Bowynn Gods: Hern

Bowynn Gods: The Kobattii

Kobattii  (Kho-bha-ty)  TheKobattii are a form of Kii (Spirit/Faery) that guard sacred spaces, most of the time being Temples and Shrines. Bowynn temples will have images of Kobbattii above the archway of temple doors and small votive images etched or places next to small shrines.

     The Kobbattii, like most of the world's Kii were created by the Gods Brand, Kord and Brenda to ward off the ills of the God Mano and his malicious spirits, the Tii. It was the Kobbattii that took up residence in temples and shrines to guard and protect them and the bodies there-in . Being numerous but having no sacred text about them (outside of their creation) names of the Kobbattii do not exist.

     The Kobbattii are one of the very few of the Kii that bear armor and weapons. They are depicted clad in armor and bearing shields with the image of a turtle on it. It is their shields that are said to be the apex for protecting sacred sanctuaries.  Their shields are often seen raised high. Sometimes they are helmed and or times not. The Kobbattii are seen as both young men and women without wings. When not depicted or seen in their immortal form they will take the images of turtles, which is their totem animal. Seeing a turtle or tortoise in a cemetery assures the place is well guarded. A temple will often have a small garden out front, housing a couple of turtles.  Sacred gifts offered to the Kobbattii are normally incense or small votive images. But during the holiday of Kykora, the offering level can encompass any of the 7 sacred forms of offerings including full meals or huge baskets of flowers.

Happy Halloween

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

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.

Q&A: Moon Worship

QUESTION: Does the Bowynn Faith/Tradition have respectful days devoted to The Moon and Morrighynn?

ANSWER: In the Bowynn faith, we do honor Morrighynn highly. But if you are pertaining to worship like Wiccan "Drawing down the Moon" ceremonies; then the answer is 'No." We do not celebrate Full Moons. We do recognize the power of the moon and the blessings of her ladyship. However, what some Bowynn may do, is simply moon-soak. That is to say we will bask in the light of the moon if we are compelled to do so. We allow its energy to soak into our bodies and its it cleanse and heal. But there is no formal ceremony. We do not "Draw do the Moon" as we see it is very disrespectful to our lady Morrighynn, as well as to the Thracians, Northern Hellen (Greek) an Aegyptian cultures who performed these practices. We see and feel the power of the moon without taking from it. And not just the full moons, but all phases.

Hello! I stumbled upon your blog and found it very interesting! Do you know of any good sources to learn more about the Bowynn tradition?

Actually, I am probably the only source at present. the Bowynn Tradition was formed by my pagan group back in the 1980's. Sadly between my moving, Covid and host of other events within the last 10 years, our congregation disbanded. Since then I have people like yourself asking about it. So, I am using Tumblr to host a general guide to the faith and lifestyle.

You are welcome to ask me anything you wish. The Bowynn faith is "an open book" for anyone to explore."

Bowynn Gods: Naea

Naea  (Nay-ah)  Naea is the Bowynn goddess of springs, wells, lakes, rivers, streams and other small fresh bodies of water. She is the daughter of Tane and Kauldra and is one of the very few multi arm gods. As such she is a spider goddess. Her multi limbs represent the many rivers of the world.      Naea is a free spirited goddess, spending much of her time wandering the sides of wells and ponds and weaving away in her godly or animal form on the side of streams and rivers. Her prime domain is to make sure such bodies of water are protected from pollutants and destruction as much as possible. As such, Naea is one of the very few gods of the Bowynn pantheon to seek revenge on mortals that destroy her realm. One sacred story speaks of the fisherman that was so filled with joy when he caught a fish as soon as his hook hit the water. He became so happy that he kept fishing till the lake was depleted of fish. Naea found out about this and that night as he and his family gorged out on the fish the man caught, there was a knock on the door of a beggar woman. She asked for a fish to get her by. The man and woman gave her the smallest fish in the batch, so small it would not fill a cat. The old woman ended up being Naea and for the couple's lack of moderation and charity, Naea made all the other food in the house disappear till all that was left saw the fish. The couple quickly became sick of eating fish all the time and thus learned their lesson. There are many legends of mortals abusing wells and springs then suffering Naea’s wrath but never death.      Despite this and other such sacred tales Naea is not a vicious goddess. Infact she is a most gentle goddess. She only seeks out those that have done wrong with her gifts. So, she should not be feared. Other times she is most giving, as the sacred stories of her creating a well for a family that had nothing to drink for days. Because of her watery realm, Naea's temples are often nothing more than a well surrounded by a gazebo.      Naea is depicted in her godly immortal form as a delightful young woman with long flowing hair. Her garments are of blues, purples and greens and silver or glass baubles as jewelry. Sometimes she is seen with a pitcher of fresh water and other times with a loom. In her totem form Naea is seen as an elegant spider. Sacred gifts to Naea come in the form of glass pieces, fresh water, river and lake plants and flowers, spoons of white and blue yarn and votive images of a spider.

Bowynn Gods: Brea

Part of an altar cloth depicting Brea - embroidery and paint - Created by Sheree Tsarnek 2021

Brea (Bree-ah)  Goddess of the earth and earth element. Brea is the great earth goddess born/created from Bia.  By the union of her to her "brother" Unthar,  she gave birth to the great household of gods.  Brea ultimately is the earth goddess and element. And she is part of the great creatrix of all things; for she was the one that gave the other gods the idea to create all that resides on the earth. She is the goddess of fertility, life, death, growth and represents the element of earth. She is also the goddess of evolution and creation on the planet.

