QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Clothing/Garb

Blessed Tsa'Kora to one and all

Blessings of abundance, love and health to you all.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Color Magic

QUESTION: Does color and its powers hold any significance in Bowynn Magic?

ANSWER: Very much so. Though many of the meanings differ, color does play a huge role in magic and daily Bowynn life. However, in Bowynn tradition there is a emphasis on duality. Using two colors as opposed to just one. Add to this that what colors one surrounds themselves with plays a huge role as well. Especially colors that people wear daily. There is also a huge focus on the negativity of too much of one color and which one is more dominate over the other. This study is much alike to the study and practice of Aura Soma.

Blessed Winter Solstice

BOWYNN GODS: SAPHON

Saphon  (Saf-fon)  God of the south and south wind. Saphon is the son of Herne and Morrighynn and the brother to Arn, Lyan and Ryan. As lord of the south, his home was what some may call “The Summerlands” but this is not the next world, more like deserts lands of the south..

     Saphon is one of four sons to Morrighynn and Herne. Like all his brothers, Saphon is winged with great golden majestic wings. It is Saphon who blows the hot winds of the summer and southlands. His wind turns leaves on the trees green and changes the hue of grass. Saphon is seen as a father-like figure with longish blond hair and beard and moustache, his eye color is that of either green or amber, depending who you talk to. His garments are of yellows, tans and gold. He is said to wear a wide brimmed leather hat on his head to shade himself from the summer heat and sun. Often he is seen on the first day of summer with his consort Tarna, Goddess of the summer season. It is said that of the four wind gods, Saphon is the second eldest after Arn. Some claim that they can see Saphon walking with a winged lion or cougar. Which would make sense as these animals are sun and heat related and is Saphon’s totem animal.      Sacred symbols to Saphon are summertime symbols like ferns, sun symbols and the hat he wears. Shrines to Saphon often have wind chimes hung in them as well as clear glass suns. Common gifts and offerings to Saphon are bowls of milk, fans, votive images of lions and incense.

My Personal Prayer to Amaetheon

O mighty Amaetheon, steadfast patron of shepherds and cultivators of the earth, I humbly raise my chalice in reverence before your bounteous spirit. You, who traverse the orchards heavy with fruit and the meadows lush with blossoms, bless us with the fruits of your labors, pouring abundance into our lives like honey from the comb. O Amaetheon, adorned in the colors of harvest, crowned with ivy and the sweet essence of abundance, lend me your ear. In your presence, I bear witness to the wonders of life—the honey's golden glow, the grape's rich sweetness, and the milk's nourishing touch. My heart overflows with gratitude for the gifts you bestow upon us. With hands outstretched, I bring forth offerings from my table—cheese crafted with care, fruits plucked in their prime, and the assured bounty of the land. I place these before your likeness, hoping to see our pantries overflow with your blessings. May your wisdom guide my hands as I toil in the fields and honor the sanctity of your divine gifts.

O benevolent and every giving Amaetheon, guard us against the perils of excess! Let not the wine or ale blur our vision or lead us astray into the thorns of folly. Instead, teach us the art of balance, that we may enjoy your bounty without losing ourselves in debauchery. May your wisdom shine brightly in our hearts as we celebrate, ensuring our revelries are filled with joy, not chaos. In the spirit of harvest, let us gather together in joy and gratitude, sharing the fruits of our labor as a testament to your divine provisions. May our voices rise in songs of praise, echoing through valleys and fields as we honor you. With every shared morsel and clink of tankards, let the spirit of community flourish under your caring gaze. O Amaetheon, as I walk this path of cultivation and care, may your spirit be my guide, ensuring the cycles of life continue with harmony and prosperity. May every venture I undertake be blessed with abundance, and may your presence imbue my hands with the gentle strength of the harvest. So shall it be, under the watchful eye of the god of abundance.

Syember

Bowynn Gods: Oken

Oken  (Oh-khen)  In the days of the older god, Oken was a mamont god of enormous size and strength, towering over all others. Thus he was considered a god of strength. But not just in muscle but also strength in mind status and wisdom. And it was this strength in mind that he was granted a place in Alaway.

     Oken may be one of the older gods but he has the look and stamina of a father figure; A young grandfather in appearance with a short white beard. His red tabard bears the images of 3 mammoths in gold on it and his head is adorned with a fancy circlet. Sacred to Oken is votive images of Mammoths and stones with mammoths painted on them.

BOWYNN GODS: Tii Vadell

Tii Vadell  (Ty Vah-del)  Malicious giant-like spirits much like the northern European Trolls. They are also a creation of Mano in his war against Kord and Brand. The Tii Vadell are said to be giant hairless monsters that are mostly nocturnal with skin like stone. They are also said to be sacred off my fire and light in general. Brand slew one only through the cunning of luring it to stand on his campfire.

     Like other Tii, Tii Vadell should never be called upon for any reason or service. They are too slow to understand and will just cause havoc around anyone they see.  And as with all Tii. once invoked, they will never leave. 

