Blessed Solstice

Bowynn Gods: Luanna

Luanna  (Lu-Ahn-Nah)  Luanna is the Bowynn goddess of gardens, flowers, meadows and fields and guardian of flowers. She is also the patron of florists and nursery owners. She is the daughter of Brea and Unthar.

     She is also something of a weather goddess, making sure that destructive storms do not fall and destroy her beautiful gifts. Herbs and flowers are used not only magickally but medically, so in essence she is also considered a healing goddess. The flowers she brings to bloom are used to fragrant clothing washes as well as dye cloth. Little is said or spoke about when it comes to Luanna. Like all deities of the Bowynn faith, she is just accepted as "being there." She is often seen wandering gardens and meadows, bringing forth blooms and flowers. She is a goddess of frivolity, much like the great patron Aleglea. However, Luana's realm is strictly reserved for bringing forth colorful life in the garden. Sometimes she is seen with Aleglea and/or Jayleen Jarra, goddess of herbalism. It is said that Luanna's job in Alaway is to decorate the great halls with her gifts, thus giving the great hall of the gods a wondrous bouquet-like smell. On the Spring Equinox and (which in the Bowynn Tradition is called "Tsaquilla") Luanna is given high praise, as she is the grower of the scared flowers that symbolizes the holiday. Tsaquilla is a 3-day holiday and it is on the 3rd of the holiday, Luanna is given the most praise with great blessings of gardens and her statue or shrine in home gardens is cleansed and tended to. On Tsaquilla, small gardens are arranged just for the goddess.

     Luanna is said to be a most beautiful goddess of simple beauty. Her garments as soft and flowing but simple as well; often a simple green gown/dress and over it a brown hladd or shorter tunic. Sometimes she is seen crowned with a simple braiding of flowers but nothing too bold. In her hands she carries a basket and sometimes a garden shear or boline in her hand. Other times she is seen carrying a bowl of seeds. When not seen in this form she will take the form of a bee, which is her totem animal. Naturally sacred gifts to Luanna consist of flowers bulbs and seeds.

The Bowynn Altar

The Bowynn traditional altar {Baear} bares no resemblance to a Wiccan altar at all. The altar is the “sacred table” so to speak, which is a focal point for prayer time between us and the gods. Therefore, the altar should not have clutter on it at all. In the simplest form, the altar consists with the altar itself, which can be a table of wood (which is best used indoors) or if erected outside made of logs and/or stone, which is best used outdoors. I personally find two end tabled put side by side works best for me, as there will be draw space and a small shelf or two to place other scared objects. Concrete works fine, like a birdbath or poured concrete garden bench, especially outdoors. In some cases, a carved tablet works perfectly, which can even be carried in the pre ceremonial procession and placed on a log or stone. The altar should also be of at a good height; about the same height of any table. Avoid having yourself and other people having to bend down to place something on it if you can.

Once the base of the altar is erected, the acting priest/ess should sanctify it with holy water {Maten'Sumon} and holy oil (Maten'Jefer) and then a general invocation to the gods (this will be discussed later in more detail. This should be done before anything else is placed on it.

Outdoor altars need not an altar cloth. This is mostly reserved for indoor temple and home altars. But that does not mean you can not use one. Most folks think that the altar cloth is nothing more than a piece of fabric that keeps the altar itself clean and makes it pretty. The truth is that the cloth is symbolic. It represents the veil that separates the mortal world from the world of the gods. It also symbolizes the veil between the world of the living from the dead. The cloth should be something special and made of non-polyester material. Silk, wool, cotton are the best. Leather and suede are good so long as it is soft and subtle enough to lay flat on the altar. What decorations are on the cloth is up to the owner of the cloth. Color does not matter but some take into consideration the colors of the season.

A simple layout of objects on the altar, are as follows: The Septagram Tile, {Bowrod} which graces the center. It should be big enough to be seen from where people are sitting. A wood tile with a septagram {Numatam} painted, carved or wood-burned on it is great. Behind or about the tile are seven candles {Kaelu}, one for each element/virtue. White candles or just naturally colored bees wax but you can use colored candles if you desire. An incense censor {Temnetellon} of some sort is also on the altar. This can be as simple as a small bowl of dirt. This is the simplest and most traditional set up. One can add an icon {Dyol} of the god/s if one wishes; often that is set on the tile or behind it. A basket, bowl or plate may be present for holding offerings of food and a chalice or drinking horn to hold libation. But normally, these are not left on the altar.

