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Pagan Portals - Isis: Great of Magic, She of 10,000 Names
Isis has a history spanning millennia and an influence stretching across land and sea. She is a Goddess who transcends time and geography, remaining one of the most popular Goddesses from the ancient world to this day. The book explores Isis' mythic journey and how she became the Goddess we recognise today. Striking a balance between the old and the new, Pagan Portals - Isis provides an historical account of her mythology and worship alongside modern Pagan perspectives and offers the reader tools for Isis' contemporary veneration.
112 pages, Paperback
Published February 26, 2021
34 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Church
3 books27 followersOlivia has degrees in Egyptology and is currently undergoing doctoral research in Historical Studies.
She writes non-fiction works for both popular and scholarly readers on the themes of ancient religion, feminism, and contemporary paganism.
She writes non-fiction works for both popular and scholarly readers on the themes of ancient religion, feminism, and contemporary paganism.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 30, 2021
I would like to start with a disclaimer, that I have worked with Aset for 7 years as my patron, so I acknowledge that I am not approaching this book from the perspective of a beginner, but as someone with a deep and enduring relationship with this deity.
That being said, it allows me the perspective of someone more experienced, who is able to discern the quality of research, and puts me in a better position to comfortably recommend this book to beginners.
All that being said, would I recommend this book to beginners? Absolutely.
Church's book is possibly /the/ best primer on Aset I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It is in-depth, well researched, a perfect combination of academic rigor and personal experience which left me feeling very impressed.
The amount of sources this book utilises is enormous and it gives beginners a lot of paths to travel down in terms of further research. Even for myself, as an experienced practitioner, I found myself highlighting texts I'd never heard of but interested me.
For myself, the perfect beginner text allows anyone to engage with the text and get something out of it, regardless of their experience. I definitely found myself learning some things I wasn't aware of. I often found myself finishing sentences with added nuance from my own knowledge, and that's not a criticism about the lack of depth, quite the opposite. It felt like I was in conversation with the author, very much a sign of my growth and experience with this Goddess.
The book very much feels like it's encouraging the reader to do their own research and engage with the sources and further reading suggestions. This is something I notice a lot of more popular, mainstream books on polytheism and witchcraft, in particular, don't seem to do. They're more interested in presenting /their/ interperetation and only theirs and encouraging you to buy more of their books.
There is a sense of responsibility and obligation I got from Church's writing. She states very early in the book that she wishes to acknowledge the North African roots of this deity, and this branch of polytheism. She acknowledges the privilage she holds and she acknowledges, whether overtly or not, spiritual colonialism. She is aware of how Egyptian history and cosmology has been coopted by white Europeans throughout modern history and makes it clear that we need to be self critical about our engagement with the product of thousands of years of cultural development that is outside our own lived experience.
This isn't just an empty promise from the author. Church has agreed to donate 100% of all royalties to Egyptian and Nubian communities. This is the first time I've seen that and, frankly, it's disappointing that it's taken this long for someone to take that level of social responsibility.
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that I am very impressed with this entry into the Pagan Portals series. It is well researched, thorough and a very good jumping off point for any beginner polytheist with interest in Aset, or the Egyptian pantheon in general, as well as being a great source for more experienced practitioners to refer back to.
That being said, it allows me the perspective of someone more experienced, who is able to discern the quality of research, and puts me in a better position to comfortably recommend this book to beginners.
All that being said, would I recommend this book to beginners? Absolutely.
Church's book is possibly /the/ best primer on Aset I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It is in-depth, well researched, a perfect combination of academic rigor and personal experience which left me feeling very impressed.
The amount of sources this book utilises is enormous and it gives beginners a lot of paths to travel down in terms of further research. Even for myself, as an experienced practitioner, I found myself highlighting texts I'd never heard of but interested me.
For myself, the perfect beginner text allows anyone to engage with the text and get something out of it, regardless of their experience. I definitely found myself learning some things I wasn't aware of. I often found myself finishing sentences with added nuance from my own knowledge, and that's not a criticism about the lack of depth, quite the opposite. It felt like I was in conversation with the author, very much a sign of my growth and experience with this Goddess.
