QUESTION AND ANSWER: MYST WEAR

BOWYNN GODS: QUILLA

Quilla  (Kwil-lah)  Goddess of the Spring season. She is the daughter of Morrighynn and Herne, sister of Kora, Myliea and Tarna and the consort to the god Lyan. Her name literally means "Spring."

     Few tales are told of Quilla and her sisters. She is the youngest of her sisters, born in the first day of spring. She and her sisters were always bickering and contesting against each other over various things since their birth. Quilla contested with her sisters for which season they would rule over. Quilla created colorful flowers up from the ground. This and because of her love for pastel colored clothing, her folks granted her the season of spring to govern over. Thus, on the first day of winter, Quilla's sister Myliea, goddess of the Winter, departs the land, while Quilla appears on the first day of spring on a magnificent roan-red horse; bringing the defrosting of the land, growing of the flowers and birthing of animals.  The other grand sacred story tells of Quilla’s sacred marriage to Lyan, god of the East.

     Quilla is seen as a young female figure refined with strawberry-blond hair laced with spring flowers. She is clad in pastel colors of green and pinks, with pastel color trim. Her hlad is of the same tones. Sometimes she is said to have a Daddalo [himation] or Stola of pastel yellows. In her hand is often seen a staff of willow with ribbons wrapped on it. Other times she is seen with a basket of spring flowers. Sometimes she is said to be winged with white feathers. When about mortals she will take the image of a horse or a sparrow, her totem animals.

     Sacred gifts to Quilla are Milk, Springtime flowers, votive images of red horses, sparrows, rabbits and of course incense. Most common gifts are wreathes of spring flowers.

Quilla and her sisters the seasons

Happiest of Holidays one and all

If you worship the Equinox or not, may your day be filled with love and light.

Blessed Solstice

Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Gods: Istra

Istra  (Is-tra)  Istra is the Goddess of the 3 fold law, respect, retribution and lawful vengeance. She sits on the left hand of her mother Rhya; her father being Anhur. Istra is the sister of Ion and together they guard over the sacred laws of Bia and the laws of their father, given to mankind. She is not a vengeful nor destructive goddess. In fact, she is rarely seen, only stepping forward to people who call to her help who have suffered great injustice by the acts of others. If the mortal asks her to help them, they must be completely innocent and have been wronged by others. Istra will then seek out those that have hurt said person unjustly and bring balance to the damage that was done. However, if the person who calls to her is lying, Istra will see through the person and purge him with ill times.

      Istra is something of a huntress. But instead of animals, she hunts wrong doers. It is said her sword and arrows do not kill. They have been blessed by Bia and so, when her sword or arrows strike her target, the arrows bring about the justice so fitting the person's crime. Tales of Istra’s justifiable powers are endless. Yet none ever talk about bringing about death. To Istra, death is a coward’s way out of receiving the 3-fold law. Even those that commit murder. If death does come to a person that Istra is asked to hunt, it is not by her doing. Some question if the goddess every does what others pray to her for, when it seems people get away with so much bad things. To this the goddess Istra said that justice will always come in time.

      Despite her attributes, Istra is not a fearsome goddess. In fact, those that have been graced by her divine presence, describe her as most beautiful, long jet black hair and emerald green eyes. Her garment, bow, arrows and circlet are golden. When not seen in her immortal form, she takes the form of a butterfly, her totem. All truly offered gifts are welcomed by Istra: food, flora, flame, votive and more. It is also highly suggested that receive Istra's help, that it be followed up with a plethora of offerings and a card or script of thanks.

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

Bowynn Gods: Brenda

Brenda (Bren-dah)  Brenda is the Bowynn goddess of passion, love, lust and beauty. To be precise she does not (like Aphrodite and Venus) induce love on mortals but instead is closer to being the personification of love. She graces each person with all the forms of love. One can pray to Brenda to find a love or to enhance beauty; however, Brenda is also the goddess that justifies vanity and humility. Brenda is a goddess that punishes those that are vane, places their beauty above others and do nothing but pamper their beauty. And not just facial beauty. Those that "fat and body shame" quickly fall under her wrath. Brenda is also the goddess of charm and etiquette. She also teaches humans how to be themselves.

     The sacred story is told how 5 Kii were said to brag and boast how beautiful they were. They even went so far to claim their beauty outshined Brenda. Brenda heard this and turned the Kii into cardinals, birds. To this day cannot stop admiring themselves in anything shiny.

