The Bowynn Altar

Bowynn Gods: Aleglea

Aleglea  (Al-leh-glee-ah) Aleglea is the patroness of the Bowynn people. Amongst all the goddesses she is often revered the most. She is the goddess of all the joys and beauties of the world, all the things that makes us happy. She is a goddess of flowers, dance, joy, happiness, adornment, glory and magnificence, mirth and good-cheer, festivities and banquets, dancing and song. Her very name means “Happiness.”      Aleglea is the daughter of Brand and Brenda and considered a goddess that is most pleasing. It is said that some mortals cannot look at her without bursting into tears of joy. And others cannot look at her because they feel less than worthy to do so.

Aleglea represents beauty in crafted objects and artistic adornment, of festival dance and song, glory and flowers. No matter where you go the gifts of the goddess is there. Aleglea presides over the pleasures of life, including play and amusement, parties, banquets, floral decorations, rest, happiness, and relaxation. She is the goddess of flowers. So flowery wreaths are worn at festivals and parties just to honor the lady.      Aleglea is seen as a woman of simple beauty. Crowned in a wreath of flowers on her honey-colored hair and she has beautiful green eyes, wearing a saffron and ruby colored dress. It is said her hladd is decorated with flowers, birds, butterflies and images of dancing people though many people have said they have seen Aleglea without wearing a hladd. She wears no shoes, instead walking barefoot.

Sacred to Aleglea is the butterfly, a creature which she sometimes takes form in. The most sacred gifts of and to this goddess is in the form of all flowers. During festivals garlands and wreathes of flowers are hung everywhere in her name. Other offerings to her are pots of honey, votive butterfly images and of course incense.

My Prayer to the Chappa Kii

O Great Chappa Kii, Behemoths of Stone and Guardian of Peaks, I lift my voice to thee—mighty spirits dwelling from the shimmering foothills to the towering heights. Your monumental presence watches over the realm of earth, as steadfast as the mountains themselves, lending strength to those who tread upon your sacred ground. O Chappa, titans forged of rock and resilience, grant me your protection as I journey through the hills and valleys. When lost amidst the wild, let your guiding spirit illuminate my path, leading me towards safety and clarity. With your immense power, may I find courage in the face of adversity, standing tall like the mountains that cradle your essence. In reverence, I recognize the balance you hold between creation and retribution. O Mountain Guardians, may I embrace the harmony of the earth, honoring your realm with care and respect. Let my hands build, not destroy; let my presence nurture, not diminish. As you watch over the land, may I learn to walk gently upon it.

Grant me the blessings of your wisdom, O Chappa, for you know the ancient secrets woven into the fabric of your stone. Bestow upon me your strength, fortitude, and understanding, that I may navigate life’s challenges with the grace of the mountains. With a humble heart, I offer tribute to you: stones gathered from the rivers, flowers that bloom at your feet, and simple songs sung in your honor. May these offerings please the Chappa, whispering my dedication to your guardianship. In return, I seek your watchful gaze upon my journey. So shall it be, with reverence and gratitude, sung within the sacred echoes of the mountains, in the name of the Chappa Kii, eternal guardians of the earth.

Syember

Aelles Tsa'Myliea

Blessings and good fortune come to you this Tsa'Myliea.

Indeed today is the first day of the Bowynn holiday of Tsa'Myliea, the celebration of the Winter Solstice. It is the epiphany of the goddess Myliea, the goddess of Winter and her consort Arn, the god of the north and north wind. The first day, like with all holidays is the cleaning and cleansing of homes and temples. It is a day of fasting and purging of all ills and artifacts left over from Autumn. In place of rich and sweet foods, rice bowls and soups are traditionally served. At night a candlelight procession is held with icons of the two deities carried to the temple, symbolizing their rise.

On the second day, The Calling Horn is blown at the crack of dawn, indicating that Myliea and Arn have emerged from they northern relm and come to bless the land, allowing Winter to begin. Bringing with them cold winds, snow, frost, joy, harmony and all the fun and frolic of the winter season. While some will start late night feasting this day, its more common to wait till the 3rd day of the holiday. The day is however filling with glorious ceremonies and small feasting. A time to take account of the strength of the home to stand up to winter winds, the abundance of foods stocked away and the amount of wood gathered year long, to last till the warm days of spring. During the evening, tradition has that the officiating priest/priestess will come to the homes and bless it with song and a sacred incense blend. Some would rather spend the evening in quiet vigil at home or temple. A time to be deep in prayer, thanks and gratitude. Sacred storied hold that Arn and Myliea come at night and go door by door, to inspect one's home is well. They will knock on the door with their staves if it will well stocked and safe. In turn a basic of goods will be left at the door. The basket is said to be filled with fruits, 7 candles, a cut of wood, books, tools, recipes and warm cloths. Sometimes sweets, cakes and wine as well. Though these last three are normally reserved to be given from friends and loves ones.

