QUESTION & ANSWER: LGBT

BOWYNN GODS: TYA

Tya (right) along with her sisters Brea and a priestess

Tya  (Ty-ah)  Goddess of the element of Spirit and one of the first gods to come out of Bia’s creation. She is the sister to Brea, Unthar and the others. She is the goddess of the element of spirit, faith, spirituality and the human spirit.

     During the creation of Mankind, it was Tya that placed a bit of herself into the first clay figures, giving them each a sense of feeling, hope and purpose. This she also did to all the first animals that were created. This was the only sacred story attributed to Tya and yet she, along with her siblings all holds the highest place of honor in Alaway.

     Tya is seen as a rather young woman despite her time of reign. She is depicted and seen in visions with short hair, wearing a rather simple dress and hladd of blue or purple and a circlet on her head. Tya bears no totem animal but claims all are hers. All forms of offerings are sacred to Tya but ultimately candles and incense are the most divine gifts to Tya.

Bowynn Gods: Phaenixx

Wood carved Pog of Phaenixx w/ penciles in eyes (now lost) - Created by myself - 1984

Phaenixx  (Fay-niks)  In the Bowynn Tradition, Phaenixx is the daughter created by Bia. Sister to Brea, Unthar, Summon. She is the very element of Fire and one of the great creatrix. Phoenix is the goddess of fire, volcanoes, earthquakes, flame, warmth and smoke. She is not just the destructive side of these attributes but the nurturing side as well. She warms people in the winter and from destruction comes life anew. She brings people together and gave humanity the ability to express love and desire at the start of humanity.      When the gods created mankind from earth, it was Phaenixx that baked the clay that was used to form mankind, there-by not only keeping our form together but also giving mankind skin. At the same time it gave each and one a heart filled with burning passion and love. Phaenixx is one of the great 7 that form the symbolism of the septagram. During the time of the great 7 Sacred Days, Phoenix gave mankind the knowledge of fire, how to make it, contain it, how to avoid and respect it, how to tame it and use it for our advantage.      Phaenixx is seen as a full-fledged motherly figure with deep red hair and dress. She bears a golden circlet on her head as well is sometimes a veil of scarlet red. Phaenixx is not, nor should she be seen as, a fearful figure but instead as a warm embracing goddess. A protectress, giving us light to see and stay warm. She is safety in the darkness. Other times Phaenixx is seen as a great red phoenix-like bird. Sacred to Phaenixx are images of phoenix birds, candle, and all symbols of fire. These are the most common gifts given to the goddess, but any image of birds or fire is welcome to the goddess.

Phaenixx on a altar cloth - created by Ksandra Weldess - 2019 (Goddesses Paut and Tya can also be seen)

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."

The 7 Great Life Rituals

In the Bowynn tradition, there are 7 Great Rites.

The Rite of Birth: This is normally held 7 days after birth. Blessing the newborn, welcoming him/her into the world and on this rite, he/she is given his/her name officially.

The Rite Childhood: This rite is held at the age of 5, when the baby steps into the age of Childhood.

The Rite of Coming Forth: The is the great rite when one officially allows themselves to come to the circle on their own accord and pledging themselves a believer of the Bowynn Faith. This is not based on Age. Anyone at any point can "Come Forth". Normally if it's a child, tradition says the right should not take place till the child is 10 years old.

The Rite of Adulthood: Held at the age of 20. He/she steps out of the role of Child into the role of adulthood. Their days of recklessness are behind, and the rolls of responsibility are at hand.

The Rite of Marriage: This is, as it says, the 2-day ritual of Marriage.

The Rite of Death: This is the ritual of those that depart this world and leave onto Daunnat. It's a 7-day ritual.

The Rite of Resurrection: This ritual is held 14 days after the departed has left. It's a time of remembrance. A memorial.

Under these rituals are many more including Rite from becoming a Myst, ritual for blessing a new home and/or garden, Ritual of Knighthood, and so forth.

Being these rituals are considered personal; I cannot share much detail of the rites themselves with those outside the faith. What I can say is that these are rituals that do not take precedence in the eyes of one's state, providence nor nation. These are rituals that are held between those involved and the presence of the gods almighty.

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.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Brooms

QUESTION: Do Bowynn Mysts (I think you called them Mysts, Witches, that is) use brooms like other witches?

ANSWER: No. Mysts do not use brooms unless we spill something.

