Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Gods: Drudenn

Drudenn  (Droo-den)  Drudenn is the Bowynn God who is the protector and guardian of domestic animals, guardian of barns and stables and guardian of pets. He is also the god that guards the stables of the gods and is the only key holder to the doors of Alaway; the hall which the gods feast in at night. Drudenn is the only one that allows access into the Great Hall and in that aspect, he can be considered a guardian of home as well. Though to be precise, he is more to be that guardian to the door of such places as court and council houses. In some respects, he is also considered "the opener of ways".

     Drudenn is a young god, the son of Anhur and Rhya. As such he was given the task of guarding Anhurs magnificent gryphons. This later became engrossed 100-fold when Morrighynn asked him to tend to her 30 white horses. Eventually he became the tender of all the sacred steeds of the gods. That is minus those of Duannat and under the sea. Because of this Drudenn learned the speech of animals and can communicate with all of the animals on earth. His 7 sacred days with mortals was spent teaching mankind how to tend and domesticate certain wildlife; milking cows, riding horses and teaching dogs and cats how to work with humans. This led to Drudenn teaching the first tribes of people to speak with all wildlife. Sadly, mankind abused this gift and Drudenn had to silence the ability.

Despite these arborist tasks, Drudenn is most happy in tending to the needs of domestic animals. Infact, he prefers the company of animals over people, sleeping in stables and pastures.

     Drudenn often walks amongst folk as a young hand, not too young as to be immature and yet not to old. His garments seem simple and almost peasant-like, but hardly dirty or like rags. on his belt hands the great keys that open and lock the doors of Alaway. At times, he will be seen riding his own horse or gryphon. Sacred offerings to Drudenn often appear in the form of milk, butter, bread, water, votive clay animals, seed and tiny bundles of hay. Not to mention the general form of incense. Plaques with the image of Drudenn are hung in barns and stables as well carved on the outside of doors to court houses and houses of law.

Bowynn Gods: Kora

Kora  (Kor-rah)  Kora is the Bowynn goddess of Autumn and in some ways, the Goddess of the Beginning of the year, since her epiphany ushers in the first day of Autumn, which is the Bowynn New Year. She is the daughter of Morrighynn and Herne and her sisters are the other 4 seasons.      Kora is the Goddess that appears in the west on the first day of autumn, astride her magnificent horse. Where she treads, everything starts to turn from its summer colors to the colors of autumn. She is normally accompanied with her beloved consort Ryan, god of the western wind. It is said that when Ryan and Kora wed, the ceremony and feast was one of the grandest the immortals even seen; even outshining the ceremony of Anhur and Rhya, king and queen of the gods. The Kii (spirits) of the autumn, the Jakk and the Maukol, do not even awake till Kora makes her appearance in the west.      A most awe-inspiring goddess to behold, Kora is a deep red headed goddess with lips just as red. Her gown is said to be that of saffron, mixed with other autumn colors and designs as well. And on her head is crowned a magnificent wreathe of autumn leaves and flowers. 

When not astride her horse, she can be seen walking through forests and meadows with either a golden staff in hand or a basket from which autumn leaves blow out. When not in her divine mortal form, Kora often takes form of her totem animal the crow. Divine offerings to the goddess are not normally given till autumn; autumn leaves and earthly scented incenses, gourds, harvested fruits, vegetables and flowers. On the first day of the Bowynn New Year, the first of autumn, a candle is blessed and lit in the goddess’ name and burns all through the season.

