Q&A: Bowynn Magic

The Bowynn Year and Holidays:

The Bowynn calendar is different from most Pagan calendars and certainly bears no resemblance to the Gregorian calendar. The start of the Bowynn year falls on September 1st and the last day of the year falls on August 31st.

During all 12 of the larger months there is one sacred holiday, though there may be a few secondary holdays. Despite this, Bowynn view every single day of their lives as sacred and celebrated not just verbally but spiritually. So its common for an individual to celebrate the worship of a deity on any and all days of the year. Holidays are celebrated for 3 days. The first day of a holiday is reserved for decorating, cooking, cleaning, cleansing and evening worship.

September ( Maeano )

1 Then Ohenn - New Years Day. The first day of the new year. Dedicated to Ohenn and the Nauidd. Also to Tymora. Fig cake, bundles of summer seed are offered to the gods

20-22 Tsa'kora - Holiday of the month of September, it celebrates the first day of Autumn. The Epiphany of the goddess Kora and Ryan. Also honoring Brea, Amaetheon, Deanna. The holiday celebrates the wedding of Deanna to Amaetheon. A time of great feasts and celebrations.

October ( Tombra )

29-31 Ky'kora - Holiday for the month of October. Mournful celebration to honor the death of Herne, to save all of humanity.

November ( Haedmor )

15-17 Emberfest - The great feast day honoring the gods Kane, Io, Hyu, Amaetheon and Deanna. A holiday for thanks of abundance, health, home. Hearths, homes and ovens are cleaned, and special meals are left just for the gods.

December ( Ellesmor )

20-22 Tsa'myliea - holiday of the month of December. The first day of winter. Devoted to Morrighynn, Arn and Myliea. On this day the goddess Morrighynn weeps for her lost love Herne and promised by Bia that her love will be back soon enough. Lanterns lit in Herne’s and Morrighynn’s honor.

January ( Banu )

14-16 Lenaea - Holiday of the month. Celebration of abundance for making it this far into winter. Devoted to Io, Amaetheon, Hyu, Deanna, Tymora and Daekk. Homes, people and animals are blessed with the seeds gathered from the year before. Great costumed parades are held to bring prosperity to all.

February ( Paola )

1-3 Ky'myliea - Holiday of the Month of February. Devoted to Myliea, Arn, Herne, Brea and to the wind god Arn, A winter festival. Celebration of the conception of Herne to Brea and making it halfway through winter.

March ( Aeven )

20-22 Tsa'quilla - Holiday of the month. The first day of spring. Devoted to Herne, Brea, Quilla and Lyan. On this day Quilla appears on the east and Herne is born to the world. Kii are also honored this day.

April ( Prana )

15-17 Tau Mystaraa - The Great Mysteries. Holiday for the month of April. Devoted to Mystara, Mauro and Ehlrik. Though really, it is devoted to ALL the gods. Celebrated as the great cleanings and initiation of new mages into the groves. 3 nights of great Magic, Spiritual and divination practices and a day for new practitioners to start.

May ( Auma )

1-3 Ky'quilla - Mid-Spring holiday and Sabbat of the month of May. Devoted to the reunion of Herne and Morrighynn. Also celebrated are all the Kii, Lyan and Quilla. Lovers holiday as well as the second blessing of gardens.

June ( Dellet )

12 Founder’s Day - Holiday celebrating the conseption of the Bowynn Tradition. Summer celebration. Dedicated to Anhur, Rhya, Briathenaea and Aleglea. Celebrating a time of joy of summer. Fun, food, games and frolic. Part of the Migration celebrations. Also a day for introspection of ones self, who they are.

20-22 Tsa'tarna - First day of Summer and the holiday of the month of June. Dedicated to epiphany of Tarna, Saphon and the wedding of Herne and Morrighynn. No meat is eaten during the first two days of the holiday.

July ( Iona )

14-16 Briathenaet - Holiday of the month of July Great celebration to the goddess Briathenaea and Aleglea as our patronesses and saviors. Celebrated with the cleansing and blessing of her icons and temples. followed with great games and contests that last for 3 days.

August ( Olten )

1-3 Kytarna Mid-Summer holiday of the month of August. Dedicated to Io, Amaetheon, Hyu and Deanna. Celebrating the sacred wedding of Tarna to Saphon. It also celebrates the first harvest.

