BOWYNN GODS: REYE

A Deeper Look into the Abonna

The Abonna, as divine embodiments of music, dance, and the arts, lend themselves to rich symbolism that resonates with both mathematical concepts and esoteric interpretations. Their company of being a parade of both male and female—connects to the concept of balance and unity in sacred geometry, as it embodies the principle of the divine feminine and masculine, akin to the yin-yang symbol representing harmony. Their depiction as taller Kii without wings suggests a groundedness and a more profound connection to earthly creativity, possibly symbolizing the ascent from basic forms to higher, more complex expressions of art, which can evoke mathematical ideas such as fractals found in nature, illustrating repeated patterns that resonate through artistic creation.

The “Seven Sacred Days” spent with mortals can symbolize the importance of cycles and the number seven, often associated with spiritual perfection and completion in various esoteric traditions. Each day could represent discrete stages in the creative process, similar to the process of musical composition, where themes evolve through variations—a mathematical reflection of progression and transformation. Additionally, the Lark, a totem for the Abonna, could represent mathematical harmonics in music, as birdsong often follows patterns that reflect Fibonacci sequences, showcasing the innate connection between nature, rhythm, and mathematical beauty.

The notion that the Abonna are mere inspirations, rather than direct bestowers of arts, aligns with the concept of the muse in artistic tradition, suggesting that creativity arises from a deep, often unconscious well of potential which can be linked to the concept of potential energy in physics—the idea that collaboration between inspiration and human effort can yield creative expression. The crafts and tools they bless serve as sacred vessels that channel human creativity, illustrating the alchemical transformation of raw materials into art, akin to mathematical transformations that reveal deeper truths through complex numbers and patterns.

Delving deeper into the symbolism of the Abonna reveals intriguing connections to concepts in biology, psychology, and even quantum theory that resonate with their role as patrons of the arts. Biologically, the Abonna embody the idea of symbiosis—much like how pollinators (like birds and insects) interact with flora to create beauty and nourishment; they serve as agents of inspiration, enabling humanity to cultivate creativity much as bees facilitate the growth of flowers. This parallels the notion of co-evolution in ecosystems, where interconnectedness drives mutual growth and flourishing.

Psychologically, the arts represent a fundamental aspect of human expression and self-actualization, illustrated by Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, where creativity emerges after basic needs are met, highlighting the transformative role of the Abonna in aiding individuals to realize their potential. Their dual male and female representations support the Jungian archetype of the anima and animus, suggesting an integration of the inner self and creative energies that fuels artistic endeavors.

Exploring a more esoteric dimension, the number seven, representing the sacred days spent among mortals, can evoke the idea of the "seven planes of existence" in various mystical traditions, hinting at the layered nature of reality and creativity that transcends physical existence. This reflects the mathematical and philosophical concept of dimensionality, where art and music can be seen as multidimensional expressions that connect various realms of experience.

Furthermore, the absence of specific names for the individual Abonna points to the idea of archetypal representations rather than distinct entities, signaling a fluidity of identity akin to wave-particle duality in quantum physics, where particles exist in states of potential until observed. This encourages a perspective that creativity itself exists in a state of potential—a universal energy accessible to all, waiting to be instantiated through human endeavor.

In entomology, the transformation of insects (e.g., metamorphosis) symbolizes the creative journey—illustrative of artistic evolution and growth. The Abonna's ability to take on forms as birds and insects not only emphasizes their connection to nature but also symbolizes the stages of creativity, reminding us of the transformative power inherent in the artistic process itself and the boundless possibilities that arise from mutual influences in art, nature, and science.

Lastly, the depiction of Abonna appearing as birds and insects bridges the gap between the divine and the mundane, highlighting their nature as guides and intermediaries in the human journey toward self-expression, paralleling the idea of resonance in sound, where simple vibrations create complex melodies, reminding us of the interconnectedness of all forms of art and their mathematical underpinnings within the cosmic order.

Bowynn Gods: Sumon

Wood carved Pog of Sumon - Created by myself 1987

Sumon  (Su-mon)  Sumon is the ancient and primordial god of all of earth's waters and the water element. "Sumon" means "Water". He is the creation of Bia and one of the creators of mankind. Sumon is the consort of the goddess Phaenix. Through which they produced a lineage of other gods.

     In the creation of mankind, Brea, goddess of the earth, had tried to form mankind with earth from the ground. But the earth was dry and would not stay together. It was Sumon that added his gift of water to the dirt and made it moldable and gave mankind blood. It was also Sumon that filled the earth’s canyons and chasms with water, creating oceans, seas and rivers, thus dividing lands into continents.