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Balance / Bia

The final and uppermost point on the Numatam is Bia {Balance}. Blanace is the inter-connectivity of all things to each other and how they balance each other out. Without Balance, chaos would take over. Like-wise, withing Chaos, Order would become overwhelming bring no excitement. Bia was and is the great creator, Unification, Endings and beginnings, Duality, Action and Reaction, Force, Power, the force of life and the divine creator of karmic law and balance Bia itself. It's from Bia all things came to be - Gods and mortality alike. So, it is from the element of Balance that we learn balance itself. That we cannot have one without the other. We learn of Yin & Yang, Polarity and Duality. We learn that we sometimes need the help of an opposite. Without the villain, we cannot have the Hero. Without a beginning cannot enjoy the ending accomplishment. Bia is the blank canvas and the completed picture. The front cover of a book to its back cover. Bia is the collective of ingredients and the completed meal. We create, learn and nurture from Bia. And we learn that everything in the world and the universe is ruled by the balance of Bia's law. Being that Bia ‘was’ before everything else, Bia is the great unseen and therefore the path to balance is a path of mysterious black. Bia {Balance} has no fixed "Station" as it's something that IS all around and all encompassing. Its rules all the other elemental stations: The growth and decay of the forest, the head of the river and its dwindled creeks, The burning flame and its soot. The gale of a wind down to its breeze, the day and the night. Bia teaches us NOTHING is forever and there is balance in all things, even if we do not also see it. The path of Bia is black, wrapped in shadow and mystery but it is never a path to be feared. It’s the path of creation and change.

BOWYNN GODS: PHOENIX

Possession of goddesses with Phoenix at the end

Phoenix  (Fee-niks)  In the Bowynn Tradition, Phoenix is the daughter created by Bia. Sister to Brea, Unthar, Summon. She is the very element of Fire and one of the great creatrix. Phoenix is the goddess of fire, volcanoes, earthquakes, flame, warmth of light and smoke. She is not just the destructive side of these attributes but the nurturing side as well. She warms people in the winter and from destruction comes life anew, She is the baker of pottery, melter of sand to make glass and metals, the heat and flame of the hearth.

     When the gods created mankind from earth, it was Phoenix that baked the clay that was used to form mankind, there-by not only giving mankind skin, but gave each one a heart of passion and love. And she assures us that from death, we are reborn again. Not because we are to learn life's lessons but to embrace all that life has to offer that is wonderful. She is one of the great 7 that form the symbolism of the septagram. During the time of the great 7 Sacred Days, Phoenix gave mankind the knowledge of fire, How to make it, contain it, how to avoid and respect it, how to tame it and use it for our advantage.

     Phoenix is seen as a motherly figure of deep red hair and dress. She bears a golden circlet on her head as well. Not a fearful figure but a warm embracing goddess. Other times she is seen as a great red phoenix bird. Sacred to Phoenix is images of phoenix birds and a candle flame. These are the most common gifts given to the goddess but any image of birds or fire is welcome to the goddess.

My Prayer to the Chappa Kii

O Great Chappa Kii, Behemoths of Stone and Guardian of Peaks, I lift my voice to thee—mighty spirits dwelling from the shimmering foothills to the towering heights. Your monumental presence watches over the realm of earth, as steadfast as the mountains themselves, lending strength to those who tread upon your sacred ground. O Chappa, titans forged of rock and resilience, grant me your protection as I journey through the hills and valleys. When lost amidst the wild, let your guiding spirit illuminate my path, leading me towards safety and clarity. With your immense power, may I find courage in the face of adversity, standing tall like the mountains that cradle your essence. In reverence, I recognize the balance you hold between creation and retribution. O Mountain Guardians, may I embrace the harmony of the earth, honoring your realm with care and respect. Let my hands build, not destroy; let my presence nurture, not diminish. As you watch over the land, may I learn to walk gently upon it.

Grant me the blessings of your wisdom, O Chappa, for you know the ancient secrets woven into the fabric of your stone. Bestow upon me your strength, fortitude, and understanding, that I may navigate life’s challenges with the grace of the mountains. With a humble heart, I offer tribute to you: stones gathered from the rivers, flowers that bloom at your feet, and simple songs sung in your honor. May these offerings please the Chappa, whispering my dedication to your guardianship. In return, I seek your watchful gaze upon my journey. So shall it be, with reverence and gratitude, sung within the sacred echoes of the mountains, in the name of the Chappa Kii, eternal guardians of the earth.

Syember

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Holy Book

QUESTION: Is there a type of holy book like a Bible or Koran in the Bowynn tradition?

ANSWER: Up until 2003 there was no such text, though many of us wrote down the information we had experienced and we would share it amongst each other. Eventually its was condenced into one binder that circulated between all of us. At the time we had 22 members strong. In late 2003 The Bowynn "Codex" was formed. It contains information on the gods, as well as all meditations, ceremonies, rituals and rites. The Codex is NOT a Myst's [witch's] book.