If the altar that is erected is very temporary and needs to be taken down, one should have a large basket or wood box to store the sacred objects in.  this basket is sacred and called a {Mystara Khabbat} When stored away, each item should be wrapped in cloth. The basket and its contents should never be handled by anyone except by its owner and/or the artifacts-bearer. All objects should be left in the basket and taken out only as needed. Flowers and garlands can be used to decorate the altar as well, seen as gifts to the gods.

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

Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Gods: Enya

Enya  (Ehn-ya)  Goddess of the morning and the dew. She is the daughter of Saul and Shayla and the sister of Treya, goddess of the dusk. Raven-haired goddess Enya is the goddess responsible not only for waking up the gods that decide to sleep in Alaway but also, she is in charged for the waking up mortals. At the same time, she is the goddess that flies ahead of the sun of the day, turning the sky from night to day and blessing the ground with morning dew.

     Very little sacred tales are known of Enya. However, it is said her song and voice if what breaks the shroud of night and brings forth the day. As she travels across the world, the vessel she carries spills out and blankets the grass with morning dew. She guides the sun across the sky till it descends in the west. In one sacred tale it is said that Enya and Treya fought over who would be leading the sun in the morning and the evening. Anhur was asked to make the ruling but even he could not decide. Finally, he called in the two goddesses individually to plead her case. His final judgment came not by wisdom but by the color of the dress they wore. Enya wore a dress that reminded the king of the gods of the gentle morning. And so, his judgment stands to this day.

     In most Boywnn villages there was always a “Morning Wailer.” It was their job to wake all up as they started a song throughout the villages at the top of her voice. These songs would be hymns to Enya and Treya was the patron of Morning Wailers. Of which is a most honorable and elite profession. Becoming a Morning Wailer would be devoting oneself to the Priesthood of Enya

     Enya was also one of the loves of the sun god Herne, prior to his wedding Morrighynn. Their love however was short lived when his eyes fell on the lady of the night. Despite the rejection, Enya still remains devoted to Herne.

     Enya is described as a most lovely lady, clad in a dress that matches the morning sky with red lips and short cut black hair. Sometimes she bares the wings of a bird, sometimes not. Other times she is depicted as merely flying on her own accord on the wind with morning birds accompanying her. The vessel she carries the morning dew is often shaped like a spiral shell. Sometimes Enya will take the form of a morning bird like a sparrow; the sparrow being her totem animal.

     Sacred offerings to Enya come often in the shape of bowls and cups of water, flowers, votive images of sparrows and birds and of course incense.   “Matenerm” or holy meals are left to her as a special gift.

Bowynn Gods: Hyu

Hyu  (Hi-you)  Hyu is the God of baking, ovens and bread. He is the “Baker of the Gods.” He is also the god of bread making, mills, harvesting wheat, the grinding of flour, acorn gathering and the patron of bakers. He is the son of Amaetheon and Deanna. His man means “Flour.” Hyu is a master bread maker. He has his own room and kitchen at Alaway, where he makes all the feasts for the divine Akua family each morning and night, particularly the daily first loaf, which is divided up among the gods. He taught the first mortal tribes how to harvest and prepare acorns for bread making. The bread he makes for the holy family is the most sacred. Hyu is also the guardian of mills. His image was always depicted on mill doors and all mills had a small shrine to Hyu. Hand mills are blessed in Hyu’s name.

     The 7 days Hyu spent with the first tribes to teach them the arts of bread making. This was one of the key elements that brought on man’s survival. So grateful were the tribes, that they build a special temple to Hyu in the shape a mill, instead of the typical shape. The altar as well was designed in the shape of a millstone.

     Hyu is depicted as a man of full age, His hair longish and brown, often seen in workman’s clothes of earth tones and a bakers tan tunic. He carries a broom-staff to which is bound his bread-board with red fillets, a color sacred to him. Offerings to Hyu are in the realm of bread, wheat, flour, acorns, and other grains that are made into flour. Special gifts also consist of elaborated carved spoons, brooms, bread-boards, honey and herb cakes. Hyu’s totem is the mouse, the symbol of abundant wealth.

