QUESTION & ANSWER: Rites Of Passage

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. 

Bowynn Gods: Deanna

Deanna dressed in red with 2 Kii accompanying her

Deaunna (Dee-awn-nah)  Deaunna (Dee-ahn-nah) is the Bowynn goddess of the harvest, gardens, vegetation and in general all foods that are grown. She is also the goddess if growth of new from old. She is the divine daughter of Anhur and Rhya and one of the most important of the Bowynn gods. Deaunna is the seed planter, the gardener, the farmer and the harvester all in one. She can also, if need be, wither or destroy crops to those that have abused her gifts.

     Deaunna has many sacred stories spoken about. But of all of then there are two that are the most prominent standing; the first being her 7-day visit with the first mortal clans-folk. It was during her stay with them, that Deaunna taught mortal man all the arts of farming and growing food, as well as storing and preserving food for winter. Without this important first lesson, mankind would surely have perished. The other blessed sacred tale of Deaunna is her courtship and eventual marriage to the god Amaetheon, lord of the grove, and orchard. United, the divine pair and their talents and lesson, assured mankind's place on earth. Deaunna’s and Amaetheon’s son is Hyu, the divine baker of the gods and their daughter being Io, goddess of the hearth and kitchen. Together, the four-some make a most divine and sacred pantheon all their own.

     When not tending to mortal needs and the earth in general (which is almost always), Deaunna is tending the great gardens and fields that surround Alaway. Here only the most divine of food grow and are tended to by Deaunna. Very few mortals are allowed to eat from this garden but all the seed and foods we eat stem from the gardens and fields of Alaway. Only the hero Allon was allowed to eat from the garden, in doing so, Allon was made immortal.

     Deaunna is seen as a most lovely young woman. Simple yet elegantly dressed. Her clothes bare the colors of her divine gifts, mostly earth times. It is said here hair is a golden color and she wears a wreath of woven wheat on her head. Others have seen her crowned with herbs or fruits. it may all depend on the time of year. On her hip she carries a gardening boline to cut harvested food and herbs. In here hand she is often seen carting either a basket of harvested food, staff and/or winnowing fan.

Embroidery of goddesses including Deaunna (3rd from the right)

Bowynn Gods: Issen

The giant Issen with farmers and animals working the land

Issen (Eye-sen)  Ancient giant god of the old age created by Brea and her siblings. Issen was the older god who ruled over the warmth of summer. One of the older gods, he traveled the world, with his family. His home was in the south and he would appear in the summer as a mammoth of golden fur, bringing with him the summer weather.

      Even though Issen’s attributes were diminished but the coming of the Akua, He is still a most respected god. He is said to now work with the goddess Tarna, the summer goddess, following before her in mammoth form, clearing a path for the goddess to travel. Bowynn folk will often lay blame on Issen if the summer becomes too hot. Issen’s home is the summer-lands of the south. There he has is own lodge that he built himself. Later the lodge was given to Tarna and the god Saphon. It is said that the lodge is massive in size, made of brown wood and logs, sitting on a green hill, overlooking the forested lands. Despite his diminished attributes, Issen is still widely prayed too, in hopes that the summer season is not harsh, and he will ward off forest fires.

      In his immortal form, Issen is seen as an older god, fully bearded and long hair flowing down his back. His hair itself is brownish tainted with white. Issenn is known to always be wearing a heavy brown hide on his back and his clothing is of brown and golden leathers. In his hands are seen a staff and horn. It is with this horn that he blows on, issuing in the summer season. When not in this form, he is a magnificent golden mammoth. Sacred gifts to Issen are incense and votive mammoth images. Like all of the old giants, his totem was the mammoth.

Bowynn Gods List (Simplified)

Below is an extremely simplified list of the divine that exist withing the Bowynn faith. Again, I stress this is a VERY simplified listing of their divine attributes.

