Bowynn Bods: Amaetheon

Bowynn Gods: Bryathenaea

Bryathenaea (Bry-a-then-naya)  Brianthenaea is the great Bowynn patroness goddess. She is the great protector of all things and all Bowynn people. Though armored with shield, she is not a war goddess nor wager of trouble in any way, shape nor form. She is the type of woman that will protect her children and lead them on the righht course. She is the goddess of wisdom as well. Briathenaea is the daughter of Anhur and Rhya.

     It was Briathenaea that is said to have shielded the first tribes of mortals on the Great Migration from the south into Europe, shielding them also from the burning sun with a shield that was gifted to her by the god Gondor. Upon reaching Europe across the Bosphorus, Brianthenaea brought the people into a valley that had a bounty of apple trees to eat, drink, build and craft from. When the tribes settled in Europe, Briathenaea stayed with them for 7 days. In that time, she showed them the art of growing orchards and how to make things from its leaves, roots, flowers and wood. In that same wood she also created the first Bowynn alphabet, showing them how to write and read, make paper, books and scrolls. To date, a Bowynn Coden is only made of paper made from apple trees and its coover made from the wood. Only ink from its leaves can be used. For the people she created the hoe, spade/shovel, fork, rope and axe. On the last night Briathenaea told the tribes of mortals that she had to leave but if ever they were in need of her to look into the eyes of an owl and they would know she is there. For the owl is her most scared animal and the form she takes the form of most.

      When war loomed over the first tribes Briathenaea brought forth a great herd of horses for them to use in battle against the Southern Nation armies. The goddess quickly came and protected the women, children and homes with her shield. Today every Bowynn home has a shrine or even an altar to Bryathenaea. She is the very core and symbol of the Bowynn.

     Though Briathenaea is a goddess that neither wed nor gave birth, many swear that her stature is of a full mature woman. The people are her family. Briathenaea is said to have crow-black hair that is wavy and pulled back. Her eyes or that of forest green and her skin tanned. Her garment is said to be the color of sage-green and/or green in general. Over her dress she wears a long leather hladd that is well decorated. Some images have her holding an apple seed in her hand or cutting of an apple tree.  Often seen with Briathenaea is a barn owl, one of the rare owls that lives closest with people and yet still at a distance. Other times Briathenaea presents herself directly. Farms and orchards are blessed in her name yearly, along with the god Amaetheon and Deanna,

Sacred to the goddess are the gifts of Votive Owls, Apples, Apple wood, Books and Scrolls and Runes. Farm implements are sometimes also offered to her.

Embroidered bookmark of Briathenaea with Io and Kalma - Created by Rose Everett 1999

Q&A FAQs

Please keep your questions and your tongue civil. I will not answer any questions about the Bowynn tradition and faith that are malicious or in ill content.

Do not ask political questions.

I do not do "distant divination" for people, as I do not believe in it.

Please do not ask me for spells for fanciful means (Make me a cat, change my eye color, make me a mermaid.) Such fictional ideas only meant for roleplaying games TV, Movies, and bogus websites like Spellsofmagic.

I will cast spells or give spells to you if I feel your purpose is genuine.

I will light a candle and place a Wish Card on my altar for you if you are in NEED. Just ask and let me know what the wish and wish card is for. (Health, wealth, safety, protection, abundance, housing, pets,

My Prayer To Chumash, Lord of the Deceased

O Chumash, King of Daunnat, benevolent Lord of the Passage, I beseech you in the light of love and kindness. You, who have crowned yourself with mercy, watch over the souls that traverse the realm between life and the afterlife. May your presence bring comfort to those who mourn, as you guide the spirits from their mortal husks into the embrace of eternity. O Keeper of the Eternal, with your ebony hair like the night sky and eyes glistening deep as the most sacred earth, I appeal to your loving heart. Grant repose to the restless souls, separating them with gentle hands, ensuring they find solace in the beauty of Daunnat. May your wisdom guide the spirits to the lessons once unlearned, returning them anew to the cycle of life. With devoted heart, I lay before you the sacred gifts of Votive dogs, faithful companions that guard the seven gates of your realm. In honor of your beloved queen, goddess Kalma, I present iris and poppy flowers, symbols of our love and remembrance. May these offerings blossom upon the graves of the departed, signifying our eternal connection to you and the afterlife you cherish.

O Chumash, Lord of great feasts, as you gather the souls within your realm, may no spirit go hungry and no voice go unheard in the joyous revelry of the night. Let laughter and music echo throughout Daunnat, binding together the threads of family and love that stretch across the veil of existence. As you have transformed the kingdom of Daunnat into a sanctuary of light, I vow to honor your efforts by living with love and compassion in my own life. May I cherish the memories of those passed while embracing the lessons of the living. So shall it be, in reverence and devotion to Chumash, the gentle guardian of souls, whose laughter lights the darkened path to eternity.

