Bowynn Gods: Aetenn

Bowynn Gods: Anhur

Anhur (An-her)  Anhur is King-Father of the gods, Son of Brea and Unthar. Anhur is the god of families, men, fatherhood, laws, virtues, courtrooms, justice and men’s rites.  Anhur is the son of Unthar and Brea. He is the ruler of the earth and considered king of the Gods in the Bowynn faith. Being the figure-head of all the Akua, he upholds law, justice and morals, and this made him the spiritual leader of both gods and mortals. His symbols are the scepter, the hawk, wolf and the Maple Tree. Ultimately, Anhur is the God of Councils and councilors. He is a patron to all men and men’s rites, rituals and initiations. He lends wisdom to fathers. He is the god-king of justice, law, order and all virtues. He is a god of protection, liberty and freedom. Anhur is protector and patron of the king and his family. As the supreme deity, Anhur oversees the conduct of civilized life.     

      When born, Anhur and his brothers Chumash and Tane were living in the Second Age. Back then the rulers of the gods were his parents, aunts and uncles. The three boys quarreled often to their parents, who of the three would end up ruling what realm of the earth. The gods sent them into contest with a bow and arrow. The rules were that wherever the arrow that each one of the boys shot would land, that would be the realm they would rule. Tane’s arrow landed in the sea and Chumash’s landed in on another continent where one day mortal spirits would make their home far across the western sea. Anhur’s arrow however landed in a tree. None of the gods could agree what the ruling would be for such a shot. The Great Creator Bia was asked to judge the shot and Bia ruled that the realm Anhur would rule was the earth and the air. And so Anhur’s Kingdom was gained

     Next Anhur set on his first great task; to attain his totem animal. He picked not just the wolf but the king of the wolves, Lankner. But Lankner refused to be treated as a Totem animal. This led to a great chase and battle between Lankner and the young Anhur. Eventually the chases and wrestling were too much for the king of wolves and his mortal body collapsed and died. Grief stricken, Anhur saved the soul of Lankner from entering Daunnat and thus not only obtained his totem but to this day, he is Anhur’s immortal hound. Not as a pet but as a brother.

     Anhur fell in love with the Goddess Rhya. But she refused his advances till he showed her his true love. by Rhya's request, Anhur built the great Hall of the Gods, Alaway. This was not to be a home for them to stay in all the time but a place to where all the gods would meet for evening meal and sleep. It was said that an oath was made with all the gods that no matter what friction was fused during the day between the gods, when they enter Alaway to eat, all differences were left outside. It took Anhur 7 days to complete Alaway alone, but its completed state would make it the grandest of all hallows. (see “Alaway”)

     Anhur in appearance does not come off as a king, as much as he is seen as a father figure. That is to say he seems to present himself as a man in his 40s. Fully bearded, crowned with a circlet, helm or a wreath of maple leaves and with a staff in hand. His hair is said to be golden brown and his eyes green. Often Anhur is seen with Lanker the immortal wolf, or a wolf himself. His clothes are that is a counselor, warrior or a king, but of earthen colors.

Embroidry & Paint of Chumash (left) and Anhur (right) - created by Ksandra Weldess - 2011

QUESTION & ANSWER: Maenna

QUESTION: I saw your Bio on the goddess Maenna. It gave me chills in that she sounds like the Egyptian Goddess and concept of Maat. May there be a connection of the two? I ask because I have become interested in Maenna since I read your article.

ANSWER: Knowing of Maat very well I can say that, yes, there is somewhat of a connection. Maenna is the divine version of Bia. Balance and Order. We pray to Maenna to make sure there is an order when bad, evil and discourse become over inflated. So yes, we as the children of the gods must make sure balance is attained.

Bowynn Gods: Gorto

Gorto  (Gor-toe)  The Gorto are Kii of forges and kilns. The Gorto are the helpful spirits of potters and blacksmiths. These Kii are said to be some of the small servants to brothers Kalen, Gondor and their wives. The Gorto try to assure that pottery will not shatter while baking and metal wares will not overheat or bend wrong while being forged. The Gorto will take residence most of the time in blacksmith's and potter's shops, close to the forges and ovens. Gorto often work hand in hand with The Abbonna.

Smithies, will have images of Gorto carved in their anvils and hammers, and Potters with have their images on the sides of their kilns. Potters and Blacksmiths will make the first object they create devoted to the Gorto or in the shape of a Gorto, this is a way of asking the Gorto to bless the crafter in all they make there-after.

The Gorto (left and right in the 2nd row) working hard in the home of Gondor

QUESTION & ANSWER: Familiars and Guardians

QUESTION: In your tradition's do your witches use Familiars and Guardians? If so, how are they summoned?

ANSWER: No. Mysts do not have any need nor summon any sort of creatures or spiritual animals. Our belief here is that a true working Myst is on guard and protected at all times. And that there is nothing a mystical creature can provide that we can not handle on our own. We do not believe in the calling of the spirits of the dead. As it is seen as rude, disrespectful and sacrilegious.

