The Passion of Isis and Osiris

by Jean Houston

"The story of Isis and Osiris really begins with their conception and their siblings' conception in the belly of Nut, the great heavenly goddess. Theirs is a tale of passion, love, sorrow, betrayal, and forgiveness. The remembrance of love lost and found and lost again. It is also a story about the jealousy of brothers, the pain of death, and the transformative joy that arises unexpectedly from the bitter fruit of sorrows."
--Jean Houston
In The Passion of Isis and Osiris, Jean Houston, internationally renowned philosopher, psychologist, and explorer of world myth, takes us deep into the mysteries of Egypt, land of the ancient soul within us all. It is a culture in which every moment is filled with the interplay of human and divine.
At the very center of Egyptian life, and its most eternal legacy to the world, is hieroglyphic thinking. The Egyptians created a language and perception of reality in which many meanings dance together--mind and emotion, spirit and material, thought, word, and image all coalesce in a single vibrant synergy. Divine humans interact with living gods and guides who link the worlds of nature, humanity, and cosmic spirit.
Jean Houston brings this world to wonderful life, showing how the myth of Isis and Osiris gives modern readers a design for the marriage of body and soul, life and death, the tangible and the hidden. She shows how--in detailed exercises and dramatic enactments that can be done in groups or alone--we can identify the Isis and Osiris that are seeking reunion in each of us.
The Passion of Isis and Osiris re-creates nothing less than a moment of Egyptian magic that allows us to enter a consciousness that is the gateway to transcendent love. This story of two spiritual soulmates still has resonance for us today, whether we are seeking to join the disparate parts of self or searching for a mate to bond with, soul to soul.

Genres: Egypt, Nonfiction, Astrology, History, Mythology

437 pages, Hardcover

First published January 3, 1996

About the author

Jean Houston, PhD, is a renowned teacher, philosopher, and scholar and was one of the creators of the human potential movement. With a remarkable list of colleagues and mentors that includes Aldous Huxley, Joseph Campbell, Helen Keller, and Buckmister Fuller, Houston shares her profound wisdom through engaging, firsthand accounts. With PhDs in both psychology and spirituality, Houston has worked in the field of social artistry and in over 100 countries and 40 cultures. As a consultant to the United Nations and other international agencies, she has created many programs offering training and solutions to cultural and social problems. She has written several dozen books, won numerous awards, and has been a professor at universities in the United States.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A guidebook to study the Egyptian myth/story. I didn't have time to read all of the course and do the exercises, so I'll need to check it out again. I loved this passage from it:

We journey within to seek the great patterns and stories, the forgotten music and knowings of earlier and even deeper phases of our existence, down the seedings of evolution to come, to the structures within the self that remain unfulfilled and unfinished. These are our hidden heroic potentials, which in myth often appear as secret helpers. We must view these forgotten or neglected potentials for living the larger life as deep codings of the Source – the Infinite within. By uncovering them, by having the courage to cleanse, purify, and prepare our soul for the difficult task of becoming an instrument through which the Source may play its great music, we become part of the energy, raising consciousness to its next level of possibility.

[Jake Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth reading. I've been interested in the myth of Isis and Osirus for many years, but this book has given it a whole new dimension and context for personal growth and transformation. The exercises presented are also have great therapeutic value. I am truly glad I came across this book.

[Gabi T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finalmente terminei. Livro divisor de águas e que aprofunda bastante o tema. Não recomendo para iniciantes. PS: acho o título meio brega e não faz jus ao conteúdo do livro.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first 50-80 pages are just a glorified fan fiction the author wrote of the Osiris Myth and it’s rudimentary at best. Lack of research.

The only reason I am giving a two star is that the journal prompts—I feel—are nice to have for a spiritual practice. It will help give a deeper understanding of yourself. However, these prompts are easily found elsewhere so the book isn’t necessary.

As with most new agey spiritual practices and books, it doesn’t give you a deeper understanding of Ancient Egypt, it’s culture and history. It was expected it’d focus on Iset and Ausir, however, it falls short on research for the other deities.

-10/10 would not truly recommend.

You can find better historical books even on Iset. I would suggest Isis Magic by Isidora Forrest. While this book is made for a priestess path, she goes into great information on Iset and her history.

[J.L. Vasche · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the break down of this old story.

[Liquidlasagna · Rating 2 out of 5]

fan fiction with

a more interesting psychological-spiritual exercise/path

don't expect good research with the Aegytology though