THE RITE OF AWAKENING

ORATIO EXCITATIONIS Expergiscere, expergiscere, expergiscere, Expergiscere in pace, Domina Pacis, Orire in pace, Orire in pulchritudine, Dea vitae, Pulchra in caelo, Pax est in caelo,, Pax est in terra, O Dea, Filia deae Rhea, Filia dei Cronos, Amata dei Serapide, Dea abundans nominibus! Omnis laus sit Tibi, Omnis laus sit Tibi, Te adoro, Te adoro, O Domina Isis! {Latin translation of Padusiri's Morning Rite done by Brady Moore, 2000}

Above, detail of black and white marble statue of Isis found in Naples, dated to the first half of the 2nd century. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Photo by "Gryffindor" Wikimedia Commons.

Above left, a 17 inch high marble bust of Serapis from London, 4th century CE.  He is commonly depicted with a modius, or corn measure on his head representing fertility.  Serapis was popular among the Roman legions.  And as a grain god, he was popular with the Romans since Rome was dependent on importations of grain.  Nearly all his temples included a shrine to Isis. Above right, Isis and Serapis with Cerebus.  From the Heraklion Museum, Crete.

"FrankenIsis"

I don't know about you, but headless statues bother me.  I can take missing arms and hands, and legs and feet.  But a missing head?  Instant turn-off !  Which is unfortunate, since many ancient statues are sans head!  Above on the left is a 2nd century BCE statue of Isis-Tyche in the Archeological Museum at Dion.  When I had too much time on my hands, I "restored" the statue by supplying the missing head with a 2nd century BCE head of Isis from Thessalonica, and tried to fix the broken shoulder and upper arm with Windows Paint.   Rather pretty if I do say so myself! Thanks to QuartierLatin for the original picture.

Selections from the Hymns of Isidorus, 1st Century BCE {Translated by Vera Vanderlip} O Wealthgiver, Queen of the gods, Hermouthis, Lady, omnipotent Agathe Tyche, greatly renowned ISIS, Deo, highest discoverer of all life; Manifold miracles were your care that you might bring livelihood and to mankind and mortality to all; And you have taught customs that justice might in some measure prevail... Because of you heaven and the whole earth have their being. All mortals who live on the boundless earth...express your fair name, a name greatly honored among all!  But each speaks his own language in his own land. The Syrians call you Astarte, Artemis, Nanaia, The Lycian tribes call you Leto, the Lady, The Thracians also name you as Mother of the gods, And the Greeks Hera of the Great Throne, Aphrodite, Hestia the goodly, Rheia and Demeter. But the Egyptians call you Thiousis, because they know that you, being One, are all other Goddesses invoked by the race of men. {From the 1st Hymn}

2nd century BCE, Thessalonica

O ruler of the Highest Gods, Hermouthis, Lady, ISIS, oure, most sacred, mighty, of mighty name, Deo, O most hallowed bestower of good things, to all men who are righteous, you grant blessings: to possess wealth, a life that is pleasant, and most serene happiness. Hear me, Agathetyche, when I pray to you, Lady...If you are present here too, you witness  individual virtue, delighting in the sacrifices, libations, and offerings... O Hearer of prayers, black robed Isis, the Merciful...send Paean to me, healer of all ills. {from the 3rd Hymn}

Ptolemaic Isis statue found submerged at Abukir, near Alexandria, Egypt.

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