Bowynn Gods: Abbennaea

Abbennaea  (Ab-bhen-nay-ah)  Goddess of all sorts of offerings and libation. She is the daughter of Phaenixx and Sumon. Abbennaea is a rather young goddess, mother-like in appearance, said to be graced with deep red hair. She is the goddess that receives the spiritual essence of the offerings sent to the gods by mortal men and in turn, turns them into “that which is good for all beings.” After the “Great Migration” of mankind, Abbennaea was said to have spent her “7 sacred nights” among the first tribes and taught them the arts of making incense and what offerings were allowed to be offered to the Akua. After the god Mano tricked mankind to sacrifice blood to the gods, it was Abbennaea that had to come back to mortal man, cleanse their altars and re-teach them all that what was acceptable.

    In Alaway, Abbennaea is not only a messenger of the gods but has the duty to purge and cleanse the halls with incense daily; burning Tsa'hekas of incense to dispense the energies from the night before. It was Abbennaea that cleansed the great hall after the battle between Mano and his cousins after one fight took place in the halls of Alaway.

    Abbennaea is said to be of a most loving face and of natural beauty, her garments often of reds and she is depicted always with either a single stick of incense in one hand (or a bundle of sticks). And in the other hand, a libation pitcher. She is often said to take the form of a bird or butterfly if she does mingle among men. The butterfly being her totem

My Prayer to Deanna, of Abundance

O Deanna, Radiant Goddess of the Harvest, I humbly approach you, cradle of the earth’s abundance, as your golden light bathes the fields in warmth and fertility. Daughter of Anhur and Rhya, you are the seed planter, the nurturer of life, who graces our world with fragrant blooms and nourishing grains. In the cycles of nature, I seek your guidance and blessings, that our labors may reflect the beauty of your divine gardens. O Benevolent Deanna, I beckon the spirit of growth to envelop my endeavors, teaching me the sacred arts of planting, tender care, and reaping the fruits of my toil. In your sacred stories, I find inspiration; for through your wisdom bestowed upon the first clans-folk, humanity was gifted the sustenance needed to thrive. Let your teachings echo through the earth, reminding me of the profound bond between all living things. With sincere heart, I present before you a bounty from my table—grains, fruits, and herbs borne of my labor. May these humble offerings serve as tokens of my reverence for the gifts you provide. As I gather the harvest, let me honor the sacred connection between soil, seed, and sustenance, acknowledging the sacred divine that breathes life into every grain and petal.

O Divine Deanna, bless our homes with the warmth of your daughter Io, the hearth of nurturing, and the artistry of your son Hyu, who brings sustenance to our tables. May their grace flow through my kitchen, enriching my meals with love and wisdom. As I partake in the blessings of your cornucopia, let each bite be a celebration of the cycles of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. In your presence, I pledge to honor the earth and respect the gifts bestowed. May I tread lightly upon the soil, cultivating harmony between humanity and nature. O Deanna, I am forever in awe of your intricate dance of life, and I vow to share your wisdom with those around me, ensuring that the knowledge of harvest endures through generations. So shall it be, in reverence and love for Deanna, the cherished Goddess of the Harvest, forever nurturing and guiding the fruitful paths of our existence.

Syember!

Apologies

For the last couple of weeks I have been in the hospital. So that is the reason for the lack of posts. I will get back to more in a couple of days.

Bowynn Gods: Nareen

Nareen (Nah-rin) Nareen is one of the three Ano Taya goddesses. She is the eldest of the three Ano Taya and the daughter of Bia. As one of the three Ano Taya, Nareen is the goddess of the Future and is the goddess that checks on the woven threads in the Tapestry of Life, that’s Narna (The Present) has woven, tightening them into place. Nareen is the final judge as to the threads of life that are woven into the Tapestry of Life. And only Nareen can alter a threads course. Even Anhur himself must ask Nareen to remove or cut a thread, which is very rare. Nareen is also a goddess of prophecy; people often praying to her to change the course of their lives for the better.

Nareen is the Goddess of The future. She is called "The Bending One because the future is always altered by our choises. Nareen is the Goddess of What Is To Be, The goddess of the elderly, and the goddess of possible destinies. She is also a patroness to oracles and people that divine. Sadly, many people and gods have accused her of being the goddess of a solid set course of events, but Nareen is nothing of the sort. She represents the 'Ever Altering Future." She has nothing to do with how the future plays out. She only guards the events in the Tapestry of Life. Nareen has always warned people and the gods that she does not control nor altar the future. "You do that yourself. I work in thread and wool, not in stone."

     Nareen is a goddess seen as an old wise woman, a grandmother figure.  She is dressed in purples or sometimes black, with a veil on her head topped with a crown of flowers. In her hand is seen a spool of wool and loom cob. As with her sisters, Nareen has no totem animals.

Woven fillet with the Ano Taya and other goddesses