The book very much feels like it's encouraging the reader to do their own research and engage with the sources and further reading suggestions. This is something I notice a lot of more popular, mainstream books on polytheism and witchcraft, in particular, don't seem to do. They're more interested in presenting /their/ interperetation and only theirs and encouraging you to buy more of their books.
There is a sense of responsibility and obligation I got from Church's writing. She states very early in the book that she wishes to acknowledge the North African roots of this deity, and this branch of polytheism. She acknowledges the privilage she holds and she acknowledges, whether overtly or not, spiritual colonialism. She is aware of how Egyptian history and cosmology has been coopted by white Europeans throughout modern history and makes it clear that we need to be self critical about our engagement with the product of thousands of years of cultural development that is outside our own lived experience.
This isn't just an empty promise from the author. Church has agreed to donate 100% of all royalties to Egyptian and Nubian communities. This is the first time I've seen that and, frankly, it's disappointing that it's taken this long for someone to take that level of social responsibility.
To conclude, I would like to reiterate that I am very impressed with this entry into the Pagan Portals series. It is well researched, thorough and a very good jumping off point for any beginner polytheist with interest in Aset, or the Egyptian pantheon in general, as well as being a great source for more experienced practitioners to refer back to.
March 2, 2022
If you think you know about Isis, as I thought I did before reading this book, then you are in for a real education. This is the most in depth study I have ever read on Her. It was so refreshing to read a scholarly book about a deity written by someone who actually has worked with Her. Throughout this book on the great goddess Isis it is clear that the author loves and reveres Isis and has a relationship with Her. Wonderful facts about the goddess's origins, powers and duties are given alongside the author's personal experiences making for a very satisfying read. And as an added bonus there is a great deal of information on many more of the deities in the Egyptian pantheon, just enough to intrigue and get you wanting more.
By the time I finished this book I was convinced that Isis is THE goddess. Read the book...I think you'll agree.
By the time I finished this book I was convinced that Isis is THE goddess. Read the book...I think you'll agree.
March 5, 2021
This book has that perfect mix of scholarship and worship that I'm constantly looking for but seldom find. It's a short read, but full of information and mixes good research with personal devotion. As a modern-day pagan, I often find myself disappointed by neopagan books for incomplete or even false information, so I usually stick to academic texts. There again I long for a sense of personal connection to the divine. Isis: Great of Magic, She of 10,000 Names combines both. As an Egyptologist, the author knows the topic well and still her love for Isis shines through on every page. In every way a delightful read.
March 30, 2021
Hail ISIS
One of the most complete and informative books on this goddess I have ever read! Highly recommend and will be sharing with others!
One of the most complete and informative books on this goddess I have ever read! Highly recommend and will be sharing with others!
January 9, 2022
A short yet informative read in which you can tell was well researched in order to deliver readers the fundamentals of Isis. Olivia delivers the clarity you’re looking for when it comes to Egyptian Deities and the belief system of Ancient Egypt. With its multiplicity of deities whose attributes sometimes changed over the Millenia, Egyptian mythology allows a variety of interpretations and too many books on the subject leave the reader more confused than enlightened. This book will definitely leave you enlightened!
June 23, 2021
This is a well researched and interesting book that mixes facts with personal experience.
It's easy to find books about gods or goddess which are full of historical details that are not correct but this one is well researched.
I loved to read about the author experience with Isis and I think it's a very good book.
Many thanks to John Hunt for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
It's easy to find books about gods or goddess which are full of historical details that are not correct but this one is well researched.
I loved to read about the author experience with Isis and I think it's a very good book.
Many thanks to John Hunt for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
July 6, 2021
I was really impressed and amazed by this book and the knowledge I gained from it! definitely would recommend and read again!
March 19, 2022
Clear, concise, readable and full of information on Isis' myths, temples and rites/rituals. Really enjoyed and would recommend.
January 3, 2025
Super interesting and digestible. Covered a detailed history but a nice quick read. Appreciate how the book was divided up.
November 11, 2025
The best book about Great Goddess Isis🪽🤍
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews