Bowynn Gods: Onaur

BOWYNN GODS: TSELLET

Tsellet  (T-sel-let)  Goddess of Duannat who purifies the soul of those that have passed away. She is the daughter of Chumash and Kalma and the sister of the keepers of the gates of Duannat.

     She is considered in some way a Handmaiden of Daunnat but her role is so much bigger than that. Her role is to make sure that each and every soul that enters Daunnat is purged of all its worldly sins and ills. No soul can enter Daunnat otherwise. It is done there a series of chants and the four sacred cleansings by earth, air, fire and water.  Once the soul is cleansed of all impurities, only then will Tsellet allow a soul to pass on.

     It is said that Tsellet’s home is not in Daunnat itself by on the far beach of Evermore, just before one reaches the first gate to Daunnat. Sadly Tsellet is a lone body where her home is.

     Tsellet is described and depicted as a young goddess with her hair pulled back and simple clothing in the colors of browns and lavender. It has been said that she is always seen with a basket in hand, which contains all the implements used to purge souls of sin and illness. Other times she is said to just hold a lavender wand in her hand. Sacred to Tsellet is Lavender itself and well as all scents that are used to purge away ills. These scents are often gifted to her in 7 bowls and often during a funeral rite, as Tsellet is rarely prayed to else someone has passed on.    

My Prayer to Death, of Darkness

O Daeth, God of Darkness and Shadows, I humbly approach your sacred presence, seeking solace in your embrace as the night descends. You, the primordial force born from the will of Bia, illuminate the balance of existence, where light yields to the beauty of darkness. In your gentle shadow, I find comfort and reflection as I explore the depths of my soul beneath the shroud of night. O Handsome Wielder of Shadows, whose hair flows like the void and whose eyes shimmer with the light of distant stars, guide me on this journey of self-discovery. In the stillness of the dark moon, I call upon your wisdom to confront my shadow self. Let your presence soothe my fears and illuminate the hidden truths that dwell within, revealing the paths that lead to greater understanding and harmony. With reverence, I offer the darkness of my heart, for it is in shadows that I encounter my authentic self. I lay before you tokens of respect—black stones from the earth, incense of night-blooming flowers, and images that symbolize the shadows I wish to embrace. May these offerings find favor in your eyes, reminding the world that darkness is not to be feared but celebrated as a vital force in the tapestry of life.

O Daeth, bearer of the night, bestow your blessings upon those who seek rest and dreams in the embrace of Naraea. May your gentle whispers guide them through the realms of consciousness, bringing forth visions of wisdom and tranquility. In your union with Tora, may the realms of night flourish under your protective shadows, weaving a sanctuary for all who dwell beneath your stars. As I recognize the pivotal role you play in the balance of existence, I pledge to honor the darkness as I do the light. O Daeth, may your elegance remind me that every shadow carries the promise of illumination, and in every dark moment lies the potential for renewal. Let me wear the cloak of acceptance, acknowledging the beauty in all aspects of life, for without your essence, the tapestry of creation remains incomplete. So shall it be, in reverence and love for Daeth, the gracious God of Shadows, forever guiding and nurturing the delicate balance of our universe.

Syember!

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Balance / Bia

The final and uppermost point on the Numatam is Bia {Balance}. Blanace is the inter-connectivity of all things to each other and how they balance each other out. Without Balance, chaos would take over. Like-wise, withing Chaos, Order would become overwhelming bring no excitement. Bia was and is the great creator, Unification, Endings and beginnings, Duality, Action and Reaction, Force, Power, the force of life and the divine creator of karmic law and balance Bia itself. It's from Bia all things came to be - Gods and mortality alike. So, it is from the element of Balance that we learn balance itself. That we cannot have one without the other. We learn of Yin & Yang, Polarity and Duality. We learn that we sometimes need the help of an opposite. Without the villain, we cannot have the Hero. Without a beginning cannot enjoy the ending accomplishment. Bia is the blank canvas and the completed picture. The front cover of a book to its back cover. Bia is the collective of ingredients and the completed meal. We create, learn and nurture from Bia. And we learn that everything in the world and the universe is ruled by the balance of Bia's law. Being that Bia ‘was’ before everything else, Bia is the great unseen and therefore the path to balance is a path of mysterious black. Bia {Balance} has no fixed "Station" as it's something that IS all around and all encompassing. Its rules all the other elemental stations: The growth and decay of the forest, the head of the river and its dwindled creeks, The burning flame and its soot. The gale of a wind down to its breeze, the day and the night. Bia teaches us NOTHING is forever and there is balance in all things, even if we do not also see it. The path of Bia is black, wrapped in shadow and mystery but it is never a path to be feared. It’s the path of creation and change.

Bowynn Gods: Bryathenaea

Bryathenaea (Bry-a-then-naya)  Brianthenaea is the great Bowynn patroness goddess. She is the great protector of all things and all Bowynn people. Though armored with shield, she is not a war goddess nor wager of trouble in any way, shape nor form. She is the type of woman that will protect her children and lead them on the righht course. She is the goddess of wisdom as well. Briathenaea is the daughter of Anhur and Rhya.

     It was Briathenaea that is said to have shielded the first tribes of mortals on the Great Migration from the south into Europe, shielding them also from the burning sun with a shield that was gifted to her by the god Gondor. Upon reaching Europe across the Bosphorus, Brianthenaea brought the people into a valley that had a bounty of apple trees to eat, drink, build and craft from. When the tribes settled in Europe, Briathenaea stayed with them for 7 days. In that time, she showed them the art of growing orchards and how to make things from its leaves, roots, flowers and wood. In that same wood she also created the first Bowynn alphabet, showing them how to write and read, make paper, books and scrolls. To date, a Bowynn Coden is only made of paper made from apple trees and its coover made from the wood. Only ink from its leaves can be used. For the people she created the hoe, spade/shovel, fork, rope and axe. On the last night Briathenaea told the tribes of mortals that she had to leave but if ever they were in need of her to look into the eyes of an owl and they would know she is there. For the owl is her most scared animal and the form she takes the form of most.

      When war loomed over the first tribes Briathenaea brought forth a great herd of horses for them to use in battle against the Southern Nation armies. The goddess quickly came and protected the women, children and homes with her shield. Today every Bowynn home has a shrine or even an altar to Bryathenaea. She is the very core and symbol of the Bowynn.

     Though Briathenaea is a goddess that neither wed nor gave birth, many swear that her stature is of a full mature woman. The people are her family. Briathenaea is said to have crow-black hair that is wavy and pulled back. Her eyes or that of forest green and her skin tanned. Her garment is said to be the color of sage-green and/or green in general. Over her dress she wears a long leather hladd that is well decorated. Some images have her holding an apple seed in her hand or cutting of an apple tree.  Often seen with Briathenaea is a barn owl, one of the rare owls that lives closest with people and yet still at a distance. Other times Briathenaea presents herself directly. Farms and orchards are blessed in her name yearly, along with the god Amaetheon and Deanna,

Sacred to the goddess are the gifts of Votive Owls, Apples, Apple wood, Books and Scrolls and Runes. Farm implements are sometimes also offered to her.

Embroidered bookmark of Briathenaea with Io and Kalma - Created by Rose Everett 1999

Bowynn Gods: The Heather

Heather     (Heh-thur)  Kii folk that tend to the flowers, wild and domestic. These forms of Kii are diminutive in size, no bigger than a small bird and bare insect like wings. Heather are mostly spring and summer Kii, spending winter asleep. They are keepers of flowers both wild and domestic. They are easily drawn to any area that has flowers. It a said that Heather Kii are born from flowers.  In many ways, The Heather bare a strong resemblance to “fairies.”

Aelles Ky'Tarna

Blessinsgs and Abundance to all on this wonderful Ky'Tarna holiday!

Kytarna (July 31-August 2nd) is the Bowynn version of the Wiccan and Keltic holidays Lammas and Lughnassad. It is the celebration of the middle of the Summer. The name Kytarna means “Mid-Summer”, named after the goddess of the summer Tarna. Besides celebrating the mid-summer mark, the holiday celebrates several other aspects: The first harvest, the grain & corn harvest. Its is also The divine wedding of Tarna to Saphon (South Wind) and revering the goddess Io (Home) and god Hyu (Baking) and the gods Deanna (Harvest) and Amaetheon (Abundance). So there is lots of celebrating to be had for these 3 days. As with all the circular holidays of the year, the first day is devoted to preparing and decorating. The second day devoted to prayers and the divine. The third day is devoted to celebration and revelry.

Lammas is a time to enjoy the last rays of Summer, Take in the golden sunlight, to appreciate the harvest and to be grateful for the abundance we have. Wheat, Grains, Honey and Bread are high symbols of abundance in the Bowynn tradition. It's given as gifts at this time of year along with other baked goods. Garlands and ornaments of grass and husks of foods, adorn homes. And iconic woven images of Tarna and Saphon are carried in procession to the ceremonial altar.

The sacred stories to this holiday start with the first harvest of the Bowynn people in their newfound homeland. After coming to Europe on The Great Migration and settling, the gods Deanna and Amaetheon showed the good people what to forage, plant and harvest. This included honey from bee hives and milk from the wild goats and cattle. At the same time the goddess Io showed them how to build their first hearths and tend to them and Hyu taught them how to bake. So grateful were the first tribes, that they declared this day sacred to the gods. At the same time, it was also the same day when the goddess of Summer, Tarna, wed her beloved god of the south, Saphon. All the people of the first 7 tribes were witnessed to the blessed event.

Traditional Foods for the holiday are Corn, Grains, seeds, wheat, Barley, Breads, Pies, Pasta, Milk, Honey, Butter and Berries.  The most common and well-placed herbs and incenses found at Kytarna celebrations are Cedar, Alder, Cinnamon, Fenugreek, Ginger, Poppies, Cornflowers and Sunflowers. The prominent colors for the holiday are Gold, Yellow and, Copper Orange. Green can also be found here and there but not considered one of the sacred colors of the holiday. Sacred symbols found all about during Kytarna are: Corn Dollies (Representing Tarna and Saphon) Baskets and images of Bees, Hedgehog, Cows and/or Goats. Wicker items of all sorts & other straw-woven items, Wheat bundles, Bread, Cakes, Hearth broom, Corn and Corn stalks. There is also the sacred “Tarna Kaeb,” (Summer Board) which is a sacred and decorated breadboard hung on doors. And there is the ever present “Kytarna Draed” (Mid-Summer Bread) which is a special holy traditional offering and meal. Wheat wreathes, Sunflower garlands and wreaths are the norm for homes and town to be decorated in.

Special Activities during the 3-day holiday include families hanging the Tarna Kaeb on their doors, along with other decorations, Baking and making corn dollies. Commonly there is a lot of making of crafts in the theme of wicker, such as fans, hats, dollies, goats and headdresses. Back in the kitchen this is also a time for making butters of all sorts, creams and cheese. This is a famed time to gather and jar honey.

How ever you celebrate the holiday and what ever you may call it, have a great celebration, and may the gods embrace you and keep you safe and happy.

Bowynn Gods: Io

Io  (Eye-oh)  Goddess of the hearth, domesticated fire, cooking and kitchens, the home, warmth and family. She is the daughter of Phoenix but her father is unknown.  She is an all-around domestic goddess but mostly dealing with areas around the kitchen. And Io is one of the most revered of the Bowynn Gods. She is the goddess that blesses all food as it’s cooked. She cleanses and cleans cooking supplies and wards pests from the kitchen and home. When she is rarely not in the home, Io often wanders markets to see that picked produce and food is fresh and healthy. Back in the home, when not cooking, Io labors to keep the home clean. Io’s name means “Soot” and she is sometimes called Soot Girl or Soot Woman. As her fire attribute, Io makes sure all home fires (lamps, hearths and candles) burn safe and without mishaps., She also tends to the family needs, to make sure beds are made and clean, tables are clear and floors are swept, laundry is clean and purified.

      There are not too many sacred stories of the goddess Io, as she is often contained to the homes of Bowynn folk. The most important stories tell of her spending the seven sacred days with the first tribes of people and taught the fine arts of cooking. This included baking till the god Hyu took over that attribute. At first Io was apprehensible about handing over such a duty to Hyu, being a man. But Hyu proved himself most worthy. What’s more, Hyu charmed Io and eventually wed her. For their wedding feast Hyu made Io the most tremendous beautiful cake ever.

