in st in ct . N eph t h ys is
pa ir ed wit h Set , a s h is spou se/sist er , ju st a s
Isis is wit h Osir is. H owever , N eph t h ys h a s a
ch ild ou t of wedlock , fa t h er ed by Osir is. Th is
offspr in g is t r u ly "in st in ct u a l," for h e is t h e
d og, An u b is . N e p h t h ys a n d An u bis a r e
gu a r dia n s of secr et s of t h e U n der wor ld. In
m oder n t er m in ology, we wou ld iden t ify t h em
a s t h e voice of t h e p er s on a l u n con s ciou s ,
gu idin g u s on t h e in n er wor ld jou r n ey. Th u s,
I s i s , N e p h t h y s a n d H or u s a r e e a ch
in depen den t m yt h ic figu r es of con sider a ble
st a t u r e, a n d yet t oget h er t h ey ca n a lso be seen
a s r epr esen t in g a t r in it a r ia n pr in ciple wit h in
ea ch in dividu a l self. Th e m a scu lin e ego, or t h e
in d ivid u a t in g s elf, is s een in t h e figu r e of
H or u s. H e figh t s for h is r igh t s, m oves for wa r d
in con sciou sn ess, a n d t h u s st a n ds ou t a s t h e
a r ch et ypa l h er o on t h e jou r n ey. Isis is sym bolic
of t h e h igh er fem in in e, t h e m or e con sciou s
fem in in e, or sou l pr in ciple wit h in t h e self.
Neph t h ys is t h e sh a dow side of self, t h e lower
fem in in e, or per son a l u n con sciou s wit h in ea ch
of u s. Th e ego self, like H or u s, ca n n ot dir ect ly
con n ect wit h t h e h igh er self, for ego divides
a n d s e p a r a t e s , a s it s e e k s t o a t t a in
in dividu a lit y. Th e h igh er self, lik e Isis, seek s
u n ion a n d on en ess wit h life, wh ich is a s t r u e
fu n ct ion . Con sequ en t ly, t h e t wo a r e best a ble
t o m a k e con t a ct a n d m ove t owa r d u n ion a s
t h e y w or k t h r ou gh t h e m e d iu m of t h e
u n con sciou s self, t h r ou gh t h e wisdom of t h e
in s t in ct ive a n im a l n a t u r e r ep r es en t ed by
N ep h t h ys a n d An u bis . Th is t r in it y of t h e
con s ciou s m a le ego, t h e fem in in e h igh er
con sciou s a n d per son a l u n con sciou s a ppea r s in
a ll m yt h ic t r a dit ion s.
Set , a s t h e a dver sa r y, or t h e pr in ciple of
da r k n ess a ga in st wh ich H or u s does ba t t le,
p la ys a n ext r em ely im p or t a n t r ole. I n t h e
or din a r y sen se, h is fu n ct ion a ppea r s t o be a
n ega t ive on e, bu t it is n ot a t a ll n ega t ive in a
deeper sen se. F ir st of a ll, h e is ver y m u ch a
pa r t of t h e fa m ily, t h e t h ir d ch ild of N u t a n d
Geb. Th is, in it self, in dica t es h is legit im a cy. In
a ct u a lit y, h e ser ves a qu it e posit ive fu n ct ion .
Wit h ou t Set t o con sciou sly st r u ggle a ga in st ,
t h e h u m a n sou l wou ld h a ve n o oppor t u n it y for
e v ol u t i on a r y g r ow t h , n o i n cr e a s e i n
con sciou sn ess. Set em bodies t h e pr in ciple of
du a lit y so t h a t a t t h e ph ysica l level opposit es
m igh t st r u ggle a ga in st ea ch ot h er . Wit h ou t
op p os it ion , t h er e ca n be n o p r ogr es s , n o
r eflect ion , a n d t h u s n o self-k n owledge. Set ,
t h en , is a n essen t ia l pa r t of t h e fa m ily.
