BOWYNN GODS: YORMELL

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Triple Dieties

QUESTION: Are there any Goddesses that form a triune/trinity in your faith?

ANSWER: No. But that's not to say one may pray to three gods at the same time. But that is more likely because at that moment someone needs to help of the three gods in question. Particularly when it comes to health. But there are no Bowynn gods/goddesses that are seen as a "Divine trinity" like the Greeks and Kelts.

Bowynn Gods: Paut

Wood carved pog of Paut - Made my myself - 1987

Paut  (Pawt)  Goddess of the element of Soul. One of the first children/creations of Bia and the brother of Brea and the other gods of the creatrix.

     At the beginning of time when the gods gathered together and formed mankind, they discovered that mankind walked about the earth aimlessly and all were exactly alike. So Paut instilled into each person a soul, which gave each person a voice and personality, making them different and their own individual, both physically and mentally. This was Paut’s great gift to mankind. Later, during the 7 Sacred Days, Paut stayed with the tribes and taught them how to understand their individuality and how they make up a part of ones being. Also, she taught mortals how to keep our souls and bodies healthy and clean. When it comes to the Bowynn belief system, we recognize the soul as a physical part of human anatomy. This is due to Paut’s teachings.

     Paut is seen as a young woman, with a long golden hair. her eyes are said to be amber in color, to see past folk's mortal husks to their soul. Paut is dressed in long robe and cloak. Over her robe she wears three large round pins that represent the three elements the soul controls: Self, Mind and Action. Often, she is seen with a staff in her hand which is topped with a bull head. Despite the bull head on his staff, this is not known to be Paut’s totem. In fact, Paut does not have a totem animal; at least not one that is known to us.

     Sacred to Paut is glass baubles and votive bull images. These as well as Incense are the customary gifts to Paut.

Embroidry & Paint representing the Gods of creation: Tya, Paut and Phaenixx - Created by Sheree Tsarnek - 2017 (With the god Aetenn on the far left)

My Prayer to Daekk, Lord of Fortune

O Daekk, Glorious Child of Wealth and Fortune, I stand before you, seeking the embrace of your bountiful gifts. You, who dwell in the splendid chambers of Alaway, amidst treasures adorned with lapis and gold, I beckon your innocent spirit to grace my path. With your golden locks and amber eyes, you embody joy and prosperity, guiding us through the currents of abundance. O Divine Infant, transformed by the wisdom of Anhur, grant me the clarity to see beyond mere appearances and superficial riches. Let your laughter ring out amidst the clinking coins and flowing grains as you dispense blessings to all, untainted by bias or pride. May the warmth of your spirit fill the hearts of those in need, that they may also know the sweet taste of fortune's favor.

In humble reverence, I lay before you offerings of coins, fragrant incense, and the sweet milk of the sacred herd. As the mice serve as symbols of fortune, I send forth votive gifts in their likeness, invoking your protection over my endeavors. With these offerings, I present play money inscribed with my deepest prayers, to be buried within the earth alongside a seed, so that as the plant sprouts, so too may my fortunes flourish. O Daekk, from your heavenly cradle, nurture my ambitions and aspirations like the rich soil of Alaway that bears fruit in due season. May I not only seek abundance for myself but take inspiration from your benevolence to share with others in need. Let my hands be open to receive and my heart expansive enough to give freely. As I summon your playful spirit, I pledge to judge not by wealth nor appearance but to celebrate the diverse paths of prosperity in my life. O Daekk, Eternal Child of Alaway, may your blessings flow unceasingly into my heart, guiding my actions and illuminating the lives of those around me. So shall it be, in reverence and love for Daekk, the generous spirit of wealth and sustenance, forever illuminating our lives with abundance.

Syember!

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: Money

QUESTION: Is there any sort of fees Bowynn practitioners pay out for services

ANSWER: This is a general question that can cover several practices. I will do the best to cover what I can.

A Bowynn Myst [Witch] ethically and morally should never, ever, ask for any sort of fee for services rendered. We believe that the inherent gifts a Myst has, is a greater gift bestowed by the gods. As such charging a fee is unethical, immoral and sacrilegious.

The same holds true to doing divinatory help for others.

The same holds true for any religious services granted to others; like births, naming, marriage, death, 7th hour and blessings. If one feels obliged, gifts / offerings of a meal or baked goods is best. But a Bowynn priest/ess will never accept money for services rendered. Again, on the grounds of ethics.

When it comes to practitioner's gatherings, money can be offered to help find gatherings (for buying supplies that may be needed, like feast food, chairs, tables, incense and so on) But no should never feel obliged to do so. Gifts of foods, supplies and general help is much better.. In short, no, we do not collect "dues".

Often, I personally have been told that not taking money makes people question your skills and abilities. To this I say the following: Then how much do you pay your God/s when they bestow a gift to you??? What are their hourly rates??? Taking or not taking money does not demean our abilities. We do not condone other people from other faiths if they feel they must pay a tithe, but it's not our way.

Bowynn Gods: The Aetennii

Small wood carving made for a pet burial area - made by Myself - 1999

Aetennii  (Ae-ten-ni)  The Aetennii are guardian Kii (spirits) of Bowynn cemeteries and protectors of tombs and cemetaries. These Kii are bird size and are much like the typical Kii with bird wings. They do not accompany the deliverer of the dead, Heron but will often signal to Heron that a loved one was just laid to rest, and its soul and spirit require his assistance. The Aetennii do not serve the soul, spirit or body but instead the cemetery itself and the tombs within. Making sure they do not suffer damage, be it natural or manmade.

Typically, images of the Aetennii are placed on the entrance way of the cemetery but also on the tombs themselves. In the Bowynn tradition, any bird seen in a cemetery is an Aetennii in disguise, particularly if a heron is with them.

Flowers and libation are gifted to the Aetennii my grounds keepers monthly and their images are cleaned and polished up.

My Personal Prayer to the Abonna

O Abonna, Divine Patrons of the Arts, who dance and sing in the celestial halls, we invoke your joyous presence to inspire our hearts and elevate our spirits. Created by Brand and Kord, you ward off the shadows of Tii and guide us toward the light of creativity. In your youthful form, you embody the essence of music and movement, imbuing our lives with the beauty of song and dance. As we grasp our instruments and wield our brushes, may your heavenly whispers fill our hands, bringing forth the melodies and visions that dwell within our souls. Lark of the skies, grant us the grace to express our deepest emotions, that the artistry we create may resonate with all beings and celebrate the harmony of existence. O Abonna, ever-present and radiant, we honor you with our craft, now and forevermore.

Divine gods and spiritual children, celestial inspirations, you who breathed life into the instruments and the canvas, we pray to your radiant essence, to ignite the flame of creativity within our beings. You who danced with mortals during the sacred days, and imparted to them the secrets of rhythm and color, now we beseech you to grant us the gift of artistic expression. May your presence be our guide, as we strive to capture the essence of the world in all its beauty, and to convey the emotions that stir within our hearts. Let us not merely imitate the forms you have shown us, but rather, may our art be a reflection of your divine inspiration, an echo of the harmony that exists between the worlds and the beings that inhabit them. O Abonna, we offer unto you our humble offerings: music, dance, and the colors of the rainbow. May these tokens of our admiration be transformed into vessels of your divine essence, that all who behold them may be touched by the beauty and joy that lies within. May we walk in your footsteps, Abonna, and may our steps be guided by the harmony and light that you embody.

Bowynn Gods: Maenna

A Troop of goddesses standing before Maeanna

Maenna  (Main-nah)  Maenna, sometimes spelled and pronounced Maeanna, is the Bowynn goddess of order, law, truth, justice, just victories and balance in the pantheon. Created by Bia itself, she is the godly incarnate of Bia. Considered so blessed, all other gods honor her, including Anhur, King of the gods himself.

     There are no sacred stories of Maenna, as she cannot be persuaded to take a view or hold a view over another. When Ahnur holds court or stands in at a mortal hearing, Maenna is in attendance as well, Even if Ahnur is not present himself. In some way, Maeanna is Anhur's balance in this aspect. She is there to make sure truth is revealed, that justice is done, and balance is restored to those when a crime or injustice has been committed on.  Maenna, like Bia itself, represents the ethical and moral principle that every Bowynn citizen is expected to follow throughout their daily lives. They are expected to act with honor and truth in manners that involve the 7 virtues, family, the community, the nation, the environment, and the gods. Maenna as a principle was created by Bia to meet the complex needs of the emergening Bowynn tribes that embraced diverse peoples with conflicting interests. The development of such rules sought to avert chaos and it became the basis of Bowynn law. It was all this that Maenna taught the first tribes during her 7 days with them. From an early period the 7 tribal chiefs would describe themselves as the "council of Maenna" who decreed with their wisdom came directly from Maenna. Maenna represented the normal and basic values that formed the backdrop for the application of justice that had to be carried out in the spirit of truth and fairness.

     The goddess Maenna was more than just a goddess. She came to represent the concept of balance and order because many Bowynn needed to explain the balance of the world around them. Everything about their culture was centered on order and everything had its place in the world. This included religion, governmental affairs, and seasonal changes. Maenna is also known as the goddess of justice and truth. Her teachings can be compared to the conscience of a person. It’s reasonable to say that Maenna’s teachings aided the people into being good individuals. It was considered a crime against Maenna if a person practiced jealousy, dishonesty, gluttony, laziness, injustice, and ungratefulness.

     Maenna is depicted is a tall woman of motherhood age. Agile and regal in appearance. Sometimes depicted winged, her wings are massive and pure white. It is said when her wings are out right, the light of justice shines. It is Maenna's wings and light that attendants swear by before attending court. Maenna is seen with a crown of apple leaves (most sacred tree of the Bowynn faith) and in turn, when new judges are appointed, they too are crowned with apple leaf wreathes. In godly form she is seen with long flowing white robes and a white hladd over and a staff in her hands. In her totem form she takes the appearance of a white swan. Sacred gifts to the goddess come in the form of incense, flowers, herbs and crowns of apple leaves.

Aelles Anj Ohenn

Today is the Bowynn last day of the year. "Anj Ohenn. Literally meaning "Old Year." Which falls on August 31. It is followed by Then Ohenn "New Years".

Unlike western/mundane New Years (December 31/January 1st) It is not just a holiday to get drunk, kiss a girl and call it good. Anj Ohenn has a greater significance. The year is over in the Bowynn tradition, it is the transition of Summer months to Autumn months. Anj Ohenn is the eve before the birth of the god Ohenn, the god of Time itself. It is a 2 day holiday to reflect on how one's time is spent. A time of beginnings and ends. Old projects end and new projects begin. It is also the official first day of Harvest and great offers are made to Deanna on Anj Ohenn and Then Ohenn.

Instead of a glass of wine or other alcohol beverages, the holiday is celebrated with feasting and fun all day long. But it is all done in respects to the gods of the Harvest and Time. Foods of the harvest. In the morning homes are swept clear with chants to be rid of old energy. And on Then Ohenn, a plant or tree seedling is purchased or harvested and brought into the house. In Altars, images of Mice and grain are placed to insure abundance for the new year. Turquoise coins are kissed and then given as gifts, as wishes for others to have a new year. Twelve or Twenty-Four small poppets filled with grains of all sorts are also gifted to young girls and displayed, representing the Nauidd; the daughters of Ohenn and goddesses of the hours. All sorts of time pieces are given as gifts. It is also a holiday to clean and maintain such time pieces.

In the last few years a character has been created to help children understand the true meaning of the holiday, named "Orry." the story tells of Orry as he learns how time is often wasted throughout the year and not used wisely. But in the end he gathers enough seed to give to the birth of baby Ohenn and the magic of the birth increases his meager cluster of grain 100 times over. Enough to get him through the year.

However you spend the Holiday, Aelles Then Ohenn and peace to you all.

My Personal Prayer to the Aetennii

O Aetennnii, Guardian Kii of the Bowynn cemeteries, I raise my voice in reverence to you, protectors of the sacred tombs, vigilant spirits that dwell amidst the resting places of the departed. With wings like the breeze and hearts firm as stone, you guard the hallowed grounds. Hear me, O cherished Aetennnii, your forms small yet mighty, circling the thresholds of the departed. I call upon your presence to shield the graves from harm, natural and man-made alike, lending your vigilance to the bones that lie beneath the earth. Together with Heron, deliverer of the dead, may you guard against decay and disturbance. In homage, I offer these sacred words, placing images of your essence at the gateways of remembrance. May the likeness of your wings inspire serenity in the hearts of mourners and honor those who have returned to the soil. I lay my gratitude at the entrance of each tomb, seeking your favor upon the treasures of memory contained within.

O Aetennnii, I beseech you, protect this sacred ground, ensuring that the sanctity of the resting places endures beyond time. When spirits wander, let your watchful eyes remain vigilant, preventing sorrow and safeguarding the peace that dwells among the stones. As I walk among the graves, may I feel your gentle presence guiding my respect and reverence. I celebrate your essence, O Aetennnii, protectors cloaked in feathers, embodiments of vigilance in the face of forgotten peril. Let the souls who find their peace beneath the earth be cradled in your care, their stories whispered through the rustling of leaves and the songs of the wind. In your sacred duty, may I find solace, O Aetennnii, for you are the guardians of history and memory. As I honor the departed, I pledge my respect to the grounds you protect. May the Aetennnii thrive in their charge, forever gracing the cemeteries with love, vigilance, and the whisper of wings. So shall it be, in the realm where the living and the departed coexist in peace.