Bowynn Gods: Phaenixx

Bowynn Gods: Ano Taya

Ano Taya  (An-oh Tay-ya)  The Ano Taya are three goddesses that preside over “Fate.” The three goddesses are Nae (the past)  Narna (The present)  Nareen (The future). The Ano Taya are 3 of the few gods that never leave Alaway. Instead, they forever sit in front of a giant loom and weave the great tapestry of life; whose threads present every mortal ever born. Unlike the Greek and Roman Fates, the threads do not hold the very essence of mortal life. So, if they are cut, mortals do not die. The threads of the Ano Taya weave represent the paths of life we take, the threads that are woven in with are those we met in life. Grandmother Nareen tends to what was woven. Mother Narna weaves in the new threads and Nae prepares the threads that shall be woven into the loom.

     It is said that when the Ano Taya finish the current tapestry of life, this age is over. Then they will then start over making a new tapestry, and a new age shall begin. Currently mankind is the forth tapestry woven by the Ano Taya. The past tapestries they have created are hung in the great hall of Alaway.

     Sacred gifts offered to the Ano Taya goddesses are candles of white, red and purple. Also Fillets of the same color and votive images of the goddesses. The number 3 is most sacred to the Ano Taya so any offerings in the amount of 3 are most welcome by the Ano Taya.

Bowynn Gods: Adarro

Adarro  (Ah-dar-rho)  A god of friendly water and the sea. He is sometimes called “White Dolphin Spirit.” Adarro is the son of Sumon and Phoenix. Adarro is called the fisherman’s god, as he brings good fishing to men and protects them as well. He is a joyful god and when not swimming about the waves can be seen joyfully dancing about the beach, celebrating with mortals. In this way he can also be seen as a god of abundance, to those that depend on the sea for food. And some attribute the skill/sport of surfing to Adarro. He is often summoned before a beach gathering, to bless the celebration and asked to join in on the fun.

    There are little sacred tales of Adarro, as he seems to avoid trouble, instead enjoying his times in the water and beaches. During the Seven Sacred Days, Adarro spent his time with mortals, teaching them how to catch fish, build boats and weave nets and trap-baskets. He also showed mortals how to avoid the waters when they could be destructive.

    Adarro is seen as a most handsome youthful sea god; his hair is blond and curly, and his body is lean and tanned by the sun. Often, he is seen without clothing or just a wearing a long “stola.” Sacred offerings to the god come in the form of meals of fish, star-fish & dolphin votives, water lilies, seaweed and of course incense.

Blessed Solstice

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.

Bowynn Tradition Virtues {Hylin}

The following are the Sacred Seven virtues {Hylin} of the Bowynn faith. These seven virtues are one of many attributes of the Bowynn Holy Symbol, the Numatam:

Peace {Del}

Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm. It comes especially in quiet moments of reflection or gratitude. It is getting very quiet and looking at things so you can understand them. Peacefulness is a way of approaching conflict with others so that no one is made wrong.  It is being fair to others and yourself. Peace is giving up the love of power for the power of love. With peacefulness, everyone wins. Practicing peacefulness helps to create a calm mind free from worry. When you are peaceful, you respect others and their differences. People around you feel calm and safe.  Without peace, no one is safe. People get hurt.  Fighting doesn’t solve problems, and no one every really wins a war.  With peacefulness, any problem can be solved. Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart.  To find inner peace, become very still and think peaceful thoughts. Observe and think about your feelings, like anger, instead of acting with anger. To be a peacemaker, use peaceful language instead of name-calling, yelling or gossiping.  Avoid aggressive or violent actions. Talk things out and listen to the other person too.  Then look for a peaceful solution. Peacemakers find there are lots of creative ways to solve any problem.

Charity {Artaejen}

A person in need of charity is somebody who risks the loss of some very strong and stable desires. These include basic desires such as a desire for a warm place to sleep on a cold winter’s night, a desire for food and clean water to drink, a desire for health, and, in some cases, a desire to go on living. When a person has a desire to help fulfill the particularly strong desires of others, then an act of charity fulfills not only the desires of those to whom he gives, but his own desires as well. Some people state that part of the value of giving to charity is the pleasure that it provides to those who do the giving. However, this pleasure is contingent. This is a learned desire – a desire brought about by the use of social tools such as praise (of those who are charitable) and condemnation (of those who are selfish). People in general have many and strong reasons to praise those who are charitable, and to condemn those who are selfish. Any one of us could end up in a situation where some of our strongest and most stable desires are at risk – where we are without a home or suffer some severe threat to our health and long life. But we must remember to give because it is the right thing to do. Not because we expect good things in return.

Love {Brend}

We often think of love as an emotion we experience, an emotion characterized by the desire to be close to another person, the sense of cozy pleasure we feel in a relationship. This emotional aspect of love is usually perceived as warmth, attraction, intimacy, closeness and excitement. If we limit our understanding of love to the experience of transient emotions alone, we are on extremely unstable ground.  Whether we enjoy someone's company or not, whether we admire their character or not, we can still honor a person from a spiritual perspective simply because, we are all created from the same spirit. In this definition of love we make a commitment to remember the truth of our oneness and treat others with respect and kindness no matter if they are worthy of such sentiments or not. Loving another person in this way is respecting their divinity, which is the same as ours. This is a reliable foundation for a positive relationship. When we find ourselves angry or fearful, all love is not lost. We must turn our attention to the principle of love, which calls us to be gentle, kind and to treat others with respect despite the life-constricting emotions of anger and fear. This concept of love is what the ancient Greeks called Agape love -- a love that honors all others. When we have love to give, we can express it with respect, kind words and actions, even when the conditions don't seem to warrant loving-kindness. To foster love, we have to be honest in little and big matters.  To demonstrate love, we can give our undivided attention whether we are at work or at home. Just silently listening and being present can be a loving gesture. Never forget that love can be applied to any problem. Since this life is short, savor moments by being fun-loving and relishing connections with others. Each day, make a conscious choice to live lovingly and express love to yourself and others.

Courage {Baraej}

Courage is one of those virtues necessary to living a good life. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of courage is bravery in the face of a threat, yet it is so much more. It is the ability to choose the point that lies between cowardice and recklessness in any circumstance. Courage takes many forms. Examples include the courage to do what is right, the courage of facing a personal fear, the courage to accept unpopularity, the courage to endure physical or mental pain for the sake of self-improvement, the courage to push forward through frustration,

the courage to tell the truth, the courage to change, the courage to act, the courage to trust, the courage to love, the courage to commit, and many more. How do you make a habit of courage? This is not an easy undertaking, as you will have to overcome years of habits associated with making uncourageous decisions. First, let me suggest that you have to believe that practicing courage is a worthy pursuit. Developing courage will allow you to be more in control of your life as opposed to letting outside circumstances dictate your actions.  Another place to start is by developing the habit of being truthful. Telling the truth often requires courage because it may get you or someone you care about into trouble. Yet we inherently know it is the right thing to do. There is a selfish benefit to this strategy and that is people will respect you for this virtue. They may not always like it, but they will respect it. They will come to know that you are always telling them the truth and they will appreciate you for that quality.

Kindness {Skirnlee}

Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a person treats others. Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes. Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years. The attributes of thoughtfulness and kindness are inseparably linked.  Kindness is not a duty or an ethic either; it is an expression of personal virtue that flows from and is rooted in love, which is at the heart of all virtue. Kindness begins in the heart. In fact, many languages have words that are translated as "loving-kindness" or "kind-heartedness," which is kindness that goes beyond the minimum requirements of civility. Kindness is really more than being nice, polite or agreeable, but instead has more to do with our being than our behavior. It cannot be faked. Kindness softens hearts, lifts spirits and molds relationships. The value of our lives is best measured not by the material possessions we've acquired, but by the hearts we've touched, because who we are is far more important than what we have. Everything we do affects not only our own life, but touches other lives, too.

Spirituality {Tya'oamima}

A person with Spirituality will have firm beliefs about the meaning of the universe. Such people attach their life to something higher than themselves. Being spiritual may make it easier for a person to cope with difficult life events. Spirituality is not just about religious beliefs although the two are closely connected. People with religious beliefs have been shown to be able to cope with stress and handle difficult events when they arise. In religion, transcendence refers to the aspect of a god's nature and power which is wholly independent of the material universe, beyond all physical laws. This is contrasted with immanence, where a god is said to be fully present in the physical world and thus accessible to creatures in various ways. In religious experience transcendence is a state of being that has overcome the limitations of physical existence and by some definitions has also become independent of it. This is typically manifested in prayer, séance, meditation, psychedelics and paranormal "visions". It is affirmed in the concept of the divine in various religious traditions, and contrasts with the notion of a god, or the Absolute, existing exclusively in the physical order or indistinguishable from it (pantheism). Spirituality can be attributed to the divine not only in its being, but also in its knowledge. Thus, a god may transcend both the universe and knowledge (is beyond the grasp of the human mind). Although transcendence is defined as the opposite of immanence, the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some theologians and metaphysicians of various religious traditions affirm that a god is both within and beyond the universe; in it, but not of it; simultaneously pervading it and surpassing it.