H e bu ilds a coffin " for Osir is, lin ed wit h
lea d. On ce Osir is is lu r ed in t o it , t h e coffin
"floa t s" down st r ea m t o Byblos. Th is pa r t of t h e
st or y r eflect s wh a t is r ea lly t h e h ea r t of t h e
An cien t Myst er ies-for m ost of t h e m yt h s in t h e
m yst er y t r a dit ion a r e essen t ia lly a m et a ph or
for t h e pr ocess of em bodim en t . Th ese m yt h s
in dica t e by a n a logy h ow it is t h a t a sou l t a kes
on a ph ysica l body, in or der t o exper ien ce life
in t h e m a t er ia l wor ld. Th u s t h ese em bodim en t
m yt h s a t t em pt t o offer m ea n in g a n d pu r pose
for h u m a n exist en ce. Osir is pla ys t h e r ole of
t h e in dividu a l sou l becom in g en t r a pped in a
coffin , t h e coffin r ep r es en t in g t h e p h ys ica l
body. Th e coffin a ppr opr ia t ely sym bolizes a
kin d of dea t h , for , a s t h e spir it u a l sou l t a kes on
a ph ysica l body, it for get s it self a n d it s or igin .
Th e coffin floa t s down t h e Nile, or , by a n a logy,
down st r ea m t h r ou gh t h e fin er vibr a t ion s of
s p ir it in t o t h e coa r s er vibr a t ion s of t h e
ph ysica l wor ld. It lodges it self in a t a m a r isk
t r ee n ea r Byblos . An d t h e t a m a r is k t r ee,
sym bol of t h e t r ee of life, a n ch or s t h e coffin on
t h e ph ysica l pla n e a s it s br a n ch es gr ow u p a n d
a r ou n d it .
A m a jor clu e t o in t er pr et in g t h e m yt h lies
in t h e fa ct t h a t t h e coffin is lin ed wit h lea d. In
t h e a n cie n t m ys t e r ie s , t h is m e t a l w a s
t r a d it ion a lly a s s ocia t ed wit h t h e p la n et ,
Sa t u r n , a n d Sa t u r n is con sider ed t o be t h e
pla n et t h a t gover n s for m a n d em bodim en t .
Th is cor r es p on d en ce bet ween S a t u r n a n d
em bod im en t is fu r t h er em p h a s ized by t h e
m en t ion of t h e n u m ber t wen t y-eigh t , a s eit h er
Osir is's a ge, or t h e yea r s of h is r eign . F or bot h
t h e Moon a n d Sa t u r n h a ve cycles ba sed on t h is
n u m ber , t h e Moon cir clin g t h e ea r t h in 28 +
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
da ys, a n d Sa t u r n in 28 + yea r s. Th u s, a ga in ,
t h e even t is bein g con n ect ed wit h t h e pr ocess
of m a t er ia lizin g a body.
Th er e a r e seven t y-t wo con spir a t or s. N ow
seven t y-t wo degr ees a r e on e-fift h of a cir cle,
a n d five , lik e t h e five -p oin t e d s t a r , in
n u m er ology is a ssocia t ed wit h h u m a n it y a n d
wit h con sciou sn ess. Bu t t h is n u m ber , seven t y-
t wo, h a s cosm ic con n ect ion s a s well, for it t a kes
s e ve n t y-t w o ye a r s for t h e s u n t o m ove
ba ckwa r d on e degr ee in t h e 360 degr ees of t h e
zod ia ca l cycle. Th u s s even t y-t wo s eem s t o
r epr esen t t h e m ost ba sic t im e u n it in t h e gr a n d
r ou n d of t h e su n t h r ou gh t h e t welve zodia ca l
con st ella t ion s, a n d in com in g in t o em bodim en t ,
Osir is is en t er in g t h e wor ld of t im e.
Not e t h a t t h e coffin lodges in a t a m a r isk"
t r ee. In Sa n sk r it , t a m a s m ea n s m a t t er ." Th e
coffin in t h e t a m a r isk t r ee is sym bolic of t h e
s ou l h a vin g a s s u m ed a p h ys ica l bod y a n d
h a vin g descen ded a t la st t o t h e level of t h e
m a t er ia l wor ld . S o Os ir is h a s en t er ed t h e
wor ld of bot h t im e a n d spa ce.