My Prayer to Daekk, Lord of Fortune

O Daekk, Glorious Child of Wealth and Fortune, I stand before you, seeking the embrace of your bountiful gifts. You, who dwell in the splendid chambers of Alaway, amidst treasures adorned with lapis and gold, I beckon your innocent spirit to grace my path. With your golden locks and amber eyes, you embody joy and prosperity, guiding us through the currents of abundance. O Divine Infant, transformed by the wisdom of Anhur, grant me the clarity to see beyond mere appearances and superficial riches. Let your laughter ring out amidst the clinking coins and flowing grains as you dispense blessings to all, untainted by bias or pride. May the warmth of your spirit fill the hearts of those in need, that they may also know the sweet taste of fortune's favor.

In humble reverence, I lay before you offerings of coins, fragrant incense, and the sweet milk of the sacred herd. As the mice serve as symbols of fortune, I send forth votive gifts in their likeness, invoking your protection over my endeavors. With these offerings, I present play money inscribed with my deepest prayers, to be buried within the earth alongside a seed, so that as the plant sprouts, so too may my fortunes flourish. O Daekk, from your heavenly cradle, nurture my ambitions and aspirations like the rich soil of Alaway that bears fruit in due season. May I not only seek abundance for myself but take inspiration from your benevolence to share with others in need. Let my hands be open to receive and my heart expansive enough to give freely. As I summon your playful spirit, I pledge to judge not by wealth nor appearance but to celebrate the diverse paths of prosperity in my life. O Daekk, Eternal Child of Alaway, may your blessings flow unceasingly into my heart, guiding my actions and illuminating the lives of those around me. So shall it be, in reverence and love for Daekk, the generous spirit of wealth and sustenance, forever illuminating our lives with abundance.

Syember!

BOWYNN GODS: VELLA

Vella (Vel-Lha)  Goddess of Jewelry, Gold and Silver Smithing. She is the daughter of Brea and Unthar and the sister of Panu. She is also the patroness of jewelers, jewel-smiths.

     No know sacred stories of Vella exist. All that is spoke of her is that she wed the God Gondor and lives with him, Kalen and Panu in a grand yet simple smithy deep in the sacred forests of Alaway, where she crafts gifts for mortals and immortals alike. For mortals, these gifts will appear as a strange find in some manner or another.

     Vella appears as young woman with black hair and light eyes. She wears simple clothes, as with those she resides with. His simple woven dress is said to be of an orange or rust color with yellow accents. In her hand she is said to hold pinchers or tongs. Sacred to Vella are all the tools a jeweler would use as well as gem stones, time pieces and or course incense.   

Bowynn Gods: Issen

The giant Issen with farmers and animals working the land

Issen (Eye-sen)  Ancient giant god of the old age created by Brea and her siblings. Issen was the older god who ruled over the warmth of summer. One of the older gods, he traveled the world, with his family. His home was in the south and he would appear in the summer as a mammoth of golden fur, bringing with him the summer weather.

      Even though Issen’s attributes were diminished but the coming of the Akua, He is still a most respected god. He is said to now work with the goddess Tarna, the summer goddess, following before her in mammoth form, clearing a path for the goddess to travel. Bowynn folk will often lay blame on Issen if the summer becomes too hot. Issen’s home is the summer-lands of the south. There he has is own lodge that he built himself. Later the lodge was given to Tarna and the god Saphon. It is said that the lodge is massive in size, made of brown wood and logs, sitting on a green hill, overlooking the forested lands. Despite his diminished attributes, Issen is still widely prayed too, in hopes that the summer season is not harsh, and he will ward off forest fires.

      In his immortal form, Issen is seen as an older god, fully bearded and long hair flowing down his back. His hair itself is brownish tainted with white. Issenn is known to always be wearing a heavy brown hide on his back and his clothing is of brown and golden leathers. In his hands are seen a staff and horn. It is with this horn that he blows on, issuing in the summer season. When not in this form, he is a magnificent golden mammoth. Sacred gifts to Issen are incense and votive mammoth images. Like all of the old giants, his totem was the mammoth.

Bowynn Gods and Intervention

One thing that is clear when it comes to the Bowynn gods of faith, they play little role in the daily affairs of humankind. Unlike some pagan faiths where the gods are always testing, challenging and dismantling human affairs, Bowynn gods do no such thing. We 9us humans) are not their play toys. We are not given tests every hour of the day to prove we love them and are always righteous.

Where as in some faiths, it is so quick to blame a deity for anything and everything that goes wrong, the Bowynn gods are not blamed for such things. Humans make our mistakes enough without the Gods help. We make our own mistakes to learn from them. And from that the Gods themselves watch and learn from us and about us. Bowynn NEVER blame the gods.

HOWEVER, The Gods have been known to step in on occasion to give humans a boost up-n-at-em. They may step in to give advice, or to warn us. Very rarely is it a face-to-face encounter, though I will say I have had 2 direct interventions; One being when I was at the lowest point of my life.

Just as well, the gods MAY intercede when necessity is needed or asked for by mortals. Often when balance is off kilter or severe criminal action is at hand. They do answer prayers and beseeches for help. But again, they will rarely appear right out. Asking the divine for help in a spell, helping for last minute study help, finding a job or healing, are common. And yes the gods will often come to the aid of those that need it.