     Sumon is seen as an older man of grandfather years, with a beard and long white wavy hair. His eyes are said to be a deep sea green. In his godly form some have seen Sumon in a simple himation wrapped about his body. Others however have seen him more fully dressed, in royal garments of blues and greens, embroidered in silver and jeweled with abalone and other sea shells. In hand Sumon is often seen holding an ornate staff of silver, laced with pearls, shell and turquoise. Sumon’s totem form is that of a great whale. Sacred to Sumon are sea and fresh water fish, water, sea plants, pond plants and flowers and votive images of fish and sea life. 

Aelles Tsa'Kora

May the light of the Equinox fill your soul and body. May you be blessed with the harvest of abundance and have no need of want. May the epiphany of Autumn come into your life with joyous glee. May the colors of the season radiate all about you, bring you happiness.

Bowynn Gods: Naea

Naea  (Nay-ah)  Naea is the Bowynn goddess of springs, wells, lakes, rivers, streams and other small fresh bodies of water. She is the daughter of Tane and Kauldra and is one of the very few multi arm gods. As such she is a spider goddess. Her multi limbs represent the many rivers of the world.      Naea is a free spirited goddess, spending much of her time wandering the sides of wells and ponds and weaving away in her godly or animal form on the side of streams and rivers. Her prime domain is to make sure such bodies of water are protected from pollutants and destruction as much as possible. As such, Naea is one of the very few gods of the Bowynn pantheon to seek revenge on mortals that destroy her realm. One sacred story speaks of the fisherman that was so filled with joy when he caught a fish as soon as his hook hit the water. He became so happy that he kept fishing till the lake was depleted of fish. Naea found out about this and that night as he and his family gorged out on the fish the man caught, there was a knock on the door of a beggar woman. She asked for a fish to get her by. The man and woman gave her the smallest fish in the batch, so small it would not fill a cat. The old woman ended up being Naea and for the couple's lack of moderation and charity, Naea made all the other food in the house disappear till all that was left saw the fish. The couple quickly became sick of eating fish all the time and thus learned their lesson. There are many legends of mortals abusing wells and springs then suffering Naea’s wrath but never death.      Despite this and other such sacred tales Naea is not a vicious goddess. Infact she is a most gentle goddess. She only seeks out those that have done wrong with her gifts. So she should not be feared. Other times she is most giving, as the sacred stories of her creating a well for a family that had nothing to drink for days. Because of her watery realm, Naea's temples are often nothing more than a well surrounded by a gazebo.      Naea is depicted in her godly immortal form as a delightful young woman with short hair and 4 - 6 arms. Her garments are of blues, purples and greens and silver or glass baubles as jewelry. Sometimes she is seen with a pitcher of fresh water and other times with a loom. In her totem form Naea is seen as an elegant spider. Sacred gifts to Naea come in the form of glass pieces, fresh water, river and lake plants and flowers, spoons of white and blue yarn and votive images of a spider.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Clothing/Garb

QUESTION: In the Bowynn tradition, is there any special robes mysts and practitioners wear?

ANSWER: Technically no. That is to say that no one is required to wear any particular clothing. Especially black witch robes. We kind of shun away from wearing the iconically (and non historic) black robes and conical hat. That said. Over the decades of weekly gatherings, we found that we were all gathering in our Fantasy/Ren Faire garb. Which eventually became something of a common occurrence amongst all of us. While no there is no requirement to wear such clothing, it has become what it is. (Side not to this is that; so many times I have remarked "We all look like we stepped away from filming 'Robin of Sherwood'. LOL)

Mysts [witches] in the tradition do not commonly wear black unless its is there desired comfort clothing. I personally like to wear blue jeans and a blue T-shirt. It's up to the person.

My Personal Prayer to Bia

O Divine Bia, the Essence of All, who arose from the depths of nothingness, I come before you with a humble heart and grateful spirit. You, who vanquished the suffocating Mist and brought forth the genesis of existence, I honor your sacred balance that governs the very fabric of creation. In your boundless wisdom, you conceived the first gods, paving the path toward harmony. O Bia, embodiment of all that is, I beseech you to guide my spirit in achieving balance amidst the chaos of life. As the puppeteer of creation and the weaver of destinies, let your presence fill my heart so that I may reflect your harmony in my thoughts, actions, and deeds. May the essence of your being envelop me, drawing me closer to the unity of all creation. With reverence, I lay before you my humble offerings of fragrant incense and flickering candles, symbols of my devotion and the light of existence you embody. May these gifts rise in fragrant plumes to your ethereal presence, illuminating the sacred connection between us and fostering the balance that you cherish. I offer a dedication to every form, every life, and every breath that resonates within your grand design.