Balance {Bia}

Balance is defined as “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis,” “equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements,” or “an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements,” according to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.  Balance is that spiritual straightness and stability that resists all influences to turn or deviate from the right path. It is the characteristic of righteousness that refuses to be allured, intimidated, or bullied into diverting from the assigned course. It resists reducing or exaggerating the truth, recognizing that error or excess in either direction, for any reason, remains error and excess. It is important to remember that balance is a godly virtue. It is clearly displayed in the nature of Bia itself. Bia is absolutely perfect in all holiness. Bia is pure and just in judgment, yet Bia’s mercy endures forever. Bia’s law reveals this virtue, calling for separation from the heathen, yet to love strangers, remembering they are strangers to others.  Finally, it must be understood that balance is an attainable virtue. That is not to say anyone will achieve perfect balance, but real and lasting progress can be made to achieve greater balance in life. If we keep our eyes on one unchanging, immovable focus, if we strive to become only what the gods want us to be and all that they want us to be, we will live with greater balance. Thus, we work to achieve balance for ourselves and others. Where the scales of balance are overweighed, we attempt to restore them into place, be it with physical labor, spiritual or metaphysical.

Bowynn Gods: The Kii

Kii  (Ky)  Kii are protective spirits of nature, home, work, the arts and various places. There are many types of Kii, large and minuscule and they all preside over different areas of nature. But all Kii are of good persuasion. And their appearance varies greatly. The three common type of Kii often seen and talked about are the small ones, which are described as no bigger than someone’s hands and have bird wings. There is a second type of small Kii that do not have wings. The third type are human size and have no wings.  And then there is the large type, which can be as big as trees and mountains. Some are humanoid in shape, some monstrous. The Bolquinn/Solquinn are big hair forest dwelling beasts.

The Kii were the creation of Brand and his siblings Kord and Brenda. They were created to guard and protect people and places during the destruction and seductive reign of Mano, who was starting to play nasty tricks on the gods. After Mano was destroyed, his minions the Tii were still causing havock, so Kord dictated the Kii were to remain, watching over the earth and its people.

Kii, like the gods, try not to interfere in human lives. Some try to avoid mortals at all cost. While some may protect the home or other such places, they do not get involved in mortal activity. One does not summon a Kii, as it is considered rude and can lead to mishaps. But if asked politely, a Kii may help. The Kii are not immortal but they do have a long lifespan. Some have been said to like about 200-300 years. No sacred story exists that mentions an individual Kii's name.

     Here is a list of some of the different types of Kii, some of which include:  Golderay (lightning, electricity and storms) Morrqua (stars, sleep, dreams and night) Sanna (waters) Chappa (mountain) Suni (wind and clouds) Maukol (harvest, wheat and grain) Gorto (forge) Jakk (domestic fire and flame) Heather (flowers and gardens) Aetin (cemeteries) Hii (magickal arts) Laukel (trees and woodlands) Tayo (houses, hearth, children) Solquinn (Forests)

     The Hii, Abonna and Kobbatti are often considered not Kii but instead as gods, even if they do not have individual names. Some folk do not consider the divisions of the Kii and just speak of them just as “The Kii.”

Bowynn Gods: Lomaun

Lomaun  (Lo-maun)  Lomaun is the son of Hern and Morrighynn. But he seems to have been born a mortal for reasons unknown who later became a god after his quests and adventures were over. This assention is not common in Bowynn faithn, as much as it is in Greek, Roman, Nordic and other faiths. As a god, he presides over forests, wildlife, protecting travelers, discovery, and guardianship of bears.

     Lomaun is worshipped as a bear god, a protector of travelers in general. Often prayed to before taking a trip for a safe journey and then again when the journey is complete. He is the guardian of the wild wood and all its creatures. He is the protector of hunters and their prey. Lomaun is also the god that helps those discover lost and new items but more importantly discover we all are deep inside.  

