Happy Halloween

BOWYNN GODS: PANU

Panu (Pah-new)  Goddess of Gemcrafting. She is the daughter of Brea and Unthar and the sister of Vella. When it comes to gems, glass and lapidary work, no deity or mortal can compare. She is the goddess that creates fashions gems from the ground and bestows them with special magic powers that can be used in healing and metaphysical properties. She is the patroness of lapidaries and jewelers.

     Being a goddess with such gifts Panu often stayed in the halls of Alaway or walked the earth blessing the ground with her creations. But the sacred stories tell that one day she wandered a forest and came upon a grand hut of stonework with many chimneys. Curious, she walked inside and came upon the god Kalen hard at work carving gifts for the Akua and mortal man. Scared she hid and watched the god as he continued his work. Finally, she was spied by one of the giants that help out. Kalen turned and saw the goddess and fell instantly in love with her beauty. For days on end the two would meet at the hut. He would work in wood, and she would inlay the finish product with stones as she saw fit. When they stopped, they would kiss, and this would make the hearths blow 10 times as hot. After weeks of this passion, Kalen wed Panu in a most glorious wedding ceremony. Their wedding cart was created by their own hands of wood and gems. Together they still work along with Gondor and his bride Vella.

     Panu is a goddess described to be of raven black hair and eyes that change and glimmer like the gems she creates. Her clothes are said to be of simple make, being she is a god on crafts and earthly. The material is claimed to be of a purplish hue with green embroidery and edging. She is depicted as a young woman, matching with Kalen’s age range. She is one of the few goddesses that do not have a totem animal.

     Sacred to Panu are all gemstones, glass and lapidary tools; small hammers, files, chisels and such.

Blessed Winter Solstice

My Personal Prayer to Aetenn

O Aetenn, Ram-Crowned God, protector of arms and armor, I invoke your sacred presence as I stand before you with a humble heart. In the woodlands of Alaway, where the echoes of drums resonate, I seek your divine vigilance over that which I hold dear. Hear me, O Aetenn, son of Anhur and Rhya, guardian of warriors who tread the path of honor. I call upon your spirit, adorned with ram horns and the protective thorns of the black berry wreath. May your strength shield me as I navigate the challenges that lie ahead, that I may face them with the courage you impart. I lay before you the symbols of my devotion—swords and shields, crafted by the hands of mortals, and drums that carry the rhythm of my heart. Accept these offerings, O great Aetenn, as I seek your blessing upon my arms and the gear that I cherish. Let the resounding beat of your drums echo my intent to honor and protect all that I prize.

Grant me, Aetenn, your vigilance over my possessions, especially those that are most precious to me. As you guard the soldiers before battle, let your protection extend to my heart’s desires, ensuring they remain safe from harm. May your watchful eye preserve the integrity of what I cherish, standing steadfast through trials and tribulations. In gratitude, I celebrate your spirit, O Aetenn, the drumming god whose rhythms unite our souls. As your drums once communicated across campfires, may my prayers rise like the beat of your sacred drums, melding into the whispers of the forest, proclaiming my trust in your divine care. O Ram-Crowned God, I honor you with these words, pledging my loyalty and reverence. May your spirit protect me as I venture forth and may the arms and armor I wield bear the strength of your guardianship. Let my path be illuminated by your wisdom, as I carry your essence in my heart and in my actions. So shall it be, as the echoes of your drums resound throughout the realms of the living.

Syember!

Bowynn Gods: Dadjall

Dadjall (Dhad-jhal)  Dadjall is the Bowynn god who leads souls from the shore of Daunat to the presence of Lord Chumash and Lady Kalma. Dadjall is in fact the son of Kalma and Chumash and the brother of many chthonic gods. Despite is dark occupation; he is a friendly and said to be a very handsome god.

     Because Dadjall is always tending the dead, he has had no encounters with the living mortals outside of the gods Kord and Brenda. And though labor-some, Dadjall’s work is a labor of love, as he gets to travel though the most beautiful land in creation. So, he has never complained. However, because of his duty, he has never been graced to find a love nor know what mortals are like.

     Dadjall is rarely depicted, save for funerary articles. However, his image rarely changes. According to the accounts of Kord and Brenda, Dadjall is a young handsome immortal god, and he is a charmer, according to Brenda. His clothing is a mix of black and scarlet or burgundy in color with a loose scarf about his neck, wrapped about a couple of times. In hand he carries a tall walking staff with a large round quartz ball on the top, representing the Soul and Spirit in one. Often with him, at his side is a dog. So, his basic image is that of "a boy and his dog." All in all, Dadjall has the image of a wanderer. Sacred to him are all funerary offerings: incense, flower, fresh water, votive candles and votive dog images.

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: Lyann

Lyan  (Ly-an)  Lyan is the Bowynn god of the eastern providences and the east wind. He is one of the 4 wind gods, brother to Arn, Summon and Ryan.

Lyan is the god the delivers the moist gentle and scented rains and winds that often come in the spring and Springtime flowers. His winds blow away the last remnants of winter, allowing flower to grow. Appropriately, Lyan fell for the goddess of the springtime season and eventually wed her. Their sacred divine wedding falls on Ky'Quilla. Together, Lyan and Quilla reside in the far eastern lands. And together both appear on the first day of spring with Lyan leading his beloved.      Lyan is seen as a young man, barely out of his teenage years with wavy red flowing hair. He is seen in his divine form with bird wings. His garments are of reds, greens and/or yellow, often a long flowing loosely, that's falling off his shoulder and in his hand a flute and on his side a drinking horn. When not in his godly form, he will appear as a Robin, a bird that is Lyan's totem.

     Sacred gifts and offerings to Arn often consist of milk, fresh water and votives of robins, feathers and spring flowers.

BOWYNN GODS: UNTHAR

Unthar  (uhn-thar)  God of the air, sky and the air element. Unthar is the eldest of the primordial gods, created by Bia and considered their king, under Bia itself. Unthar is called by many names from Father Sky, to “all seeing.” He is the air, the sky, the universe, the heavens and the element of air. Unth in English means "Air"

     In the creation of mankind, Unthar saw there was no life in the models that his siblings made of clay. So into the mouths of each one, Unthar gave breath. And with that the figures came alive. It was Unthar that separated the heavens from the earth, giving atmosphere and blocking the divine heaves away from the sight of mortals on earth below. 

     Wedding and bedding his sister Brea, Unthar fathered all the great gods of the Akua. He is one of the few gods that rarely visit Alaway, as his watch of “all” is never ceasing.

     Unthar is seen as an older god, of grandfatherly appearance. His white hair and beard is long and eyes almost crystal clear, so he can take in everything. At times he is seen wearing a helm while other times a hood. His garments are white all about. At time he is seen with a staff in hand and other times, he is seen with a horn in hand, which he uses to summon gods to his attention. Sacred to Unthar is mostly incense of all scents and votive images of a horn and birds.

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: Anhur

Anhur (An-her)  Anhur is King-Father of the gods, Son of Brea and Unthar. Anhur is the god of families, men, fatherhood, laws, virtues, courtrooms, justice and men’s rites.  Anhur is the son of Unthar and Brea. He is the ruler of the earth and considered king of the Gods in the Bowynn faith. Being the figure-head of all the Akua, he upholds law, justice and morals, and this made him the spiritual leader of both gods and mortals. His symbols are the scepter, the hawk, wolf and the Maple Tree. Ultimately, Anhur is the God of Councils and councilors. He is a patron to all men and men’s rites, rituals and initiations. He lends wisdom to fathers. He is the god-king of justice, law, order and all virtues. He is a god of protection, liberty and freedom. Anhur is protector and patron of the king and his family. As the supreme deity, Anhur oversees the conduct of civilized life.     

      When born, Anhur and his brothers Chumash and Tane were living in the Second Age. Back then the rulers of the gods were his parents, aunts and uncles. The three boys quarreled often to their parents, who of the three would end up ruling what realm of the earth. The gods sent them into contest with a bow and arrow. The rules were that wherever the arrow that each one of the boys shot would land, that would be the realm they would rule. Tane’s arrow landed in the sea and Chumash’s landed in on another continent where one day mortal spirits would make their home far across the western sea. Anhur’s arrow however landed in a tree. None of the gods could agree what the ruling would be for such a shot. The Great Creator Bia was asked to judge the shot and Bia ruled that the realm Anhur would rule was the earth and the air. And so Anhur’s Kingdom was gained

     Next Anhur set on his first great task; to attain his totem animal. He picked not just the wolf but the king of the wolves, Lankner. But Lankner refused to be treated as a Totem animal. This led to a great chase and battle between Lankner and the young Anhur. Eventually the chases and wrestling were too much for the king of wolves and his mortal body collapsed and died. Grief stricken, Anhur saved the soul of Lankner from entering Daunnat and thus not only obtained his totem but to this day, he is Anhur’s immortal hound. Not as a pet but as a brother.

     Anhur fell in love with the Goddess Rhya. But she refused his advances till he showed her his true love. by Rhya's request, Anhur built the great Hall of the Gods, Alaway. This was not to be a home for them to stay in all the time but a place to where all the gods would meet for evening meal and sleep. It was said that an oath was made with all the gods that no matter what friction was fused during the day between the gods, when they enter Alaway to eat, all differences were left outside. It took Anhur 7 days to complete Alaway alone, but its completed state would make it the grandest of all hallows. (see “Alaway”)

     Anhur in appearance does not come off as a king, as much as he is seen as a father figure. That is to say he seems to present himself as a man in his 40s. Fully bearded, crowned with a circlet, helm or a wreath of maple leaves and with a staff in hand. His hair is said to be golden brown and his eyes green. Often Anhur is seen with Lanker the immortal wolf, or a wolf himself. His clothes are that is a counselor, warrior or a king, but of earthen colors.

Embroidry & Paint of Chumash (left) and Anhur (right) - created by Ksandra Weldess - 2011

QUESTION AND ANSWER: MYST WEAR

Question: Does a Bowynn Myst wear any particular clothing/garb like wiccan witches do?

Answer: A Myst wears whatever they are comfortable in. Most will wear at least one garment that matches their person element. (Blue / turquoise for water mysts, reds and oranges for fire mysts) Some mysts do design a special wardrobe (put together) for special events or when they plan an all day magic working. Pointy hats and long black robes are not traditionally what a Myster would wear. Though they would wear black if casting curses and hexes, and attuning to the universal sky.