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GEYSERVILLE, Calif. — Every day at noon, three tiny bells ring in Sonoma County’s Wine Country, and every day, people visiting the little town of Geyserville are welcomed inside a temple covered in hieroglyphics, at Isis Oasis Sanctuary. The lush 10-acre property is spiritual retreat inspired by an ancient Egyptian goddess.
“Isis is like the supreme goddess of ancient Egypt and, of course, you know, she’s had that name for millennia at this point. It’s not to be confused with any other ISIS, organizations,” sanctuary director de Traci Regula said.
The goddess Isis is a figure of many things, including healing, peace, celebration, and motherhood.
“Our foundress Loreon Vigné felt that, you know, the male side of spirituality had gotten plenty of attention,” Regula said.
Isis Oasis was founded in 1978 by the late Loreon Vigné, a Bay Area art shop owner who catered to Beat Generation poets from the 1950s and ’60s.
“She was an artist, a visionary, a priestess, a writer and a businesswoman. And all of these things combined to create what she considered a grand art project of Isis Oasis Sanctuary,” said Regula.
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Temple of Isis was formally recognized as a church in the state of California in 1996. De Traci said the property has been a magnet for musicians like the Grateful Dead and the former home of activist Dennis Perron.
“He is known as the Father of Medical Marijuana legislation, and he was the executive assistant to Harvey Milk,” Regula said.
Isis Oasis also welcomes overnight guests in their grand lodge. Each room is uniquely decorated with the theme of different goddesses. If you are looking to start a family, the Isis room might be what you are looking for.
“Supposedly, we’ve had a number of guests who have conceived in this room, and we actually get people who request this room specifically because they are trying to have a baby,” Regula said.
If you are looking to get in touch with nature, take a short walk up to the earthen fairy houses. The rooms are cozy and near a series of exotic bird cages and animal pens. Isis Oasis is not just a sanctuary for people but for unwanted or neglected animals as well.
There are more than 70 animals on the property. Regula said Isis Oasis founder Loreon Vigné loved animals and even helped care for endangered felines.
“She was also considered to be the one of the first, if not the first person to successfully breed ocelots in the United States,” Regula said.
Isis Oasis Sanctuary is a place for peace, art and exploring. A place that welcomes all to experience the property in their own way.
ANOTHER SPIRITUAL CENTER ON THE BACKROADS: The Sea Ranch Chapel was built by a team of artists as a place for curious travelers to discover, reflect and spiritually reconnect.
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