Day three of Tsa'Myliea starts with an early morning ceremony. After which colorful parades are held, foods galore, contests and games and fun all around. The cord of wood and candle are lit just before dusk with a Bowynn hymn to Arn and Myliea. While it is often hard to find the sacredness and divine reason for the holiday on the 3rd day, it is still a holy day and there are ceremonies held in temple and in the home, giving thanks. One should remember it is still a time of sacredness. A time that allows snows and rain to decompose autumn leaves and all left to wither in gardens, turning them into composite, to feed the ground. A time to remind us all to take stock in whatever bounty and abundance we have in the home, cleaning the home and making it strong, safe and warm. People often will take walks on this day to explore and remind themselves of the beauty, holiness and necessity of the holiday

Bowynn Gods: Mura

Mura  (Mur-rha)  Daughter of Chumash and Kalma, Mura is a goddess of the 1st Gate of Daunnat, the Gate of courage. She is one of the goddesses of Daunnat, the spirit world. It is her gate that spirits reach first on their walk towards the “Fields of Forever.” Mura is not an evil goddess, nor a goddess of judgement.  Her role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. She is the recognizer and bestower of courage for spirits who are afraid of entering Daunnat. And at times even the living will call to Mura for courage. Especially those that have lost a loved one and do not know how to and scared to move on in life.

Mura (4th in line) leading souls along the path of Daunnat

     As goddess of the Gate of Courage, Mura is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram, which is the symbol of the Bowynn Tradition. She also abstains from visiting Alaway, instead she spends time with her folks and the spirts of Daunnat feasting and making merry. Being Daunnat is endlessly vast souls will sometimes get lost and scared. When that is the case Mura is there for them.

Mura (second from the end) with souls and holding two spirit orbs

     Mura has no known totem animal, instead always staying in her true godly form; that of a young lady dressed in green and white with green and white fillet and veil about her brow and head. some times she bears no veil. At times she carries a septagram dish or a shaft of wheat and sword. She is often seen holding spirit orbs that have separated from the soul (which is one of the transitions at death. Sacred to Mura is the septagram, sword and shaft of wheat. During funeral services, a bowl of milk and bread will be left to her and a statuette of the departed.

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Spirit / Tya - The Moon / Tau Mor

Spirit / Tya - The Moon / Tau Mor

Spirit is ruled over the moon. This point represents all that which is the creative element of the Spirit. Under Tya {Spirit} fall all of its attributes of: The Mystic Arts, Transformation, Alchemy, Divinity, The Psyche and Psychism, Infinity, Celestial sciences, Night, Dreams and Nightmares. Each is a point of light in a web of life. Everything has a spirit which is and is given to us by and Tya. An energy unique unto its own but connected to all existence. When the body dies the energy of that body moves on to be reborn into something else. The power of Spirit is never ending. It is never dying and is the force in the universe that is unyielding and is immortal. Heaven and Earth, spirit and matter are conjoined, where Nature and our own selves are the embodiment of divinity. Nature is our greatest spiritual teachers, showing us how we are all interconnected and how accessible Deity and the Divine is, in the world around us and within us. The spirit of the forest and our own spirits are no different. As the branches of the trees reach out into the heavens, we have the same ability. Our spirituality is what connects us to the forest, all it's adjoining elements and the divine. The moon is the feminine element of dusk and the night. A time when the body winds down and we grow tired. Its grants us the ability to sleep. And in that way, we renew our body and mind. In our sleep we dream- even the dreams that give us messages from the Divine and feel revitalized when we arise. So, it is not shocking to find oracles performing at their best during the night. Looking past the canopy of the forest we are bathed in the moon's glow and the celestial night sky- the stars and the planets. From these we can scry to learn more about ourselves with the arts of Astrology and Astronomy. At the same time, we can go deeper into the universe which is timeless and discover our past lives. Our spirit lives on from lifetime to live time, taking with it only the wisdom gained by experience for our soul’s benefit. The universe views things from an impartial point of view. We attempt to learn to view ourselves without the temptations of embellishing. Here, we learn truths about ourselves, about the world around us, and about a lot of things we need to know and face all in the way nature views us. Being true to your own inner self, knowing your strengths and weaknesses is one of the best things we can do for ourselves and learn to accept that which we cannot change and make our weaknesses into strengths. The Psyche is the spiritual cord that links us to the worlds and powers beyond which we cannot see. Through the use of our spirit and our psyche, we can draw in the divine and the energies of the universe. Experience shows us the way of our true selves by being true to ourselves we remain true to nature. The Virtue of Spirit itself is governed by the moon and the path of the Spirit is the purple path.

