The Egyptian Myth of Isis and Osiris Zachary F. Lansdowne
Ancient Egyptian Myths H elena P. Blavatsky (1831–1891), co- founder of the Theosophical Society, be- lieved that ancient myths contained concealed truths. She wrote: “Myths... are now proved to be fables, just in proportion as we misunder- stand them; truths, in proportion as they were once understood .” 1 Regarding ancient Egyp- tian myths, Blavatsky stated: “The Egyptian priests have forgotten much , they altered noth- ing . The loss of a good deal of the primitive teaching was due to the sudden deaths of the great Hierophants, who passed away before they had time to reveal all to their successors; mostly, to the absence of worthy heirs to the knowledge . Yet they have preserved in their rituals and dogmas the principal teachings of the secret doctrine . ” 2 We will investigate the truths concealed within the ancient myth of Isis and Osiris, which is perhaps the best known story in Egyptian my- thology. There are several versions of the myth. 3 The version that we will consider ...