BOWYNN GODS: PHOENII

Phoenii  (Fee-ny)  the Phoenii are Kii (spirits) of domestic home fires, most of the time being of small fires, such as the flames of candles and lamps. These Kii are said to have the form of a tiny bird-like spirits but some can take the forms more of a larger phoenix bird. They reside in and around the hearth and ovens of the home or close to where candles are left. These diminutive spirits ensure safety and make sure candles burned bright but slowly and do not fall over. Other times they will reside by the hearth and be seen as the sparks that snap and rise up. All homes have a small shelf in the kitchen where small red paper images of the Phoenii or birds and left.

Blessed Solstice

BOWYNN GODS: RUNA

Runa  (Rew-nah)  The Runa are the Kii (spirits) of the woodlands, wood working and crafting in other suct articles like horn, antler and bone. They are kii of human size, so it is said and reside in the woodlands, either in trees or in hidden homes in the forest. Being woodland spirits, they are protectors of the trees, making sure that no harm befalls them till they are mature enough to harvest for crafting. Some of the Runa will follow a tree to the home of those that chop them down, to make sure they are treated well. There, they become spirits of wood crafting. A small band of devoted Runa are said to accompany the god Kalen, the god of wood working and architecture. 

Bowynn Gods: Daekk

Daekk  (Dayk)  Daekk is the god of abundance,  wealth, fortune, fame and patron to treasuries, banks, bankers, tradesmen, mints, minters and all other forms of commerce. Daekk is the son of Rhya and Anhur. He is one of the youngest gods of the Akua and in Alaway. His sisters are Tymora and Hemwey.

After taking his station as a god of Alaway, Daekk started to flaunt and abuse his gifts far less than wisely; giving gifts of wealth to only those that pleased him. This upset the great balance of Bia. Most people were poor, hungry and dying because they could not afford care. Yet Daekk still gave only to those who could afford to give to him and who wore rich robes and jewelry, because he was attracted to them. Having seen enough, Anhur, King of the gods at last punished Daekk and turned him into an old blind and deaf immortal. In this way Daekk would still be able to dispense his gifts to mankind without influence of wealth, looks or prejudice. Sadly, this means that sometimes Daekk's gifts of wealth and fortune is somewhat wrongly gifted.

     Another version of this sacred story is that Anhur made Daekk eternally baby him instead. This way he could not be influenced audibly or visually by those that pray to him. Either or version, this sacred story upholds the saying "Judge not a man by his appearance." At the same time, Daekk will take away the wealth of people who abuse it

     Being a babe or old man of Alaway, he is tended to by the goddess Tymora, the goddess of luck and fortune. When not being nursed by the goddess, he is placed in his chamber of wealth in the halls of Alaway where he spends his time playing in his riches and dispensing them to mankind. The chamber is the great treasury of the gods that is always plentiful, the walls decorated in Lapis, Amber, Silver and Gold, rich woods and well adorned roofing. This is Daekk's personal room. His bed also being decorated richly and he is fed on the richest of milk from the sacred herd of the gods. Being of such a young age, Daekk is one of the very few gods that never leaves Alaway.

     In his child-like form, Daek is seen as an infant of no more than a year old, still crawling about on his hands and knees. His hair is of blond locks and his eyes amber in color. He wears little to no clothing and no jewels himself. If he wears anything at all it may be a loincloth or a child's tunic. In his older form, Daekk is seen as a man of fatherhood years, often bearded. Yet still his simply dressed and a blindfold about his eyes and a walking stick. If the older Daekk does leave Alaway he often takes the form of a beggar man or a mouse. Mice being a Bowynn symbol of Wealth. Sacred gifts often given to Daekk come in the form of coins, money, sacks and bundles of grain, incense, milk and mice votives. Images of mice and baby Daekk are often represented on treasure boxes to ensure protection and encourage growth of the contents within. Another special offering to Daekk is that of "false money" or play money. It is often made and on it, prayers are written and then left on the altar, eventually buried. Though this is often to ask for wealth and the act of burying the "false money" with a plant seed is in hope that as the plant grows, so will a person's wealth.