As An Bhean O Tara
The Noble Order of Tara
Pro Dea Et Natura
(Environmental Conservation)
A Foundation Center Society within the Fellowship of Isis, the
Noble Order of Tara was founded on Beltane, May 1st, 1989, by the acting Chancellors, the late Lawrence Durdin-Robertson
and his sister, Olivia Robertson. The mottos of the society are "As An Bhean O Tara" (All Glory to Tara) and "Pro Dea Et Natura"
(For Goddess and Nature). Olivia writes in the introduction of her book, "The Call of Isis", "We are gardeners of the
earth, as in Eden. We are guardians looking after all the species, and are part of the great symbiosis of animal and angel."
The Noble Order of Tara was created upon receipt of a request from
Douglas Reagan. He contacted Lawrence Durdin-Robertson asking for the creation of an Order of Chivalry
with the intention of conserving nature. Douglas Reagan received the first accolade of knighthood.
In 1979, the Chief Herald of Ireland had matriculated Lawrence as the twenty-first
Baron of Strathloch. As a member of the Baronic Court, Lawrence Durdin-Robertson had the authority to bestow knighthood within
it. He became Chancellor of the Noble Order of Tara upon his founding of the order in late 1989.
Olivia Robertson is the current Chancellor of the Noble Order of Tara which is often designated by the capital letters of
it’s name - NOT. Olivia writes that there will be no future Chancellor after she "departs for spirit sphere".
This is an Order of Chivalry, organized into chapters, which are designated
as a Priory. Every Priory is founded and headed by a Grand Dame Commander or Grand Knight Commander. Priories within the Noble
Order of Tara work tirelessly to provide environmental awareness, preservation and healing of our Mother Earth.
The tutelary Goddess of this Order of Chivalry is Tara of Ireland and Asia,
Tara of 108 Names. Besides being the name of the Goddess, Tara is also the name of the hill where the Kings of Ireland were
crowned. The name Tara in ancient times was Tea-mhair. It was the ancient capital of Ireland, and served both as the religious
and cultural center of the whole country. Tara is named after the Goddess of the de Danaan, Tea who founded Tara with the
help of her sister, the Goddess Tephi. Together these two goddesses were the patronesses of the noble and sacred Assemblies
of Tara. Tea was wife of the first Milesian king who was named Eremon. The Milesians were described in the 12th century text
"Leabhar Gabhala Eireann", or the "Book of Invasions," as the ancestors of the present day Irish people. Excavations at the
ancient site of Tara have uncovered surviving physical evidence that dates back to 2000 BCE. (This information comes from
Lawrence Durdin-Robertson’s book "Juno Covella: Perpetual Calendar of the Fellowship of Isis," Cesara Publishing, 1982.)
Like the other branches of the Fellowship of Isis, the Noble Order of Tara
has it’s own Initiation System of Rituals. There are 12 Initiations divided into 4 Grades. The Grand Dame Commander
or Grand Knight Commander offers a structured course of study within the Priory, which culminates in the performances of rites
for each grade within the Noble Order of Tara. As with all other centers in the various branches of the Fellowship of Isis,
each course of study provided within the Priories of the Noble Order of Tara are unique and original based on inspiration
received by the Head of the Priory through the Patron or Patroness Deity or Deities of the Priory.
The Grades and Rituals of the Noble Order of Tara liturgy are taken from the
following FOI books, "Melusina, Life Centers of the Goddess",
Gaea: Initiations of the Earth" and from "Isis of Fellowship,
How the Fellowship of Isis was Founded", chapter six.
INITIATION into a Priory of the Noble of Order of Tara
Initiation into a Noble Order of Tara Priory is conferred through the ritual "Tara and Lugh: The Ordeal
of the Danaan Treasures" from the FOI Liturgy book "Gaea, Initiations of the Earth." This rite confers the designation
of Priory Companion upon an individual who is willing to commit to the work of the Priory. This rite is separate from the
Rites of the Grades listed below.
Gaea, Initiations of the Earth (Part I. Initiation of the Elements, 1 Rite)
Tara and Lugh: The Ordeal of the Danaan Treasures
Rituals for the Grades of the Noble Order of Tara
The rituals for the four NOT grades can be found in the FOI Liturgy book "Melusina, Life Centres of the Goddess".
A link to the book of rituals and a listing of the rituals and the grades they are corresponded to are listed directly below.
Melusina, Life Centres of the Goddess (All Rites)
1st Grade: Dame/Knight
1. Initiation of the Pylons
2. The Awakening of the Golden Phoenix
3. The Descent of the White Eagle
2nd Grade: Lady/Lord of the Grael
4. Arousing the Kundalini Serpent
5. Creation of Life Forms
6. Dawn of the Inner Sun
3rd Grade: Dame/Knight Commander
7. Opening the Heart’s Rose
8. Unfolding Wings
9. Music of the Spheres
4th Grade: Grand Dame/Knight Commander
10. Opening the Eye of Vision
11. Crowned with Glory
12. Lighting the Rainbow Aura
You may view these rituals by clicking on this link:
CONSECRATION of the Grades of the Noble Order of
Tara
Consecration of a Dame/Knight is used to consecrate a Dame/Knight in the Noble Order of Tara. This rite is performed after the grade of Dame/Knight
has been achieved. It can be found in chapter six of "Isis of Fellowship, How the Fellowship of Isis was Founded."
This rite is separate from the Rites of the Grades listed above.
The Grand Dame/Knight Commander is given the authority to create their
own consecration rites for the following grades:
Lady/Lord of the Grael (presentation
of a Chalice)
Dame/Knight Commander (presentation
of a Brooch of Tara and Sash)
Grand Dame/Knight Commander
(presentation of a Stone of Destiny for the new Priory).
