Another reason Loreon moved was because of her love for ocelots (and later for servals, the "hunting cats" of ancient Egypt as well). Both animals are endangered species. On my visit in 2012 I was delighted when Loreon let me visit with several of the big cats. Ocelots can purr, but they don't "meow", they just growl their pleasure or dislike. It was quite a treat to sit with a gorgeous cat the size of a good sized dog who growled convincingly like a tiger to let me know he wanted his ears rubbed.
"While
in the city of Saint Francis, patron saint of all living creatures, I
discovered my passion for one of the most beautiful cats on the planet -
The Ocelot. I have been working with Ocelots since the mid-1960’s and
have created a vibrant family tree of Ocelots. To my knowledge I am the
only one at this time to have bred a seventh generation domestic born
Ocelot, and it is my hope to continue to create more of this highly
endangered feline species of North America for future generations to
enjoy. There are some that believe that Ocelots should stay purely in the wild to live or to die. Commonly held knowledge shows the difficulties that this amazing species faces in the wild - Poachers who hunt them for their beautiful fur, although it is an illegal practice, and the deforestation of their habitats. Therefore I believe that a population of Ocelots kept in captivity is the only way to ensure their continued survival, for in ten years there may no longer be any Ocelots left in the wild in North America".
Loreon Vigne
Hymn to Isis
Bestower of Wealth, Queen of the Gods,
Speaker of Wisdom, Omnipotent Lady,
Agathe Tyche, greatly renowned Isis
through you, Heaven and Earth have their being;
and the gusts of winds and the sun with its sweet light
All who live on the boundless earth invoke your fair name,
honored among all
Syrians honor you as Astarte, Artemis, Nanaia; Lycians as Leto, the Lady;
Thracians name you Mother of the Gods;
and the Greeks Hera of the Great Throne, Aphrodite,
noble Hestia, Rhea and Demeter.
But the Egyptians call you ‘The Goddess’;
for you are all other goddesses invoked by humankind.
–Isidorus, ca. 100 BCE. Adapted from Vera Frederika Vanderlip (1972) in The Four Greek Hymns of Isidorus and The Cult of Isis. Toronto: Hakkert.
 |
| White Peacock at Isis Oasis |
 |
| Mana Youngbear sweeping before the Temple of Isis |
 |
| "Dirt Sculpture" fire pit |
I can't
write about Loreon and Isis Oasis without including Lady Olivia. Lady Olivia, who co-founded the Fellowship of Isis
with her brother in Ireland (and now around the world) passed away in 2013. Recently a movie
has been made about the Fellowship and Lady Olivia - She came to
Isis Oasis for Convocation and initiation of priestesses for many years
from her home in Ireland. If you have met any of the Fellowship, you
immediately are struck by what a wonderful, warm, life-affirming and
creative group of people they are.
I shall miss Lady Loreon, and it is my hope that the Sanctuary for the Goddess that she dedicated herself to will continue.
Thank you, Loreon. We will all miss you.
Lady Loreon Vigne dies at age 82
Friday, July 18th, 2014 by Deborah Mitchel ServalVigne started a program welcoming classrooms of children from Sonoma County and beyond to teach them about the once endangered animals and their unique home at the Geyserville sanctuary. Last month, Vigne hosted the Geyserville Chamber of Commerce’s end of year dinner with a surprise guest, a snake dancer wrapped in a 20-foot live snake.
Lady Loreon Vigne was married to the late San Francisco beat era film maker, Dion Vigne who died in 1970. Lady Loreon Vigne’s artistic career started in San Francisco where she was an artist and crafts person. Vigne created a line of giftware and jewelry called Noir Enamelcraft. Her gallery specialized in enamels and stained glass was located in downtown San Francisco.Isis Oasis
Lady Loreon had a collection of exotic Ocelot cats at her home and workshop on Isis Street in San Francisco. When the regulations against owning exotic cats in San Francisco were imposed, Lady Loreon moved to Geyserville to provide a new home for her exotic cats.
Isis Street was one more thread in the woven cloth of the Isis Oasis beginning. Lady Loreon had a series of encounters with the Goddess Isis, and decided to transform the property into an Egyptian themed retreat center. Vigne personally created stained glass pieces all over the property, and built enclosures for her cats and exotic birds she began to acquire. Over time the animal sanctuary was born. 34 years later Isis Oasis has provided a place for artists to be creative and groups to use the space for retreats, workshops, weddings, concerts, and myriad other activities.
Vigne was an author and poet, with past speaking engagements at the Wells Fargo Center, local bookstores and Isis Oasis. Lady Loreon leaves a living legacy in Geyserville, Isis Oasis.