Blessed Samhain one and all

Due to a very negative incident that happen this past night, I will not be engaging in any information today. Instead I shall leave you with just images. I still wish you all a very blessed and fun-filled holiday. All good. no bad.

Bowynn Gods: Kyrra

Kyrra (Keer-Rah)  Kyrra (sometimes Jyrra) are bird-like Kii and Tii that resemble the Greek Harpies. Unlike Harpies, they can be good as well. Said to have a humanoid head and torso but from the hips down the lower half of a bird. Originally, the Kyrra were all good natured and were messengers of Brand and the other gods but the god Mano corrupted some and turned them to be as malicious as himself. Bad Kyrra are often responsible for missing items and malfunctions in the home and life.  Good or bad, they are seen in small bird size. Someone who is having a bad swing of misfortune us referred to as "Being scratched by a Kyrra." Waking up with a scratch is an ill omen that one has been scratched by a Kyrra and bad times are coming. At the same time finding a random feather in your home is a sign of great fortune. "Kyrra Blessed."

BOWYNN GODS: RYAN

Ryan  (Ry-an)  Ryan is the Bowynn God of the west wind and the guardian god of all western lands (not Duannat, Land of the Dead.) Ryan's name means "west" in English.

     Ryan is one of four sons to Morrighynn and Herne. Like all his brothers, Ryan is seen winged with great black raven-like wings. It is Ryan who blows the cold winds of the autumn and western lands. His wind ripens the autumn fruit, turns leaves their autumn colors and changes the hue of grass to tan. He is seen as a young strapping man, with black hair and smooth of face, his eye color is that of cobalt blue, like the cleanest ocean. His garments are black in color. Often, he is seen on the first day of autumn (Tsakora) leading his wife Kora, Goddess of Autumn Season. It is said that of the four wind gods, Ryan is the most beautiful.

     Despite Ryans black clothing, he is not a god that looks fearful or a symbol of death. Point of fact, Ryan is a young and handsome man and one of the few handsome gods that many mortal women and goddesses fight over to be with. He is charming, strong and fun, as he is often said to bare a winning smile. Point of fact, Ryan, being married to Kora, becomes a harvest god; his western winds ripening foods to be harvested.

     Legend tells how it was Ryan that created the first crows and ravens as a gift to Kora on their wedding day to sing their wedding hymn, at the same time whipping up a western wind so that the trees would sing and laden the wedding procession with a shower of gold and other autumn hues. Often Ryan takes the shape of a crow or raven or other black bird. All these birds are sacred to him.

     Other sacred symbols to Ryan are autumn symbols like the leaves and harvested gourds. Shrines to Ryan often have wind chimes hung in them. Common gifts and offerings to Ryan are bowls of milk, fans, votive images of crows and incense.

Bowynn Gods: Gondor

Last Image: Kalen and Gondor standing together.

Gondor  (Ghon-door)  Gondor is the Bowynn god of smith crafting, fire and patron god to blacksmiths, goldsmiths and silversmiths. (Metal smiths in general) Particularly, he is the god of blacksmithing; Iron-forging.

     Gondor is the son of Phoenix and Sumon and the brother of Kalen, god of architecture. When it comes to all metal craft, Gondor is the master. But unlike other pantheons, his talents are not limited to just weapons and armor. Gondor makes all the feast ware and cooking utensils of Alaway. He was challenged at a young age to make a pot big enough for the goddess Io to cook all the daily meals of the gods of Alaway. Of course this was impossible. So instead, he forge-crafted a magickal cauldron that would never run out of food till each god had two helpings. Gondor was also commissions but Anhur, king of the gods to craft all of the weapons and armor of the gods. When the first tribes of mankind founded their homes in Europe, Gondor spent seven days with mankind teaching them the arts of smith-crafting. Not only to make weapons to hunt but farm tools.

     Gondor’s home and forge is not in Alaway but instead deep in the woods; A large home where he shares with his wife, brother, and his brother's wife. It was there where Gondor forged the great Seven Swords of the Wildwood, to give to mankind. Sadly, the first kings used them to start war and Gondor took them away and hid them till mankind was ready to find them again.

     Gondor is a fully mature god. Unlike other smithy gods, of other pantheons, Gondor is most handsome with wondrous long hair and strong in stature.  He is rarely seen with a shirt or tunic on. Instead, he wears a leather apron or is bare-chested. A circlet about his head keeps his hair back as he works, and a pair of leather gauntlets protects his hands. Sacred to Gondor are the tools he uses; hammers, forge and tongs. Also, all metal work and charcoal. Bunches of nails are a common gift to Gondor. When Gondor is around humans, he often takes the form of a dog, which is his sacred totem.

The House of Gondor Tablet. Gondor stands in the center of the second row on top of the platform with his brother Kalen and the goddesses Panu and Vella. Around him are his helpers and gods waiting for wares to be made.

Blessed Winter Solstice

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.