Th e da t e for t h is even t a ccor din g t o t h e
E gypt ia n ca len da r wou ld be t h e seven t een t h
da y of H a t h or , or ou r m on t h of N ovem ber ,
"wh en t h e su n wa s in t h e sign of Scor pio." Th is
is ver y s im ila r t o t h e s a m e d a t e given in
Gen esis for t h e gr ea t flood, for t h e biblica l
st or y of Noa h 's Ar k is a n ot h er m et a ph or for t h e
pr ocess of em bodim en t . Th e a r k floa t ed for 40
da ys a n d n igh t s, com pa r a ble t o Osir is's jou r n ey
d ow n t h e N ile . Wh a t a ll t h is n u m e r ic
sym bolism in dica t es is t h a t Osir is's jou r n ey
down st r ea m coin cided wit h t h e a r r iva l of t h e
win t er solst ice, a n d con clu ded a ppr oxim a t ely
on t h e da t e a ssocia t ed wit h t h e r ebir t h of t h e
su n , Decem ber 25t h , t h r ee da ys followin g t h e
win t er s ols t ice. I n a ll m yt h s , t h is d a t e is
ch osen a s t h e a ppr opr ia t e da t e for t h e bir t h of
t h e son of t h e Su n God, t h e bir t h da t e of t h e
t r a d it ion a l s a vior figu r e - wh o u lt im a t ely
st a n ds for a ll of u s.
Th e ep is od e t h a t follows in wh ich I s is
sea r ch es for t h e body of h er lost h u sba n d is
ver y sim ila r t o t h e st or y of Dem et er sea r ch in g
for h er lost ch ild, P er seph on e. An d in bot h
m yt h s t h e in t en t is t h e sa m e. Lik e Dem et er ,
Isis a ssu m es t h e r ole of n u r se for t h e Qu een ,
a n d t r ies t o im m or t a lize t h e r oya l ch ild by h im
in t h e a lch em ica l fir e. Th is in fa n t is sym bolic
of t h e fin a l s t a ge of Osir is's jou r n ey down
t h r ou gh t h e et h er s. Th e r oya l ch ild is t h e sou l
t h a t h a s a t la st been bor n a s a n in fa n t , lik e
ever y h u m a n bein g. Bu t , a ga in , J u st a s wit h
t h e m yt h of Dem et er , t h e Goddess, Isis, ca n n ot
per for m t h e a lch em ica l m a gic for t h e r oya l
in fa n t , a s m u ch a s sh e m igh t lik e t o. In t h a t
pr ocess h e m u st con sciou sly pa r t icipa t e, a n d so
h er a t t em pt t o im m or t a lize h im fa ils.
Th en sh e r equ est s t h e coffin con t a in in g
Osir is, wh ich is st ill em bedded in on e of t h e
pilla r s of t h e pa la ce. Th is com plex im a ge of t h e
sou l lyin g in a coffin en ca sed in a t r ee r eflect s
t h e con cept t h a t a ll m a t t er is a "veil" for spir it ,
a n d t h a t t h e et er n a l is a lwa ys h idden wit h in
t h e eph em er a l ph en om en a of n a t u r e. An d a s
t h e pilla r u ph olds t h e r oof, so it is a lso a
st a t em en t t o t h e effect t h a t it is a lwa ys t h e
in n er or h idden spir it u a l sou r ce t h a t su st a in s
t h e ou t er ph ysica l st r u ct u r e.
Wh en Isis is given t h e t r ee t r u n k or pilla r
con t a in in g h er h u sba n d's body, sh e per for m s a
m ost cu r iou s r it u a l. Sh e wr a ps t h e h ollow t r ee
in fin e lin en a n d a n oin t s it wit h per fu m ed oil.
I t even t u a lly en d s u p in on e of h er own
t em ples wh er e it is for ever ven er a t ed. Th is
seem s t o be a n ir on ic com m en t a r y on r eligion
a n d t h e ven er a t ion of object s of wor sh ip. Th e
life spir it t h a t t h e t r ee h a d con t a in ed is n o
lon ge r t h e r e , b u t t h e p e op le of Byblos
n on et h eless wor sh ip t h e em pt y sh ell, believin g
it t o be t h a t wh ich is of va lu e. Too oft en
r eligion in t h e t em ple, or ch u r ch , becom es t h e
m in d les s ven er a t ion of a n em p t y coffin ,
m ist a kin g t h e for m for t h e essen ce.
Isis is given t h e ch est con t a in in g t h e body of
Osir is. Sh e r et u r n s t o E gypt a n d t h r ou gh h er
s p ecia l m a gic con ceives a ch ild by Osir is.
Act u a lly t h is ch ild, a ccor din g t o t h e m yt h , h a d
been con ceived a s t h e "E lder H or u s" wh ile Isis
a n d Osir is wer e st ill in t h e wom b of N u t . Th e
in t en t ion h er e is pr oba bly sim ila r t o t h a t in t h e
la t er Ch r ist ia n t ext of t h e Gospel of J oh n : In
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
t h e begin n in g wa s t h e Wor d, a n d t h e Wor d wa s
wit h God, a n d t h e Wor d wa s God.5 To cr edit
H or u s a n d J esu s wit h su ch gr ea t a n t iqu it y
gives t h em a n d t h eir a ct ion s a u t h en t icit y a n d
legit im a cy. F u r t h er m or e, t h e fa ct t h a t Isis
con ceives fr om h er h u sba n d's dea d" body is
com pa r a ble in som e wa ys t o t h e t r a dit ion of a n
"im m a cu la t e con cept ion ." Isis t h en ca r efu lly
h ides t h e body of h er h u sba n d a n d goes off t o
t h e swa m ps of t h e Delt a t o give bir t h t o h er
ch ild H or u s.
P lu t a r ch sa ys ver y lit t le a bou t t h e bir t h of
H or u s , bu t in 1828 a s t ele wa s fou n d in
Alexa n dr ia wit h t ext s givin g fu r t h er det a ils
su r r ou n din g t h e cir cu m st a n ces of h is bir t h . 6 I t
seem s Set wa s con t en t wit h m u r der in g Osir is,
bu t sou gh t a s well t o con fin e h is widow wh o
wa s wit h ch ild. Wh ile Isis wa s t h u s con fin ed,
t h e gr ea t Th ot h a p p ea r ed t o h er s a yin g,
"Com e, O t h ou goddess, Isis ... a n d follow t h e
a dvice of a n ot h er . H ide t h ou t h y son , H or u s,
a n d t h is is wh a t sh a ll h a ppen . H is lim bs sh a ll
gr ow, a n d h e will becom e en dowed wit h gr ea t
st r en gt h , a n d h e sh a ll be m a de t o sit u pon t h e
t h r on e of h is fa t h er , a n d h e sh a ll a ven ge h im ,
a n d (becom e) t h e pr in ce of t h e Two La n ds."
H ea r in g t h ese wor ds, Isis depa r t ed secr et ly in
t h e even in g wit h h er s even s cor p ion s a s
pr ot ect ion , a n d u pon a r r ivin g a t t h e pa pyr u s
swa m ps, sh e ca m e t o t h e h ou se of t h e over lor d
of t h e dist r ict . Th e wom a n of t h e h ou se r efu sed
h er en t r a n ce, bu t a poor fen wom a n close by
open ed h er door t o Isis. Sh or t ly t h er ea ft er , Isis
ga ve bir t h t o H or u s in a n est of pa pyr u s pla n t s.
Th er e a r e s ever a l r ecogn iza ble m yt h ic
t h em es h er e t h a t a r e oft en a ssocia t ed wit h
s a vior figu r e s . F ir s t on e r e cogn ize s t h e
a n n u n cia t ion of t h e bir t h of a sa vior figu r e,
a n d t h e n eed for discr et ion a n d secr ecy. Th en
t h er e is t h e fa m ilia r t h em e of t h e lowly bir t h in
a m a n ger , a ft er bein g r efu s ed h os p it a lit y
elsewh er e. H or u s in a n est of pa pyr u s pla n t s is
a lso r em in iscen t of Moses in t h e bu lr u sh es.
Th er e is a lso t h e fa m ilia r t r in it y of F a t h er ,
Mot h er a n d Son , wit h H or u s a s t h e n ewbor n
son of t h e dyin g Su n God, Osir is. F in a lly, we
see t h e u n iver sa l t h em e of m ot h er a n d ch ild in
t h e im a ge of Isis, t h e Mot h er Goddess, su cklin g
h er ch ild , H or u s , wh ich la t er a p p ea r s s o
fr equ en t ly a s a Ch r is t ia n m ot if. A d eep er
pr in ciple con n ect ed t o t h e m a n ger scen e is t h a t
a bein g of gr ea t ligh t oft en com es fr om t h e
m os t h u m ble of cir cu m s t a n ces . Du r in g h is
in cept ion a n d ea r ly yea r s, t h e in fa n t god or
h er o m u st a lso be h idden a wa y a n d pr ot ect ed
fr om t h e for ces of da r kn ess t h a t will in va r ia bly
r ise u p t o oppose h im . Th u s Zeu s is bor n in a
ca ve, fa r wa y fr om Mt . Olym pu s; J esu s wa s
bor n in a m a n ger , a n d t h en secr et ed a wa y t o
E gypt ; Kr ish n a wa s t a k en off in t o t h e for est ;
Ar t h u r wa s pla ced in t h e cu st ody of a h u m ble
a n d fa it h fu l fa m ily; Moses wa s left in a ba sket
in t h e bu lr u sh es, a n d so on . Bu t a secon d
pr in ciple a lso follows fr om t h e fir st . Th ese
s a vior figu r es gr ow u p n ot k n owin g t h eir
ea r t h ly fa t h er . As a r esu lt , t h ey a r e led t o look
m or e in wa r dly in sea r ch of t h e spir it u a l fa t h er .