     Brenda is the daughter of Anhur and Rhya and the sister of the Kord and Brenda. In the great sacred story, Brenda was the subject of a plot by her cousin Mano. She was tricked into visiting the god Mano’s home and was locked in, a prank on her brothers. This enraged Kord and Brand so much that the three gods went from playing tricks on each other to full fledge war. Kord finally found the home and saved his sister but at the cost that Brand was left unprotected and slain in his sleep by Mano. Kord and Brenda wept so much that they dared travel to the kingdom of souls, Daunnat, to beseech Chumash and Kalma in restoring her brother. Above all, it was Brenda’s beauty, grace and devotion to her brother that the lord and lady of Daunnat conceded and released Brand’s soul and restored him.

      Many tales speak of various gods trying to woe Brenda for her hand in marriage. In the end she wed a mortal named Dhonan, because of all gods and men; he had nothing more to offer her than his love, as he was a simple hunter. Being that she could not live with a mortal and no mortal could live in Alaway, she blessed and graced him with immortality. Together they bore the love gods Shane and Onaur.

     In mortal’s eyes, Brenda often is seen as the most beautiful of goddesses. Her hair is a striking soft red color, as her painted lips. She is slim in hip and her clothing is loose and also red. Her hladd depicts a garden of flowers with doves, cardinals, lilies and egrets. She is almost always seen with a mirror in hand; a warning against vanity. When not seen in her godly form, Brenda will take the form of a cardinal or egret.

     Offerings to the goddess Brenda are commonly lilies and wild flowers, like daisies. Despite westerns and eastern ideologies, roses and not often attributed as "love". Also sacred to Brenda are doves, egrets and cardinal votive images. Other offerings are mirrors and brushes and in some cases, a basket of makeup toiletries is offered.

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: 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)

Aelles Tau Mystaras

Today I will jump ahead a bit as today is Holy Day. Precisely, today is the holiday called Shae vo Tau Mystaras {Day of The Mysteries} More commonly called Tau Mystaras.

The Mysteries are celebrated on the days of April 15th-17th. While some think the holiday is just celebrated for and by Mysts {witches} the holiday is really devoted to all worshipers. It's a most divine holiday. A time of rest, meditation, cleansing, looking inward and reflecting on one's faith. It is a time when people spend the 3 days at their home altars, shrines and reading their codex. Many like to just use the day and spend it in silence, in vigil, prayer. The days are used to clean one's shrines, altars, religious tools, divination tools. Those that attend groves will find the areas incased with plumes of incense. Bathhouses, saunas and Taranoms {sweathouses} are in wide use when they too are not being cleansed and cleaned.

Religiously, Tau Mystaras is dedicated to the gods Mystara and Ehlrik. Mystara being the goddess of Magic and Ehlrick, the god of shamanism and bards. At least they are the main focus, but all Bowynn gods are deeply respected this holiday. Tsa'heka-non {100-fold} bundles of incense are burned these days as offerings, mass libations of milk, water, juice and wine are gifted, grosses of flowers, plants, garlands and wreathes if bestowed to the gods, whole dinners are cooked for the holy family.

For Mysts and those that practice the arts of magic and shamanism; the holiday is especially celebrated as a great time of cleanings and is the date new initiates are blessed and welcomes into groves and temples. It is also the most sacred day to consult priests and priestesses for wisdom and consult oracles. Many will spend the days is deep though over tools of divination. And spells are cast endlessly on these 3 days. Nights of great divination practices, spell casting and a day for new practitioners to start.

Traditionally 7 candles are burned during these 3 days in reverence for the gods. And the colors of Black, Purple, White and Gold are displayed. Wreathes and garlands are hung up on and around doors in homes and temples. Soft religious music is played. Fasting is common but not culturally nor religiously demanded. But the abstinence of a frivolous foods of some sort is common: Coffee, Sugar, Alcohol, Candy, Pastry. It is up to the person.

Personally, I like to just use the day in prayers and to read my codex. I may do a divination reading. I spend the first day, cleansing my home, altar and take a LONG soak in the tub. I spend the second day in deep reverence and vigil and depending on the weather, I may take a long walk. Day 3 I like to do some spell casting and take a second soaking. Sometimes I will make special herbal cookies are a lemon cake. And I do make an offerings of the 7 Sacred Offerings (Meat, Vegetation, Incense, Herbs, Fire, Libation and Votives). If I am up for it, I will even spend time crafting and drawing something divine or magically in nature. And incense is always burning. And I normally will fast the first two days and day three I FEAST! LOL.

Aelles Tau Mystaras {Happy Holiday}