Blessed Samhain One And All

BOWYNN GODS: PHOENII

Phoenii  (Fee-ny)  the Phoenii are Kii (spirits) of domestic home fires, most of the time being of small fires, such as the flames of candles and lamps. These Kii are said to have the form of a tiny bird-like spirits but some can take the forms more of a larger phoenix bird. They reside in and around the hearth and ovens of the home or close to where candles are left. These diminutive spirits ensure safety and make sure candles burned bright but slowly and do not fall over. Other times they will reside by the hearth and be seen as the sparks that snap and rise up. All homes have a small shelf in the kitchen where small red paper images of the Phoenii or birds and left.

Bowynn Gods: The Hlenn

Hlenn  (Hlen)  The Hlenn are one of the most popular of the Kii. They are much like their American/European Elven cousins and Nymphs. They are human in size and look most like mortal folk in all respects, but they are thin in nature and have long-ish ears and doe-like facial features, particularly the eyes. These Hlenn are said to be the champions and guardians of all woodlands. The know instantly when a leaf falls and withers and when a fern stalk breaks through the ground. They are very untrusting and cautious of mortal man. But there are tales of some Hlenn, male and female, that have fallen for mortals as well. However, it must be remembered that while the Hlenn looks like mortals in many ways and live like them, they are spirits and need to be respected as so. Bowynn folk will not enter a woodland nor leave it without leaving a respectable gift to the Hlenn,

Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Gods: Naraea

Naerea   (Nay-ree-ah)  Goddess of sleep, dreams and prophetic dreams. She is the daughter of Tora and Daeth and is one of the very few gods of the Akua who have multi arms. She is a spider goddess and spends most of the time spends her days and nights in the great night sky weaving the great sky web in the heavens. It is then web she weaves that filters out bad dreams from coming to earth and plaguing people's minds as they sleep.

On the web Naerea allows moisture to collect, washing away any nightmares that may collect or turning them to good dreams. This moisture falls like droplets to earth, gracing people with sleep and good dreams. Remnants of this can be found as morning dew. Sadly, sometimes a bad dream will get past the web and still bring nightmares.

     Despite her sometimes spider appearance, Naraea is not a foreboding looking goddess. Nor is she a goddess of anything dark nor malicious. Her gifts of good dreams and sleep should be seen as blessings; Graced on mortals after a hard day's work. Naraea is not a goddess to be feared but respected.  Being an endless working divinity, she never took a consort, seeing her work more important. As a weaver, Naraea is sometimes looked at as a goddess of weaving, working alongside of Briathenaea. But primarily she is a nighttime goddess.

     Naraea is a goddess, seen as a motherly figure in here godly form, with long silver hair. Her arms are busy working in the night sky above with shuttles and combs in hand. In her totem form, she appears as either a great crystalline spider in the heavens or as a small spider like what we see on earth. Whatever the form, it is a form of beauty. In godly form, she is seen wearing a white or black dress that sparkles like the stars. Sacred items and gifts of Naraea are dream catchers, dream pots, shuttles, balls of yarn, morning dew and votive images of spiders.

Bowynn Gods: Owenn

Owenn  (Oh-when)  Owenn is the Bowynn god of healing, good health, surgery, recovery, medicine and herbalism and all other skills and attributes of mortal health. He is the patron god of Doctors, nurses, surgeons and those of the healing and health care professions. This includes shamans, druids, witch doctors and medicine men.

     Owenn was raised amongst the first tribes in childhood where he learned why people got sick and died. He was not a god but very much mortal. Owenn was one of those of the Great migration. And upon reaching Europe and settling in, he taught the first tribes of people the arts of medicine and healing and was beloved by all for his gifts. Sadly, on his travels, Owenn encountered a great snake, he was bit by the poisonous vermin and it was that which killed him. His body was found and cared for where he had fallen and a shrine was built in his honor. And yet, instead of the custom of cremating the body, the people found they could not carry out the task. Instead, the people wrapped his body in the most glorious of clothes and placed his body in the inner shrine. For 7 long months everyone from every tribe came to mourn Owenn’s tomb. Moved by this, the gods held a special council and answered everyone’s prayers. By Chumash and Kalma, with their grace and blessings, Owenn was resurrected as a god on the 7th day of the seventh month after his fall. He emerged from the shrine as a god and one of the Akua. In this form he has continued to bless mortals with his talents and divine gifts of healings.

Owenn and his 3 daughters of healing and health    

As a god and in time with the Akua, Owenn fell in love with a garden Kii and the couple had wed soon after. From their union, came forth three daughters who together were named "The Sisters." It is they who work with their father, Owenn, in his arts of healing. Not just for humans and the gods as well.