Blessed Tsa'Kora to one and all

Blessings of abundance, love and health to you all.

BOWYNN GODS: SHELI

Sheli  (Shel-Lee)  Sheli is the Mammont [Mammoth] goddess of the plains, bravery, long courageous trips and expeditions and she is the patroness of hunters and bravery. Sheli is very much one of the more revered gods during the celebration of the Great Migration.

     Sheli did not play much of a role in the pantheon for a long time. For the most part she was looked at as the matriarch of the wandering tribes of mammoths, protecting them from dangers of hunters and predators. But it came to pass that the 13 great tribes crossed the Bosphorus into Europe utterly starved. While they had the protection and lead of the goddess Briathenaea, the people’s food stock was all but depleted. Brianthenaea asked Sheli for help. The goddess directed random herds of mammoths towards the tribes to be hunted. Thus, the tribes were saved again by divine intervention. It was at that point that the people revered Sheli as a goddess of travel and the guardians of plains and valleys where mammoths dwelt. In turn Sheli devoted herself a goddess of the hunt and protectors of hunters. 

     One of the great scared tales speak of the time when Sheli had issued a great warning to all the hunters of the tribes never to kill more than they needed. Especially when it came to the mammoths, for they were the guardians of the plains. Sadly, there came a point where her warning was forgotten and sure enough the mammoths were all but hunted off by greedy hunters. That’s when the great starvation of the tribes came. Sheli shunned the hunters and set them to survive on their own. It was the god Herne who prevented the starvation of mortals by sacrificing himself. Sheli saw that the people were grateful, and they brought her great gifts to repent. Sheli broke down and forgave the mortals and vowed to continue to guard and guide their hunts.

     Sheli is seen in tow forms. The first being a mammoth and the second in her immortal true form; that is a woman of years, with reddish and grey hair, clad in travelling clothes lined in fur and a fir cap. Scared to Sheli are votive images of mammoths and elephants, hunting weapons and all sorts of foods. Bundles of grain are offered to her in autumn as a special tribute.

Bowynn Gods: Hemwey

Hemwey  (Hem-way)  Hemwey is the Bowynn goddess of Compassion and care for those that are often down-trodden. Most particular, Hemwey tends to the poor, the ill and those that are suffering through life. She is the lifter of heads and hope. Her parents are Rhya and Anhur and she is the sister of Daekk and Tymora.

     Hemwey is a caring and nurturing goddess, spending little time in Alaway but preferring to walk the night streets to bring help to those that need to sleep there. She is sister to the goddess of fortune, Tymora. Together they help the destitute. Even as a child, before taking her position in the great pantheon she loved to walk the villages where mortals live and play with the children of the poor; Bringing a smile to their face and bringing food and medicine to families in need. often such gifts were left in a small bundle by their feet. These offerings and gifts of hope please Hemwey so much that the goddess eventually chose to fore-go marriage and the pleasantries of Alaway and live among peasants. However, Hemwey is not a goddess that tends to those that do not try to better themselves or the lazy. One story speaks of her running into a man that was barely wearing a cloth to cover home and covered in filth. The goddess took him to her simple home, bathed, clothed and fed him. The next day the man appeared again the same way. This happened 7 times in total. Finally, the goddess discovered the man was merely using her and other people’s generosity. It was from this that the goddess learned for the first time that some people can be cruel and lazy. However instead of ignoring him, Hemwey gave the man the richest of garments and a huge cash pile. She did this every day and everyday people saw him. Thinking the man was a rich merchant, the poor started to beg him constantly for assistance. By the end of each day, he had no money left.

     Hemwey is a motherly looking goddess with very simple garments. Her hair free of make-up, her hair long and her feet bear. If she does not appear as a peasant woman herself to others she comes in the form of a cat or a cool autumn breeze. Seen in her true form she bears a basket or bag in her arm with bundles of gifts: food, drink, shoes and coins.

     Sacred gifts and offering to Hemwey are food of any type but bread is her choice. Libation is milk or water. And of course, incense. Coins of generosity are also a prized offering to the goddess.

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.