Th is t h em e of t h e fa t h er less figu r e on t h e
qu est is fou n d n ot on ly in sa vior m yt h s bu t a lso
in m a n y of t h e m yt h s of t h e h er o on t h e
spir it u a l jou r n ey.
Wh ile Isis is secr et ly t en din g t o h er n ew-
bor n son , h idden a wa y in a swa m py a r ea of t h e
N ile, Set , lik e H er od, is pu r su in g h is own
cou r se of evil in t en t . Despit e Isis's pr eca u t ion s,
Set fin ds t h e body of Osir is u n der t h e ligh t of a
fu ll m oon . H e pr oceeds t o dism em ber it in t o
fou r t een p ieces , a n d t h en t o s ca t t er t h e
por t ion s t h r ou gh ou t t h e la n d of E gypt . Th e
t h em e of dism em ber m en t h a s been discu ssed
ea r lier , bu t let u s a lso con sider it s sym bolism
in con n ect ion wit h t h e cycles of t h e m oon . Th e
m oon wa s t h ou gh t t o gover n t h e cycles of
ger m in a t ion a n d gr owt h , ju st a s it wa s a lso
a ssocia t ed wit h wom en 's fer t ilit y cycles. Th e
cr es cen t m oon in it s wa xin g p h a s e wa s
believed t o be t h e m a jor for ce in flu en cin g a ll
veget a t ive gr owt h . Lik ewise, t h e m oon in it s
wa n in g p h a s e wa s s ym bolic of d eca y a n d
d ea t h . Con s equ en t ly, a s t h e m oon m oves
t h r ou gh it s cyclica l st a ges of n ew m oon t o fu ll
m oon a n d ba ck a ga in , it a p p ea r ed t o go
t h r ou gh t h e sa m e pr ocesses of life a n d dea t h
t h a t a r e ch a r a ct er ist ic of a ll n a t u r e. Th u s t h e
10
Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God
J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990
m oon , like Osir is, a n d like a ll life, wa s seen a s
g oi n g t h r ou g h p e r i od i c cy cl e s of
dism em ber m en t .
Th er e wer e ot h er r ea s on s , a s well, for
Osir is t o be a ssocia t ed wit h t h e m oon . In t h e
p r e -p a t r i a r ch a l p e r i od , t h e m oon w a s
em p h a s ized even m or e t h a n t h e s u n a s a
celest ia l com pa n ion of t h e ea r t h a n d t h e ea r t h
Goddess. Th u s, a s t h e con sor t of a n ea r t h
Goddess, Osir is wa s closely con n ect ed wit h
t h ese fer t ile a n d fa llow cycles of t h e m oon . An d
ju st a s t h e fu ll m oon is dism em ber ed fou r t een
t im es a s it m oves t owa r d becom in g a n ew
m oon , so t h e god Osir is is dism em ber ed on t h e
n igh t of a fu ll m oon in t o fou r t een pieces.
Isis t h en t a kes u p t h e t a sk of r em em ber in g
Os ir is . S h e t r a vels t h e la n d ga t h er in g u p
t h ir t een of t h e dism em ber ed pa r t s of h is body,
a ll excep t in g t h e p h a llu s t h a t h a d been
con su m ed by a fish . H er e a ga in , Mot h er Isis is
t r u ly r epr esen t a t ive of t h e h igh er fem in in e, t h e
con sciou s fem in in e, or even sou l self, h elpin g t o
r est or e h er br ot h er a n d spou se t o u n it y a n d
wh olen ess on ce m or e. It is n ot a cciden t a l t h a t
t h e r est or ed Osir is is la ckin g a ph a llic m em ber .
Th e r esu r r ect ed Osir is h a s been h ea led a n d
m a de wh ole; it h a s n o n eed of a ph a llu s, wh ich ,
a ft er a ll, is a ppr opr ia t e on ly in t h e ph ysica l
wor ld of du a lit y.