      The goddess Io is almost seen as a mother figure; your hair pulled back and wrapped in a ribbon. Her clothing is most plain and grey in color. Not too many times is she seen wearing a Bowynn Hlad, instead an apron. Unlike other gods, she has no totem animal, so if Io is seen outside a home, often in the market square, she is wrapped with a grey stola, so not to draw her immortality to others. Instead of a staff, Io bears a broom to clean out hearths. Sacred offerings to Io consist of food, incense and votive candles.

Bowynn Gods: Muet

Muet  (Mew-et)  The river that flows from Alaway all the way down to Daunnat. Often dubbed the Mother river. This is the river that feeds to all other river and water sources on earth.

     The river source is a natural fountain that shoots up from the earth. Alaway had servant Kii as water bearers bringing water from the fountain that was guarded by a serpent. Only these Kii could fetch waters without being harmed by the great guardian serpent. If anyone else drew near, the serpent would attack and kill them. The young god Hawynn was a playmate of the servant Kii and hated to see them toil, so he took the great spear of his father, Tane, and the scrying bauble of his mother, Kalma, and went to subdue the serpent. Using the bauble Hawynn was able to predict the moves of the serpent as they battled. With the spear, Hawynn was able to finally slay the beast. Then, using one of the ribs of the creature, Hawynn dug a massive trench to the well and released its waters. Thus, the great river was created and set to flow under Alaway. At the same time the servant Kii were released from their strenuous duties.

In gratitude, Anhur gave Hawynn his blessing and made lord of all rivers and commander of the great river Muet. The Kii that were the water bearer’s before-hand, were each given a river in the world to bless and sanctify, as all rivers branch off of Muet.

     In another story, the evil god Mano tried to divert the river (knowingly to Hawynn) to his own home that was separate from Alaway. But because he did not have the okay and blessing of Hawynn, the river came crashing through his home and destroyed it. This of course angered Mano and thinking Hawynn destroyed his home on purpose, he went to wrestle the god. But Hawynn, being older and stronger, beat the young foolish god into submission

     It is said that Muet is the purest and cleanest of waters. No mortal man may step into the river. Once in Daunnat, souls are cleansed in the waters of Muet, to rid themselves of all mortal earthly filth and labors. The waters flow on through Duannat and created various rivers, springs and other waters sources in Daunnat to quench the thirst of the souls of the departed. It is said that a live man drinking from the waters will forget all he knows and wander the world aimlessly.

Bowynn Gods: Ortsall

Ortsal  (Or-tsal)  Ortsall is the God of the 3rd Gate of Daunnat and of eternal love and self love in the land of Daunnat.  Ortsal like the other gate guardians of Daunnat are the children of Chumash and Kalma. He is one of the older of the sacred seven gate keepers.

     As with all the gods of Daunnat, Ortsalt is not an evil god, nor a god of judgment.  His role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. He is the bestower of self love to spirits, as no spirit can enter Daunnat without this virtue. And he is also the god that units souls back together whe were in love and wed during their lifetime. However, it is common for the living to call to Ortsal who are suffering from the lack of love, but he is not the bestower of such love. These attributes are gifted from Brenda, Dhonnan, Shane and Onaur. As god of the Gate of Love, Odjett is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram. He sustains from visiting Alaway, instead preferring to live and feast with the spirits and other gods and souls in Daunnat.

     Ortsal has no known totem animal, instead always staying in his godly form. He is seen as a man black leather jerkin and purple tunic under that with silver trimmings. At times he is seen carrying a heptagram tile or a hunter’s horn, which is blown when he allows a soul past his gate. It is said by the god Brand, Ortsal bears long brown hair and something of a beard and moustache, giving him something of a fatherly look.

     Sacred to Odjett is the Septagram and riding blow horn. During funeral services, a bowl of milk is left to him, as customary and a statuette of the departed, so the god will recognize the departed’s soul, which is identical to his body.

QUESTION & ANSWERS: Goddess Worship

QUESTION: In your Bowynn belief system, is the worship of goddesses more prevalent?

ANSWER: No. All the gods, male and female are worshipped and honored equally. This topic takes us back to the Great Creator, Bia. Who is neither and both male and female. Bia is balance and dictates balance. And we, as Bowynn, are keen on maintaining balance. To honor only the female divinities makes one miss out on so many grand and beautiful attributes that male gods have to offer. And vice versa.