Bowynn Gods: Brenda

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.

My Personal Prayer to Aleglea

O Aleglea, radiant patroness of the Bowynn, I raise my voice in reverence before your divine essence, the embodiment of happiness that dances upon the breath of life. Your name is a melody that fills the air with light, and in your presence, joy blooms like the flowers of spring, casting away shadows of sorrow. O Aleglea, goddess of beauty and mirth, I honor you, adorned in saffron and ruby, your hair crowned with a bounty of blossoms. Your green eyes gleam with the laughter of the stars, and I bask in the warmth of your glorious light. Let my heart awaken to the pure joy you inspire, showering my spirit with the gifts of song, dance, and festivity. In heartfelt gratitude, I gather fragrant blossoms to weave a garland for your divine presence. Let the sweet aroma of honey offer my love, as I lay before you butterfly images, symbols of transformation, and resilience. The incense of my devotion rises like an invocation, calling forth the benevolence of your sacred spirit.

O dear Aleglea, guide my steps as I walk upon this earth, barefoot like you, feeling the heartbeat of life through the ground. Bestow upon me the lightness of being, a spirit filled with laughter and connection to the beauty that envelops us. I seek your blessing in every festive gathering, every celebration of life, and every shared moment of happiness. As garlands of flowers adorn the paths we tread, I join the chorus of your devoted followers, dancing in rhythmic unison to celebrate the joys of existence. Under your watchful gaze, may we foster community, laughter, and shared delight, reveling in the magnificence of your gifts. O Aleglea, though I am but a humble mortal, let my life reflect the spark of joy you ignite. As I take each step in your honor, may I carry forth the spirit of abundance and cheer, spreading happiness wherever I go. For in the glory of your name and the beauty of your creations, the world becomes a tapestry of pure delight. So shall it be, in the embrace of the goddess of happiness.

Bowynn Gods: Lyanna

Lyanna  (Ly-an-nah)  Lyanna is the Bowynn goddess of music, song and the patroness of musicians. In some aspect she may be one of the Abonna or a Kii of music. Be that the case, she would be the only Abonna or Kii ever named. If so, then she would be the creation of Brand. We do know from sacred text that she was trained in the arts of music by Brand.

     Lyanna's role in the pantheon is still in a bit of a clouded mystery. What is known is that she is a companion to the goddess Aleglea and in Alaway she sits with the other bard-like gods and strums on a "Kiltaen" or her flutes and sings sweet soft songs as the other gods feast and tuck in for the night.

      Lyanna is depicted as a youthful goddess with long flowing hair and small braids held together with ribbons. It is assumed she is a goddess that has not hit maturity yet, as she is never seen wearing a hladd. In hand she always is seen carrying her Kiltaen, which is a Bowynn lute or guitar. Sometimes on her hip is strapped a flute case and flying about her are Whippoorwills.  The Whippoorwills are her totem and she will sometimes take their form when around mortals, inspiring song. And they are her Totem animal. Sacred gifts to Lyanna are fetish images or real flutes, kiltaens and other such musical instruments, written music, flowers and of course incense.

Bowynn Gods: Arn

Arn  (Arn)  God of the North wind and the lord of the north. In some respects also the god of winter. He is often called “The Winter Wizard.” He is the eldest of the wind gods and as such, he is sometimes considered their watchers. Arn is the god that the goddess Myliea wed on the holiday of Kymeliea (also known as Candlemas and Imbolc). Their home resides in the far north and he accompanies Myliea on her first appearance on the winter solstice. In some ways, Arn is seen as a Bowynn version of Father Christmas and Santa Claus; On Winter Solstice eve Arn visits the homes that are decked in winter finery and have a candle lit in the window. If content, Arn will knock his staff on the doors and shutters, blessing the house and leaving a small gift at the door. Often these are in the form of foods; nuts, dried fruit and for kids, candy is left. Much like his contemporary, Arn has a stable that houses 12 great elk, which serve as his mounts.

     Arn is seen as an elderly man, sometimes adorned with white bird wings. His garments are of blue color, a wreath of holly on his head and in his hands, a staff with lantern on top, shaped like an acorn. When not in his godly form, he will appear as a white wolf or cardinal. Both of which are sacred to the god. On his side is a shoulder bag which holds the gifts to mankind. Arn is sometimes seen accompanied by the older winter mammoth god, Yormell, who also bears the same title of “The Winter Wizard.”

