Bowynn Gods: Mura

BOWYNN GODS: SAUL

Saul  (Sawl)  God of the light and day, born from the will of Bia. As such Saul is a god of the great creatrix along with his brothers and sisters.

     Before Saul, the universe was black and filled with darkness that his brother Daeth and sister Tora ruled over. Saul and his other sister Shayla were opposite of their siblings and grew tired of this eternal night and dark. Saul learned that Light was confined to a small place and guarded by a great celestial lion. Mustering up the bravery that his brother had before him Saul faced down the mighty beast and defeated it. He then unleashed the celestial light and thus the suns and stars were placed in the heavens. And at the same time the law of balance was instilled in the heavens.

     Saul is seen as a young male god of great glorious beauty and radiance. He is said to bare long blond hair and wear a simple light-colored robe, or even wander the heavens naked.  The only scared symbol to Saul is the Lion, which is said he walked the heavens with. Aside from incense, his only other sacred offering is images of golden lions.

Blessed Winter Solstice

Blessed Winter Solstice

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

Bowynn Gods: Dawnnat

Daunnat  (Dawn-nat)  “The next world.” Daunnat is the Bowynn version of heaven. However, it is neither a realm in the sky nor below. It is said to be a world that is much parallel to our own, only reachable by the dead and gods. The realm of Duannat is well describe from the travels of the gods Kord and Brenda, who had to travel there to return the god Brand:

     After the soul and spirit leave the body with the help of the god Heron, it is traveled to a body of water. There sits a grand celestial ship which flows down the divine waters of Muet. This ship is guided from the dock to the beach of Daunnat. From there Heron departs and the god Dadjall takes over, starting to guide the soul-spirit through Duannat. The view is that of walking through the most enchanted land ever; Forested, plains, gardens, streams and waterfalls. Above the land of Daunnat is blessed with its own light, ruled by the god Saulnat.

     Eventually Dadjall guides the soul-spirit to 7 natural gates. Each gate is guarded by a god or goddess. The first is the Gate of Courage and Strength, ruled by the goddess Mura. The second gate is the gate of Kindness, ruled by the god Naddas. The third is the Gate of Love, ruled by Orstal. The forth is the Gate of Balance, ruled by Odjett. The fifth is the Gate of Faith, ruled by Quatt. The sixth is the Gate of charity, ruled by Rhymar and the last gate is the Gate of Peace, ruled by Pedjet.

     Past the gates, Dadjall leads the soul-spirit to Tsellet. The goddess separates the soul from the body, as once in Daunnat and past the gates, no harm can come to the spirit. The spirit now goes to be reborn in our world. The Soul is cleansed and purified and brought to the king and queen of Duannat, Chumash and Kalma, and to the Reader of Deeds, Ano Atanno If the soul is free of sin, it is then lead to the get valley where all souls dwells. A great valley that’s land is ever lush, fertile, abundant and beautiful. The water ways in Daunnat are fed by the great river Muet, and these waters are used to bath the soul to help release all guilt and earthly labors away. All of the nature in Daunnat, from field to flower, is rule over by the queen of Daunnat, Kalma herself.

      If the soul is plague with sin beyond reason, then it is reunited with a spirit and he or she is reborn to earth to “get it right.” However, few are truly reborn, unless their crimes in their prior life are so great.

     Each Soul in Duannat has their own home at night where they live with their past-away family members. But the greatest is the home of Chumash and Kalma. This home or hall rivals that of Alaway. Like Daunnat itself it is not a dark place but most pleasing to the eye, with eloquently carved wood and decorated with most respect. The great dining hall is said to be big enough to let 500 souls feast most comfortably.

The story of Daunnat speaks that originally it was just a barren Island across a great chasm, where the spirit's wandered. During the contest Chumash and his brothers Anhur and Tane contested for who was to rule what level of the earth said God would rule over. Chumash's arrow flew the furthest and into a chasm with represented Daunnat at the time. His brothers mocked him so badly till Chumash said he would make Daunnat more beautiful than the kingdom of the earth and sea combined. Chumash rerouted the divine river Muet to fill the chasm, with Kane's him built the ship for spirits to travel on and constructed the palace of Daunnat. He constructed the 7 great Gates and stations his children at each one. With his new wife Kalma, they planted every seed, tree and pod, plowed every field, gouged every valley and built every home for spirits. By decree, Kalma and Chumash dictated the afterworld's day and night and seasons to come into being. By want and desire, Chumash created special Kii to tend to all mortal's spirits, laying out grand banquets each night.

Indeed, Daunnat is the most beautiful kingdom.