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

The Bowynn Gods: The Entenn

Entenn  (Ah-ku-ah)  The Entenn are the great tree and forest Kii. [spirits] They are literally “Tree folk” that guard great forests. The Entenn are made up of trees so unlike other Kii, they are not mobile, as they have no legs nor feet. Being of a tree, they are naturally huge in size, but one can assume that there are small Entenn as well. Most Entenn will never reveal themselves to mortal men; instead, they will stand perfectly still and mix in with the normal trees.         

The Bowynn Year and Holidays:

The Bowynn calendar is different from most Pagan calendars and certainly bears no resemblance to the Gregorian calendar. The start of the Bowynn year falls on September 1st and the last day of the year falls on August 31st.

During all 12 of the larger months there is one sacred holiday, though there may be a few secondary holdays. Despite this, Bowynn view every single day of their lives as sacred and celebrated not just verbally but spiritually. So its common for an individual to celebrate the worship of a deity on any and all days of the year. Holidays are celebrated for 3 days. The first day of a holiday is reserved for decorating, cooking, cleaning, cleansing and evening worship.

September ( Maeano )

1 Then Ohenn - New Years Day. The first day of the new year. Dedicated to Ohenn and the Nauidd. Also to Tymora. Fig cake, bundles of summer seed are offered to the gods

20-22 Tsa'kora - Holiday of the month of September, it celebrates the first day of Autumn. The Epiphany of the goddess Kora and Ryan. Also honoring Brea, Amaetheon, Deanna. The holiday celebrates the wedding of Deanna to Amaetheon. A time of great feasts and celebrations.

October ( Tombra )

29-31 Ky'kora - Holiday for the month of October. Mournful celebration to honor the death of Herne, to save all of humanity.

November ( Haedmor )

15-17 Emberfest - The great feast day honoring the gods Kane, Io, Hyu, Amaetheon and Deanna. A holiday for thanks of abundance, health, home. Hearths, homes and ovens are cleaned, and special meals are left just for the gods.

December ( Ellesmor )

20-22 Tsa'myliea - holiday of the month of December. The first day of winter. Devoted to Morrighynn, Arn and Myliea. On this day the goddess Morrighynn weeps for her lost love Herne and promised by Bia that her love will be back soon enough. Lanterns lit in Herne’s and Morrighynn’s honor.

January ( Banu )

14-16 Lenaea - Holiday of the month. Celebration of abundance for making it this far into winter. Devoted to Io, Amaetheon, Hyu, Deanna, Tymora and Daekk. Homes, people and animals are blessed with the seeds gathered from the year before. Great costumed parades are held to bring prosperity to all.

February ( Paola )

1-3 Ky'myliea - Holiday of the Month of February. Devoted to Myliea, Arn, Herne, Brea and to the wind god Arn, A winter festival. Celebration of the conception of Herne to Brea and making it halfway through winter.

March ( Aeven )

20-22 Tsa'quilla - Holiday of the month. The first day of spring. Devoted to Herne, Brea, Quilla and Lyan. On this day Quilla appears on the east and Herne is born to the world. Kii are also honored this day.

April ( Prana )

15-17 Tau Mystaraa - The Great Mysteries. Holiday for the month of April. Devoted to Mystara, Mauro and Ehlrik. Though really, it is devoted to ALL the gods. Celebrated as the great cleanings and initiation of new mages into the groves. 3 nights of great Magic, Spiritual and divination practices and a day for new practitioners to start.

May ( Auma )

1-3 Ky'quilla - Mid-Spring holiday and Sabbat of the month of May. Devoted to the reunion of Herne and Morrighynn. Also celebrated are all the Kii, Lyan and Quilla. Lovers holiday as well as the second blessing of gardens.

June ( Dellet )

12 Founder’s Day - Holiday celebrating the conseption of the Bowynn Tradition. Summer celebration. Dedicated to Anhur, Rhya, Briathenaea and Aleglea. Celebrating a time of joy of summer. Fun, food, games and frolic. Part of the Migration celebrations. Also a day for introspection of ones self, who they are.

20-22 Tsa'tarna - First day of Summer and the holiday of the month of June. Dedicated to epiphany of Tarna, Saphon and the wedding of Herne and Morrighynn. No meat is eaten during the first two days of the holiday.

July ( Iona )

14-16 Briathenaet - Holiday of the month of July Great celebration to the goddess Briathenaea and Aleglea as our patronesses and saviors. Celebrated with the cleansing and blessing of her icons and temples. followed with great games and contests that last for 3 days.

August ( Olten )

1-3 Kytarna Mid-Summer holiday of the month of August. Dedicated to Io, Amaetheon, Hyu and Deanna. Celebrating the sacred wedding of Tarna to Saphon. It also celebrates the first harvest.

31 Anj Ohenn - New Years Eve. The last day of August and the year. Dedicated to Ohenn and the Nauidd. Great pots and bundles of tall grass and cattails are offered, laid about the icon of Ohenn. Images of the 12 Nauidd are made, gifted and hung about.