Bowynn Gods: Allapae

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.

Question & Answer: Books / BOS

Question: Does a Bowynn Myst have a Book of Shadows like Wiccan's have a Book of Shadows?

Answer: A Myst MAY have a journal or reference book. But it is not called a BOS nor Book of Shadows. This depends on up to the Myst. If he/she has a great memory for spells and spells components, they may not have need for one. Other people may have a book or library of books with spell references. Like-wise a Myst may or may not have a journal book, to record their works. It is up to the individual.

Bowynn Gods: Enya

Enya  (Ehn-ya)  Goddess of the morning and the dew. She is the daughter of Saul and Shayla and the sister of Treya, goddess of the dusk. Raven-haired goddess Enya is the goddess responsible not only for waking up the gods that decide to sleep in Alaway but also, she is in charged for the waking up mortals. At the same time, she is the goddess that flies ahead of the sun of the day, turning the sky from night to day and blessing the ground with morning dew.

     Very little sacred tales are known of Enya. However, it is said her song and voice if what breaks the shroud of night and brings forth the day. As she travels across the world, the vessel she carries spills out and blankets the grass with morning dew. She guides the sun across the sky till it descends in the west. In one sacred tale it is said that Enya and Treya fought over who would be leading the sun in the morning and the evening. Anhur was asked to make the ruling but even he could not decide. Finally, he called in the two goddesses individually to plead her case. His final judgment came not by wisdom but by the color of the dress they wore. Enya wore a dress that reminded the king of the gods of the gentle morning. And so, his judgment stands to this day.

     In most Boywnn villages there was always a “Morning Wailer.” It was their job to wake all up as they started a song throughout the villages at the top of her voice. These songs would be hymns to Enya and Treya was the patron of Morning Wailers. Of which is a most honorable and elite profession. Becoming a Morning Wailer would be devoting oneself to the Priesthood of Enya

     Enya was also one of the loves of the sun god Herne, prior to his wedding Morrighynn. Their love however was short lived when his eyes fell on the lady of the night. Despite the rejection, Enya still remains devoted to Herne.

     Enya is described as a most lovely lady, clad in a dress that matches the morning sky with red lips and short cut black hair. Sometimes she bares the wings of a bird, sometimes not. Other times she is depicted as merely flying on her own accord on the wind with morning birds accompanying her. The vessel she carries the morning dew is often shaped like a spiral shell. Sometimes Enya will take the form of a morning bird like a sparrow; the sparrow being her totem animal.

     Sacred offerings to Enya come often in the shape of bowls and cups of water, flowers, votive images of sparrows and birds and of course incense.   “Matenerm” or holy meals are left to her as a special gift.

My Prayer to Brenda, Goddess of Love

O Radiant Brenda, Daughter of Anhur and Rhya, I stand before you, bathed in the glow of your divine presence, a humble seeker of your grace and light. You, who are the embodiment of passion, love, and beauty, I honor and revere you, as I aspire to embody the beauty that flows from your essence. O Brenda, Goddess of Love’s Fire, kindle within my heart the flames of passion, illuminating the path to love and connection. I beseech you to grace me with the beauty of spirit and heart, for I seek not only the allure seen through mortal eyes but the beauty that resides in kindness and humility. Teach me the delicate art of balance, that I may embrace both vanity and virtue without losing my way. Guide me, O Brenda, in my search for true love. Let your wisdom lead me to the embrace of a heart that resonates with mine, a love that thrives not on superficiality but on the depths of shared spirit. May I be as devoted and nurturing as you were to your beloved Dhonan, finding beauty in simplicity and truth.

As you transformed the arrogant Kii into cardinals, a reminder of the folly of vanity, I too shall remain vigilant against pride. May your mirror reflect not just my physical form but the essence of my character, guiding me to cherish humility over self-indulgence. In your sacred light, let me find strength in my imperfections and grace in my journey towards authenticity. In your honor, I offer you roses and wildflowers, sacred blooms that mirror your beauty and grace. May their sweet fragrance and vibrant colors serve as a testament to your divine artistry. As doves and cardinals soar through the heavens, symbols of love and eternity, may their gentle coos remind me of the power of love’s whispers in my life. O Brenda, as your beauty captivated the gods and inspired mortals, may my heart echo with love that transcends time and space, embodying the devotion you so deeply represent. Let my spirit shine with the brilliance of true love, filling the world with compassion, understanding, and beauty, just as you have done throughout the ages. So shall it be, embraced in the blessings of Brenda, the Goddess of Passion and Beauty.

Syember!

Bowynn Gods: Muet

Muet  (Mew-et)  The river that flows from Alaway all the way down to Daunnat. Often dubbed the Mother river. This is the river that feeds to all other river and water sources on earth.

     The river source is a natural fountain that shoots up from the earth. Alaway had servant Kii as water bearers bringing water from the fountain that was guarded by a serpent. Only these Kii could fetch waters without being harmed by the great guardian serpent. If anyone else drew near, the serpent would attack and kill them. The young god Hawynn was a playmate of the servant Kii and hated to see them toil, so he took the great spear of his father, Tane, and the scrying bauble of his mother, Kalma, and went to subdue the serpent. Using the bauble Hawynn was able to predict the moves of the serpent as they battled. With the spear, Hawynn was able to finally slay the beast. Then, using one of the ribs of the creature, Hawynn dug a massive trench to the well and released its waters. Thus, the great river was created and set to flow under Alaway. At the same time the servant Kii were released from their strenuous duties.