BOWYNN GODS: SHANE

Shane  (Shaen)    Shane is the God of love, desire, passion and the love of family, friends the self. He is the son of Brenda and Dhonan and the brother of Onaur. Despite his attributes, Shane is not a filthy and aggressive god. His gifts are mostly classified as "Devoted Love."

Close friends pledge their love and devotion to Shane. Parents and their children would be bound by Shane. A wandering warrior and his dog would be bound by Shane. The idea of self -love of was instituted by Shane. The Love of a person for an image or item, is a product of Shane.

     Shane is seen much like his brother Onaur: a young god in simple garments, much like a page. He is sometimes seen winged like his brother and at times without. When not seen in his immortal form, he will take the form of a bird. So scared to Shane are votive images of birds.

Bowynn Gods: Alaway

Alaway  (Al-lah-way)  Alaway is the great house of the gods. To be more precise it is the "nightly" hall of the gods. Alaway was created by lord Anhur on earth, built alone, by his own hands, as asked by his bride-to-be Rhya. This she asked to prove his love to her, demanding the building be completed in 7 days. With godly strength, speed and skill Anhur did in fact complete the great structure.

    While Alaway was originally only meant to be a dining hall of the gods, there are individual chambers for sleeping as well, though there are some gods do not use them, as their positions on are require them to be elsewhere, even Anhur at times. The Ano-Taya, goddesses of fate, reside in Alaway all the time, never leaving their work. They, and a small handful of other gods, reside in Alaway almost all the time.

     Alaway is described as a grand building standing over the river Muet. There are said to be many posts holding up the roof, carved from solid trees. The windows are made of cut crystals, each one depicting the first 7 days of creation and divine weddings. At the double doors that lead inside stands young Drudenn, who is the key-holder to Alaway. The whole of inside of Alaway is said to be painted in a magnificent colors, with white decorative trim. Inside the great hall there is a magnificent hearth, encircled in green marble and lanterns made of amber hang everywhere; the great hearth is tended by the goddess’s Io and Phaenixx and the god Hyu. About the hearth are many mats, cushions and seats for each god. The great kitchen is maintained by a series of Kii, entrusted with cleaning and cleansing, preparing mighty feasts for the gods. In the great hall, the walls are lined with the four tapestries of life woven by the Ano Taya. The palace is said to be lit with alabaster and ivory lamps, decorated in the most highest of fashion. The bed chambers are said to be decorated with great tapestries and the beds covered with woven blankets and furs.

    Though built on earth, Alaway is no longer visible nor reachable by mortal man. Very few mortals have ever found or been invited to Alaway mostly due to disbelief or other reason due to their individual sins. But it's really not a place for mortals.

Bowynn Tradition Virtues {Hylin}

The following are the Sacred Seven virtues {Hylin} of the Bowynn faith. These seven virtues are one of many attributes of the Bowynn Holy Symbol, the Numatam:

Peace {Del}

Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm. It comes especially in quiet moments of reflection or gratitude. It is getting very quiet and looking at things so you can understand them. Peacefulness is a way of approaching conflict with others so that no one is made wrong.  It is being fair to others and yourself. Peace is giving up the love of power for the power of love. With peacefulness, everyone wins. Practicing peacefulness helps to create a calm mind free from worry. When you are peaceful, you respect others and their differences. People around you feel calm and safe.  Without peace, no one is safe. People get hurt.  Fighting doesn’t solve problems, and no one every really wins a war.  With peacefulness, any problem can be solved. Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart.  To find inner peace, become very still and think peaceful thoughts. Observe and think about your feelings, like anger, instead of acting with anger. To be a peacemaker, use peaceful language instead of name-calling, yelling or gossiping.  Avoid aggressive or violent actions. Talk things out and listen to the other person too.  Then look for a peaceful solution. Peacemakers find there are lots of creative ways to solve any problem.

Charity {Artaejen}

A person in need of charity is somebody who risks the loss of some very strong and stable desires. These include basic desires such as a desire for a warm place to sleep on a cold winter’s night, a desire for food and clean water to drink, a desire for health, and, in some cases, a desire to go on living. When a person has a desire to help fulfill the particularly strong desires of others, then an act of charity fulfills not only the desires of those to whom he gives, but his own desires as well. Some people state that part of the value of giving to charity is the pleasure that it provides to those who do the giving. However, this pleasure is contingent. This is a learned desire – a desire brought about by the use of social tools such as praise (of those who are charitable) and condemnation (of those who are selfish). People in general have many and strong reasons to praise those who are charitable, and to condemn those who are selfish. Any one of us could end up in a situation where some of our strongest and most stable desires are at risk – where we are without a home or suffer some severe threat to our health and long life. But we must remember to give because it is the right thing to do. Not because we expect good things in return.

