Bowynn Gods: The Ea

BOWYNN GODS: TARM

Tarm  (Tarm)  Tarm is the Mammont [Mammoth] god of invention. Tarm and the other mammoth gods were created by Brea and her siblings, along with all animals and humans.

     In the early days when the Giants ruled the world, Tarm was the giant of the winds and winter season. He brought on this season to let the earth rest and fertilize itself. This he did with Brea, his mother. But when the younger gods took over and the brothers of the winds were born, Tarm stepped down from this role, even though Tarm will accompany the god Arn in the winter. Tarm however remained with the Akua because he was a most wise god and would create inventions for the gods and later, he spent the Seven Sacred days with the first tribes and creating items they would need to survive. These inventions were items like brooms, rakes, hand mills and many other items needed to get by every day. Tarm is also the bestower of wisdom to create and discover, so Tarm’s role as a god is still vital.

     Tarm is seen as an older god, grandfatherly, with wild long grey hair. His clothes are simple, earthly colored traveling robes and a wood staff in hand. In his totem form he is seen as a burly mammoth. All items are sacred and offered to Tarm.  Also gifted to Tarm is bowls of milk and woven fans, as well as votive images of mammoths.

BOWYNN GODS: QUILLA

Quilla  (Kwil-lah)  Goddess of the Spring season. She is the daughter of Morrighynn and Herne, sister of Kora, Myliea and Tarna and the consort to the god Lyan. Her name literally means "Spring."

     Few tales are told of Quilla and her sisters. She is the youngest of her sisters, born in the first day of spring. She and her sisters were always bickering and contesting against each other over various things since their birth. Quilla contested with her sisters for which season they would rule over. Quilla created colorful flowers up from the ground. This and because of her love for pastel colored clothing, her folks granted her the season of spring to govern over. Thus, on the first day of winter, Quilla's sister Myliea, goddess of the Winter, departs the land, while Quilla appears on the first day of spring on a magnificent roan-red horse; bringing the defrosting of the land, growing of the flowers and birthing of animals.  The other grand sacred story tells of Quilla’s sacred marriage to Lyan, god of the East.

     Quilla is seen as a young female figure refined with strawberry-blond hair laced with spring flowers. She is clad in pastel colors of green and pinks, with pastel color trim. Her hlad is of the same tones. Sometimes she is said to have a Daddalo [himation] or Stola of pastel yellows. In her hand is often seen a staff of willow with ribbons wrapped on it. Other times she is seen with a basket of spring flowers. Sometimes she is said to be winged with white feathers. When about mortals she will take the image of a horse or a sparrow, her totem animals.

     Sacred gifts to Quilla are Milk, Springtime flowers, votive images of red horses, sparrows, rabbits and of course incense. Most common gifts are wreathes of spring flowers.

Quilla and her sisters the seasons

Bowynn Gods: Paut

Wood carved pog of Paut - Made my myself - 1987

Paut  (Pawt)  Goddess of the element of Soul. One of the first children/creations of Bia and the brother of Brea and the other gods of the creatrix.

     At the beginning of time when the gods gathered together and formed mankind, they discovered that mankind walked about the earth aimlessly and all were exactly alike. So Paut instilled into each person a soul, which gave each person a voice and personality, making them different and their own individual, both physically and mentally. This was Paut’s great gift to mankind. Later, during the 7 Sacred Days, Paut stayed with the tribes and taught them how to understand their individuality and how they make up a part of ones being. Also, she taught mortals how to keep our souls and bodies healthy and clean. When it comes to the Bowynn belief system, we recognize the soul as a physical part of human anatomy. This is due to Paut’s teachings.

     Paut is seen as a young woman, with a long golden hair. her eyes are said to be amber in color, to see past folk's mortal husks to their soul. Paut is dressed in long robe and cloak. Over her robe she wears three large round pins that represent the three elements the soul controls: Self, Mind and Action. Often, she is seen with a staff in her hand which is topped with a bull head. Despite the bull head on his staff, this is not known to be Paut’s totem. In fact, Paut does not have a totem animal; at least not one that is known to us.

     Sacred to Paut is glass baubles and votive bull images. These as well as Incense are the customary gifts to Paut.

Embroidry & Paint representing the Gods of creation: Tya, Paut and Phaenixx - Created by Sheree Tsarnek - 2017 (With the god Aetenn on the far left)

My Prayer to Briathenaea, Goddess of Inspiration

O Mighty Briathenaea, Daughter of Anhur and Rhya, I stand before you, a humble child of the Bowynn, seeking your divine protection and wisdom. Guardian of all, you who don armor yet wield your shield not in malice but in nurturing strength, I honor your presence as my guiding light. O Briathenaea, Great Protector, encircle me with your steadfast shield, granting me courage in the face of adversity. As you shielded our ancestors on their Great Migration, let your unwavering support guide me through the journeys of my life. Bestow upon me your wisdom, that I may forge my path with the strength of invention and the clarity of thought. In your name, I offer gratitude for the blessings of nature you bestowed upon us—the bounty of apple trees that nourish body and spirit. As you taught our forebears the art of cultivation, may the seeds I sow in my life flourish under your sacred guidance. May I harness the creativity that flows from you, crafting tools and words that serve the greater good.

