Happy Halloween

Autumn Blessings

Happiest of Holidays to you

The Elements {Tau Retammas}

Air {Unth } - The Wind {Tau Long}

 We learn to breathe with air, so to calm ourselves when we get upset. And once calm, we can think before we make ill mistakes and judgments - thereby learning. As the wind changes, its strength changes the seasons. In that we learn about to change and how to adapt when the need arises. When we look into the wind and follow it, we are sent into a quest of wonder and adventure. As we listen to the wind, we hear music that comes from it. And when we stand and let the wind wrap about it, it blows away our stress. We watch birds and insects in flight in the air and wonder and fantasize how, giving us imagination. Without this ability people would not understand each other nor be able to share new ideas and creations with each other. The wind is also responsible for germinating many plants and trees, spreading seedlings across the land in one gust. The wind carries our prayers and offerings to the universe and brings us perfumed scents and the sweet smells of home cooking - giving comfort and triggering happy moments or memories. We learn to breathe and relax, giving use a chance to use forethought. And then after we find our words to express what to say. The Virtue we learn from Air is love. Because as we speak and sing, we try to bring love into the world. The path of Air is paved in blinding yet caring white light.

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.

BOWYNN GODS: TARNA

Tarna with her sisters, Myliea, Quilla and Kora

Tarna  (Tar-nah)  Goddess of the summer season. She is the daughter of Morrighynn and Herne, sister of Kora, Myliea and Quilla and the consort to the god Saphon. Her name literally means "Summer."      Few tales are told of Tarna and her sisters as her role in nature keep her busy. She was born on the first day of summer. Tarna and her sisters were always bickering and contesting against each other over various things since their birth. Tarna contested with her sisters for which season they would rule over. In this contest Tarna created a field of sunflowers up from the ground. Tarna’s folks granted her the season of summer to govern over, judged by her gift. Thus, on the last day of Spring, Quilla departs the land, while Tarna appears on the first day of summer on a magnificent golden horse; bringing the greens and gold to the summer season and growing of sunflowers, marigolds and daisy.  The other sacred story tells of Tarna’s sacred marriage to Saphon, God of the South.

     Tarna is seen as a motherly female figure, refined with golden blond hair laced with a crown of ferns and sunflowers. She is clad in summer green colors and golden trim. Her hlad is of the same tones. Sometimes she is said to have a Daddalo [Stola] of golden yellows. In her hand is often seen a staff of Maple with ribbons wrapped on it of summer colors. Other times she is seen with a basket of summer flowers. Sometimes she is said to be winged with golden or yellow feathers. When about mortals she will take the image of a horse or a golden finch, her totem animals.

     Sacred gifts to Quilla are Milk, daisies and sunflowers, votive images of gold/yellow horses, sparrows, finch and of course incense. Most common gifts are wreathes and garlands of summer flowers.

Bowynn Gods: Enya

Enya  (Ehn-ya)  Goddess of the morning and the dew. She is the daughter of Saul and Shayla and the sister of Treya, goddess of the dusk. Raven-haired goddess Enya is the goddess responsible not only for waking up the gods that decide to sleep in Alaway but also, she is in charged for the waking up mortals. At the same time, she is the goddess that flies ahead of the sun of the day, turning the sky from night to day and blessing the ground with morning dew.

     Very little sacred tales are known of Enya. However, it is said her song and voice if what breaks the shroud of night and brings forth the day. As she travels across the world, the vessel she carries spills out and blankets the grass with morning dew. She guides the sun across the sky till it descends in the west. In one sacred tale it is said that Enya and Treya fought over who would be leading the sun in the morning and the evening. Anhur was asked to make the ruling but even he could not decide. Finally, he called in the two goddesses individually to plead her case. His final judgment came not by wisdom but by the color of the dress they wore. Enya wore a dress that reminded the king of the gods of the gentle morning. And so, his judgment stands to this day.

     In most Boywnn villages there was always a “Morning Wailer.” It was their job to wake all up as they started a song throughout the villages at the top of her voice. These songs would be hymns to Enya and Treya was the patron of Morning Wailers. Of which is a most honorable and elite profession. Becoming a Morning Wailer would be devoting oneself to the Priesthood of Enya

     Enya was also one of the loves of the sun god Herne, prior to his wedding Morrighynn. Their love however was short lived when his eyes fell on the lady of the night. Despite the rejection, Enya still remains devoted to Herne.

