The Vlenndra

Bowynn Gods: Dadjall

Dadjall (Dhad-jhal)  Dadjall is the Bowynn god who leads souls from the shore of Daunat to the presence of Lord Chumash and Lady Kalma. Dadjall is in fact the son of Kalma and Chumash and the brother of many chthonic gods. Despite is dark occupation; he is a friendly and said to be a very handsome god.

     Because Dadjall is always tending the dead, he has had no encounters with the living mortals outside of the gods Kord and Brenda. And though labor-some, Dadjall’s work is a labor of love, as he gets to travel though the most beautiful land in creation. So, he has never complained. However, because of his duty, he has never been graced to find a love nor know what mortals are like.

     Dadjall is rarely depicted, save for funerary articles. However, his image rarely changes. According to the accounts of Kord and Brenda, Dadjall is a young handsome immortal god, and he is a charmer, according to Brenda. His clothing is a mix of black and scarlet or burgundy in color with a loose scarf about his neck, wrapped about a couple of times. In hand he carries a tall walking staff with a large round quartz ball on the top, representing the Soul and Spirit in one. Often with him, at his side is a dog. So, his basic image is that of "a boy and his dog." All in all, Dadjall has the image of a wanderer. Sacred to him are all funerary offerings: incense, flower, fresh water, votive candles and votive dog images.

Blessed Winter Solstice

My Personal Prayer to Alaway

O Alaway, revered sanctuary, majestic home of the gods, I lift my heart and voice in veneration before your turquoise splendor, a creation of lord Anhur's devotion to his beloved Rhya. In the grandeur of your A-shaped embrace, where the river Muet sings beneath your foundation, I seek the warmth of your divine presence. O Alaway, dining hall of the celestial, I honor the sacred hearth that blazes in green marble brilliance, a beacon of light sustained by the hands of Io, Phoenix, and Hyu. May the aroma of divine feasts fill the air, as your kitchen, tended by the mighty, nourishes the gods and stirs the fabric of existence. I lay before you my offerings of reverence, my heart woven with gratitude for the Ano-Taya, who, through their loom, intertwine the threads of life into the very fabric of destiny. May the tapestries hanging upon your walls whisper the stories of creation, echoing the sacred moments of the first seven days for all to behold.

O Alaway, I beseech you, guard your halls and bless those who dwell within. As young Drudenn stands watch by your double doors, let me also feel your eternal welcome, guidance, and protection. Though I am a mere mortal, let my soul aspire toward your light, seeking the wisdom and strength that flow from this divine abodeIn the soft glow of alabaster lamps and the colors captured in your stained glass, I find solace and inspiration. Let the beauty of your chambers remind all of creation's wondrous tapestry, and may the essence of love, commitment, and unity be enshrined in the hearts of all who honor you. O Alaway, though veiled from mortal sight, your essence breathes life into the world. May I live in your spirit, nurturing kindness and appreciation for the gifts bestowed upon us. In the shadow of your great hall, I pledge my fidelity and devotion, for you are the heart that sustains the fabric of life. So shall it be, in the embrace of the gods' eternal feast.

BOWYNN GODS: TYMORA

Tymora  (Ty-mor-ah)    Goddess of fortune, luck and wealth. She is the daughter of Rhya and Daekk, and the sister of Daekk and Hemway. While her brother is the good of material wealth and prosperity, Tymora is the goddess of life wealth. She is the goddess that conjures chance events to go a person’s way, leading them to a fulfilled path, not always just money. She is prayed to often that life goes the way a person hopes for luck in life’s daily encounters. But of course, many see her as a goddess of monetary wealth. Tymora is often prayed to along with her brother Daekk at the same time. But Tymora is also a goddess of misfortune too. What she gives, she can easily take away if people abuse that which she bestows on them.

     The legends of Tymora are endless. She was indeed one of the gods of Alaway that stayed with the first tribes for seven days and nights, teaching the people all she could about fortune and her gifts to humanity.  One sacred tale speaks of a Guild Master who was so corrupt and filled with greed. But he wanted more and more, so he beseeched Tymora to bless him with her blessings of fortune. She refused to do so and so he had her temple destroyed in his city. Misfortune quickly fell on everyone about him, but the guild master himself. But all his people became so enraged with the man’s wealth that they looted his home till nothing was left. Quickly he learned his lessons and built a new and more glorious temple. His wealth and status was never fully returned but he understood why. Many of the legends of Tymora go the same way.

