QUESTION & ANSWER: Tarot

Bowynn Gods: Morrqua

Morrqua  (Mor-kwa)  The Morrqua are nocturnal Kii (spirits) that are rarely seen. They only come out where the moon is visible. They will do not emerge on the night of the dark moon nor the two surrounding days this moon phase. The Morrquaa and diminutive spirits that have a natural glow and can be liked to the Will-O-Wisps of other cultures. The difference being that the Morrquaa are helpful spirits, making sure those traveling by night are safe. It is claimed that if one catches a Morrquaa, they will grant their capture a wish. But in turn they cannot be kept. But to date it is very rare that one has ever caught one. And those granted a wish by the Morrqua often regret it. Not that the Morrqua are malicious, but they take what mortals ask for very literally. At the same extent, a Morrqua can only be held till the first rays of the sun or daylight beam over the horizon. After that the pact is broken and the Morrqua disappear.

QUESTION & ANSWER: NEW YEARS

QUESTION: Is The first day of November, (All Saint's Day) also New Years in the Bowynn Tradition?

ANSWER: No. Thats a Wiccan ideology. For us, New Years day is September 1st, called "Then Ohenn."

Bowynn Gods: Kord

Brand and Kord: Gods of Brotherhood

Kord  (Khord)  Kord is the Bowynn god of bravery, freedom, justice, law, peace, virtue and brotherhood. He is the patron of heroes and is a guardian of the Bowynn people. He is the witness of brotherhood and adoption ceremonies. Kord’s parentage is Anhur and Rhya. He is the twin brother of the God Brand and brother to Brenda, the goddess of love and beauty. His position is often to the side of his father Anhur, king of the Bowynn pantheon.      In many ways Kord, along with his brother Brand, their union mimics the aspects of the Greek twin heroes Castor and Polydeukes, the gods Thanatos and Hypnos and the heroes Damon and Pythias. It was Kord and Brand that created the Ki'i (good spirits) to ward away any and all Mano and the Tii (evil spirits) from mortals and gods. This he did when his cousin Mano declared war on him and his brother Brand. When Brand was slain, Kord and Brend traveled to Daunnat to retrieve his brother. They did so but in turn had to build a great banquet hall for Chumash and Kalma and Brenda had to fill it with an endless amount of food.      Kord is seen as a most handsome god in armor most of the time, standing tall and strong. His long hair teams down his back onto his cloak and his eyes are said to be of deep forest green. And though Kord is muscular, he is gentle as well. If not seen with his brother Kord is followed by his faithful and immortal hounds. It is said and written that Kord also has a paid of immortal horses, which he and his brother will ride. These immortal steads are named "Hern kae Taulk" [Sun and Shield.]

Amongst Mortals Kord will often take the form of a dog, often being specifically a grey hound, Dane or Irish Wolf Hound. Sacred objects to Kord are primarily eggs. Other common offerings worthy to Kord are votive images of the Kii, horses and dogs, weapons and of course incense. However, it is not out of Kord’s nature to accept gifts such as flowers. Like all the gods, ne never turns down any sort of offering.

The Horses of Kord: Hern and Taulk

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Water / Sumon ---- The Rain / Tau Reye

(Sometimes "Rain" can be substituted with "The Stream" {Tau Fold} )

The next point represents all the aspects of Water (Imagination, Forgiveness, Sensitivity, Easy-going, Blood, Tears, Emotions, Cleansing, Creativity, Healing), but concentrates specifically on waters elements of the forest. Water flows and ebbs within our oceans and weaves its way through various terrains. We use it every day from drinking to cooking, we swim in it on hot days. It gives our bodies comfort from aches and pains, as steam rises from the hot water soothing the stresses of the day. From the forest's waters we see the waters within the womb and the blood that flows through our veins. The rain nurtures the forest and us, quenching our thirst, and within the rain we also find our emotions- specifically tears of sorrow, pain and joy. The mist and dew cleanse the forest and us each morning, so we can start the day anew. In water we can scry into the depths and see what needs to be seen. The waters of the forest cool us down when we get too hot, both physically and emotionally. It is an element which supports all life, not just sea creatures and freshwater fish. One of the great forces on earth encompasses the earth with its wondrous colors and covers the vast, virtually unexplored, deep terrain below the water's surface. With water we are given the chance to create - inks, paints, clay, thus bringing out our creativity. It is the element associated with Faith – immutable and ever present, our emotions and beliefs change even if ever so slightly following what we feel to be right and true for ourselves and the world around us. From the rapids of the stream, we learn how to navigate our ways towards stillness. Faith, like water, fills us with peace and serenity if we let it wash away all our troubles and pains. We constantly seek peace in the faith that life will continue onward and that the Gods (or whatever we choose to believe in) are out there watching over us and protecting us from harm while guiding us on our life's journey. Water flows where others disdain, where it is in harmony with all things. The path of water is shaded in the hue of blue. The lesson of ecology was important to our Ancestors and should instill sacredness for our planet today. All life - every being, should strive to co-exist and live in harmony as nature intended, as the earth does. The virtue associated with the earth is Peace, because water gives us a chance to calm and relax. The earth path is one that is richly green.