Love {Brend}

We often think of love as an emotion we experience, an emotion characterized by the desire to be close to another person, the sense of cozy pleasure we feel in a relationship. This emotional aspect of love is usually perceived as warmth, attraction, intimacy, closeness and excitement. If we limit our understanding of love to the experience of transient emotions alone, we are on extremely unstable ground.  Whether we enjoy someone's company or not, whether we admire their character or not, we can still honor a person from a spiritual perspective simply because, we are all created from the same spirit. In this definition of love we make a commitment to remember the truth of our oneness and treat others with respect and kindness no matter if they are worthy of such sentiments or not. Loving another person in this way is respecting their divinity, which is the same as ours. This is a reliable foundation for a positive relationship. When we find ourselves angry or fearful, all love is not lost. We must turn our attention to the principle of love, which calls us to be gentle, kind and to treat others with respect despite the life-constricting emotions of anger and fear. This concept of love is what the ancient Greeks called Agape love -- a love that honors all others. When we have love to give, we can express it with respect, kind words and actions, even when the conditions don't seem to warrant loving-kindness. To foster love, we have to be honest in little and big matters.  To demonstrate love, we can give our undivided attention whether we are at work or at home. Just silently listening and being present can be a loving gesture. Never forget that love can be applied to any problem. Since this life is short, savor moments by being fun-loving and relishing connections with others. Each day, make a conscious choice to live lovingly and express love to yourself and others.

Courage {Baraej}

Courage is one of those virtues necessary to living a good life. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of courage is bravery in the face of a threat, yet it is so much more. It is the ability to choose the point that lies between cowardice and recklessness in any circumstance. Courage takes many forms. Examples include the courage to do what is right, the courage of facing a personal fear, the courage to accept unpopularity, the courage to endure physical or mental pain for the sake of self-improvement, the courage to push forward through frustration,

the courage to tell the truth, the courage to change, the courage to act, the courage to trust, the courage to love, the courage to commit, and many more. How do you make a habit of courage? This is not an easy undertaking, as you will have to overcome years of habits associated with making uncourageous decisions. First, let me suggest that you have to believe that practicing courage is a worthy pursuit. Developing courage will allow you to be more in control of your life as opposed to letting outside circumstances dictate your actions.  Another place to start is by developing the habit of being truthful. Telling the truth often requires courage because it may get you or someone you care about into trouble. Yet we inherently know it is the right thing to do. There is a selfish benefit to this strategy and that is people will respect you for this virtue. They may not always like it, but they will respect it. They will come to know that you are always telling them the truth and they will appreciate you for that quality.

Kindness {Skirnlee}

Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a person treats others. Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes. Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years. The attributes of thoughtfulness and kindness are inseparably linked.  Kindness is not a duty or an ethic either; it is an expression of personal virtue that flows from and is rooted in love, which is at the heart of all virtue. Kindness begins in the heart. In fact, many languages have words that are translated as "loving-kindness" or "kind-heartedness," which is kindness that goes beyond the minimum requirements of civility. Kindness is really more than being nice, polite or agreeable, but instead has more to do with our being than our behavior. It cannot be faked. Kindness softens hearts, lifts spirits and molds relationships. The value of our lives is best measured not by the material possessions we've acquired, but by the hearts we've touched, because who we are is far more important than what we have. Everything we do affects not only our own life, but touches other lives, too.

Spirituality {Tya'oamima}

A person with Spirituality will have firm beliefs about the meaning of the universe. Such people attach their life to something higher than themselves. Being spiritual may make it easier for a person to cope with difficult life events. Spirituality is not just about religious beliefs although the two are closely connected. People with religious beliefs have been shown to be able to cope with stress and handle difficult events when they arise. In religion, transcendence refers to the aspect of a god's nature and power which is wholly independent of the material universe, beyond all physical laws. This is contrasted with immanence, where a god is said to be fully present in the physical world and thus accessible to creatures in various ways. In religious experience transcendence is a state of being that has overcome the limitations of physical existence and by some definitions has also become independent of it. This is typically manifested in prayer, séance, meditation, psychedelics and paranormal "visions". It is affirmed in the concept of the divine in various religious traditions, and contrasts with the notion of a god, or the Absolute, existing exclusively in the physical order or indistinguishable from it (pantheism). Spirituality can be attributed to the divine not only in its being, but also in its knowledge. Thus, a god may transcend both the universe and knowledge (is beyond the grasp of the human mind). Although transcendence is defined as the opposite of immanence, the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some theologians and metaphysicians of various religious traditions affirm that a god is both within and beyond the universe; in it, but not of it; simultaneously pervading it and surpassing it.

