BOWYNN GODS: TSELLET

The Bowynn Faith

So with the posting of the holidays/Calendar, that is pretty much all to post. Gods, implements, holidays, proper offerings... I am not sure what else to post at this point. That is outside of holiday details as they fall.

So if there are any questions at this point, you are free to ask.

Bowynn Gods: Bryathenaea

Bryathenaea (Bry-a-then-naya)  Brianthenaea is the great Bowynn patroness goddess. She is the great protector of all things and all Bowynn people. Though armored with shield, she is not a war goddess nor wager of trouble in any way, shape nor form. She is the type of woman that will protect her children and lead them on the righht course. She is the goddess of wisdom as well. Briathenaea is the daughter of Anhur and Rhya.

     It was Briathenaea that is said to have shielded the first tribes of mortals on the Great Migration from the south into Europe, shielding them also from the burning sun with a shield that was gifted to her by the god Gondor. Upon reaching Europe across the Bosphorus, Brianthenaea brought the people into a valley that had a bounty of apple trees to eat, drink, build and craft from. When the tribes settled in Europe, Briathenaea stayed with them for 7 days. In that time, she showed them the art of growing orchards and how to make things from its leaves, roots, flowers and wood. In that same wood she also created the first Bowynn alphabet, showing them how to write and read, make paper, books and scrolls. To date, a Bowynn Coden is only made of paper made from apple trees and its coover made from the wood. Only ink from its leaves can be used. For the people she created the hoe, spade/shovel, fork, rope and axe. On the last night Briathenaea told the tribes of mortals that she had to leave but if ever they were in need of her to look into the eyes of an owl and they would know she is there. For the owl is her most scared animal and the form she takes the form of most.

      When war loomed over the first tribes Briathenaea brought forth a great herd of horses for them to use in battle against the Southern Nation armies. The goddess quickly came and protected the women, children and homes with her shield. Today every Bowynn home has a shrine or even an altar to Bryathenaea. She is the very core and symbol of the Bowynn.

     Though Briathenaea is a goddess that neither wed nor gave birth, many swear that her stature is of a full mature woman. The people are her family. Briathenaea is said to have crow-black hair that is wavy and pulled back. Her eyes or that of forest green and her skin tanned. Her garment is said to be the color of sage-green and/or green in general. Over her dress she wears a long leather hladd that is well decorated. Some images have her holding an apple seed in her hand or cutting of an apple tree.  Often seen with Briathenaea is a barn owl, one of the rare owls that lives closest with people and yet still at a distance. Other times Briathenaea presents herself directly. Farms and orchards are blessed in her name yearly, along with the god Amaetheon and Deanna,

Sacred to the goddess are the gifts of Votive Owls, Apples, Apple wood, Books and Scrolls and Runes. Farm implements are sometimes also offered to her.

Embroidered bookmark of Briathenaea with Io and Kalma - Created by Rose Everett 1999

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Color Magic

QUESTION: Does color and its powers hold any significance in Bowynn Magic?

ANSWER: Very much so. Though many of the meanings differ, color does play a huge role in magic and daily Bowynn life. However, in Bowynn tradition there is a emphasis on duality. Using two colors as opposed to just one. Add to this that what colors one surrounds themselves with plays a huge role as well. Especially colors that people wear daily. There is also a huge focus on the negativity of too much of one color and which one is more dominate over the other. This study is much alike to the study and practice of Aura Soma.

Happy Halloween

The 7 Sacred Offerings

Within the faith of the Bowynn tradition it is said that the gods ask for only 7 basic types of offering. These seven became the staple of offerings and are called "Tau Numa Abennes", literally The Seven Offerings. The list is as follows

Flowers, Plants, Flora and Foliage. (cut, potted, wreath, garlands)

Uncooked foods. (Fruits, honey, veggies, nuts, grains, herbs,)

Cooked foods. (Meats, cakes,)

The light of a Candle

Incense

Libations of all sorts (Anything liquid from water to brews)

Votive offerings and objects (clay, wax, cloth, wood figures. Objects)

There is technically and 8th form which is personal self, often meaning cuts of hair, nails and drops of blood. These are only used to bless and bind with a sacred religious tool and even then, very minimally. The gods otherwise abhor the sacrifice of life and the disrespect of the body. "Your body be a gift from us immortals, defile it not but instead keep it clean and pure.)

Once a year on New Years {Then Ohenn} a great complete set of all 7 offerings is displayed on Altars and is offered to the gods.

During the Holiday of "Kodex Tor" it is costumery to burn what is called a "Tsa'heka" of incense, which is 'bundle of 100 incense sticks." Sometimes a myst will off a Tsa'heka to the gods when casting a particularly powerful spell that is in dire need.

Unlike Wiccans, the gods of the Bowynn do NOT have any one set of particular offerings they require. That is to say there is no need to attribute only certain scents, colors and food to a particular god or goddess. they will accept any offering if given with all respect and love.

As to why offerings are gifted to the Bowynn gods, it's out of love and respect. For they have given some of the greatest gifts to mankind, its only right to give a gift in return. Brea, the goddess of the earth speaks very clear in this when she replied ...

"For all this that I have given on to you, for the life you live, the air you breath and that land you walk on, the light the lets you see the beauty of the day and the night that lets you sleep, would not you give the same to me? Gift to me a stone, a cutting a grass, a plate of your meal, light, waft of smoke. Kind comes in kind my beloved children and in circle again. Give what you can in love and hurt nothing that I have life to. Give to us, your beloved parents, and in kind we will give to you."

As to the "post offering" or to say what happens after offerings are gifted. the goddess Abbennaea clarifies this in her own words.

"Precious child, fret not because that which you offered is still on the plate. For you see, I take not that which you give to us in the mortal world but instead I take its divine essence, its spirit and love that you have given. And I bring it to those of us who you have offered it to. In turn, we the immortals, turn your gifts into that which is good for all, mortal and immortal alike. Only the scented herbs that you burn for us, we receive directly, as it rises and flies to our presence. Then within the turning of a full day and night, dispose of the mortal husk of your offering into a pit in the earth, into the waves of the sea, the waft of the wind or that is most befitting of such a gracious gift. And take heart knowing your gift has pleased us."

So, in a word, the gods take the divine essence of your gifts to them and after 24 hours you may dispose of the food or plants in a respectable manner, as best one can.

With this, we close with the basic outline of the Bowynn faith. Posts beyond this point will deal with the Holidays that the Bowynn celebrate and the Gods themselves in detail.

Apologies

For the last couple of weeks I have been in the hospital. So that is the reason for the lack of posts. I will get back to more in a couple of days.

Bowynn Gods: Kara Jarra

The Sister's Jarra

Kara Jarra  (Khar-rha Jar-rha)  Karra Jarra, or just Kara is the Bowynn goddess of health. In particular, she is the goddess that précised over the arts of physical healing, such as Massage, Reiki, Gateway healing and reflexology. She is the daughter of the god Owenn and one triplet daughters, often called 'The Sisters Jarra," meaning the sister healers. He is the patroness of nurses, physical therapists and those that practice such healing arts that are attributed to her.

     Karra and her sisters have no real sacred stories of their past deeds, save for the 7 sacred days they spent with the first tribes of mankind, sharing with them, their knowledge. Karra in particular showed the tribes how to heal damages to the body by massages and reiki, how to turn use pressure points to relieve pain and how to treat the body while it is healing When not at her father's side, Karra is seen in temples, houses of healing, and sweat lodges helping as she can the injured. Karra is often seen with the goddess Nyalla Bua in sauna and sweat lodge shrines.

     As with all three Sisters Jarra, Kara is a young goddess in appearance, with white-ish blond hair braided back with ribbons. Simple clothing and a fillet wrapped about her brow. She is often seen with a small slender board in her hands called a "Peer" which is used as a massage implement. Infact a traditional offering to Karra by those healing by such means will offer an elaborate Jeer that is wrapped with fillets and ribbons. Naturally incense is a most honored offering and votive birds also make the best gifts.

The Sister's Jarra The Sister's Jarra and father Owen

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: Lyann

Lyan  (Ly-an)  Lyan is the Bowynn god of the eastern providences and the east wind. He is one of the 4 wind gods, brother to Arn, Summon and Ryan.

Lyan is the god the delivers the moist gentle and scented rains and winds that often come in the spring and Springtime flowers. His winds blow away the last remnants of winter, allowing flower to grow. Appropriately, Lyan fell for the goddess of the springtime season and eventually wed her. Their sacred divine wedding falls on Ky'Quilla. Together, Lyan and Quilla reside in the far eastern lands. And together both appear on the first day of spring with Lyan leading his beloved.      Lyan is seen as a young man, barely out of his teenage years with wavy red flowing hair. He is seen in his divine form with bird wings. His garments are of reds, greens and/or yellow, often a long flowing loosely, that's falling off his shoulder and in his hand a flute and on his side a drinking horn. When not in his godly form, he will appear as a Robin, a bird that is Lyan's totem.

     Sacred gifts and offerings to Arn often consist of milk, fresh water and votives of robins, feathers and spring flowers.

Bowynn Gods: Mura

Mura  (Mur-rha)  Daughter of Chumash and Kalma, Mura is a goddess of the 1st Gate of Daunnat, the Gate of courage. She is one of the goddesses of Daunnat, the spirit world. It is her gate that spirits reach first on their walk towards the “Fields of Forever.” Mura is not an evil goddess, nor a goddess of judgement.  Her role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. She is the recognizer and bestower of courage for spirits who are afraid of entering Daunnat. And at times even the living will call to Mura for courage. Especially those that have lost a loved one and do not know how to and scared to move on in life.

Mura (4th in line) leading souls along the path of Daunnat

     As goddess of the Gate of Courage, Mura is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram, which is the symbol of the Bowynn Tradition. She also abstains from visiting Alaway, instead she spends time with her folks and the spirts of Daunnat feasting and making merry. Being Daunnat is endlessly vast souls will sometimes get lost and scared. When that is the case Mura is there for them.

Mura (second from the end) with souls and holding two spirit orbs

     Mura has no known totem animal, instead always staying in her true godly form; that of a young lady dressed in green and white with green and white fillet and veil about her brow and head. some times she bears no veil. At times she carries a septagram dish or a shaft of wheat and sword. She is often seen holding spirit orbs that have separated from the soul (which is one of the transitions at death. Sacred to Mura is the septagram, sword and shaft of wheat. During funeral services, a bowl of milk and bread will be left to her and a statuette of the departed.