Fellowship of Isis Liturgy FAQ

This page has been added to the COI site in order to better facilitate answering the many questions and overall tremendously enthusiastic response received on the Circle of Isis online group, the Circle of Isis website e-mail, and by members of the COI Advisory Board.

Anyone who may have further questions or concerns about this FAQ of the contents of the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy on the COI website is genuinely welcome to contact us at isiscircleonline@yahoo.com

Origin of the FOI Liturgy

From Olivia Robertson: Creation of the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy

Interview with Olivia Robertson

FOI Liturgy and the COI site

From Olivia Robertson - Content of FOI Liturgy on the COI Website

FOI Liturgy Content and Copyright

Q. Why do some of the terms and spellings seem different?

American FOI members may notice British spelling and terms are used throughout the liturgy such as the term "pot plant" instead of "potted plant." "Color" is spelled "colour", "traveler" is spelled "traveller", "jewelry" is spelled "jewellery", "center" is spelled "center", “realize” is spelled “realise,” "organize" is spelled "organise," etc.

Spelling in the United Kingdom and countries of the British Commonwealth (these countries offer a spelling system that more closely resembles British spelling but differs slightly in some cases), and in the United States all have different preferences. Use of various terms will differ, and in some cases meanings of words may differ slightly.

Q. How were the rituals reproduced for inclusion on the website?

A. All the rituals and introductory materials from the liturgy were typed out by hand, using printed copies of the liturgy books from Cesara Publications as a source.

Although the idea of scanning the liturgy from the books for use on the COI website was tempting due to time constraints, we have never presented scanned versions of the rituals on our website. Our decision not to scan was made in part because the process of scanning produces inherent typographical errors in the text. Scanning would have seemingly lightened our workload in some ways, but complicated it in other ways.

Q. When was the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy first published onto the Circle of Isis website?

A. The corrected Fellowship of Isis Liturgy was first published onto the internet when we launched our present website, on November 19th, 2005.

Q. When did members of the Circle of Isis Advisory Board begin working on the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy as a project?

A. Our agreement with Lady Olivia to proofread and preserve the liturgy was formalized several years prior to the formation of the Circle of Isis. We are all longtime, active FOI members and hold various titles in the FOI clergy and Daughter Societies of the FOI (Druid Clan of Dana and Noble Order of Tara). We have all had a relationship with the FOI and Lady Olivia for many years.

Q. How long did it take to finish the research, corrections and typing out of the liturgy?

A. The Liturgy of the Fellowship of Isis presented on the Circle of Isis website is the result of a period of research that extended over several years and a period of typing the final drafts that extended over one year.

Q. The format of the rituals is slightly changed from that in the books, does it change the wording of the text?

A. The format of the rituals is clear and precise, making them easier to read and perform. The minor changes in format have not altered the wording of the rituals.

Q. Did the Circle of Isis Advisory Board research and correct all of the FOI Liturgy or just some of it?

A. The complete text of the liturgy that was first written by Lady Olivia Robertson, who was guided through direct inspiration from Deity, and published by her through Cesara Publications, has been carefully corrected, restored and preserved on the Circle of Isis webpages.

Q. What is the nature of the corrections that were made?

A. Each rite contains corrections of all typographical errors and misspellings, standardization of spelling of names of locations, individuals and names of Deities within the rituals, corrections of previously published errors in the original publications of the FOI Liturgy, poetry entries returned to their proper format, expanded and corrected entries of the literary sources used for the rituals and the inclusion of previously omitted text that has never before been published.

The letter below was written by Olivia at Isis Oasis after reviewing the last of the corrections, edits and revisions, prior to the publishing of the Circle of Isis website on November 19, 2005.

Q. Is the Fellowship of Isis Liturgy presented on the Circle of Isis website different from that presented elsewhere?

A. Yes, the liturgy as presented on the Circle of Isis website is unique. It contains corrections of previously published errors that existed in the original publications of the FOI Liturgy and includes previously omitted text that cannot be found elsewhere.

This is why we state that the FOI Liturgy presented on the COI website is unique. There are some differences in the ritual text due to corrections, standardization of spelling, and the inclusion of previously omitted text, and greatly expanded source listings. It is necessary to explain this so FOI members will understand why they will find some differences between the ritual text presented elsewhere (both in book form and online), and the ritual text as presented on the COI website.

Q. Is the FOI Liturgy on the Circle of Isis website protected by copyright? And if so, is it the same copyright that Olivia shares with other FOI members who obtain permission to publish the liturgy?

A. Due to the corrections, altering of format and all other proofing, research, typing, editing and revisions within the FOI Liturgy presented on the Circle of Isis website, it is considered by law, a legally separate work, thus protected by a separate, legal copyright.

The FOI liturgy on the Circle of Isis website, which is legally protected by a separate copyright, is therefore not included in any sharing of copyright of the liturgy that Olivia Robertson may decide to extend to other FOI members.

Q. If someone wanted to obtain permission to reproduce any materials or liturgy from the Circle of Isis website, how is it achieved?

A. All content on the Circle of Isis website, including written materials, photos and the liturgy are protected by copyright and not to be reproduced without first acquiring permission of the COI Advisory Board. Permission is only obtained through unanimous vote by members of the COI Advisory Board.

Q. Why did the Circle of Isis Advisory Board state that the liturgy published on the COI website was the first corrected version of the liturgy on the internet?

A. Because it is true. We posted this notice for purposes of documentation to further protect the legacy Lady Olivia has entrusted to us. Contributions made by all FOI members and FOI related websites must be archived for future posterity. This is why we have worked so hard to gather materials about the many significant contributions made by members of the Fellowship of Isis featured on other pages of this website. For this reason our FOI Archives section is rapidly expanding! As Olivia herself has stated: "We are all part of a Rainbow Network of Harmony. Each brings to the whole a unique ray of gifts." The work of all FOI members is deeply appreciated by the Circle of Isis Advisory Board.

Q. Why did members of the Circle of Isis research and type out a corrected version of the liturgy?

A. There are several reasons: (a) like other FOI members, we recognize and value the spiritual teachings contained within the liturgy, (b) we wish to honor the life's work of Lady Olivia, (c) this is one way we could contribute something unique to the Fellowship of Isis community, and (d) Olivia asked us to do it!

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