Stefanya Ebony, Nyx and Dion-Isis!
FOUNDERS OF THE ISEUM OF ISIS PAEDUSIS
Thanks to Stefanya for contributing these bios!
Thanks to Stefanya for contributing these bios!
The Iseum of Isis Paedusis (which means �Isis the Lady Professor�) was the brainchild of Dion-Isis, whose occupation as a college professor of English and Creative Writing inspired the name. Nyx, an art historian, and Stephania Ebony, an editor and writer, are cofounders of the Iseum, which was chartered by the Fellowship of Isis and the Temple of Isis Los Angeles in January of 2002. All three were dedicated to the Fellowship of Isis in 1999 and became priestesses in that tradition in 2005.
Dion-Isis, an oft-published poet, short story writer, and journalist under the name Denise Dumars, is a member of the Horror Writers of America and is very active in that genre. In the metaphysical realm, she is a frequent contributor to Llewellyn�s almanacs and other serials, and has published several articles in �Fate� magazine and other magazines. A former library professional who was once the publisher of her own Gothic and horror �zine�, she has published a short story collection and is currently working on several treatments and books, including a mystery with occult undertones. Her pagan books included "The Dark Archetype: exploring the shadow-side of the divine" (co-authored with Lori Nyx) and "Be Blessed".
Dion-Isis conceived the Iseum of Paedusis as an intellectual oasis where students
and scholars could gather together to discuss ancient history, magick, occultism and the psychic arts, and re-enact the mythologies and mysteries of Ancient Egypt and other pantheons. Her scholarly approach, her driving creativity, her acerbic wit and her genuine love for the Goddess have brought forth unique, one-of-a-kind rituals, meditations, workshops and workings. Lori Nyx is an art historian and a modern-day maenad who shares her knowledge of the ancient world through the written and visual arts. Her familiarity with religious iconography and sacred sites is impressive. A denizen of rock music, particularly of an edgier variety, and a fount of knowledge about dark gods and goddesses, Nyx is the owner/moderator of the Yahoo group, South_Bay_Pagans. Her flair for color and decoration, along with her flair for art has contributed to the aesthetic beauty of Iseum events. Nyx�s humor and Discordian edge harmonize with her spiritual intensity and form her special trademark in her academic and magickal writing as well as in her ritual work.
Stephania, the Iseum's �official High Priestess�, was initiated as a first degree Gardnerian Witch in 1972 and subsequently received her second and third degrees from a Magickal Order in the mid-Seventies. She began studying with Ed Fitch ("Magical Rites from the Crystal Well" and "Grimoire of the Shadows") in the early 1980s and was ordained as a minister in Ed Fitch�s Church of Natural Religion in 1987. She moderates several Yahoo groups: (1) Goddess of Joy, a Shrine of the Ladies of Flame (Goddesses of inspiration, fire, creativity, passion, and fierceness) in multiple pantheons; (2) Sails of Charon, which deals with death, reincarnation and the afterlife; and Hem Netjer, which is devoted to studying and learning about Ancient Egypt from a Neo-Kemetic perspective. Stephania is a writer, editor, critic, poet and reviewer (technical and otherwise) by trade. She will soon start collaborating on a book with New Zealand astrologer Sarah Anderson and several occult and metaphysical titles with Ed Fitch.