Aelles Tsa'Kora

Bowynn Gods: The Hii

Hii  (hy)  Kii type spiritual beings that help preside over the magical and shamanic arts. Hii are benign beings and do not harm. Most of the time they are found with Mystara and Ehrlick, helping them. Hii are often invoked by witches, druids and shamans to help in their arts and guard their stocks and items.

QUESTION & ANSWER: SAMHAIN

QUESTION: Can you explain more about the Samhain Ceremonies Bowynn celebrate?

ANSWER: Again, we do not celebrate Samhain. Samhain is an Irish Keltic and Wiccan holiday. We celebrated the 3 day holiday of Ky'Kora. And "Yes," I will be describing in parts the celebration of the holiday in a few days. Though there are parts I need to leave out for the purpose of preserving Bowynn traditions and culture

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: Jakk

Jakk    (Ja-k)   In of the many types of Kii. Jakk are diminutive kii of autumn. It is said they make their homes in gourds and in their vines. They are said to have deep red hair and wear black clothing. Jakk are most prominent during the Kykora or Samhain holiday.  During this time, they take pleasure in jumping over candles that are lit in pumpkins. The role of Jakk is that of ripening of gourds and late harvested food. They are drawn to decorated gourds, and if hung in the house and pleasing to the Jakk, they will bless the home.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Drugs

QUESTION: How do Bowynn practitioners feel about those that take recreational drugs?

ANSWER: What one does in one's home is not our business. HOWEVER...in general we frown on the use of drugs unless it is something that is prescribed by a doctor. Luckily for us, we are all close friends so we all know that we all abhor the idea of use of drugs, as a means of "escape."

I will say this also applies to the smoking of tobacco products and excessive alcohol drinking. All of these addictive articles are banned from celebratory gatherings, save for wine, which is heavily monitored. We come together is clear and clean body, mind, soul and spirit. We find that we do not need such things in our lives and celebrations. We find there is nothing spiritual nor fun to someone that needs to pollute the air with the smell of narcotics and the abused stench of alcohol.

The 7 Great Life Rituals

In the Bowynn tradition, there are 7 Great Rites.

The Rite of Birth: This is normally held 7 days after birth. Blessing the newborn, welcoming him/her into the world and on this rite, he/she is given his/her name officially.

The Rite Childhood: This rite is held at the age of 5, when the baby steps into the age of Childhood.

The Rite of Coming Forth: The is the great rite when one officially allows themselves to come to the circle on their own accord and pledging themselves a believer of the Bowynn Faith. This is not based on Age. Anyone at any point can "Come Forth". Normally if it's a child, tradition says the right should not take place till the child is 10 years old.

The Rite of Adulthood: Held at the age of 20. He/she steps out of the role of Child into the role of adulthood. Their days of recklessness are behind, and the rolls of responsibility are at hand.

The Rite of Marriage: This is, as it says, the 2-day ritual of Marriage.

The Rite of Death: This is the ritual of those that depart this world and leave onto Daunnat. It's a 7-day ritual.

The Rite of Resurrection: This ritual is held 14 days after the departed has left. It's a time of remembrance. A memorial.

Under these rituals are many more including Rite from becoming a Myst, ritual for blessing a new home and/or garden, Ritual of Knighthood, and so forth.

Being these rituals are considered personal; I cannot share much detail of the rites themselves with those outside the faith. What I can say is that these are rituals that do not take precedence in the eyes of one's state, providence nor nation. These are rituals that are held between those involved and the presence of the gods almighty.

Bowynn Gods: Abbennaea

Abbennaea  (Ab-bhen-nay-ah)  Goddess of all sorts of offerings and libation. She is the daughter of Phaenixx and Sumon. Abbennaea is a rather young goddess, mother-like in appearance, said to be graced with deep red hair. She is the goddess that receives the spiritual essence of the offerings sent to the gods by mortal men and in turn, turns them into “that which is good for all beings.” After the “Great Migration” of mankind, Abbennaea was said to have spent her “7 sacred nights” among the first tribes and taught them the arts of making incense and what offerings were allowed to be offered to the Akua. After the god Mano tricked mankind to sacrifice blood to the gods, it was Abbennaea that had to come back to mortal man, cleanse their altars and re-teach them all that what was acceptable.

    In Alaway, Abbennaea is not only a messenger of the gods but has the duty to purge and cleanse the halls with incense daily; burning Tsa'hekas of incense to dispense the energies from the night before. It was Abbennaea that cleansed the great hall after the battle between Mano and his cousins after one fight took place in the halls of Alaway.

    Abbennaea is said to be of a most loving face and of natural beauty, her garments often of reds and she is depicted always with either a single stick of incense in one hand (or a bundle of sticks). And in the other hand, a libation pitcher. She is often said to take the form of a bird or butterfly if she does mingle among men. The butterfly being her totem

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: Maenna

QUESTION: I saw your Bio on the goddess Maenna. It gave me chills in that she sounds like the Egyptian Goddess and concept of Maat. May there be a connection of the two? I ask because I have become interested in Maenna since I read your article.

ANSWER: Knowing of Maat very well I can say that, yes, there is somewhat of a connection. Maenna is the divine version of Bia. Balance and Order. We pray to Maenna to make sure there is an order when bad, evil and discourse become over inflated. So yes, we as the children of the gods must make sure balance is attained.

The Elements {Tau Retammas}

Air {Unth } - The Wind {Tau Long}

 We learn to breathe with air, so to calm ourselves when we get upset. And once calm, we can think before we make ill mistakes and judgments - thereby learning. As the wind changes, its strength changes the seasons. In that we learn about to change and how to adapt when the need arises. When we look into the wind and follow it, we are sent into a quest of wonder and adventure. As we listen to the wind, we hear music that comes from it. And when we stand and let the wind wrap about it, it blows away our stress. We watch birds and insects in flight in the air and wonder and fantasize how, giving us imagination. Without this ability people would not understand each other nor be able to share new ideas and creations with each other. The wind is also responsible for germinating many plants and trees, spreading seedlings across the land in one gust. The wind carries our prayers and offerings to the universe and brings us perfumed scents and the sweet smells of home cooking - giving comfort and triggering happy moments or memories. We learn to breathe and relax, giving use a chance to use forethought. And then after we find our words to express what to say. The Virtue we learn from Air is love. Because as we speak and sing, we try to bring love into the world. The path of Air is paved in blinding yet caring white light.