Dulce Domum

Received from Sarah Rooke: “I have to report that the Rev Maureen Wheeler, Priestess of Isis (I ordained her in 1999), has crossed the veil after a long illness. May the Goddess spread her wings around her as she crosses the Summerlands. She had been a mentor to me for many years when I first began. Another priestess gone.”

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Jocelyn Almond

1956-2014

It is with deep sadness we learned of the passing of Jocelyn Almond.

Jocelyn Almond was born in 1956 in Great Britain. She met her husband Keith Seddon in 1975. They married in 1977. She attained a BA degree with first class honors in Studies in the Humanities from the University of Hertfordshire in 1982, and a PhD in Philosophy from University College, London in 1986. 

In the early 1990s both Jocelyn and her husband became members of the the Fellowship of Isis. In 1995 she became a Priestess-Hierophant and offered Magi Degree courses by correspondence through her Lyceum of Isis Myrionymous. In 2001 she was appointed to the Archpriesthood Union, one of the three unions that form the FOI Foundation Union Triad.  Jocelyn’s own teacher for priestess training, Beryl Stockhill, had requested that Jocelyn take her position as an archpriesthood union member, shortly before Beryl’s passing in 2001.

Jocelyn was also a published author, "Egyptian Paganism", "An Egyptian Book of Shadows" and "Tarot for Lovers" are among the many titles she had co-written with her husband, Keith Seddon. Her popular solo work "The Fall of Xeirozogenes" was first published in the British science fiction and fantasy magazine "Vortex" in 1977 under the pseudonym Carol Bewley, and later re-published in December, 2008. Besides her work as an author, Jocelyn also served as a correspondence tutor for Fairfax University, USA.

The staff of the Mirror of Isis, an e-zine of the Fellowship of Isis, was very proud to feature a lovely article written by Jocelyn just for this publication, titled “Dark Gifts from Black Isis". It was included in the Beltane, 2009 issue.

Books by Jocelyn Almond:

“The Fall of Xeirozogenes”, published by Keith Seddon, 2008

“The Barricaded Tower”, published by Jocelyn Almond, 2010

“The Book of Job”, Lulu, 2011

“The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, with an introduction by Jocelyn Almond, Lulu, 2011

Books by Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon:

“Faceless Tarot”, Dunscaith Publishing, 1989

“Tarot For Relationships: A Practical Guide to Understanding Love and Sex From
Tarot Reading”, Thorsons, 1990

“Tarot For Lovers”, Thorsons, 1996
“Understanding Tarot: A Practical Guide to Tarot Card Reading”, Thorsons. 1995

“An Egyptian Book Of Shadows: Eight Seasonal Rites for Egyptian Paganism”, Thorsons, 2000

“A Book of Egyptian Ritual: The Seasonal Rites of Egyptian Paganism”, Thorsons, 2002

“Egyptian Paganism For Beginners: Bring the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt Into Daily Life”, Llewellyn 2004

“Precepts and Teachings of Ancient Egypt”, (Keith Seddon, Jocelyn Almond and Philippe Virey) Lulu, 2011

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Jeanne O’Cain Foster

September 10, 1931 – April 3, 2013

Iseum Isadora and Temple Isis Beautiful, Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA. We have just received notification of the passing of Jeanne O’Cain Foster in 2013. Jeanne passed away on Wednesday, April 3^rd, 2013. She was born on September 10, 1931 in Portsmouth Virginia.

She was a published writer, poet, and an accomplished public speaker. Jeanne led a life filled with research and travel, which led her to many aspects of spirituality and academics in the Arts and Humanities as well as personal experiences in metaphysics, theatre acting, directing producing and writing. She worked as a consultant, teacher and lecturer.

Jeanne was included In “Who’s Who in the World 2001 – 2010” for her plays, poetry and cultural -social achievements. She was the author of “Dance the Divine”, “Collected Verse”, “Pearls for Isis” and “Colony at Santee”. Highlights in her life include studies with International Honor Students to Wales, London, Paris, Brussels, Ireland and Netherlands. She received Fellowships and Grants from the National Endowment for Arts Commission, Orangeburg Arts Commission (S.C.) Omega Institute (N.Y.) Edgar Cayce Foundation (Virginia Beach, VA) St. Davyd's College (Wales), Kalani Cultural Institute (Hawaii) Act One Foundation (Kansas City) and Whiteswan Ministries, Missouri. Scholarships supported further research and travel to New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.

At the end of her life, she had works in progress - two historical novels, one of which was titled “Broken Branches” and also “Astraea, “Wandering Star” a play and film treatment based on her work with the “Sea Priestess” a magical novel by Dion Fortune, whose works Jeanne greatly admired.

Jeanne said once, “Old priestesses never die, they just resurrect”, a saying she attributed to Loreon Vigne. We know that Jeanne has gone to the Otherworld and to new life within the arms of Isis. Dear Jeanne, your tribute comes a bit late, but it is heartfelt nonetheless. May you be blessed and richly flourish now and always, safe in the arms of Ma’at Meri, safe in the arms of Isis.

 Art by Jeanne O'Cain Foster

Petition to the Court                                                                                                                    

I have come to see 
Athena Promachos
from Naples to Muses Archeologica Nazionale
in stone.        
         
I have  come to see the Goddess of Wisdom                                            
and how she has raised the serpents of desire,
wearing  them around her neck and breast. 

I have come to see Athena
as she guards her head of high thoughts
with the helmet of pure reason.                                              
Balanced and sure, serene,
standing firmly on the earth.                                          

Though her shield and spear are missing
her aim will not miss her mark with her perfect purpose.                                              
How wise and perfect in her strategy
she plans and executes each counter.                      

I have come to praise the daughter of Zeus.                                                   
I, Priestess of Isis, and daughter of the One God
offer my Will to achieve the Everlasting: offspring of the     
Golden Ones.

- Jeanne O’Cain Foster