     Tymora is seen as a motherly figure with raven black hair and eyes as green as the summer forest. She is seen clad in a dress and robe of green with white trim and a white mantle. She does not have a formal crown on her head but is disklet that hangs from behind like a halo, which is said to be of silver. She is always seen along with her brother Daekk in her arms, as Daekk is a baby. Tymora is rarely seen in her totem form, which is said to be that of a mouse. Sacred offerings to Tymore consist of small sachets of grain and corn, coins and votive images of mice.

Bowynn Gods: Hawynn

Hawynn  (Haw-winn)  Hawynn is the Bowynn God king of all the rivers in the world. But more-more-so the great river Muet, which flows under Alaway (Great Hall of the Gods) and ends up in Duannat (Home of those that have passed) He is also a god of fishing and protector of dams and bridges, and patron to those that depend on rivers for their lively-hoods. He is the son of Sumon and Phoenix.

     Prior to Hawynn's birth and taking of position, Alaway had Kii as water bearers bringing water from a well that was guarded by a serpent. Only the Kii could fetch waters. If any of the Kii drew near, the serpent would attack them into submission.  The fetching of water grew weary on the Kii, who would have to fetch water several times a day. Young Hawynn was fond of the servant Kii and hated to see them toil so. He took the great spear of his father, Tane, and the scrying bauble of his mother, Kalma, and went to subdue the serpent. Using the bauble Hawynn was able to predict the moves of the serpent as they battled. With the spear, Hawynn was able to finally say the beast. Then, using one of the ribs of the creature, Hawynn dug a massive trench to the well and released its waters. Thus, the great river was created and set to flow under Alaway. At the same time the servant Kii were released from their duties. In gratitude, Anhur gave Hawynn his blessing and made lord of all rivers and commander of the great river Muet. The Kii that were the water bearers before-hand were each given a river in the world to bless and sanctify, as all Rivers spiritually branch off of Muet.

     As for Hawynn himself, he took a bride, a Kii named Naea, whose status was raised to that of Goddess because she feasted on immortal foods and therefore, was given the blessing of Bia. When not feasting at night with the gods, Hawynn is busy marking the course of rivers and controlling their floods. Also making sure water is always clean and pure. He is a patron of those that depend on rivers for a livelihood, including mills, dams, power-plants, fishing and miners in some cases.  

     Despite his younger brash and reckless self, Hawynn is a most fun and pleasing god. He more often would hold banquets and riparian events on the banks of Muet than feast in the halls of Alaway and is a wonderful swimmer and fisherman. He is said to bear the face of a young thin man. Hawynn is often seen in a green cloak, with a goat-skin mantle and staff, which he uses to help control the waters. He also is said to always carry with him a drinking horn made from the serpent his slew. The horn is said to magickally hold enough water to drink from for a week. His totem is the otter which he often takes the form of, if not the otter, then he may take the form of a beaver.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Skyclad

QUESTION: Is Nudity practiced in the Bowynn Tradition?

ANSWER: No. At least not among all of us ritually as a group. While we love and respect the human body, it is impractical for us to practice in the nude, as we hold most rituals in woodland. The amount of insects, blackberries, thorns and other haphazards just make it impossible. And honestly, we see no need to hold any gathering in the buff. HOWEVER, what one does in the privacy in their own home is up to them. We have several females that will fulling sun and moon soak and I personally have a love for skinny dipping when I am alone at the shore and lake.

Bowynn Gods: Kalen

Kalen  (Kah-len)  Kalen is the god of woodworking, architecture and protector of homes. He is the patron god of architects, craftsmen, construction workers and anyone whose profession has to deal with woodwork. At the same time, he is a protector of trees.

     Kalen is the son of Phoenix and Sumon and the brother of Gondor, the smithy god and consort to the goddess Panu, the gemologist. Along with Gondor's consort, the four are the master craftsmen of the gods. However instead of feasting and resting at night in Alaway, the four have a sacred home elsewhere in the world, in a most sylvan forest. The home itself was constructed but Kalen himself but in no way out-shines the Daunnat, Alaway or Tennaet. Infact, at one point Kalen as a child dared to try to improve the great immortal's home of Alaway that Anhur had built. Ahnur was so enraged he had taken away Kalen's tools and skills for a year. It was Kalen that spent 7 days with the first tribes of people, showing them the arts of woodcraft, took making and architecture. And it was even Kalen that provided the first structure in Europe when the first tribes of people arrived, so they had a place to stay.

