Circle of Isis: Ancient Egyptian Magic for Modern Witches

by Ellen Cannon Reed

Come to know the deities of ancient Egypt and how these gods and goddesses can enrich your lite. Included are meditations and techniques to help bring these deities into your life.

Genres: Paganism, Egypt, Nonfiction, Witchcraft, Egyptian Literature, Spirituality, Magick

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2002

About the author

Priestess of the Isian Tradition of Witchcraft. She lived in Southern California. She was also the founder of the Internet Relay Chat Channel #witchcraft on Undernet.org network. Died from leukemia in 2003.

Reviews

[Fanny Fae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, "Circle of Isis" was earlier printed by the Publisher, Llewellyn Publications, as "Invocation of the Gods" back in the early 90's. In the previous volume, there were a good number of illustrations of the various deities, as well as other projects for those interested in the Egyptian religion. This edition has omitted almost all of this, and the book is not improved since Ellen Cannon Reed passed away a few years ago. For the record, in among the university-level Egyptology books, I still have my copy of "Invocation of the Gods".

I do not know all of the details surrounding this book's being reprinted, but was fairly well acquainted with the author, the late Ellen Cannon Reed, via the very fledgling online pagan community on IRC Undernet channels #witchcraft and #wicca. She and I talked at length about her books. In among some of our more animated (and extremely heated) discussions about how the use of shwabti figures were not intended for the living as some sort of Egyptian "voodoo dolls", she confided to me that she felt Llewellyn pretty much screwed her over on this book - and that it wasn't what she wanted it to be. She further said that the editorial staff put it in and out of print so fast that she really didn't make all that much and as a result she was extremely bitter over it. It is possible, however, that Llewellyn, never one to turn down potential markets, and the "hotness" of all things Egyptian surrounding the time of this book's re-release under a new name.I sincerely hope that Ellen was able to get something out of it at the end of her life when leukemia overtook her at last.

This book is not perfect. Ellen never claimed to be any sort of authority on the subject of ancient Egyptian religion. She loved the Egyptian gods and culture and always said that it had been a labor of love for her. Given how much she loved Isis (Aset) and the other Gods, as well as her willingness to be out there for the younger generation of Pagan seekers, perhaps folks could forgive the shortcommings of the book - which to someone like me who is an Egyptian reconstructionist, would say that there are quite a few. It gives someone a starting place and sooner or later, that seeker will be exposed to others who have similar interests and they will find other books that will give more info on a spiritual system that is very complex and takes several years to understand and to master.

[Arshia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really interesting read. While I loved that the author talked of the gods and goddesses through her own lens as a Wiccan practitioner, I would have liked some information that went slightly beyond the realm of personal intuition and her relationships with the deities. That's not to say I didn't enjoy reading about her experiences because I really did! I felt like I had a personal connection with the deities the author talked about owing to her warm and loving writing. If anything, I wish she talked about the deities - even just her experiences and perceptions - for longer! The latter half of the book has a lot more information about prayers, meditations, rituals, recipes, and DIY projects, a lot of which didn't particularly interest me that much so I ended up skimming through several pages when things got too technical (ingredients, specific types of wood, crafting materials are not my cup of tea). But then again, that is more personal preference than anything. If you're someone who's looking for that type of information, this book is quite helpful!

Honestly, I have no idea how I found this book, but as a staunch believer in "the books you read come to you exactly when you need them to," I'm very glad I did. Some parts did resonate with me very deeply and for that I am thankful.

[thomas scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has nothing to do with ancient egyptian religion. It maybe Wicca, but just taking the gods and goddesses of another religion without the understanding of that religion is like saying you worship Jesus but ignore the Bible. There are so many many things wrong with this book and attempted used of the religion. Egyptians weren't reincarnationist. They believed the next life was a continuation of this one. If you were found unworthy and your soul was eaten by Ammit, you died a second, permanent death. You were not reborn.
I expected a book and belief influenced by ancient egypt, not something that stole the names of its gods and goddesses built upon understandings from personal relationships with each one. I'm not trying to insensitive, but try to have respect for the religion.

[Storm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nice 'Jump off' book for beginners and those just getting into the whole Ancient Egyptian Pagan thing. This one takes a more Wicca-ish twist, I think, but still has plenty of pretty neat info and ideas, so if your not following a Wicca-ish variant of Ancient Egyptian Beliefs, don't knock this book just because, give it a chance first.

[Andre Berzins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not Kermeticism. Once that this is cleared, the book is surprisingly easy to read and full of personal experiences that let the reader in the coven´s relationship with the pantheon depicted.

I am not a big fan of Wicca, but this book offers some good insights.

[Wraith Tate · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tried to finish this book, but the author seems to come across (at least to me) as having an incredibly superior attitude.

[Ravyn Shadowdrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I found that did not paint Set as Absolute Evil. Kudos! I totally agree. :-)

[Amanda Pagano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has interesting information on ancient Egyptian gods with a Wiccan twist.

[Fourcyjackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I started this last year, 2023.

I thought this would be more of a sit down book to which there is a story, but it turned out to be more of an Instructional Book which is not bad in itself. So, 5 stars for all the information. I don’t practice Wicca per se, but I am a pagan who is in connection with Lady Bastet. I find that her accounts of Lady Bastet are true lol it’s the same with my relationship with her 😂

Thanks, this is a very interesting book and shall go back to it when I need to review certain practices

[Gabi T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Três estrelas sendo generosa. Achei superficial e muito focado apenas nas práticas pessoais dela. Esperava mais deste livro. A linguagem também é bem simples, me incomodou.
(Embora a descrição de Nut e Geb tenham me rendido um dos sonhos mais lindos que já tive. Gratidão por isso.)

[Anastasia Mpimpa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring book filled with insights and well written. Anyone desiring to work with the ancient Egyptian pantheon in a Wiccan structure must read it. Even if Wicca is not your cup of tea, it has great meditations to reach out to the Deities and is seriously researched.

[Nikki Marie Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!! So happy that I bought it and I highly recommended it to people are interested in Tameran Wicca. However, there isn't a wheel of the year in it but you'll find Egyptian holidays that are really interesting

[Sue Guerth]

Ordered from Amazon this week!

[Landon Buttrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't question me.