31 Anj Ohenn - New Years Eve. The last day of August and the year. Dedicated to Ohenn and the Nauidd. Great pots and bundles of tall grass and cattails are offered, laid about the icon of Ohenn. Images of the 12 Nauidd are made, gifted and hung about.

Blessed Solstice

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Language

QUESTION: I have seen you using various words in your posts that you address as being Bowynn. Is there an actual language?

ANSWER: Yes we have a language we have been using since the formation of the tradition. the Bowynn dictionary is around 25,000 (I stopped counting decades ago) words. It's has come to the point where it is a first language for some of use and a second language for others. Some words in the dictionary have no English counterpart.

BOWYNN GODS: Tii Gorro

Tii Gorro  (Ty Gor-roe)  Evil spirits created by Mano during his war with his cousins Kord and Brand. These creatures were even more war-like than their diminutive Tii, in that they were human sized and fed on blood and raw flesh. They were described by Adjedd to look as like a gorilla or ape but even more clever.

      In the war with Kord the Tii Gorro (or Gorro Tii) Kord was able to vanquish a good many till the rest tried to flee. Some were said to have tried to run for the sea and drowned. Others were said to take off for caves, which Anhur himself were said to seal. The Gorro Tii appeared in the sagas of Allon, Quinn, Maul and many other epics. 

      One should never, EVER, invoke Gorro Tii, as they will turn on the one that calls to them. They may listen to you at first but when the deed is done, they will not return from where they came.

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: Kalma

Kalma (right) sitting in Daunnat with her beloved Chumash

Kalma  (Kal-mah)  Queen of the Daunnat, divination and oracles. She is the consort of Chumash, the king of the dead. Unlike many faiths of the ancients, Daunnat is not a place of damnation or fear. It is a most blessed place. And it was Kalma who made it as such. By her will she let the great fields grow green and orchards filled with eternal and ever plentiful foods and valleys carpeted with wildflowers. Kalma is the daughter of Phoenix and Sumon and the sister to Rhya and Kauldra.

     Amongst Kalma's duties as queen of the land beyond is that of calming the soul and spirit, showing there is no need for fear death nor the beyond. Her very name means 'Calm'.

     Kalma and sisters were charmed by the three kings of the immortals and in particular it was Chumash that wished Kalma to marry her. But Kalma refused his hand unless Chumash proved his love. Of all the gifts Chumash bestowed on her, its was acrown of nettles that Kalma loved the most. She finally accepted his hand only after Chumash promised her equality as Queen of Duannat.

     Kalma is seen as a mother-like goddess in appearance; she is elegantly dress and wears a crown of nettles made of gold on her head. Other times, it is a plain crown, like that if her sisters. Being a queen, she is seen most wise, bearing a small scepter in her hand. Kalma very rarely leaves the comforts of Daunnat. Yet when she does, she will often appear as a cat, her totem animal. Sacred gifts offered to Kalma are that of flowers, incense and votive images of cats.

BOWYNN GODS: SANNA

Sanna  (Sahn-nu-ah)  This race of Kii is much similar to the ancient Greek and Roman “Ichthyocentaur.” That is to say the fore part is human, the back end is of a dolphin and has the front legs of a horse. The Sanna are the kii that protects boats, ports, harbours, and men that depend on the sea as a livilyhood. Bowynn ports will have a Sanna sculpture facing outward as a protective ward.

Bowynn Gods:

Nauidd  (Naw-id)  The Nauidd are goddesses of the hours of the day, 12 daughters of Ohenn and a mortal woman. In some cases, they are considered Kii. Each daughter represents one hour. In modern days this may not make sense till one remembers that in ancient times, the Bowynn day was broken down to twelve hours. In modern times one can consider one Nauid as representing a morning and evening hour. The Nauiid’s individual names were never given to mortals, at best they are named such as “Nauidd of the first hour” or likewise.

     The position and gifts of the Nauidd is to remind each mortal that time is precious and should not be wasted. At the same time, to enjoy each hour of each day and that we should be thankful for the time given to us. Young girls and writers will sometimes pray to the Nauidd as protectors of log entries, journals and diaries. Even books that contain family trees are protected by them, as well as their father. Outside of them helping their father Ohenn, no sacred stories have them mentioned, outside of being general mentioning or prayers.

     The Nauidd are depicted as 12 identical daughters, often helping their father Ohenn in keeping the time and archiving history. They are however seen as fun goddesses or Kii, romping and playing in the gardens in the world. They are seen as young girls, no older than teenagers with their short hair and wearing pointed caps. At times they are seen with books in their hands, depicting them as helpers of their father. Sacred to the Nauidd are clocks, sun dials, hour glasses and votive images of girls. When offering the votive images, one should make sure there are 12 in total. The same holds true when it comes to incense, making sure there are 12 cones or sticks.