Th e con flict bet ween H or u s a n d Set a lso
r eflect s t h ese issu es of u n it y ver su s du a lit y,
e s p e cia lly give n t h e s ym b olis m t h a t is
em ployed in t h eir ba t t le. E a ch of t h em loses a
pa r t of t h e self t h a t r epr esen t s du a lit y. Set
los es a t est icle, a sym bol of sexu a lit y, a n d
H or u s loses h is left , or lu n a r , eye. Th e left eye
is sym bolic of t h e u n con sciou s fem in in e; t h e
r igh t eye, t h e m a scu lin e eye of t h e con sciou s
self. Wh en t h ese du a l eyes m er ge t h ey pr odu ce
a n in n er spir it u a l eye. Th u s H or u s's left eye is
r epla ced by t h e Wedja t eye, t h e sin gle eye of
wis d om a n d en ligh t en m en t . H e offer s t h is
s a m e eye of wis d om a n d wh olen es s t o h is
fa t h er a s well. In t h is m yt h n eit h er Set n or
H or u s com plet ely win or lose t h e ba t t le. Th is,
of cou r se, r eflect s t h e wisdom of t h e Goddess,
t h a t t h e d a r k a n d t h e ligh t m u s t bot h be
h on or ed a n d, u lt im a t ely, br ou gh t t oget h er . In New Yor k, H a r per , 1979.
t h is m yt h , t h en , we see t h e vision of t h e h er o's M ary L on gen eck er Frorer h old s a B ach elor of
jou r n ey, em bod ied in t h e figu r e of H or u s, Fin e Arts an d a M asters d egree in H istory from
m a kin g wh a t m a y be it s fir st a ppea r a n ce. Bu t S w a rt h m ore College, a n M L S from Drexel
h er e it a ppea r s pr im a r ily a s a n idea l, for it is U n iversity, an d both a M in isterial Degree an d
s t ill w it h in t h e r e a lm of t h e god s a n d H on ora ry Doct ora t e from t h e I n t ern a t ion a l
goddesses. It t a k es a la t er h er o t o br in g t h e Ch u rch of A geless W isd om . S h e is cu rren tly
vision down t o t h e r ea lm of t h e h u m a n . Director of th e S w arth m ore N ew A ge Cen ter
w h ere sh e offers classes in astrology, th e seven
En d N o te s rays, sym bols an d th eir m ean in g, m yth ology,
1. Th is a ccou n t of t h e m yt h is con den sed fr om an d th e A n cien t M ysteries. T h is article is on e
P lu t a r ch , a s qu ot ed in Th e God s of t h e ch apter from a book on M yth ology an d th e
E g y p t i a n s by E .A. Wa llis Bu dge, v.2, N ew An cien t M ysteries
Yor k, Dover , 1969, p. 186-194.
2. P lu t a r ch in dica t es h e is n ot cer t a in wh et h er
Byblos r efer s t o a n E gypt ia n cit y in t h e Delt a
a r ea , or a cit y on t h e P h oen icia n coa st . Sin ce
t h e qu een t h er e is n a m ed Ast a r t e, a n ot h er
for m of t h e n a m e Ish t a r , it seem s h igh ly likely
t h a t it wa s t h e P h oen icia n cit y of Byblos.
3. Ru n dle Cla r k , R. T. M yth an d S ym bol in
A n cien t E gypt, N ew Yor k , Gr ove P r ess, 1959,
p.200.
4. Th om pson , Willia m Ir win . T h e T im e Fallin g
B od ies T ak e to L igh t, N ew Yor k , St . Ma r t in 's
P r ess, 1981, p. 213.
5. Th e H oly Bible (Scofield). Gospel of J oh n , I.1
6. See E . A. Wa llis Bu dge. T h e God s of th e
E gyptian s, New Yor k, Dover , 1969, p. 206-208.

B iblio g ra p h y

Bu dge, E . A. Wa llis. T h e E gyptian B ook of th e

Dead , N.Y., Dover , 1967.
B u d ge , E . A. Wa llis . T h e G od s of t h e
E gypt ia n s, 2v. N.Y. Dover , 1969.
Bu dge, E . A. Wa llis. Osiris an d th e E gyptian
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Isis an d Osiris: T h e God d ess an d th e Dism em bered S avior God

J ou rn al of E soteric Psych ology Volu m e 6 N o. 2 1990