My Personal Prayer to Arn

O Glorious Arn, Lord of the North Wind, hear my voice as I raise my heart to your sacred presence. You, the elder of the wind gods and master of winter’s embrace, bless me with the chill of your wisdom and the warmth of your benevolence. As the Winter Wizard, guide me through these frosty months, wrapping me in the mantle of your northward winds. O Arn, with your staff adorned by an acorn lantern, illuminate my path amidst the cold shadows of the season. Bestow upon me the clarity of thought that I may navigate the icy trails of life. Like the white wolf and cardinal that accompany your spirit, may I find strength in my journey and joy in the beauty of the winter landscape. With reverence, I lay before you the offerings of milk and fresh water, humble tokens of gratitude for the life you nurture. I present snowflakes, white flowers, and treasured feathers, symbols of your dominion over the wintery realm. As the days grow shorter, may these gifts express my gratitude for the blessings you shower upon our hearths and homes.

O Mighty Arn, as the Yule season approaches, may your gentle spirit grace my dwelling with warmth. Bless all homes with the light of candles in their windows, as you ride with Myliea across the darkened sky. Bestow upon each home the delights of your gifts—nuts, dried fruits, and sweets for the children—in kindness for the hearts you cherish.I n the spirit of Ky' meliea, I celebrate your wondrous union with Myliea, and all that your presence brings to the turning of the seasons. Let the joy of Yule resonate within my heart and among my kin, as we gather under the boughs adorned with winter's finery. May the laughter and love shared during this time echo through the ages. O Arn, guardian of peace during the long winter nights, may your gentle winds soothe my spirit and grant me serenity. Guide me to understand the cycles of nature and my place within them, as I seek to live in harmony with the world around me. Let your spirit reside within as a reminder of resilience and hope as we await the sun's return. So shall it be, as I walk this earthly plane under your watchful gaze, the Winter Wizard of the North.

Syember!

BOWYNN GODS: RUNA

Runa  (Rew-nah)  The Runa are the Kii (spirits) of the woodlands, wood working and crafting in other suct articles like horn, antler and bone. They are kii of human size, so it is said and reside in the woodlands, either in trees or in hidden homes in the forest. Being woodland spirits, they are protectors of the trees, making sure that no harm befalls them till they are mature enough to harvest for crafting. Some of the Runa will follow a tree to the home of those that chop them down, to make sure they are treated well. There, they become spirits of wood crafting. A small band of devoted Runa are said to accompany the god Kalen, the god of wood working and architecture. 

Blessed Winter Solstice

My Personal Prayer to the Ano Taya

O Esteemed Ano Taya, triad of divine sisters who art the weavers of the tapestry of life, I bow before your sacred loom, where threads of destiny intertwine under your vigilant gaze. Nae, guardian of the past, Narna, nurturer of the present, and Nareen, keeper of the future, I humbly beseech you to guide my path and illuminate the choices that lie before me. O Nae, esteemed chronicler of yesterday's tales, grant me wisdom to learn from the stories of those who came before. Let the lessons of the past linger within my heart, guiding my steps away from folly. Narna, vibrant weaver of the now, fill my spirit with the awareness to embrace each moment, weaving joy and compassion into my daily existence. Nareen, visionary of what is yet to come, plant seeds of hope and dreams within my soul, for I seek to forge a future rich with purpose and light. With reverence, I lay before you sacred offerings of candles, white for purity, red for passion, and purple for transcendence—three flames illuminating the way for your divine presence. I present to you three fillets and votive images, symbols of my devotion and recognition of your immense power. May my humble gifts find favor in your eyes and stir the threads of fate in alignment with my heart's desires.

O Kindly Ano Taya, as I traverse the intricate paths of existence, bestow upon me the insight to discern my choices and their impact on the tapestry you weave. May your guidance illuminate the crossroads of my life, helping me navigate the corridors of time with grace. In moments of uncertainty, let me feel your presence, reassuring me that I am part of your grand design. In unity, I honor the shared threads that connect us all, woven together by the hands of the Ano Taya. As I gaze upon the sacred tapestries of the past, I reverently acknowledge the lives interwoven with my own. Let every encounter, every bond, strengthen the fabric of our shared journeys, and inspire compassion within my heart for my fellow beings. O Divine Sisters, protectors of the cycles of fate and time, may your ever-watchful presence guide me in the winding paths of my days. As I gather strength from my origins, cherish the present, and dream for the future, may the beauty of your woven tapestry inspire my soul. Enfold me in your wisdom, assuring me that each thread serves its purpose in this everlasting cycle of life. So shall it be, as the tapestry of existence unfolds under your benevolent hands.

Syember!

Happy Harvest Day!!