In gratitude, Anhur gave Hawynn his blessing and made lord of all rivers and commander of the great river Muet. The Kii that were the water bearer’s before-hand, were each given a river in the world to bless and sanctify, as all rivers branch off of Muet.

     In another story, the evil god Mano tried to divert the river (knowingly to Hawynn) to his own home that was separate from Alaway. But because he did not have the okay and blessing of Hawynn, the river came crashing through his home and destroyed it. This of course angered Mano and thinking Hawynn destroyed his home on purpose, he went to wrestle the god. But Hawynn, being older and stronger, beat the young foolish god into submission

     It is said that Muet is the purest and cleanest of waters. No mortal man may step into the river. Once in Daunnat, souls are cleansed in the waters of Muet, to rid themselves of all mortal earthly filth and labors. The waters flow on through Duannat and created various rivers, springs and other waters sources in Daunnat to quench the thirst of the souls of the departed. It is said that a live man drinking from the waters will forget all he knows and wander the world aimlessly.

Bowynn Gods: Hern

Hern  (Hurn)  Hern is the Bowynn god of the sun and the hunt. He is the protector of woodland, the creatures that live there and Hunters. Despite his name and spelling, the Bowynn god Hern bares little to no semblance to the English ghost spirit Herne. Hern is the son of the earth goddess Brea and the sky god Unthar. 

     As a god of the hunt, Hern makes sure the hunt is justified, that hunters do not take more than what they need and at the same time protect them from vicious attacks and other woodland dangers. At the same time Hern protects the wildlife. He is also the one that blesses tools and implements used for hunting and initiates professional hunters. Contrary-wise, Hern will punish those that abuse the hunt and who treat animals maliciously.

As a sun god, Herne tamed the great sun mares once belonged to the deities Saul and Shayla, steadying their course across the heavens. Taming them to allow the sun to rise and set just once in a 24 hour period.

     Hern is one of the great epic gods that is most prominent in the Bowynn tradition. It is his birth, life and death that is worshipped throughout the year. The great sacred story explains that he was conceived in the dead of winter by the sky and earth on the holiday Kymyliea (Imbolc) and was born on the spring Equinox, Tsaquilla. It was when Hern was a young teen that he met the moon goddess Morrighynn and pledge his love to her on the day of Kyquilla. (Beltane) Their love we sanctified and united on Tsatarna. (Summer Solstice) Their honeymoon lasted all summer long, climaxing on Kytarna (Lammas). By Tsakora (the Autumn Equinox) Hern had noticed that humanity had become so lazy over the summer that they did not harvest enough food and wood to survive the winter. He journeyed to the great western mountains and spoke to Bia, the great creator force and realized what he had to do to help man survive. On the holiday of Kykora (Samhain), Hern proclaimed one finally great hunt to the mortal hunters. During the hunt, Hern turned himself into a mighty stag and gave himself to humanity so they may survive. Morrighynn grieved endlessly for the loss of her love Hern till at last, on Tsameliea (Yule) word came to Morrighynn that Hern will be born again and return to her. In turn Hern is reborn to the earth again each year.

Hern and his loved Morrighynn. With wolf cub and elk fawn at their feet.

As the god of the sun, his gloriousness and strength waxes stronger from Winter to Summer and then wanes weaker after the Summer Solstice into winter. It not shocking to find Bowynn praying to Hern throughout summer in force to ensure a gentle winter.

There are endless other legends of Hern but the Great Circle Saga is the grandest and also marks out the 8 celestial holidays of the year.  It is said that when Hern was first born to Brea, there was no cradle to hold the babe, so the Goddess Briathenaea made a swing-like hammock cradle made of elf antler and hide for the Mother Goddess to hold the babe.

     Hern is one of the horned gods of the Bowynn Pantheon. His head is crowned with elk/deer antlers, as his very totem is the elk. Some time he is seen also with elk or deer ears, giving him a softened and my friendlier appearance. other depictions have him without antlers. All cervidae animals are sacred to Herne and he often appeared to mortals as a might buck elk. Hern is also the creator of the Sunflower, a divine symbol of his love to Morrighynn on their wedding day, as well as a source of food. Wheat and corn is also a symbol of Hern, as a symbol of his devotion to Morrighynn, turning it from green to gold in color. during summer wheat and corn husks are woven and firmed into sun images to Hern and hung everywhere. Especially on and over doors and windows. The sword and the bow and arrow are also symbols of the god.

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.

Happy Halloween

QUESTION & ANSWER: Rites of Passage

QUESTION: What rites of Passage do Bowynn celebrate and ceremonialize? Can you share them with us?

ANSWER: Bowynn tradition has several rites of Passage:

Newborn Blessing

RIte of Childhood

Rite of Adulthood

Rite of Marriage

RIte of Eldering

Rite of Death

Rite of 7 Nights

There are also other rituals that deal with being indoctrinated into a clan/circle. While I cannot go into details to these rites for the reason of cultural preservation, I will start posting the general to each in a few days after Ky'Kora is over.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Skyclad

QUESTION: Is Nudity practiced in the Bowynn Tradition?

ANSWER: No. At least not among all of us ritually as a group. While we love and respect the human body, it is impractical for us to practice in the nude, as we hold most rituals in woodland. The amount of insects, blackberries, thorns and other haphazards just make it impossible. And honestly, we see no need to hold any gathering in the buff. HOWEVER, what one does in the privacy in their own home is up to them. We have several females that will fulling sun and moon soak and I personally have a love for skinny dipping when I am alone at the shore and lake.