Saturday, December 14, 2019

Dulce Domum: Patricia Griffin



Patricia Joan Griffin, Priestess
Dulce Domum December 12, 2019

In loving memory of Patricia Joan Griffin (née Cahill), who passed away after a long illness. She was one of the original members of the Fellowship of Isis and a longtime participant in rituals at the temple at Clonegal castle. Patricia founded one of the first lyceums in the College of Isis of the Fellowship of Isis. It was named the Lyceum of Aine and Sophia and operated in Dublin, Ireland. Patricia was designated a member of the Archpriesthood Union when it was founded by Olivia Robertson in 1999; and appointed by Olivia as a member of the Circle of Brighid in 2004, and the Nemeton of Dana in 2006. She was chosen by Olivia Robertson as the priestess who would head rituals at the temple at the castle when Olivia was no longer able to do so. The trust Olivia placed in her, spoke volumes of Patricia’s integrity and capabilities as a priestess. Olivia often referred fondly to Patricia when conversing with visitors at her home and during her travels outside of Ireland. 

Olivia once wrote: “I’m trustee of the Temple of Isis here and my nephew owns the castle. Archpriestess and Hierophant Patricia Griffin will assist in maintaining festivals, and because of her I know rites will continue to be performed there when I’ve gone.”  

Unfortunately, Patricia Griffin was, by the time of Olivia’s death, not able to fulfill this role due to health issues. Patricia was a resident of Dublin, Ireland, and was known and loved by many in the Fellowship of Isis and wider Goddess community. She was respected and enjoyed a friendship with both Lawrence Durdin-Robertson and Olivia Robertson for many years. 

Olivia Robertson also shared that Patricia was related to a prominent British political family, that of British Prime Minister Henry Asquith and Baroness Violet Asquith. The Baroness was a Dame Commander in the British Empire, who entered politics when it was rare for women to do so, and rare for a woman to be taken seriouisly! Patricia was also related through this family to the actress Helena Bonham Carter, according to Olivia, and was a distant relative of Florence Nightingale.

Patricia was featured in the segment about the Fellowship of Isis in “The Occult Experience” filmed by Neville Drury in 1985. Patricia was one of the FOI members asked by Olivia to participate in recording audio tapes of FOI liturgy rituals. An ordination of a member of her lyceum as priestess was filmed for a program which aired on the Learning Channel, produced by the University of Los Angeles in 1997. Patricia Griffin, we thank you for your years of faithful service and we say your name that you may live! May you dance along the starry pathways!