Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Gods:

Nauidd  (Naw-id)  The Nauidd are goddesses of the hours of the day, 12 daughters of Ohenn and a mortal woman. In some cases, they are considered Kii. Each daughter represents one hour. In modern days this may not make sense till one remembers that in ancient times, the Bowynn day was broken down to twelve hours. In modern times one can consider one Nauid as representing a morning and evening hour. The Nauiid’s individual names were never given to mortals, at best they are named such as “Nauidd of the first hour” or likewise.

     The position and gifts of the Nauidd is to remind each mortal that time is precious and should not be wasted. At the same time, to enjoy each hour of each day and that we should be thankful for the time given to us. Young girls and writers will sometimes pray to the Nauidd as protectors of log entries, journals and diaries. Even books that contain family trees are protected by them, as well as their father. Outside of them helping their father Ohenn, no sacred stories have them mentioned, outside of being general mentioning or prayers.

     The Nauidd are depicted as 12 identical daughters, often helping their father Ohenn in keeping the time and archiving history. They are however seen as fun goddesses or Kii, romping and playing in the gardens in the world. They are seen as young girls, no older than teenagers with their short hair and wearing pointed caps. At times they are seen with books in their hands, depicting them as helpers of their father. Sacred to the Nauidd are clocks, sun dials, hour glasses and votive images of girls. When offering the votive images, one should make sure there are 12 in total. The same holds true when it comes to incense, making sure there are 12 cones or sticks.

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.

Blessed Winter Solstice

BOWYNN GODS: TYMORA

Tymora  (Ty-mor-ah)    Goddess of fortune, luck and wealth. She is the daughter of Rhya and Daekk, and the sister of Daekk and Hemway. While her brother is the good of material wealth and prosperity, Tymora is the goddess of life wealth. She is the goddess that conjures chance events to go a person’s way, leading them to a fulfilled path, not always just money. She is prayed to often that life goes the way a person hopes for luck in life’s daily encounters. But of course, many see her as a goddess of monetary wealth. Tymora is often prayed to along with her brother Daekk at the same time. But Tymora is also a goddess of misfortune too. What she gives, she can easily take away if people abuse that which she bestows on them.

     The legends of Tymora are endless. She was indeed one of the gods of Alaway that stayed with the first tribes for seven days and nights, teaching the people all she could about fortune and her gifts to humanity.  One sacred tale speaks of a Guild Master who was so corrupt and filled with greed. But he wanted more and more, so he beseeched Tymora to bless him with her blessings of fortune. She refused to do so and so he had her temple destroyed in his city. Misfortune quickly fell on everyone about him, but the guild master himself. But all his people became so enraged with the man’s wealth that they looted his home till nothing was left. Quickly he learned his lessons and built a new and more glorious temple. His wealth and status was never fully returned but he understood why. Many of the legends of Tymora go the same way.

     Tymora is seen as a motherly figure with raven black hair and eyes as green as the summer forest. She is seen clad in a dress and robe of green with white trim and a white mantle. She does not have a formal crown on her head but is disklet that hangs from behind like a halo, which is said to be of silver. She is always seen along with her brother Daekk in her arms, as Daekk is a baby. Tymora is rarely seen in her totem form, which is said to be that of a mouse. Sacred offerings to Tymore consist of small sachets of grain and corn, coins and votive images of mice.

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: 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.

Bowynn Gods: Hawynn

Hawynn  (Haw-winn)  Hawynn is the Bowynn God king of all the rivers in the world. But more-more-so the great river Muet, which flows under Alaway (Great Hall of the Gods) and ends up in Duannat (Home of those that have passed) He is also a god of fishing and protector of dams and bridges, and patron to those that depend on rivers for their lively-hoods. He is the son of Sumon and Phoenix.

     Prior to Hawynn's birth and taking of position, Alaway had Kii as water bearers bringing water from a well that was guarded by a serpent. Only the Kii could fetch waters. If any of the Kii drew near, the serpent would attack them into submission.  The fetching of water grew weary on the Kii, who would have to fetch water several times a day. Young Hawynn was fond of the servant Kii and hated to see them toil so. He took the great spear of his father, Tane, and the scrying bauble of his mother, Kalma, and went to subdue the serpent. Using the bauble Hawynn was able to predict the moves of the serpent as they battled. With the spear, Hawynn was able to finally say the beast. Then, using one of the ribs of the creature, Hawynn dug a massive trench to the well and released its waters. Thus, the great river was created and set to flow under Alaway. At the same time the servant Kii were released from their duties. In gratitude, Anhur gave Hawynn his blessing and made lord of all rivers and commander of the great river Muet. The Kii that were the water bearers before-hand were each given a river in the world to bless and sanctify, as all Rivers spiritually branch off of Muet.

     As for Hawynn himself, he took a bride, a Kii named Naea, whose status was raised to that of Goddess because she feasted on immortal foods and therefore, was given the blessing of Bia. When not feasting at night with the gods, Hawynn is busy marking the course of rivers and controlling their floods. Also making sure water is always clean and pure. He is a patron of those that depend on rivers for a livelihood, including mills, dams, power-plants, fishing and miners in some cases.  

     Despite his younger brash and reckless self, Hawynn is a most fun and pleasing god. He more often would hold banquets and riparian events on the banks of Muet than feast in the halls of Alaway and is a wonderful swimmer and fisherman. He is said to bear the face of a young thin man. Hawynn is often seen in a green cloak, with a goat-skin mantle and staff, which he uses to help control the waters. He also is said to always carry with him a drinking horn made from the serpent his slew. The horn is said to magickally hold enough water to drink from for a week. His totem is the otter which he often takes the form of, if not the otter, then he may take the form of a beaver.

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.

Bowynn Gods: Ehrlik

Ehrlik (Er-lik)  Ehrlik is a Bowynn benign Giant god of bards, historians, librarians,  history, memory, intelligence and music. He is one of the older gods that ruled the world before Anhur, created by Brea and her siblings. Ehrlik's kin roamed the world freely back then.

     There are little to no known prehistory sacred stories of Ehrlik, other than his wanderings about the world, recording events and sacred tales as they happen. These tales and historic events he put in a sacred book, the first Codex.   But it was not till he met up with a rival giant that stole his written work and swallowed it. Ehrlik slew the giant and opening the giants belly up retrieved the book. However, it was already destroyed. He swore that never again would he write the stories down. Instead, he took a rib of the giant and made it into a harp and from then on, Ehrlik kept all his knowledge to song. It was only after Ahnur built Alaway and gave Ehrlik his own place there, that Ehrlik rewrote new books. And it is in Alalway where they can be found. However, the sacred voice of Ehrlik so notes that it is best to keep the sacred text to mind and not to paper.

     Ehrlik is seen as an old god, of grandfather or even great grandfather status. He is said to be large man in height with long white hair and beard. His eyes are a deep sea. One can look into his eyes and yet never see the end of his age or knowledge. His robes are white and gray, well wore out from all his travels. In his hand he holds a mighty staff. If not a staff, he holds his harp. When not in his humanoid form Ehrlik is seen as a great white mammoth. Sacred offerings to Ehrlik are the traditional incense as well as manuscripts, musical instruments, scrolls, books and ones sacred Codex.

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