O Divine Briathenaea, your sacred owl flies high in the sky, a symbol of your ever-watchful presence. When I find myself in need, may I see your reflection in its wise eyes, reminding me of your eternal support. And let me always cherish the horses you gifted us, powerful companions in both work and battle. Train my heart to ride with grace and strength, to face challenges boldly. O Warrior of Sage-Green, as you walk amongst us, may your wisdom inspire my actions and words. I honor the sword that remains sheathed, a reminder that true strength lies in protection, not aggression. In the image of your shield, bright with the sun and the owl, I find hope and resilience. In your honor, I lay before you votive owls, apples rich with promise, and tools of the earth. May these gifts speak to your spirit, intertwining our fates as we strive towards wisdom and unity. Allow my heart and mind to remain open to the teachings you so graciously impart. So shall it be, enveloped in the blessings of Briathenaea, the Patroness Goddess of the Bowynn.

BOWYNN GODS: UYA

Uya Jarra and her three sisters

Uya Jarra  (Yu-ya Jar-rah)  Goddess of the healing arts and physical therapy. One of the daughters of Owenn, mothered by a Kii. Primarily Uya is the goddess that rules over the healing properties of exercise to make one recover faster. She is also a patron of Nurses, doctors and physical therapists.   

      There are no sacred tales of Uya or her sisters outside of their constant vigil over mortals. Uya is said to be seen at her father’s side almost always. Her place in Alaway is rarely visited, as she is always in constant vigil of those that require her help. She is considered the “Goddess always on the move”

      Uya is described as a young goddess with light hair a dress of white with a hide coat over that. Many have seen her with a staff and scroll in hand. When not seen in this form, Uya will take the form of a Bird of some sort. Offerings to Uya are flowers and incense.

Bowynn Gods: Briora

Briora  (Bry-or-rah)  The Briora are Kii (spirits, fairies, nymphs) of wisdom, organizers of books and protectors of buildings like libraries and other places where tomes of knowledge and records are kept. The Briora are diminutive spirits a lot like their European Fae cousins but do not bare wings at all. They take up residence in libraries among the books, where they indulge in reading, cleaning, maintaining and sorting books that are out of place. The Briora are the immortal essence of the term “A treasure in books.” In Bowynn libraries, images of the Briora and a shrine to them are kept. Most heavy readers will even places small images of Briora on their own bookshelves. Gifts to them are generally simple like a candle and incense. Even candy. 

Bowynn Bods: Amaetheon

Amaetheon (Ah-may-thee-on)  Amaetheon is the Bowynn God of shepherds, cheese-making, bee-keeping, honey, olive trees, oil making, soap making, harvest, brewing, milking, the protector of groves, farms and orchards, the vine, grapes, berries, fruit and abundance in life. He is the patron to farmers, brewers and shepherds.      Amatheon is the son of Rhya and Anhur. The god, in his role as the discoverer of honey and the art of brewing, makes these his prime attributes. But he is not to be confused with a god of drunkenness such as Bacchus. Infact, he is often seen and spoken of as a god that deplores drunkenness; In the end, making those that abuse his gifts, ill with hangovers and sickness, which they will not soon forget.      Amaetheon is a much beloved god, and many sacred stories are bound to him. Many speak of how he had bestowed onto mortals his many gifts or how he punished those who have mistreated his gifts. One of the more hair-raising tales speak of a group of men that gathered to have a private party, during which wine and ale flowed far too quick and often. The men became so drunk that they started to wreak havoc on their neighbors and all across the city. Getting word of this, Amaetheon directed their blurred vision on their own homes. By morning when the men woke, their homes were totally destroyed by their own drunken state and hands. The men were quickly cast out of their town and forced to wander for months with stones chained to their ankles.

In the 7 sacred days that Amaetheon stayed with the first tribes, he taught man-king all about tending to cows, goats other animals to gather their milk, how to grow fields of fruit trees, bee-keeping and the making of drinks from various trees and plants. 

     Amaethon is seen as a well built young man, with beautiful brown hair and sometimes with an apple or ivy wreath on his brow. His clothes are simple and are tainted in harvest colors. Purple and green however often prominent of colors. He always has a tankard tied to his belt or with a cluster of milk jars over his shoulder. He is said to be a very beautiful god and a charmer with his words and music. Often seen with him are a cow or goat. His image is placed in pantries and cupboards to make sure that they are always overflowing and in orchards for health harvests and its common to have a small shringe to Amaetheon in the Kitchen.