Bowynn Gods: Daekk

Daekk  (Dayk)  Daekk is the god of abundance,  wealth, fortune, fame and patron to treasuries, banks, bankers, tradesmen, mints, minters and all other forms of commerce. Daekk is the son of Rhya and Anhur. He is one of the youngest gods of the Akua and in Alaway. His sisters are Tymora and Hemwey.

After taking his station as a god of Alaway, Daekk started to flaunt and abuse his gifts far less than wisely; giving gifts of wealth to only those that pleased him. This upset the great balance of Bia. Most people were poor, hungry and dying because they could not afford care. Yet Daekk still gave only to those who could afford to give to him and who wore rich robes and jewelry, because he was attracted to them. Having seen enough, Anhur, King of the gods at last punished Daekk and turned him into an old blind and deaf immortal. In this way Daekk would still be able to dispense his gifts to mankind without influence of wealth, looks or prejudice. Sadly, this means that sometimes Daekk's gifts of wealth and fortune is somewhat wrongly gifted.

     Another version of this sacred story is that Anhur made Daekk eternally baby him instead. This way he could not be influenced audibly or visually by those that pray to him. Either or version, this sacred story upholds the saying "Judge not a man by his appearance." At the same time, Daekk will take away the wealth of people who abuse it

     Being a babe or old man of Alaway, he is tended to by the goddess Tymora, the goddess of luck and fortune. When not being nursed by the goddess, he is placed in his chamber of wealth in the halls of Alaway where he spends his time playing in his riches and dispensing them to mankind. The chamber is the great treasury of the gods that is always plentiful, the walls decorated in Lapis, Amber, Silver and Gold, rich woods and well adorned roofing. This is Daekk's personal room. His bed also being decorated richly and he is fed on the richest of milk from the sacred herd of the gods. Being of such a young age, Daekk is one of the very few gods that never leaves Alaway.

     In his child-like form, Daek is seen as an infant of no more than a year old, still crawling about on his hands and knees. His hair is of blond locks and his eyes amber in color. He wears little to no clothing and no jewels himself. If he wears anything at all it may be a loincloth or a child's tunic. In his older form, Daekk is seen as a man of fatherhood years, often bearded. Yet still his simply dressed and a blindfold about his eyes and a walking stick. If the older Daekk does leave Alaway he often takes the form of a beggar man or a mouse. Mice being a Bowynn symbol of Wealth. Sacred gifts often given to Daekk come in the form of coins, money, sacks and bundles of grain, incense, milk and mice votives. Images of mice and baby Daekk are often represented on treasure boxes to ensure protection and encourage growth of the contents within. Another special offering to Daekk is that of "false money" or play money. It is often made and on it, prayers are written and then left on the altar, eventually buried. Though this is often to ask for wealth and the act of burying the "false money" with a plant seed is in hope that as the plant grows, so will a person's wealth.

Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Gods: The Golderae

Golderae   (Gold –ah-ray)   Kii folk that live in the sky and rule over the storms, particularly lightning and electricity. Of all the Kii, Bowynn legend describes them the most clearly. They are said to be diminutive in size with no wings. But they still fly because their bodies are filled with lightning which propels them. They have black hair and gold-like skin and their eyes are bright with light. Most tales seem to make them only male, as no female golderae are ever mentioned. Of course that does not mean they may not exist. These electric Kii are patrons and watchers of places blessed by lightning, as well as places like power plants or any utility business that brings power to homes.  

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.