     Sacred gifts and offerings to Arn often consist of milk, fresh water, elk, wolf, feathers, cardinal, snow and white flowers. Pretty much anything winter and north wind related is sacred to him.

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: Drugs

QUESTION: How do Bowynn practitioners feel about those that take recreational drugs?

ANSWER: What one does in one's home is not our business. HOWEVER...in general we frown on the use of drugs unless it is something that is prescribed by a doctor. Luckily for us, we are all close friends so we all know that we all abhor the idea of use of drugs, as a means of "escape."

I will say this also applies to the smoking of tobacco products and excessive alcohol drinking. All of these addictive articles are banned from celebratory gatherings, save for wine, which is heavily monitored. We come together is clear and clean body, mind, soul and spirit. We find that we do not need such things in our lives and celebrations. We find there is nothing spiritual nor fun to someone that needs to pollute the air with the smell of narcotics and the abused stench of alcohol.

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. 

My Prayer to Dadjall

O Dadjall, Son of Kalma and Chumash, gracious guide of the departed souls from the shores of Evermore to the luminous realm of Daunnat, I humbly seek your presence in this sacred moment. You, who traverse the most wondrous landscapes ever born, lead the spirits with love, compassion, and gentle authority. With your charming smile and steadfast heart, may you continue your labor of love, guiding each soul to the embrace of your beloved parents. O Handsome Wanderer, adorned in shades of black and burgundy, with your staff and crystal orb, I call upon you to be the shepherd of the lost. Let my heart be filled with confidence, for your loyal companion, the dog by your side, embodies the fidelity of love that transcends worlds. Bestow your watchful gaze upon the departed, ensuring they find peace as they journey toward Lord Chumash and Lady Kalma. In reverence, I lay before you the sacred offerings of incense, fragrant blooms nourished by earth, and fresh water to quench the thirst of those transitioning from life to afterlife. With votive candles aglow, may they shine like stars on the path you forge for the souls you guide, illuminating their way toward the eternal union of love and light.

As you shepherd the spirits across the horizon, may each soul’s essence echo in the hearts of the living. May we honor their memories, cherishing the lessons imparted, acknowledging the ties that bind us across the veil of existence. O Dadjall, with each passing day, may your journey inspire love and connection among all who breathe. With a heart full of gratitude, I commit to honoring your duty and your compassion. May my life be a testament to the love you share with the departed, and may I strive to reflect your nurturing spirit in my care for others. So shall it be, in honor and adoration of Dadjall, the beloved guide of the souls, forever wandering in the beauty of the realms beyond.

Bowynn Gods: The Kobattii

Kobattii  (Kho-bha-ty)  TheKobattii are a form of Kii (Spirit/Faery) that guard sacred spaces, most of the time being Temples and Shrines. Bowynn temples will have images of Kobbattii above the archway of temple doors and small votive images etched or places next to small shrines.

     The Kobbattii, like most of the world's Kii were created by the Gods Brand, Kord and Brenda to ward off the ills of the God Mano and his malicious spirits, the Tii. It was the Kobbattii that took up residence in temples and shrines to guard and protect them and the bodies there-in . Being numerous but having no sacred text about them (outside of their creation) names of the Kobbattii do not exist.

     The Kobbattii are one of the very few of the Kii that bear armor and weapons. They are depicted clad in armor and bearing shields with the image of a turtle on it. It is their shields that are said to be the apex for protecting sacred sanctuaries.  Their shields are often seen raised high. Sometimes they are helmed and or times not. The Kobbattii are seen as both young men and women without wings. When not depicted or seen in their immortal form they will take the images of turtles, which is their totem animal. Seeing a turtle or tortoise in a cemetery assures the place is well guarded. A temple will often have a small garden out front, housing a couple of turtles.  Sacred gifts offered to the Kobbattii are normally incense or small votive images. But during the holiday of Kykora, the offering level can encompass any of the 7 sacred forms of offerings including full meals or huge baskets of flowers.

Bowynn Gods: The Hyndd

Hyndd (Hynd)  These people are in some aspect related to the Greek and Roman Kentaurs. But instead of the lower torso of a horse, it is a deer or elk with dark eyes, antlers and ears. The female Hyndd so not have horns. They are the guardians of deep forests where most men will dare to dwell and they hunt down those the try to destroy the woodlands. The Hyndd are the cousins of the Thurdro.

The Hyndd are not mortal by any stretch but forest Kii (spirits), They can appear and disappear as needed. Stories tell how people will encounter a Hyndd and in a flash the Hyndd with whisk away like a flurry of butterflies.