Clear equivalents to Amaetheon are Bacchus and Dionysus.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Money

QUESTION: Is there any sort of fees Bowynn practitioners pay out for services

ANSWER: This is a general question that can cover several practices. I will do the best to cover what I can.

A Bowynn Myst [Witch] ethically and morally should never, ever, ask for any sort of fee for services rendered. We believe that the inherent gifts a Myst has, is a greater gift bestowed by the gods. As such charging a fee is unethical, immoral and sacrilegious.

The same holds true to doing divinatory help for others.

The same holds true for any religious services granted to others; like births, naming, marriage, death, 7th hour and blessings. If one feels obliged, gifts / offerings of a meal or baked goods is best. But a Bowynn priest/ess will never accept money for services rendered. Again, on the grounds of ethics.

When it comes to practitioner's gatherings, money can be offered to help find gatherings (for buying supplies that may be needed, like feast food, chairs, tables, incense and so on) But no should never feel obliged to do so. Gifts of foods, supplies and general help is much better.. In short, no, we do not collect "dues".

Often, I personally have been told that not taking money makes people question your skills and abilities. To this I say the following: Then how much do you pay your God/s when they bestow a gift to you??? What are their hourly rates??? Taking or not taking money does not demean our abilities. We do not condone other people from other faiths if they feel they must pay a tithe, but it's not our way.

BOWYNN GODS: TREYA

Treya  (Trae-ah)  Goddess of sunset and dusk. She is the daughter of Shayla and Saul and sister of Enya. Aside from the goddess of these two periods of time, she is also the goddess if the evening frost. In her roles, she is the messenger of the celestial gods and goddesses; waking them up so they can fulfill their roles and duties. She is the herald of the dusk, painting the skies vibrant colors during these time periods. As a goddess of the evening, she also coats the ground with evening frost, so to lull the earth to sleep for the night.

     There are no sacred stories of Treya, as her role is fixed and too important to stray from, for her to be partaking in the deeds and dealings of gods and men.

     Treya is seen as a glorious young woman, often winged and clad in a gown and hladd of hues the colors of a sunset - purples, yellows, red and gold. Her hair is said to be red and long and eyes of a sunset. In hand she is often depicted with a pitcher which her evening frost is stored. Her brow bears a circlet with a gem in it, representing the Evening Star, Venus. Her totem animal is the Firefly or Lightning Bug, which she will at times take the form of. Other times she is said to have a circlet of Fire-Flys about her brow, much like Moryghynn and Mystara. For Treya, there is a special offering prepared with is that of a holy meal “Matenerm.” These are plates of food offered at sunset hours. Other scared gifts to Treya are tea libations, small lanterns, honey, flowers, and votive images of fireflies.

Bowynn Gods: Myliea

Myliea  (My-Lee-ah)  (Also spelled Myliea, Melia and Melea) is the Bowynn goddess of winter. She is one of the 4 seasons, daughters of Morrighynn and Herne and is the consort of the God of the North Wind, Arn. Her name literally means "Winter."

     Few tales are told of Meliea. She contested with her sisters for which season they would rule over and because Myliea granted conifer and pine trees the gift to survive the winter, she was so given the season of Winter to govern over. Thus, on the first day of winter, Myliea's sister Kora, [Autumn], departs the land, while Myliea appears on Winter's first day on a magnificent white horse, bringing the cold, frost, snow and sleep stage of the year. On the Bowynn holiday known as Kymeliea, (Candlemas and Imbolc for other traditions) it is time to celebrate the sacred and divine wedding of Arn to Myliea. Said to have been staged in a winter wonderland and decorated with all the color and mystical beauty of the season. During the holiday of Tsameliea (Winter Solstice) both god and goddess visits the homes that are decked in winter finery and have a candle lit in the window. If content that the homes is warm, safe, well stocked and filled with cheer, Arn will knock his staff on the doors and shutters, blessing the house while Myliea leaves a small gift at the door, under the door bough or hanging from it. Often these are in the form of bundles of foods; nuts, dried fruit, wine and for kids, candy and sweet cakes is left.

Several processional or Myliea and her 3 sisters

     Myliea is seen as a female figure of motherly-grand-motherly age. A woman refined with red hair laced with white, pulled back. She is clad in blues, silvers and whites. One can assume her hlad is of the same tones but it is not commonly seen because of the blue and white fur robe she wears over it, lined and trimmed in white furs. Sometimes she is said to have a Daddalo or Stola of blue laced with snowflakes over her robe. In her hand is often seen a staff of pine wood, wrapped in garland, ribbons and fillets. Her head is often said to be crowned (but not always) with a wreath of pine, conifer and/or holly. Sometimes she is said to be winged is glorious white feathers. When about mortals Myliea will take the image of a horse or deer, which are her totem animals.

     Sacred gifts to Myliea are Milk, Water, votive images of white horses, chickadees and cardinals. And of course incense.