Brea is often seen and depicted as a grandmother type image, with an aged caring face.

     The ancient story speaks that as a child Brea would often come down to one of the dead rocky planets and play on them. Bia warned the child to stay away from the planets but she would not listen. Finally one day Brea found that when it was time to leave one of the dead planets, she could not and was bound to it. Even with the help of all her brothers and sisters, Brea could not remove herself from the land. Bia stated that she was now that planet’s permanent resident and was free to do with the planet as she please. Working her divine will, Brea gave life to the planet with trees, flowers and grass. In time with her siblings helped mold and sculpt the landscape; Brea would create all the animal life and then mortal mankind. Eventually Brea became the very essence of the planet and gave it her name, Brea, “Earth”  

     Brea is the goddess that fashioned out of earth, the mold for all living creatures, including mortal people. But it was not with-out the help of her siblings, that these creations took life and populated the earth. This was done because Brea saw that despite trees, seas and sky, the world was silent and empty. Seeing the world was so lonely and quiet, Brea took dirt into her hand and sculpted the first beings from it. But the sculptures of dirt were nothing more than dirt, with no life and just fell apart. With the help of her brothers and sister, all beings came to be on Earth. Brea is called the ‘mother of the gods.’

     Brea is always depicted as a mother figure, a lot like Mother Nature. She often is seen wearing a crown or circlet to show her majesty and other times seen wearing a wreath of bounty of all sorts. Over these adornments she wears a veil. Her gown is green more than often and her bosoms are large, which represents fertility. Being that she is the supreme lady of life, all beings and things are sacred to her; flora and fauna and mankind. However, the most prominent gift that can be offered to her is incense; a gift she gave to mortal folk during her 7 Sacred Days of visitation.  

(Other like gods comparable to Brea are Gaea, Mama Pacha, Maka Akan, Akka, Papa, Terra, )

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.

A Deeper look into the Goddess Abbennaea

The character of Abbennaea embodies profound symbolism through her connection to purity, transformation, and balance between offerings and the divine. The number seven, representing the sacredness of her teachings and the seven acceptable offerings, resonates with various esoteric traditions where seven often signifies completion and wholeness. The act of cleansing and purifying altars can be seen as a mathematical interplay of addition (incorporating good offerings) and subtraction (removing ill-intended gifts), suggesting a duality intrinsic to her role as both a nurturer and curator of spiritual exchanges. Additionally, her association with elements like incense, which transforms material into ephemeral essence, mirrors alchemical processes and the idea of transmutation of life energies, underscoring the significance of intention behind offerings. The portrayal of her as a protector against the darker aspects of sacrifice (blood offerings) emphasizes a moral dualism inherent in spiritual practices, reflecting an underlying mathematical balance between life energy and its appropriate channeling.

Abbennaea's attributes suggest layers of hidden meaning that extend beyond surface interpretation. Her role as a "purifier" can symbolize the importance of intention and authenticity in spiritual practices, indicating that the quality of offerings impacts the overall harmony within the divine realm and by extension, the human experience. The imagery of deep red hair may signify passion, vitality, and even the life force, linking her to the cyclical nature of creation and destruction. The duality of her form—taking the shape of a bird or butterfly—hints at transformation and transcendence, characteristics that encourage spiritual growth and evolution. Furthermore, her title as the messenger and "chamber-maid" of Alaway suggests a deep interconnectedness between the divine and the earthly; she acts as a bridge between realms, highlighting the necessity of nurturing relationships between humanity and the divine. This underscores a possible hidden teaching: true devotion requires not just ritual, but also care, mindfulness, and a commitment to purity of intention in the offerings we present to the universe. Ultimately, Abbennaea serves as an archetype for balance and renewal, inviting followers to embrace a holistic approach to spirituality that honors both craft and consciousness.

Abbennaea’s role as a goddess associated with offerings and purification can be interpreted through various scientific lenses, particularly in anthropology and psychology. Her emphasis on acceptable offerings aligns with the concept of reciprocity found in many cultures, suggesting an evolutionary basis for human relationships with the divine, where mutual exchange fosters community and social cohesion. This reciprocal relationship mirrors the ecological balance observed in nature, where organisms depend on each other for survival, highlighting a broader interconnectedness that could be seen as symbolic of ecosystems where each element plays a crucial part in sustaining life.

Scientifically, her act of purging ill intentions from offerings can be likened to the principles of homeostasis found in biological systems, where balance and purity are essential for health and function. This aspect of her character underscores the significance of mental and emotional clarity—something supported in psychology, where intentions and emotional states are shown to affect interpersonal relationships and environments. Add to this the very science of the art of making of incense, which is an exact science and act of pleasure all on its own. The time used to make these floral and woodland blends is used as a time to connect with Abbennaea.

Furthermore, Abbennaea’s frequent association with incense may have a deeper, physiological implication; the act of burning incense has been shown to have both calming and meditative effects on humans, promoting a sense of well-being that could reflect her nurturing qualities. The transformation of offerings into “that which is good for all beings” can parallel the biochemical processes where substances are metabolized for benefit, emphasizing a transmutation of energy from material offerings into spiritual sustenance. At the core of Abbennaea's mythology lies a tapestry of scientific truths about interconnectedness, the importance of purity and intention, and the profound psychological impact of rituals—all of which resonate with the laws of nature and human experience.