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.

A Deeper Look into the God Aetenn

The symbolism surrounding Aetenn reveals profound layers of meaning, tightly entwined with esoteric principles and numerical significance. The ram, a recurring symbol in various mythologies, connects to themes of strength and assertiveness (often associated with the astrological sign Aries), but its horns can also symbolize stability and grounding—attributes that are essential for any protector or guardian. The duality of his nature as a guardian rather than a warrior suggests a transition from aggression (often represented by the warrior archetype) to stewardship, which can be explored through concepts like the Fibonacci sequence; just as this mathematical series illustrates growth and balance, Aetenn embodies the necessity of nurturing potential (the arms and armor of warriors) while safeguarding community.

Aetenn, as the guardian of arms, armor, and forest, embodies a unique synthesis of protection and communal harmony, reflecting deeper philosophical and psychological themes. His role as a protector rather than a warrior suggests an exploration of the concept of "strength through restraint"—the idea that true power lies not just in wielding weapons, but in guarding what is valuable and ensuring the readiness of warriors to engage ethically in their pursuits. This notion connects with the idea of inner peace before external action, highlighting the importance of mindfulness and preparedness.

The forest environment Aetenn inhabits symbolizes life’s complexities and the untamed aspects of nature, suggesting that protection extends beyond martial prowess to encompass nurturing the environment and community bonds. His drumming connection reinforces the theme of communication and rhythm in relationships—both human and nature, further emphasizing the interconnectedness of all beings. The rhythmic beat of drums can symbolize the heartbeat of the Earth itself, emphasizing the importance of maintaining harmony with one’s surroundings.

Additionally, the black berry wreath can be interpreted as a symbol of cycles—birth, death, and renewal—since berries signify nourishment but also decay. This cyclical nature could reflect the life of soldiers, who thrive under protection but also face the threats of mortality and transformation. Aetenn's guardianship over what is most prized underscores the significance of mindful intention in one's desires, serving as a reminder that safeguarding what one values often requires discernment and respect for the greater good.

The black berry leaves, adorned with thorns, contribute a rich layer of esoteric meaning associated with protection through hardship. This paradox reflects alchemical transformations, where something seemingly harmful can protect and empower—much like the journey through the "prima materia" to reach enlightenment. The act of guarding only what one values aligns with the principle of intention found in manifesting one's desires. This notion resonates with the Law of Correspondence in hermetic teachings, implying that one's inner state reflects their external reality.

Furthermore, the drumming aspect connects Aetenn with rhythm and vibration, fundamental elements of sacred geometry and sound healing, resonating with a numerical symbology in sacred chants or mantras that establish communion. The significance of drums as a communication tool echoes the mathematical concept of frequency and waves, where harmony can signify balance in both the physical and spiritual realms. Thus, Aetenn serves as a multifaceted archetype, embodying the necessity of protection, the complexity of nature's cycles, and the essential connection between intention and manifestation in the spiritual fabric of existence.

Exploring Aetenn through a deeper lens, one can uncover fascinating intersections between his symbolism and scientific principles, particularly in ecology, psychology, and the study of sound. As a forest god, Aetenn embodies the principles of ecosystems where interdependence is crucial; his guardianship can be likened to the role of keystone species in sustaining biodiversity. This speaks to the hidden meaning of protecting not just individual aspects of society (like warriors and their weapons) but the entire web of life, emphasizing the importance of ecological balance and resilience.

In psychological terms, Aetenn might represent archetypal concepts that resonate within the collective unconscious. As a protector and guardian, he aligns with the Jungian idea of the "Self" as a harmonious balance of different aspects of the psyche. The caring nature of his duties could suggest the psychological principle of empowerment, where true strength lies in fostering the potential of others rather than exerting control or dominance, reflecting a more nurturing approach to leadership.

Scientifically, the drums associated with Aetenn can be examined through the lens of acoustics and vibration. The rhythmic patterns of drumming are known to influence brainwaves, promoting sensation alteration, introspection, and communal bonding—facilitating group cohesion and shared identity among communities, which is essential in military contexts. This reinforces deep cultural bonds and emphasizes the interconnectivity among its members, paralleling the principles of quantum entanglement in physics—where everything is interconnected at a fundamental level.