The Fellowship of Isis is an international, multi-faith spiritual organization dedicated to honoring the Goddess Isis and promoting awareness of the Divine Feminine. It was formally founded on the vernal equinox of 1976 at Clonegal Castle in County Carlow, Ireland. The founders were Olivia Robertson, her brother Lawrence Durdin-Robertson, and his wife Pamela Durdin-Robertson. The organization developed out of an earlier group they established in 1963, the Huntington Castle Centre for Meditation and Study, which brought together individuals interested in theology and esoteric traditions.
Olivia Robertson was born in London on April 13, 1917, and studied at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art and at the National University in Dublin. She later worked for the Dublin Corporation and pursued a career as an author and illustrator. In 1946, she reported experiencing a vision of the Divine Feminine, which later informed the creation of the Fellowship.
From its inception in 1976, the Fellowship centered its theology on the figure of the Goddess Isis, understood by its founders as a representation of divinity in female form. The organization teaches that Isis embodies spiritual forces associated with the Aquarian Age. It presents its mission as addressing perceived global imbalances linked to materialism, environmental concerns, and conflict, and promotes a shift toward values associated with nurturing and healing, while maintaining a balance between feminine and masculine principles.
The Fellowship distinguishes itself from Neopagan traditions by identifying as an ecumenical and non-exclusive organization. It accepts members from a wide range of religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shinto, and Wicca. Members are not required to renounce prior beliefs and are encouraged to integrate their personal practices with Fellowship teachings. Membership is open without fees and requires only agreement with the principles outlined in its Manifesto. The organization does not impose secrecy or exclusive commitments and prohibits sacrifice while discouraging ascetic practices.
The group’s spiritual practices are largely based on liturgies written by Olivia Robertson. These rituals draw on mythological sources and contemporary interpretations of Goddess spirituality, incorporating elements from historical and cultural traditions. To organize its activities, the Fellowship developed a decentralized structure composed of several affiliated bodies. These include the College of Isis, the Spiral of the Adepti, the Spiral of Alchemy, and the Noble Order of Tara.
Robinson remained active in the organization for decades, including representing it at the 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago as an opening plenary speaker. She continued her involvement until her death on November 14, 2013, at the age of 96. Following her death, custodianship of the Fellowship of Isis Foundation Centre remained within the Durdin-Robertson family. In 2011, Robertson designated her niece, Cressida Pryor, as her successor. In October 2014, Pryor established the Circle of Brigid to function as a central governing body for the Foundation Centre. This group oversees organizational matters, including festivals held at Huntington Castle and a subcommittee responsible for addressing internal ethical concerns.
Internal estimates from leadership indicate a current membership exceeding 24,000 in more than 100 countries.
Key Sources:
Adler, M. (2006). Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America Today. Penguin/Arcana.
Maignant, C. (2011). Irish base, global religion: the Fellowship of Isis. Cambridge Scholars.
Robertson, O. (1992). The Handbook of the Fellowship of Isis. Cesara Publications.