     As a god, Owenn is seen as a fully mature man, a father figure, with long teaming hair and thick beard. His head crowned with a copper circlet in the shape of a snake, symbolizing change from illness to health. Owenn’s demeanor is always gentle, never baring an ill word or hand to neither man nor animal. He is seen wearing a wayfarer’s robe of crimson and robes under that of various greens, representing the herbs he uses. His staff is wrapped with vines of herbs he uses in his healing brews. Often seen in his hand is a wood bowl which he makes medicine. In his totem form Owenn often appears in the form of a snake or frog, which is most sacred to him. Bowynn homes with altars and shrines to Owenn sometimes bare an image of a frog or snake with a coin in the mouth. Coins and herbs are the most divine of offers gifted to Owenn. Bowl bowls of herbs, clean water and incense are also the most common of gifts.

A Deeper look into the God Adarro

The figure of Adarro embodies various layers of symbolism and esoteric meaning, particularly associated with nature, abundance, and interpersonal connections. In the context of numerology, his twinship with his brother suggests a duality that can signify balance and the interplay between opposing forces, akin to the Yin-Yang principle. The "Seven Sacred Days" he spends teaching mortals may symbolize a cycle of creation and knowledge, drawing parallels to the seven days of creation in various mythologies. His joyful demeanor and protective nature underscore the idea of abundance and community, reinforcing the math of natural cycles—where sustenance and celebration are intertwined. Additionally, the offerings of marine life link him to the idea of reciprocity within ecosystems, illustrating a deeper understanding of harmony in one's environment, while the dolphin connection indicates a bridge between consciousness and the depths of the subconscious, as both are often seen as symbols of intelligence and guidance in spiritual realms.

Adarro, as a water and sea god, resonates with themes of fluidity, transformation, and the unconscious mind, often represented in mythology as a realm of depth and mystery. His epithet "White Dolphin Spirit" suggests an embodiment of purity and intelligence, with dolphins symbolizing communication and harmony—hinting at hidden knowledge beneath the surface. The act of teaching mortals various skills (As did each of the Bowynn gods) reflects a higher wisdom and the importance of mentorship, mimicking ancient beliefs that deities often guided humanity in crafting their destinies. His association with the beach, a liminal space where land meets water, symbolizes transition and connectivity between worlds—between the conscious (land) and the unconscious (ocean). Additionally, the elements of joy and celebration indicate not just abundance, but also the need to align oneself with the rhythms of nature, suggesting a deeper spiritual journey towards balance and gratitude within one’s life. Such thematic depth prompts one to ponder the significance of our relationships with nature, community, and the divine, echoing teachings that the respect for these connections can lead to prosperity and fulfillment.

Delving deeper into the character of Adarro through a scientific lens, we can explore his connections to marine ecology and human-environment interactions. As a water and sea god, Adarro symbolizes the vital role of aquatic ecosystems in sustaining life. The ocean's health is intrinsically linked to human survival, mirroring principles in environmental science about biodiversity, food webs, and ecological balance. His teaching of fishing methods aligns with sustainable practices; by respecting these resources, humans can ensure their longevity, reflecting what modern science promotes about conservation.

The use of sacred offerings, such as fish and seaweed, can be seen as an acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of life. This interdependence resonates with ecological theories that highlight how species and environments co-evolve, hinting at a broader understanding of symbiosis and mutualism—ecosystems thrive when each part fulfills its role. Furthermore, the dual aspects of his nature—joyful protector and wisdom teacher—emphasize the psychological impact of nature on well-being and community, backed by studies showing that positive interactions with the natural world can enhance mental health.

On a metaphysical level, the ocean itself is often viewed as a vast reservoir of collective unconsciousness in various cultures, representing mysteries, emotions, and the unknown. Adarro's embodiment of this element could invoke deeper reflections on human connection, emotional intelligence, and the subconscious mind, suggesting that the feelings we derive from nature can inform our psychological and spiritual growth. This duality of science and mysticism presents Adarro not merely as a deity but as a profound symbol of the interconnected threads binding life, the environment, and spiritual consciousness.

Blessed Winter Solstice

The Bowynn Gods: Bia

(This listing starts with the 7 great divinities of Creation. The Creatrix that was at the beginning. After the 7, all other gods will be listed in alphabetical order.)

"Creation / Hand of Bia" - created by D. Kzmarinski 1984 - 26"x34"

Bia  (By-ah)  - In the great Bowynn tale of Creation, Bia emerged from the reign of nothingness. Bia was not so much a deity as much as being a personification of creation. Bia represents creation, the force and balance of all things. Without Bia there is only chaos. It was the emergence of Bia that put an end to emptiness, the chaos and vanquished the never ending “Mist”. From Bia was born the first gods. Bia is the very element of 'Balance.'