     Born a mortal child, Lomaun was raised by a bear till he was found and raised by a loving mortal family. However, he knew he was not the same as them, seeing he could do small feats that others simply could not do. In one instance he took on and defeated a giant boar that was terrifying travelers. The quest to slay the beast, lead Lomaun on a quest to find out who he really was and who his parents were, taking his bear mother with him. Along the way he encountered a series of tests of strength, skill, love, devotion, wisdom, cunning and learning the 7 virtues through trial. In the greatest of these tests, he ran into a tribe that was starving and on the brink of death. With bow in hand Lomaun trudged into the woods and there he spied a great elk. Lomaun was all ready to slay the beast when he was suddenly overcome with divine energy and realized he could not kill the animal. Lomaun realized that the elk in question was his father Herne's great steed. Lomaun slew the immortal elk and for this crime His immortal spirit, souls and body was turned mortal.

His last great feat was to take on a huge mountain of a man that was challenging men to a battle and killing them. In the battle Lomaun's bear companion was mortally wounded. Lomaun slew the warrior and raced to the bear’s side to find her transformed into a mortal. She was so beautiful and her dying breath she revealed that her name was Teega and that she did not love him as a mother would but as a lover. Lomaun wept so much that Herne and Morrighynn took pity and gave Lomaun and Teega immortality and allowed into Alaway to sit with the other gods. Their mortal lesson was etched into the night sky by Unthar, lord of the skies, as the Great Bear and Little Bear constellations.

     Lomuan is seen with wild brown hair and sporting a short beard and moustache. On his hip is a sword, on his back a quiver of arrows and in his hand a staff. He is seen in normal hunting cloths or a traveler’s wayfarer robe but over these he always have a bear skin for a cloak or large mantle. Despite his Heraklian-like mortal tasks, he is not depicted powerfully strong. Most of his mortal deeds being accomplished with brains over brawn. And at his side is either depicted his love in either bear or mortal form. Sometimes he will be seen as a bear himself, as the bear is his totem animal. Sacred offerings best suited to Lomaun are votive fetishes of bears, spear and arrowheads, tree saplings, fish, berry cakes (and berries in general) and of course incense.

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.  

Aelles Ky'Quilla

Brightest blessings and happy Ky'Quilla to you one and all.

Today started the first of the 3 day holiday of Ky'Quilla, which some may dare to equate with the Wiccan holiday of "Beltane". Ky'Quilla falls on April 30th, May 1st and May 2nd.

Ky'Quilla literally translates to "Mid-Spring". It is the celebration of the Goddess Quilla (Goddess of Springtime) marrying her consort Lyan (God of the Eastern Wind and Realm) Thus, this holiday in celebration of a divine wedding. During these three days brend [love] is the theme and all of the symbols of love abound. the primary colors used to decorate is white, red and pink. red flowers like rose are found everywhere and foods of apples, pomegranates, strawberries, cherries, and raspberries are used in all festive foods. Apples are the most divine in the Bowynn Tradition, so it is not shocking to see apples, apple blossoms and foods all over the place.

In ritual procession the icon of Quilla is housed in a canopy of white. Garlands and wreathes of apple and cherry blossoms and rose decorate circles, groves, temples and homes. A greatly decorated red candle is decorated and burned throughout the 3-day holiday.

The last day of the holiday is a great celebration for all. Celebrating the union of the God and Goddess. Foods abound, especially candies, berry drinks, rose and berry wines, sweet cakes, pies and berry cakes.

During this holiday it's used as a time for guys to profess their love to those they love. Traditionally, a young man will take this day to propose to the woman she loves by bringing an apple tree sapling or a small rise shrub. If the female accepts, they will plant the tree or shrub together in front of the girl's home. After they are wed, the tree/plant is removed to their new home.

Amongst other symbols of the holiday are images of various Kii [fairy folk] because it is said in the wedding of Quilla to Lyan, Kii formed the procession for Quilla to their sacred grove where they were wed. So its not shocking to see statues of Kii everywhere. Children will craft small houses for the various types of Kii or make cutouts of Kii and hang them about the house and celebration place.

However, you celebrate Ky'Quilla, may its be a special and blessed holiday for you. May love and friendship abound.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Samhain/Halloween

QUESTION: Do Bowynn Celebrate Halloween and Samhain?

ANSWER: No, we do not celebrate the Keltic/Wiccan Samhain. We do celebrate Ky'Kora, which is a rather loose equivalent to Samahain. A three-day holiday from October 30 to November 1st. But that is about all Ky'Kora has in common with Samhain.

We do celebrate Halloween as a total separate holiday. But we celebrate it on November 1st, as the 31st is a most divine and holy day, set aside for spiritual worship.