     Despite his constant work, Kalen is a most happy and free giving god, who loves and takes pride in his skills. When not laboring hard, Kalen is whittling away and wood burning, making toys and small gifts for gods and men. He is said to be a most handsome and strong man, equal in handsomeness with his brother Gondor with long hair, a file and hammer in hand and a craftsman apron on his body. When about mortal folk Kalen will appear as a craftsman or a chimney swift, which is his totem animal; the chimney swift being the guardians of homes in Bowynn culture. Sacred to him are all architectural tools; hammer, saw, nails, file, level and these are the best gifts to offer Kalen, if not real ones, votive images of the tools. Most often given is a bundle of long nails, cold water and votive images of chimney swifts.

Happy Halloween

Bowynn Gods: Mura

Mura  (Mur-rha)  Daughter of Chumash and Kalma, Mura is a goddess of the 1st Gate of Daunnat, the Gate of courage. She is one of the goddesses of Daunnat, the spirit world. It is her gate that spirits reach first on their walk towards the “Fields of Forever.” Mura is not an evil goddess, nor a goddess of judgement.  Her role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. She is the recognizer and bestower of courage for spirits who are afraid of entering Daunnat. And at times even the living will call to Mura for courage. Especially those that have lost a loved one and do not know how to and scared to move on in life.

Mura (4th in line) leading souls along the path of Daunnat

     As goddess of the Gate of Courage, Mura is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram, which is the symbol of the Bowynn Tradition. She also abstains from visiting Alaway, instead she spends time with her folks and the spirts of Daunnat feasting and making merry. Being Daunnat is endlessly vast souls will sometimes get lost and scared. When that is the case Mura is there for them.

Mura (second from the end) with souls and holding two spirit orbs

     Mura has no known totem animal, instead always staying in her true godly form; that of a young lady dressed in green and white with green and white fillet and veil about her brow and head. some times she bears no veil. At times she carries a septagram dish or a shaft of wheat and sword. She is often seen holding spirit orbs that have separated from the soul (which is one of the transitions at death. Sacred to Mura is the septagram, sword and shaft of wheat. During funeral services, a bowl of milk and bread will be left to her and a statuette of the departed.

My Personal Prayer to the Ano Taya

O Esteemed Ano Taya, triad of divine sisters who art the weavers of the tapestry of life, I bow before your sacred loom, where threads of destiny intertwine under your vigilant gaze. Nae, guardian of the past, Narna, nurturer of the present, and Nareen, keeper of the future, I humbly beseech you to guide my path and illuminate the choices that lie before me. O Nae, esteemed chronicler of yesterday's tales, grant me wisdom to learn from the stories of those who came before. Let the lessons of the past linger within my heart, guiding my steps away from folly. Narna, vibrant weaver of the now, fill my spirit with the awareness to embrace each moment, weaving joy and compassion into my daily existence. Nareen, visionary of what is yet to come, plant seeds of hope and dreams within my soul, for I seek to forge a future rich with purpose and light. With reverence, I lay before you sacred offerings of candles, white for purity, red for passion, and purple for transcendence—three flames illuminating the way for your divine presence. I present to you three fillets and votive images, symbols of my devotion and recognition of your immense power. May my humble gifts find favor in your eyes and stir the threads of fate in alignment with my heart's desires.

O Kindly Ano Taya, as I traverse the intricate paths of existence, bestow upon me the insight to discern my choices and their impact on the tapestry you weave. May your guidance illuminate the crossroads of my life, helping me navigate the corridors of time with grace. In moments of uncertainty, let me feel your presence, reassuring me that I am part of your grand design. In unity, I honor the shared threads that connect us all, woven together by the hands of the Ano Taya. As I gaze upon the sacred tapestries of the past, I reverently acknowledge the lives interwoven with my own. Let every encounter, every bond, strengthen the fabric of our shared journeys, and inspire compassion within my heart for my fellow beings. O Divine Sisters, protectors of the cycles of fate and time, may your ever-watchful presence guide me in the winding paths of my days. As I gather strength from my origins, cherish the present, and dream for the future, may the beauty of your woven tapestry inspire my soul. Enfold me in your wisdom, assuring me that each thread serves its purpose in this everlasting cycle of life. So shall it be, as the tapestry of existence unfolds under your benevolent hands.

Syember!