Isis and Mary

            The Virgin Mary and the Cult of Isis.
             There are striking parallels between the Roman Catholic Virgin Mary and the ancient goddess Isis. In The Golden Ass of Apuleuis, Isis claims that she is "Nature, the universal Mother, mistress of all the elements, primordial child of time, sovereign of all thing spiritual, queen of the dead and queen of immortals"(524). The Virgin Mary, specifically in Catholicism, is often referred to as "The Queen of Heaven", "The Mother of Nature", and "Lady of the Earth" suggesting a possible connection between the many faucets of the central theology of the Cult of Isis and Catholicism. The goddess Isis and Virgin Mary, surprisingly, are two incredibly comparable individuals.
             First and foremost, the main deities of both the mystery cult of Isis and Catholicism are based on a "trinity" consisting of father, son and spirit. In the Catholic religion, this is formed by God, his son Jesus and the spirit of the Holy Ghost. This is comparable to Osiris, Horus and the spirit of Ka-mutef in the cult of Isis. Another important parallel is the relationship between mother and son. Mary, as depicted in many paintings, statues, and stained glass windows, is often times holding the divine child Jesus in her arms. Similarly, Isis and her son Horus were also portrayed in such a manner. Thirdly, the death and resurrection of Jesus as well as the subsequent promise of eternal life to his followers is eerily similar to the followers of Isis, as Osiris was once resurrected and promised an eternal life in the afterworld to his faithful believers as well. Also, in Roman Catholicism, Mary, mother of Jesus, is held to be "the Virgin Mary". In the worship of Isis, mother of Horus, Isis was believed to be a "Virgin Mother" whom also conceived without sin. In addition, Mary is often times prayed to just as Isis was. Catholics who pray the rosary are essentially praying to God through Mary's intercession.