     From Bia the first gods of creation were born: Paut, Tya, Ohenn, Brea, Unthar, Sumon, Phoenix, , and musch leter Daeth and Tora, Saul and Shayla, Maeanna and the three sisters, the Ano Taya.

     Bia is the most sacred of all of the divine in the Bowynn tradition. Even the gods themselves including Anhur, bow down and give honor to Bia. In the Bowynn tradition, Bia can take the shape and/or voice of anything it please, thereby Bia was able to set down laws and judgments, and still does. There are some who solely devoted to Bia and Bia’s powers. They spend their lives in constant pursuit of attaining the goals that Bia set. Others just give Bia the most respect and live their lives in balance.

    Bia has no true form as the other immortals. Bia takes the form of all and none. Therefore, Bia takes no one side. Bia is neither male nor female, mostly depicted just as a hand, as it places the stars and plants in the universal space. Bia is the perfect balance. Being that Bia is everything and is all about, all things are sacred to Bia. So many different types of offerings are sent but the most popular is simply incense or lit candle.

      (Equivalent would be Khaos, Ptah, the Abrahamic "God" and other divine beings of creation.)

Symbolic motif of the Great Creatix with a symbol of Bia in the very center. Embroidery detail on a Hladd. created by Lorra Konrad 1991

The 7 Sacred Offerings

Within the faith of the Bowynn tradition it is said that the gods ask for only 7 basic types of offering. These seven became the staple of offerings and are called "Tau Numa Abennes", literally The Seven Offerings. The list is as follows

Flowers, Plants, Flora and Foliage. (cut, potted, wreath, garlands)

Uncooked foods. (Fruits, honey, veggies, nuts, grains, herbs,)

Cooked foods. (Meats, cakes,)

The light of a Candle

Incense

Libations of all sorts (Anything liquid from water to brews)

Votive offerings and objects (clay, wax, cloth, wood figures. Objects)

There is technically and 8th form which is personal self, often meaning cuts of hair, nails and drops of blood. These are only used to bless and bind with a sacred religious tool and even then, very minimally. The gods otherwise abhor the sacrifice of life and the disrespect of the body. "Your body be a gift from us immortals, defile it not but instead keep it clean and pure.)

Once a year on New Years {Then Ohenn} a great complete set of all 7 offerings is displayed on Altars and is offered to the gods.

During the Holiday of "Kodex Tor" it is costumery to burn what is called a "Tsa'heka" of incense, which is 'bundle of 100 incense sticks." Sometimes a myst will off a Tsa'heka to the gods when casting a particularly powerful spell that is in dire need.

Unlike Wiccans, the gods of the Bowynn do NOT have any one set of particular offerings they require. That is to say there is no need to attribute only certain scents, colors and food to a particular god or goddess. they will accept any offering if given with all respect and love.

As to why offerings are gifted to the Bowynn gods, it's out of love and respect. For they have given some of the greatest gifts to mankind, its only right to give a gift in return. Brea, the goddess of the earth speaks very clear in this when she replied ...

"For all this that I have given on to you, for the life you live, the air you breath and that land you walk on, the light the lets you see the beauty of the day and the night that lets you sleep, would not you give the same to me? Gift to me a stone, a cutting a grass, a plate of your meal, light, waft of smoke. Kind comes in kind my beloved children and in circle again. Give what you can in love and hurt nothing that I have life to. Give to us, your beloved parents, and in kind we will give to you."

As to the "post offering" or to say what happens after offerings are gifted. the goddess Abbennaea clarifies this in her own words.

"Precious child, fret not because that which you offered is still on the plate. For you see, I take not that which you give to us in the mortal world but instead I take its divine essence, its spirit and love that you have given. And I bring it to those of us who you have offered it to. In turn, we the immortals, turn your gifts into that which is good for all, mortal and immortal alike. Only the scented herbs that you burn for us, we receive directly, as it rises and flies to our presence. Then within the turning of a full day and night, dispose of the mortal husk of your offering into a pit in the earth, into the waves of the sea, the waft of the wind or that is most befitting of such a gracious gift. And take heart knowing your gift has pleased us."

So, in a word, the gods take the divine essence of your gifts to them and after 24 hours you may dispose of the food or plants in a respectable manner, as best one can.

With this, we close with the basic outline of the Bowynn faith. Posts beyond this point will deal with the Holidays that the Bowynn celebrate and the Gods themselves in detail.

BOWYNN GODS: TAYNON

Taynon (Tay-non)  Kii of the home, hearth and children. These are probably the most reveres of all the kii. They are invoked when a new home is built and over the door of the home is built a small shrine or shelf where images of the Taynon sit. In other cases they are cared in the frame of the door. They are diminutive in size and said to have bird wings. The Taynon protect the home from all that can befall it. They also are guardians of the family and guardians of children.