O Infinite Bia, grant me the insight to appreciate the delicate dance of nature and the balance of the cosmos. Enlighten my mind to the interconnectedness of all beings, that I may respect and honor every thread woven within the tapestry of life. As Bia is both creator and sustainer, may I find inspiration in your essence to craft beauty and nurture love in this world. In the spirit of your boundless creation, I celebrate the myriad forms of existence that flourish under your guidance. Let my spirit rejoice in the colors of the dawn, the whispers of the wind, and the rustle of leaves upon the earth. As I recognize the divine spark present in all things, may I endeavor to contribute to the harmony of life that flows from your eternal source. O Bia, sacred unification of chaos and order, may you bestow upon me the tranquility and strength to navigate the currents of existence. Let the flame of your wisdom ignite within me, bringing clarity to my path and serenity to my soul. In surrendering to your essence, I commit myself to live in harmony with the balance you embody and honor the gifts that life bestows upon us. So shall it be, as the cycles of creation continue under your omnipresent gaze, the Eternal Balance of Bia.

Bowynn Gods: Heron

Heron  (He-rhon)  Heron is the god that is the deliverer of the dead to Daunnat, the afterworld. He is also the guardian of tombs and cemeteries. He is the son of Chumash and Kalma.

     As his name bears, Heron is a bird god. He bears little to no sacred stories, as his life is too busy, removing the soul and spirit within, from the dead body of the deceased and escorting them to Daunnat. Heron is the god that allows the soul and spirit 7 days grace to visit those they loved in life before they depart to the next world. From the grave turned into his bird form and guides then to the ship of souls and guides it to the shores of Duannat.

     One rare sacred story tells as how a group of hunters accidentally netted Heron in his bird form. When they realized it was the god, they held him trapped to avoid death themselves. But to their horror, the outcome was that no one ever died and instead continued to suffer with their pains and illnesses. The howls of pain of the people plagued the hunters into madness till they finally let Heron go. During the great 7 days, Heron stayed with the first tribes and taught them how to tend to the dead and care of tombs. At the same time, he also taught that death was not final and to not let grief stop the living from moving on.

     On the headstones and tombs of the death the image of Heron is always depicted, either as immortal form or as the heron bird. In his long legged foot (or sometimes in his mouth, he is seen holding a brighten sphere, a soul. In his immortal form, Heron is depicted as a young tall man with long black hair, donned in long blue, white and grey robes and great majestic wings. Sacred gifts to Heron are foods and libations of all sorts, flowers and bundles of incense sticks. Not to mention votive images of Herons.

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: QUATT

Quatt  (Kwhat)  God of the 5th gate of Daunnat, of faith, in the land of Daunnat.  Quatt like the other Gate guardians of Daunnat are the children of Chumash and Kalma.

     As with all the gods of Daunnat, Quatt is not an evil god, nor a god of judgment.  His role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. He is the bestower of faith to souls, as no spirit can enter Daunnat without this virtue. However it is common for the living to call to Quatt who are in need of eternal. As god of the Gate of Faith, Quatt is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram. He sustains from visiting Alaway, instead preferring to live and feast with the spirits and other gods in Daunnat.

     Quatt has no known totem animal, instead always staying in his godly form. He is seen as a young god dressed in a long sleeve purple tunic with simple white trimmings. At times she is seen carrying a septagram tile and a horn which is blown when she allows a soul past her gate. Other times he holds a staff of ivory. It is said by the god Brand, Pedjed bears short brown hair and earthly green eyes.

     Sacred to Quatt is the Septagram and riding blow horn. During funeral services, a bowl of milk is left to her, as customary and a statuette of the departed, so the god will recognize the departed’s soul, which is identical to his body.

Hello! I stumbled upon your blog and found it very interesting! Do you know of any good sources to learn more about the Bowynn tradition?

Actually, I am probably the only source at present. the Bowynn Tradition was formed by my pagan group back in the 1980's. Sadly between my moving, Covid and host of other events within the last 10 years, our congregation disbanded. Since then I have people like yourself asking about it. So, I am using Tumblr to host a general guide to the faith and lifestyle.

You are welcome to ask me anything you wish. The Bowynn faith is "an open book" for anyone to explore."