Balance {Bia}

Balance is defined as “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis,” “equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements,” or “an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements,” according to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.  Balance is that spiritual straightness and stability that resists all influences to turn or deviate from the right path. It is the characteristic of righteousness that refuses to be allured, intimidated, or bullied into diverting from the assigned course. It resists reducing or exaggerating the truth, recognizing that error or excess in either direction, for any reason, remains error and excess. It is important to remember that balance is a godly virtue. It is clearly displayed in the nature of Bia itself. Bia is absolutely perfect in all holiness. Bia is pure and just in judgment, yet Bia’s mercy endures forever. Bia’s law reveals this virtue, calling for separation from the heathen, yet to love strangers, remembering they are strangers to others.  Finally, it must be understood that balance is an attainable virtue. That is not to say anyone will achieve perfect balance, but real and lasting progress can be made to achieve greater balance in life. If we keep our eyes on one unchanging, immovable focus, if we strive to become only what the gods want us to be and all that they want us to be, we will live with greater balance. Thus, we work to achieve balance for ourselves and others. Where the scales of balance are overweighed, we attempt to restore them into place, be it with physical labor, spiritual or metaphysical.

Bowynn Gods: Aetenn

Aetenn (Ae-ten)  Aetenn is the god of arms, armor and armories. Sometimes Aetenn is called the ‘Ram-Crowned God’ as he bares ram horns on his head. At other times Aetenn is said to be truly crowned with a wreath of black berry leaves; their tiny thorns symbolizing protection.       Despite the fact that his attributes deem to be of a warrior god, Aetenn is anything but a warrior. He is only the god that guards warrior's arms and armor, protects them and makes sure they are kept in good condition. He is also a god that blesses soldiers if they must go to war. Aetenn is a forest god, said to reside in the woodlands. He has no bed in Alaway (The nighttime home of the gods), opting for sleeping in the wild. Aetenn is also a drumming god. He and the god Drautmer are the gods that created drums and used them as a device of communication between camp sites of the first people, their drums echoing across the lands at the first sign of trouble. But also drumming musically around campfires for the people after a long day

      While Aetenn is mainly a guardian god of soldiers and their arms and armor, he is also a god that guards other items if one asks him to. So, one can consider him almost a guardian of stock piles of whatever one desires. but he should not be asked to guard just any frivolous thing, instead it is best to ask Aetenn to protect what one prizes the most.

Sacred symbols to Aetenn are arms, such as spears, swords, knives, daggers, bows, arrows and such as well as armor, shields and helms. Drums are often dedicated to Aetenn or given as offerings, votive images or rams and bowls of black berries and libations of blackberry wine. At great rituals and ceremonies to Aetenn libations are held and poured from ram horns

BOWYNN GODS: TYMORA

Tymora  (Ty-mor-ah)    Goddess of fortune, luck and wealth. She is the daughter of Rhya and Daekk, and the sister of Daekk and Hemway. While her brother is the good of material wealth and prosperity, Tymora is the goddess of life wealth. She is the goddess that conjures chance events to go a person’s way, leading them to a fulfilled path, not always just money. She is prayed to often that life goes the way a person hopes for luck in life’s daily encounters. But of course, many see her as a goddess of monetary wealth. Tymora is often prayed to along with her brother Daekk at the same time. But Tymora is also a goddess of misfortune too. What she gives, she can easily take away if people abuse that which she bestows on them.

     The legends of Tymora are endless. She was indeed one of the gods of Alaway that stayed with the first tribes for seven days and nights, teaching the people all she could about fortune and her gifts to humanity.  One sacred tale speaks of a Guild Master who was so corrupt and filled with greed. But he wanted more and more, so he beseeched Tymora to bless him with her blessings of fortune. She refused to do so and so he had her temple destroyed in his city. Misfortune quickly fell on everyone about him, but the guild master himself. But all his people became so enraged with the man’s wealth that they looted his home till nothing was left. Quickly he learned his lessons and built a new and more glorious temple. His wealth and status was never fully returned but he understood why. Many of the legends of Tymora go the same way.

     Tymora is seen as a motherly figure with raven black hair and eyes as green as the summer forest. She is seen clad in a dress and robe of green with white trim and a white mantle. She does not have a formal crown on her head but is disklet that hangs from behind like a halo, which is said to be of silver. She is always seen along with her brother Daekk in her arms, as Daekk is a baby. Tymora is rarely seen in her totem form, which is said to be that of a mouse. Sacred offerings to Tymore consist of small sachets of grain and corn, coins and votive images of mice.