Bowynn Gods: Daeth

Daeth Coddling the Earth (2) Daeth with the defeated Bull of Night (3) Neo Classical Daeth (4) Daeth over-looking the Earth

Daeth (Dayth)  Daeth is the Bowynn God of darkness, shadows and the night. He is not a fearsome god by any means, just the god that attributes darkness to the universe and the night. He is a primordial god, one of the first gods to emerge from the will of Bia, along with his twin sister Tora and other brothers and sisters. He is the god one calls to during the dark of the moon, looking at one’s shadow self and looks at when practicing shadow magic. Again, Daeth is not an evil god by any extent nor has he any ill intentions. Even when there is light, Daeth is the creator and pinner of shadows. He is also a god of balance, where-in there is darkness, light exists as well.

     Daeth, like all gods when they are born, had no attributes or realms to tend to. And Darkness was an element that was guarded by a massive black bull in the heavens. When Daeth was old enough, Daeth had challenged the bull. Such a competition it was across the universe. Their tracks created the streaked sky called the "Milky Way" which in Bowynn is called "Ikarro." Eventually Daeth got on the bulls back and tamed the huge black bull till it was exhausted. Daeth then was able to unleash the darkness into the universe. Not as a feared element but as a separation of light, keeping the law of Bia "Balance" in check. For where there is Light, there must be darkness. As for the bull itself, Daeth kept the creature as his own steed and to give it honor, he arranged a constellation to match him, known as Taurus.

     Eventually Daeth and his twin sister Tora wed and bore and host of other gods. However, being actually created from Bia instead of born, the ill laws of incest never cursed Bia's children. Together Tora and Daeth rule the realm of night on earth. It is Daeth that gave Naraea, the goddess of sleep and dreams, a home high in the celestial heavens among the stars. And also, from Tora and Daeth was born the magnificent Goddess of the moon, Morrighynn. Unlike many of the gods of Alaway, Daeth does not often join the gods in the Great Hall at night for feasting and fun, as his realm needs to be tended to in those hours. Instead, he and Tora feast together and they tend to the night and darkness

     Despite his primordial appearance Daeth is not an old looking god. He is a well-developed young man, said to have curly hair and black as darkness. Some who have had divine contact with him say his eyes are just as black. Other say that his eyes are like a shining star. And his clothing of choice is also as black as his realm. Often, he is seen carrying the bridle of the great black bull or simply wearing a black cloak. Despite his dark attributes, Daeth is said to be rather handsome.

Aelles Tsa'Tarna and Merry Solstice

Her lord and ladyship have arrived and Summer is walked through the door.. May your Solstice be bright, merry and a blessed one.

Today starts the 3 day Holiday of Tsa'Tarna for those of the Bowynn faith. The celebration of the first day of Summer. Tsa'Tarna literally translates to "1st of Summer." At the break of dawn on this day horns resound everywhere ushering in the epiphany of the Goddess of Summer, Tarna and her beloved Saphon, the god of the south and southern wind. Their rise and migration across the northern half of the earth begins, bringing all the joys of summer. At the same time it is the holiday celebrating the union of the God Hern (sun) to the Goddess Morrighynn (moon)

Boughs, garlands, bouquets and wreaths of Daisies Morning Glories, Sunflowers and Daffodils and displayed everywhere. White, Yellow and green flags and sheets blow in the wind, feasts are on full scale, A parade in which a veiled icon statue of Morrighynn is carried to a central temple or location and placed next to the icon statue of Hern. Bouquets of the flowers of the holiday are offered in abundance along with endless amounts of incense. Fruits, veggies, salads and fish are the main focus of feast meals.

the first day of Tsa'Tarna is devoted to the cleaning of homes and sacred spaces, cooking holiday foods and decorating. After which a bath or a swim in a lake or ocean is common. a cleansing. the evening is usually devoted to prayers and vigils at scared spots, temples and shrines. First offerings in all sorts of gifts of offered to the 4 primary gods: Tarna, Saphon, Hern and Morrighynn.

The second day is devoted strictly to the gods. In the morning the Epiphany is started with the blowing of horns and flutes, signaling that Tarna and Saphon have arisen and Summer is at hand. The parade/Procession of Morrighynn is held about noon followed by great rites and ceremonies all day and night.

the 3 day is devoted to celebration and feasting, with carnivals, sporting events, parades, picnics and fun times in general.

However you celebrate the holiday of the summer solstice, may you have a most blessed one. May the Epiphany of Summer and the southern wind bless and keep you cool and safe. May you find love, and joy in the days ahead and may you all celebrate in peace and harmony. Syember and Aelles.