     Enya is described as a most lovely lady, clad in a dress that matches the morning sky with red lips and short cut black hair. Sometimes she bares the wings of a bird, sometimes not. Other times she is depicted as merely flying on her own accord on the wind with morning birds accompanying her. The vessel she carries the morning dew is often shaped like a spiral shell. Sometimes Enya will take the form of a morning bird like a sparrow; the sparrow being her totem animal.

     Sacred offerings to Enya come often in the shape of bowls and cups of water, flowers, votive images of sparrows and birds and of course incense.   “Matenerm” or holy meals are left to her as a special gift.

The Septagram {Tau Numatam}

The Numatam or Septagram, is the most sacred of symbols. It is the symbol of our faith and of whole we are as a people. Much like the Cross is to Christians, Star of Davis is to Jews, the Pentagram is to Wiccans and the Greek Key is to Pagan Greeks. The Numatam has many stories, philosophies, and applications attached to it. In the Autumn Wood Tradition the earth symbolized the divine, as the interconnectedness of all things was the sacred message throughout their lives. Nothing was separate from the other, each life force bound to the other and explains the importance of the earth being regarded as our mother who provides for us with food, shelter, and holds water for us when we thirst. There was no one symbol that represented all their philosophies. The tree, the mountain, the river, and the animal were all symbolic and connected to the divine. To further this belief and philosophy the Numatam today represents the seven ideals which those of the Bowynn Tradition uphold and strive for in life, each a guide to daily living.

The points refer to the seven virtues prized by all who follow The Autumn Wood tradition – Peace, Charity, Love, Courage, Kindness, Spirituality and Balance.

Secondly the points refer to the seven principles as mentioned above – Earth, Air, Fire, Water, Soul, Spirit and Balance.

The Numatam also represents the 7 aspects of the forest under which we need to survive – Forest, Wind, Rain/Stream, Hearth, Sun, Moon and Balance.

The Numatam also represents the 7 guilds under which our clans come together as, and each member has a part to partake in – Warriors, Mages, Healers, Weavers, Harvesters, Bards and Librarians.

The Numatam represents the Seven Swords of the Wild Wood, Give to the first 7 chiefs of the first 7 tribes. (This will be touched on later on) – Dennon, Eurya, Kell, Ryos, Aevos, Halis and Tenlon.

The Numatam represents the 7 great rites that befalls a member in the course of his/her life (providing that they are born to the clan – Birth, Naming, Adolescence, Adulthood, Marriage, Death and Resurrection.

Each Line of the Numatam represent a sacred pathway that we follow and meditate on

Lastly, we come to the sphere that encases it all. The circle representing the connection of all of these qualities into one. The circle of life. Totality and enclosure. The embrace of arms around you by the gods.

These philosophies provided here are a general guide and each point and line can be expanded on in great lengths. The Numatam is a wonderful meditation meant to be experienced and explored. One can find even greater meanings to the Numatam through meditation and reflection. For us, and some who practice the following philosophies, feel that the points reflect values in which we choose to honor. The journey through the points is like reading a story with hidden wisdom.

A final word about the Numatam. While most other faiths feel that wearing their holy symbol brings them closer to their divine, Bowynn need not do so. While some Bowynn name were the Numatan as a bracelet, necklace, ring or have it tattooed or painted on their skin, it is not required by any divine law. We live withing the confines of the Numatam. It is with us and all about us wherever we travel. So, one need not have to feel you must by a Numatam pendant.

QUESTION & ANSWER: NEW YEARS

QUESTION: Is The first day of November, (All Saint's Day) also New Years in the Bowynn Tradition?

ANSWER: No. Thats a Wiccan ideology. For us, New Years day is September 1st, called "Then Ohenn."

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: The Hii

Hii  (hy)  Kii type spiritual beings that help preside over the magical and shamanic arts. Hii are benign beings and do not harm. Most of the time they are found with Mystara and Ehrlick, helping them. Hii are often invoked by witches, druids and shamans to help in their arts and guard their stocks and items.