The main thing to remember is what befalls you 99% of the time is due to human error, not the Bowynn Gods. Ask for their help but do not demand. Accept whatever help the gods give with love and respect. But never expect the Gods to do all the work.

And lastly, know that the Gods are always all about you. THEY KNOW.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Curses

QUESTION: Do Bowynn witches [Mysts] cast curses, hexes and binding spells?

ANSWER: The short answer to this is "yes!"

Mysts' cast spells in association with the laws of Bia, [Balance]. But it is not done recklessly. We cast curses when someone threatens someone directly or indirectly. When someone dares to take away, harm or hurt someone maliciously. When they cause Balance to be out of order. When evil is afoot and when injustice runs rampant. This is when curses are cast. And even then, we make sure we are performing the curse to restore balance and avenge those affected by others malicious acts. A typical curse always starts off addressing what has been done

"See here what has been done, undone and unbalance. The accused has been found guilty of the crime/s of _______."

Bowynn Gods: Nyalla

Nyalla as The Cleanser, The Purifier and The Anointer

Nyalla  (Ny-ah-lah)   Goddess of ritual cleansing, bathhouses, sweat lodges, saunas, and hot springs. Nyalla is the daughter of Tane and Kauldra. Nyalla has also been named “Nyalla Noma” and “Nyalla Lhaunomaea” meaning “Lady of the Bathhouse.” Nyalla is also considered the goddess of meditative baths and meditation places in general. She is thought to not only protect the buildings but help the mortal body relax, cleanse and heal; physically and mentally. Through the steam of such places, Nyalla helps the body and mind lift away what ails it, clearing it of impurities and making it whole again. At the same time, she gives words of wisdom through meditation and the steam.

      Nyalla is said to “be the rising of the steam” and the “hot water, the cooling of the air, the scent of the herbs and oils and the opening of the mind.” Nyalla is also the goddess of smudging and cleansing rituals. Often, she is seen with Abbennaea, the goddess of offerings and gifts.

Myalla is not a three-fold or triple goddess, as there is no such concept in the Bowynn faith. She is however spoken of as having 3 distinct aspects: The Cleanser, The Purifyer and the Anointer. In a rare few times, she has none more title: The fumigator. All of these are distinct processes to cleanse the body and the mind. This Nyalla is also seen as a medicinal/healing goddess.

     There are few sacred tales of Nyalla. One of the few says that she was the one that blesses all of the goddesses of the Akua in sensual baths before they wed. That on the eve she blessed Rhya’s bath and cleansing, Rhya in turn gave he a vial of her own tears of happiness. And it is from this vial that Nyalla blesses all mortals with. It is also said that Nyalla was one of the many of the Gods of the Akua that spent the 7 sacred nights with the first tribes of mortals. During this time, she showed the women folk how to keep their bodies and minds clean. She showed them how to build and tend a Bath House in a scared manner, as well as how to properly use the bathhouse in a spiritual manner for omens and visions.

     Nyalla is seen a sweet young woman in rather simple clothing. She is said to be seen lingering around houses and spaces of meditation, where she is found gathering stones or wood for the fire or drawing water for the steam bath. In her godly form, she is seen as a young woman in simple clothes of reds and saffron colors. Her hair is said to be braided in many long rows, sometimes being tied up, sometimes hanging down. In her totem form, she is seen as a lizard or salamander

     Sacred gifts to Nyalla are incense blends, vats of water, vials of oil and votive images of lizards and salamanders. Sometimes a special offering of a poppet of the goddess is left for her.

BOWYNN GODS: PANU

Panu (Pah-new)  Goddess of Gemcrafting. She is the daughter of Brea and Unthar and the sister of Vella. When it comes to gems, glass and lapidary work, no deity or mortal can compare. She is the goddess that creates fashions gems from the ground and bestows them with special magic powers that can be used in healing and metaphysical properties. She is the patroness of lapidaries and jewelers.

     Being a goddess with such gifts Panu often stayed in the halls of Alaway or walked the earth blessing the ground with her creations. But the sacred stories tell that one day she wandered a forest and came upon a grand hut of stonework with many chimneys. Curious, she walked inside and came upon the god Kalen hard at work carving gifts for the Akua and mortal man. Scared she hid and watched the god as he continued his work. Finally, she was spied by one of the giants that help out. Kalen turned and saw the goddess and fell instantly in love with her beauty. For days on end the two would meet at the hut. He would work in wood, and she would inlay the finish product with stones as she saw fit. When they stopped, they would kiss, and this would make the hearths blow 10 times as hot. After weeks of this passion, Kalen wed Panu in a most glorious wedding ceremony. Their wedding cart was created by their own hands of wood and gems. Together they still work along with Gondor and his bride Vella.

     Panu is a goddess described to be of raven black hair and eyes that change and glimmer like the gems she creates. Her clothes are said to be of simple make, being she is a god on crafts and earthly. The material is claimed to be of a purplish hue with green embroidery and edging. She is depicted as a young woman, matching with Kalen’s age range. She is one of the few goddesses that do not have a totem animal.

     Sacred to Panu are all gemstones, glass and lapidary tools; small hammers, files, chisels and such.