Abennaea                    Goddess of all sorts of offerings and libation

Abonna                       Gods of music, dance and the arts

Adarro                         God of the sea, fish, dolphins and cleansing

Aetenn                        God of armories, protection and drumming

Alaway                        Home of the Gods. The Great Hall

Aleglea                        Goddess of happiness and joy. Patroness of all Bowynn

Allapae                        The Upper World, Heaven, sky, universe

Amaetheon                  God of wine, abundance, oil and honey

Anhur                          King of the gods, men, kings, council and judgment

Ano Taya                    Goddesses of fate, past, present and future

Arn                              God of the north wind

Bia                               Creation, the force and balance of all things

Brand                          God of music, prophecy, archery, poetry and oracles

Brea                             Goddess of the earth and earth element

Brenda                        Goddess of beauty, love and vanity

Briathenaea                 Goddess of protection, invention and wisdom

Chumash                     God king of the Daunnat and the dead

Dadjall                        God who leads the soul through Daunnat

Dae                              Primordial Darkness & Light combined created by Bia (Not a Deity)

Daekk                          God of wealth, fortune and abundance

Daeth                          God of darkness and night

Daunnat                      The nextworld where souls go at death

Deanna                        Goddess of the harvest and earth fertility

Dhonan                       Immortally bless mortal and god of love, passion, beauty and vanity.

Drautmer                     God of Music, drumming and drummers

Drudenn                      God that is the stable boy of the gods

Ehrlik                          Ancient Giant god of druids, bards, historians and

Enya                            Goddess of the morning and the dew

Gondor                        God of the forge and blacksmithing

Hawynn                      God of the great river Muet and all rivers, dams and fishing.

Hemway                      Goddess patroness of the poor, homeless and compassion

Hern                           God of the wild wood, animals and the sun

Heron                          God that delivers the souls to Daunnat

Hyu                             God of baking, ovens and bread. Baker of the gods

Ikarro                          The Milky Way. The bridge that lead the gods to earth

Innapa                         The Middle World, mortal earth

Io                                 Goddess of the hearth, tame fire, cooking and kitchens

Ion                               God patron of knights and god of virtues

Issen                            Ancient Giant god of the summer season

Istra                             Goddess of the 3 fold law, respect and vengeance

Jarda                            5 Kii Guardian Spirits

Jayleen Jarra                Goddess of the healing arts and medicinal herbalism

Kalen                           God of wood craft and architecture

Kalma                          Queen of the Daunnat, divination and oracles

Kara Jarra                    Goddess of the healing arts of massage, reiki and other healing touches.

Kauldra                       Queen of the sea and all fresh waters

Kii                               Spirits/faeries/nymphs/elves/gnomes

Kora                            Goddess of the Autumn season

Kord                            God of peace, law, justice, freedom and brotherhood           

Lomaun                       God of hunters, travelers and bears

Luanna                        Goddess of fields, meadows and gardens

Lyan                            God of the east wind and east

Lyanna                        Goddess of the lute, music and musicians in general

Maena                         Goddess of balance, truth, order and victory of all sorts

Mammont                    The race of Ancient Giant Gods that came before the Akua

Mano                           God of hate, jealousy, tricks and destruction

Mask                           God of wisdom, gambling and music. Messenger of the gods

Morrighynn                 Goddess of the moon, night, stars, hunt and wolves

Muet                            The river that flows from Alaway all the way down to Daunnat

Mura                            Goddess of the 1st Gate of Daunnat, of courage

Myliea                         Goddess of the winter season

Mystara                       Goddess of the magical arts

Naddas                        God of the 2nd Gate of Daunnat, of kindness

Nae                              Ano Taya, young goddess of the past

Naea                            Goddess of wells, pools, fountains and springs

Naerea                         Goddess of sleep, dreams and prophetic dreams

Nareen                         Ano Taya, elder goddess of the future

Narna                          Ano Taya, She is the Mother goddess of the Present

Nauidd                        Goddesses of the hours of the day

Nyalla                          Goddess of bathhouses, sweat lodges and hot springs

Odjett                          God of the 4th Gate of Daunnat, of balance

Ohenn                         God of time and journal keeper of the gods of mortals deeds

Oken                           Ancient Giant god of strength

Onaur                          God of love and passion

Ortsal                          God of the 3rd Gate of Daunnat, of love

Owenn                        God of health and healing

Panu                            Goddess of gem crafting

Paut                             God of the element of Soul

Pedjed                         Goddess of the 7th Gate of Daunnat, of peace

Pequiss                        Goddess who is the gatekeeper of Daunnat

Phoenix                       Goddess of fire and the element of fire

Quatt                           God of the 5th gate of Daunnat, of faith

Quilla                          Goddess of the Spring season

Reye                            Goddess of the rain, hunt, protector of animals

Rhya                            Queen of the gods and goddess of women’s rituals and psychics

Rhymar                       God of the 6th Gate of Daunnat, of charity

Ryan                            God of the east and west wind

Saphon                        God of the south and south wind

Saul                             God of the light and day

Saulnat                        God of light in Daunnat

Shane                          God of love, desire and homosexual love

Shayla                         Goddess of the day and light

Sheli                            Ancient Giant Goddess of Expeditions, courage and bravery

Sumon                         God of all waters and the water element

Tane                            God king of the sea, horses, shapeshifting and scrying

Tarma                         Ancient Giant God of invention, wisdom and creativity

Tarna                           Goddess of the summer season

Tennaer                       Home of all the sea and oceanic gods

Tii                                Small malicious spirits that pester humans and gods alike.

Tora                             Goddess of the night and darkness

Traydea                       Goddess of childbirth and childcare

Treya                           Goddess of sunset and dusk

Tsellet                          Goddess of Duannat who purifies the soul

Tya                              Goddess of the element of Spirit

Tymora                        Goddess of fortune, luck and wealth

Tyr                               God of protection, soldiers and war

Unthar                         God of the air, sky and the air element

Uya Jarra                     Goddess of the healing arts and physical therapy

Vadyss                        God of Duannat who separates the Soul, Spirit and Body

Vae                              Anicent Giant goddess of seed and fertility

Vella                            Goddess of jewelry making and gold and silver smithing

Yormell                       Ancient Giant God of the weather

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: Hyseer

Hyseer  (Hy-Seer)  These kii are the spirits of the season of Winter and the followers of the Gods Myliea and Arn. They are diminutive in size and the Kii of the frost, snow and winter chills. They are no bigger than the size of snowflakes. Some have wings insect like wings, some have wings like snowflakes and some are wingless. Despite that some people depict the Hyseer as sweet innocent kii, they can be extremely vicious and creating frostbite and other serious skin and health issues that snow can cause. Some will project themselves as ice and damage farmland and homes. During winter, bowls of milk are offered to them most generously to make sure winter is gentle.

My Personal Prayer to the Ano Taya

O Esteemed Ano Taya, triad of divine sisters who art the weavers of the tapestry of life, I bow before your sacred loom, where threads of destiny intertwine under your vigilant gaze. Nae, guardian of the past, Narna, nurturer of the present, and Nareen, keeper of the future, I humbly beseech you to guide my path and illuminate the choices that lie before me. O Nae, esteemed chronicler of yesterday's tales, grant me wisdom to learn from the stories of those who came before. Let the lessons of the past linger within my heart, guiding my steps away from folly. Narna, vibrant weaver of the now, fill my spirit with the awareness to embrace each moment, weaving joy and compassion into my daily existence. Nareen, visionary of what is yet to come, plant seeds of hope and dreams within my soul, for I seek to forge a future rich with purpose and light. With reverence, I lay before you sacred offerings of candles, white for purity, red for passion, and purple for transcendence—three flames illuminating the way for your divine presence. I present to you three fillets and votive images, symbols of my devotion and recognition of your immense power. May my humble gifts find favor in your eyes and stir the threads of fate in alignment with my heart's desires.

O Kindly Ano Taya, as I traverse the intricate paths of existence, bestow upon me the insight to discern my choices and their impact on the tapestry you weave. May your guidance illuminate the crossroads of my life, helping me navigate the corridors of time with grace. In moments of uncertainty, let me feel your presence, reassuring me that I am part of your grand design. In unity, I honor the shared threads that connect us all, woven together by the hands of the Ano Taya. As I gaze upon the sacred tapestries of the past, I reverently acknowledge the lives interwoven with my own. Let every encounter, every bond, strengthen the fabric of our shared journeys, and inspire compassion within my heart for my fellow beings. O Divine Sisters, protectors of the cycles of fate and time, may your ever-watchful presence guide me in the winding paths of my days. As I gather strength from my origins, cherish the present, and dream for the future, may the beauty of your woven tapestry inspire my soul. Enfold me in your wisdom, assuring me that each thread serves its purpose in this everlasting cycle of life. So shall it be, as the tapestry of existence unfolds under your benevolent hands.

Syember!

BOWYNN GODS: RHYA

Rhya  (Ry-ah)  Queen of the gods and goddess of women’s rituals and psychics in the Bowynn pantheon. She is the daughter of Phoenix and Sumon and the sister of Kalma and Kauldra. When it comes to all things of feminine arts and persuasion, Rhya is the goddess to look to. She is the goddess that initiates girls into the temples when they are of age.

      In many ways Rhya is much like her Mediterranean counterparts Juno and Minerva, in that she is the queen of the holy family. But that’s where the similarity ends. Rhya is a most loving and devoted wife but also a motherly goddess, not just to her own children but to all of the Akua. Thus, Rhya is a patron of not just queens but mothers.

     The most epic tale of Rhya is that of her being wooed by Anhur. The handsome young go fell in love almost instantly. As did Anhur’s brothers fall for Rhya’s sisters. But Rhya refused to be taken in by fancy talk and demanded that Anhur show how much he loved her. Anhur brought Rhya the most glorious gifts from all over the earth. But each one Rhya turned down. This continued for a long time till the god was exalted and there were no other gifts on earth to bring Rhya. Finally, Anhur simply pledged his love, truly and unconditionally. This what Rhya was waiting to hear the whole time, and she accepted his hand in marriage.

     Rhya is seen in her immortal form as a well-formed woman of a motherly look. She has raven black hair that is crowned and veiled, depicting his queenly statue. Her garments are of pure white and silver. Other times it is of a lavender color and accented in some manner with a votive image of a peacock. During times where her presence is seen at weddings ceremonies, she is accompanied by the god Dhonan. Together they sanctify the couple being wed. Being that her totem is a peacock, she will take this form when in the presence of mortals. Sacred to her is the crown, staff and votive image of a peacock or its feathers.

The 7 Great Life Rituals

In the Bowynn tradition, there are 7 Great Rites.

The Rite of Birth: This is normally held 7 days after birth. Blessing the newborn, welcoming him/her into the world and on this rite, he/she is given his/her name officially.

The Rite Childhood: This rite is held at the age of 5, when the baby steps into the age of Childhood.

The Rite of Coming Forth: The is the great rite when one officially allows themselves to come to the circle on their own accord and pledging themselves a believer of the Bowynn Faith. This is not based on Age. Anyone at any point can "Come Forth". Normally if it's a child, tradition says the right should not take place till the child is 10 years old.

The Rite of Adulthood: Held at the age of 20. He/she steps out of the role of Child into the role of adulthood. Their days of recklessness are behind, and the rolls of responsibility are at hand.

The Rite of Marriage: This is, as it says, the 2-day ritual of Marriage.

The Rite of Death: This is the ritual of those that depart this world and leave onto Daunnat. It's a 7-day ritual.

The Rite of Resurrection: This ritual is held 14 days after the departed has left. It's a time of remembrance. A memorial.

Under these rituals are many more including Rite from becoming a Myst, ritual for blessing a new home and/or garden, Ritual of Knighthood, and so forth.

Being these rituals are considered personal; I cannot share much detail of the rites themselves with those outside the faith. What I can say is that these are rituals that do not take precedence in the eyes of one's state, providence nor nation. These are rituals that are held between those involved and the presence of the gods almighty.

Bowynn Gods: Onaur

Onaur  (Oh-naur)  Winged god of love and passion. Onaur is a lot like his European counterparts Cupid and Eros only a bit older in years. He is the son of Brenda and Dhonan.

     Like his mother Brenda and father, Onaur is a god that cannot induce love on anyone. At first, he did try to do just that, when he was granted his godly station by Anhur. Onaur was so overjoyed by his godly gifts, he took his flute and played in the ears of mortals everywhere, making them fall in love with each other. But this caused much chaos and problems in the world. When word of this got to Brenda, she took away his flute and wings. Brenda then had to force him to undo all the false love he had spread. This taught the young god a lesson that would stick with him for the rest of his immortal life.  Despite the advances of many young girls, Onaur always stayed true stayed unbonded, so that he would not take sides.

     Unlike Onaur’s European counterparts, Onaur is an older god and not a cherub. He is often seen as a teenage buy. And unlike both his Greek and Roman counterparts, he is not winged. He is said to have blonde hair and the bluest of eyes. On his shoulder hangs a bag which he keeps his flute magical flute that he uses to project love. Some claim he also has a magic dust in his bag which induces lust instead of love. Onaur is said to take the disguise of a bird of his choosing, when he is around mortals. Unlike many of the gods of the Akua, Onaur was not one of the gods that sat with the first tribes, as he and his brother Shane were not born at the time. But now, Onaur and Shane spend much time among mortals to make up for his absence.        

     Sacred to Onaur is the flute and magickal herbal blends for love. Flowers like the carnation, lily and rose are just some of the flowers sacred to Onaur, as are their scents and votive images of birds also makes a most divine gift.