Who is Isis Navigium?
Isis Navigium, Isis of the Ships, is the patron of sailors. Joanna Powell Colbert created this exquisite Goddess
portrait, which I love particularly because this Goddess looks like real women I know.
How did Isis get associated with ships?
Although we know Isis in Egypt as "Isis of the Ten Thousand Names," and although we know Her in many
aspects: Queen, Mother, Lady of Magic, Divine Physician, and Savior, you may wonder how a Goddess from a desert
land like Egypt became a Goddess of Ships...
"When Egypt became part of the Roman Empire, Greek merchants brought the worship of Isis from Alexandria to
Rome and invoked Her as inventor of the sail, patron of navigation, and ruler of the waves. Temples were built
for Her, at first, outside the city, and then within Rome."* In the early years of the Roman Empire, She had
temples throughout the Empire, from Greece to Rome and even to Londinium. Her loving-kindness and her powerful
magic spoke to women everywhere.
How can I celebrate Isis Navigium?
You can commune with Isis Navigium on March 5, the Isidis Navigium, the Feast of the Ship of Isis, by making small
cardboard boats to carry your offerings and prayers to her. Light a small candle in each boat and send it forth
to Her in a body of water.
* Quoted from Diana Paxson, "Isis of the Ships," SageWoman, Issue #29, Spring, 1995
For more information on Joanna Powell Colbert's Goddess portraits, contact her at:
