Blessed Winter Solstice

Bowynn Tradition Virtues {Hylin}

The following are the Sacred Seven virtues {Hylin} of the Bowynn faith. These seven virtues are one of many attributes of the Bowynn Holy Symbol, the Numatam:

Peace {Del}

Peacefulness is an inner sense of calm. It comes especially in quiet moments of reflection or gratitude. It is getting very quiet and looking at things so you can understand them. Peacefulness is a way of approaching conflict with others so that no one is made wrong.  It is being fair to others and yourself. Peace is giving up the love of power for the power of love. With peacefulness, everyone wins. Practicing peacefulness helps to create a calm mind free from worry. When you are peaceful, you respect others and their differences. People around you feel calm and safe.  Without peace, no one is safe. People get hurt.  Fighting doesn’t solve problems, and no one every really wins a war.  With peacefulness, any problem can be solved. Peace in the world begins with peace in your heart.  To find inner peace, become very still and think peaceful thoughts. Observe and think about your feelings, like anger, instead of acting with anger. To be a peacemaker, use peaceful language instead of name-calling, yelling or gossiping.  Avoid aggressive or violent actions. Talk things out and listen to the other person too.  Then look for a peaceful solution. Peacemakers find there are lots of creative ways to solve any problem.

Charity {Artaejen}

A person in need of charity is somebody who risks the loss of some very strong and stable desires. These include basic desires such as a desire for a warm place to sleep on a cold winter’s night, a desire for food and clean water to drink, a desire for health, and, in some cases, a desire to go on living. When a person has a desire to help fulfill the particularly strong desires of others, then an act of charity fulfills not only the desires of those to whom he gives, but his own desires as well. Some people state that part of the value of giving to charity is the pleasure that it provides to those who do the giving. However, this pleasure is contingent. This is a learned desire – a desire brought about by the use of social tools such as praise (of those who are charitable) and condemnation (of those who are selfish). People in general have many and strong reasons to praise those who are charitable, and to condemn those who are selfish. Any one of us could end up in a situation where some of our strongest and most stable desires are at risk – where we are without a home or suffer some severe threat to our health and long life. But we must remember to give because it is the right thing to do. Not because we expect good things in return.

Love {Brend}

We often think of love as an emotion we experience, an emotion characterized by the desire to be close to another person, the sense of cozy pleasure we feel in a relationship. This emotional aspect of love is usually perceived as warmth, attraction, intimacy, closeness and excitement. If we limit our understanding of love to the experience of transient emotions alone, we are on extremely unstable ground.  Whether we enjoy someone's company or not, whether we admire their character or not, we can still honor a person from a spiritual perspective simply because, we are all created from the same spirit. In this definition of love we make a commitment to remember the truth of our oneness and treat others with respect and kindness no matter if they are worthy of such sentiments or not. Loving another person in this way is respecting their divinity, which is the same as ours. This is a reliable foundation for a positive relationship. When we find ourselves angry or fearful, all love is not lost. We must turn our attention to the principle of love, which calls us to be gentle, kind and to treat others with respect despite the life-constricting emotions of anger and fear. This concept of love is what the ancient Greeks called Agape love -- a love that honors all others. When we have love to give, we can express it with respect, kind words and actions, even when the conditions don't seem to warrant loving-kindness. To foster love, we have to be honest in little and big matters.  To demonstrate love, we can give our undivided attention whether we are at work or at home. Just silently listening and being present can be a loving gesture. Never forget that love can be applied to any problem. Since this life is short, savor moments by being fun-loving and relishing connections with others. Each day, make a conscious choice to live lovingly and express love to yourself and others.

Courage {Baraej}

Courage is one of those virtues necessary to living a good life. Usually, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of courage is bravery in the face of a threat, yet it is so much more. It is the ability to choose the point that lies between cowardice and recklessness in any circumstance. Courage takes many forms. Examples include the courage to do what is right, the courage of facing a personal fear, the courage to accept unpopularity, the courage to endure physical or mental pain for the sake of self-improvement, the courage to push forward through frustration,

the courage to tell the truth, the courage to change, the courage to act, the courage to trust, the courage to love, the courage to commit, and many more. How do you make a habit of courage? This is not an easy undertaking, as you will have to overcome years of habits associated with making uncourageous decisions. First, let me suggest that you have to believe that practicing courage is a worthy pursuit. Developing courage will allow you to be more in control of your life as opposed to letting outside circumstances dictate your actions.  Another place to start is by developing the habit of being truthful. Telling the truth often requires courage because it may get you or someone you care about into trouble. Yet we inherently know it is the right thing to do. There is a selfish benefit to this strategy and that is people will respect you for this virtue. They may not always like it, but they will respect it. They will come to know that you are always telling them the truth and they will appreciate you for that quality.

Kindness {Skirnlee}

Kindness is the essence of a celestial life. Kindness is how a person treats others. Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes. Kind words not only lift our spirits in the moment they are given, but they can linger with us over the years. The attributes of thoughtfulness and kindness are inseparably linked.  Kindness is not a duty or an ethic either; it is an expression of personal virtue that flows from and is rooted in love, which is at the heart of all virtue. Kindness begins in the heart. In fact, many languages have words that are translated as "loving-kindness" or "kind-heartedness," which is kindness that goes beyond the minimum requirements of civility. Kindness is really more than being nice, polite or agreeable, but instead has more to do with our being than our behavior. It cannot be faked. Kindness softens hearts, lifts spirits and molds relationships. The value of our lives is best measured not by the material possessions we've acquired, but by the hearts we've touched, because who we are is far more important than what we have. Everything we do affects not only our own life, but touches other lives, too.

Spirituality {Tya'oamima}

A person with Spirituality will have firm beliefs about the meaning of the universe. Such people attach their life to something higher than themselves. Being spiritual may make it easier for a person to cope with difficult life events. Spirituality is not just about religious beliefs although the two are closely connected. People with religious beliefs have been shown to be able to cope with stress and handle difficult events when they arise. In religion, transcendence refers to the aspect of a god's nature and power which is wholly independent of the material universe, beyond all physical laws. This is contrasted with immanence, where a god is said to be fully present in the physical world and thus accessible to creatures in various ways. In religious experience transcendence is a state of being that has overcome the limitations of physical existence and by some definitions has also become independent of it. This is typically manifested in prayer, séance, meditation, psychedelics and paranormal "visions". It is affirmed in the concept of the divine in various religious traditions, and contrasts with the notion of a god, or the Absolute, existing exclusively in the physical order or indistinguishable from it (pantheism). Spirituality can be attributed to the divine not only in its being, but also in its knowledge. Thus, a god may transcend both the universe and knowledge (is beyond the grasp of the human mind). Although transcendence is defined as the opposite of immanence, the two are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Some theologians and metaphysicians of various religious traditions affirm that a god is both within and beyond the universe; in it, but not of it; simultaneously pervading it and surpassing it.

Balance {Bia}

Balance is defined as “stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of the vertical axis,” “equipoise between contrasting, opposing, or interacting elements,” or “an aesthetically pleasing integration of elements,” according to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary.  Balance is that spiritual straightness and stability that resists all influences to turn or deviate from the right path. It is the characteristic of righteousness that refuses to be allured, intimidated, or bullied into diverting from the assigned course. It resists reducing or exaggerating the truth, recognizing that error or excess in either direction, for any reason, remains error and excess. It is important to remember that balance is a godly virtue. It is clearly displayed in the nature of Bia itself. Bia is absolutely perfect in all holiness. Bia is pure and just in judgment, yet Bia’s mercy endures forever. Bia’s law reveals this virtue, calling for separation from the heathen, yet to love strangers, remembering they are strangers to others.  Finally, it must be understood that balance is an attainable virtue. That is not to say anyone will achieve perfect balance, but real and lasting progress can be made to achieve greater balance in life. If we keep our eyes on one unchanging, immovable focus, if we strive to become only what the gods want us to be and all that they want us to be, we will live with greater balance. Thus, we work to achieve balance for ourselves and others. Where the scales of balance are overweighed, we attempt to restore them into place, be it with physical labor, spiritual or metaphysical.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Clothing/Garb

QUESTION: In the Bowynn tradition, is there any special robes mysts and practitioners wear?

ANSWER: Technically no. That is to say that no one is required to wear any particular clothing. Especially black witch robes. We kind of shun away from wearing the iconically (and non historic) black robes and conical hat. That said. Over the decades of weekly gatherings, we found that we were all gathering in our Fantasy/Ren Faire garb. Which eventually became something of a common occurrence amongst all of us. While no there is no requirement to wear such clothing, it has become what it is. (Side not to this is that; so many times I have remarked "We all look like we stepped away from filming 'Robin of Sherwood'. LOL)

Mysts [witches] in the tradition do not commonly wear black unless its is there desired comfort clothing. I personally like to wear blue jeans and a blue T-shirt. It's up to the person.

Bowynn Gods: Dawnnat

Daunnat  (Dawn-nat)  “The next world.” Daunnat is the Bowynn version of heaven. However, it is neither a realm in the sky nor below. It is said to be a world that is much parallel to our own, only reachable by the dead and gods. The realm of Duannat is well describe from the travels of the gods Kord and Brenda, who had to travel there to return the god Brand:

     After the soul and spirit leave the body with the help of the god Heron, it is traveled to a body of water. There sits a grand celestial ship which flows down the divine waters of Muet. This ship is guided from the dock to the beach of Daunnat. From there Heron departs and the god Dadjall takes over, starting to guide the soul-spirit through Duannat. The view is that of walking through the most enchanted land ever; Forested, plains, gardens, streams and waterfalls. Above the land of Daunnat is blessed with its own light, ruled by the god Saulnat.

     Eventually Dadjall guides the soul-spirit to 7 natural gates. Each gate is guarded by a god or goddess. The first is the Gate of Courage and Strength, ruled by the goddess Mura. The second gate is the gate of Kindness, ruled by the god Naddas. The third is the Gate of Love, ruled by Orstal. The forth is the Gate of Balance, ruled by Odjett. The fifth is the Gate of Faith, ruled by Quatt. The sixth is the Gate of charity, ruled by Rhymar and the last gate is the Gate of Peace, ruled by Pedjet.

     Past the gates, Dadjall leads the soul-spirit to Tsellet. The goddess separates the soul from the body, as once in Daunnat and past the gates, no harm can come to the spirit. The spirit now goes to be reborn in our world. The Soul is cleansed and purified and brought to the king and queen of Duannat, Chumash and Kalma, and to the Reader of Deeds, Ano Atanno If the soul is free of sin, it is then lead to the get valley where all souls dwells. A great valley that’s land is ever lush, fertile, abundant and beautiful. The water ways in Daunnat are fed by the great river Muet, and these waters are used to bath the soul to help release all guilt and earthly labors away. All of the nature in Daunnat, from field to flower, is rule over by the queen of Daunnat, Kalma herself.

      If the soul is plague with sin beyond reason, then it is reunited with a spirit and he or she is reborn to earth to “get it right.” However, few are truly reborn, unless their crimes in their prior life are so great.

     Each Soul in Duannat has their own home at night where they live with their past-away family members. But the greatest is the home of Chumash and Kalma. This home or hall rivals that of Alaway. Like Daunnat itself it is not a dark place but most pleasing to the eye, with eloquently carved wood and decorated with most respect. The great dining hall is said to be big enough to let 500 souls feast most comfortably.

The story of Daunnat speaks that originally it was just a barren Island across a great chasm, where the spirit's wandered. During the contest Chumash and his brothers Anhur and Tane contested for who was to rule what level of the earth said God would rule over. Chumash's arrow flew the furthest and into a chasm with represented Daunnat at the time. His brothers mocked him so badly till Chumash said he would make Daunnat more beautiful than the kingdom of the earth and sea combined. Chumash rerouted the divine river Muet to fill the chasm, with Kane's him built the ship for spirits to travel on and constructed the palace of Daunnat. He constructed the 7 great Gates and stations his children at each one. With his new wife Kalma, they planted every seed, tree and pod, plowed every field, gouged every valley and built every home for spirits. By decree, Kalma and Chumash dictated the afterworld's day and night and seasons to come into being. By want and desire, Chumash created special Kii to tend to all mortal's spirits, laying out grand banquets each night.

Indeed, Daunnat is the most beautiful kingdom.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Curses

QUESTION: Do Bowynn witches [Mysts] cast curses, hexes and binding spells?

ANSWER: The short answer to this is "yes!"

Mysts' cast spells in association with the laws of Bia, [Balance]. But it is not done recklessly. We cast curses when someone threatens someone directly or indirectly. When someone dares to take away, harm or hurt someone maliciously. When they cause Balance to be out of order. When evil is afoot and when injustice runs rampant. This is when curses are cast. And even then, we make sure we are performing the curse to restore balance and avenge those affected by others malicious acts. A typical curse always starts off addressing what has been done

"See here what has been done, undone and unbalance. The accused has been found guilty of the crime/s of _______."

Bowynn Gods: Phaenixx

Wood carved Pog of Phaenixx w/ penciles in eyes (now lost) - Created by myself - 1984

Phaenixx  (Fay-niks)  In the Bowynn Tradition, Phaenixx 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 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 brings people together and gave humanity the ability to express love and desire at the start of humanity.      When the gods created mankind from earth, it was Phaenixx that baked the clay that was used to form mankind, there-by not only keeping our form together but also giving mankind skin. At the same time it gave each and one a heart filled with burning passion and love. Phaenixx 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.      Phaenixx is seen as a full-fledged motherly figure with deep red hair and dress. She bears a golden circlet on her head as well is sometimes a veil of scarlet red. Phaenixx is not, nor should she be seen as, a fearful figure but instead as a warm embracing goddess. A protectress, giving us light to see and stay warm. She is safety in the darkness. Other times Phaenixx is seen as a great red phoenix-like bird. Sacred to Phaenixx are images of phoenix birds, candle, and all symbols of fire. These are the most common gifts given to the goddess, but any image of birds or fire is welcome to the goddess.

Phaenixx on a altar cloth - created by Ksandra Weldess - 2019 (Goddesses Paut and Tya can also be seen)

Q&A: Moon Worship

QUESTION: Does the Bowynn Faith/Tradition have respectful days devoted to The Moon and Morrighynn?

ANSWER: In the Bowynn faith, we do honor Morrighynn highly. But if you are pertaining to worship like Wiccan "Drawing down the Moon" ceremonies; then the answer is 'No." We do not celebrate Full Moons. We do recognize the power of the moon and the blessings of her ladyship. However, what some Bowynn may do, is simply moon-soak. That is to say we will bask in the light of the moon if we are compelled to do so. We allow its energy to soak into our bodies and its it cleanse and heal. But there is no formal ceremony. We do not "Draw do the Moon" as we see it is very disrespectful to our lady Morrighynn, as well as to the Thracians, Northern Hellen (Greek) an Aegyptian cultures who performed these practices. We see and feel the power of the moon without taking from it. And not just the full moons, but all phases.

BOWYNN GODS: Tii Gorro

Tii Gorro  (Ty Gor-roe)  Evil spirits created by Mano during his war with his cousins Kord and Brand. These creatures were even more war-like than their diminutive Tii, in that they were human sized and fed on blood and raw flesh. They were described by Adjedd to look as like a gorilla or ape but even more clever.

      In the war with Kord the Tii Gorro (or Gorro Tii) Kord was able to vanquish a good many till the rest tried to flee. Some were said to have tried to run for the sea and drowned. Others were said to take off for caves, which Anhur himself were said to seal. The Gorro Tii appeared in the sagas of Allon, Quinn, Maul and many other epics. 

      One should never, EVER, invoke Gorro Tii, as they will turn on the one that calls to them. They may listen to you at first but when the deed is done, they will not return from where they came.

Blessed Tsa'Kora to one and all

Blessings of abundance, love and health to you all.

My Prayer to Death, of Darkness

O Daeth, God of Darkness and Shadows, I humbly approach your sacred presence, seeking solace in your embrace as the night descends. You, the primordial force born from the will of Bia, illuminate the balance of existence, where light yields to the beauty of darkness. In your gentle shadow, I find comfort and reflection as I explore the depths of my soul beneath the shroud of night. O Handsome Wielder of Shadows, whose hair flows like the void and whose eyes shimmer with the light of distant stars, guide me on this journey of self-discovery. In the stillness of the dark moon, I call upon your wisdom to confront my shadow self. Let your presence soothe my fears and illuminate the hidden truths that dwell within, revealing the paths that lead to greater understanding and harmony. With reverence, I offer the darkness of my heart, for it is in shadows that I encounter my authentic self. I lay before you tokens of respect—black stones from the earth, incense of night-blooming flowers, and images that symbolize the shadows I wish to embrace. May these offerings find favor in your eyes, reminding the world that darkness is not to be feared but celebrated as a vital force in the tapestry of life.

O Daeth, bearer of the night, bestow your blessings upon those who seek rest and dreams in the embrace of Naraea. May your gentle whispers guide them through the realms of consciousness, bringing forth visions of wisdom and tranquility. In your union with Tora, may the realms of night flourish under your protective shadows, weaving a sanctuary for all who dwell beneath your stars. As I recognize the pivotal role you play in the balance of existence, I pledge to honor the darkness as I do the light. O Daeth, may your elegance remind me that every shadow carries the promise of illumination, and in every dark moment lies the potential for renewal. Let me wear the cloak of acceptance, acknowledging the beauty in all aspects of life, for without your essence, the tapestry of creation remains incomplete. So shall it be, in reverence and love for Daeth, the gracious God of Shadows, forever guiding and nurturing the delicate balance of our universe.

Syember!

Bowynn Gods: Brenda

Brenda (Bren-dah)  Brenda is the Bowynn goddess of passion, love, lust and beauty. To be precise she does not (like Aphrodite and Venus) induce love on mortals but instead is closer to being the personification of love. She graces each person with all the forms of love. One can pray to Brenda to find a love or to enhance beauty; however, Brenda is also the goddess that justifies vanity and humility. Brenda is a goddess that punishes those that are vane, places their beauty above others and do nothing but pamper their beauty. And not just facial beauty. Those that "fat and body shame" quickly fall under her wrath. Brenda is also the goddess of charm and etiquette. She also teaches humans how to be themselves.

     The sacred story is told how 5 Kii were said to brag and boast how beautiful they were. They even went so far to claim their beauty outshined Brenda. Brenda heard this and turned the Kii into cardinals, birds. To this day cannot stop admiring themselves in anything shiny.

     Brenda is the daughter of Anhur and Rhya and the sister of the Kord and Brenda. In the great sacred story, Brenda was the subject of a plot by her cousin Mano. She was tricked into visiting the god Mano’s home and was locked in, a prank on her brothers. This enraged Kord and Brand so much that the three gods went from playing tricks on each other to full fledge war. Kord finally found the home and saved his sister but at the cost that Brand was left unprotected and slain in his sleep by Mano. Kord and Brenda wept so much that they dared travel to the kingdom of souls, Daunnat, to beseech Chumash and Kalma in restoring her brother. Above all, it was Brenda’s beauty, grace and devotion to her brother that the lord and lady of Daunnat conceded and released Brand’s soul and restored him.

      Many tales speak of various gods trying to woe Brenda for her hand in marriage. In the end she wed a mortal named Dhonan, because of all gods and men; he had nothing more to offer her than his love, as he was a simple hunter. Being that she could not live with a mortal and no mortal could live in Alaway, she blessed and graced him with immortality. Together they bore the love gods Shane and Onaur.

     In mortal’s eyes, Brenda often is seen as the most beautiful of goddesses. Her hair is a striking soft red color, as her painted lips. She is slim in hip and her clothing is loose and also red. Her hladd depicts a garden of flowers with doves, cardinals, lilies and egrets. She is almost always seen with a mirror in hand; a warning against vanity. When not seen in her godly form, Brenda will take the form of a cardinal or egret.

     Offerings to the goddess Brenda are commonly lilies and wild flowers, like daisies. Despite westerns and eastern ideologies, roses and not often attributed as "love". Also sacred to Brenda are doves, egrets and cardinal votive images. Other offerings are mirrors and brushes and in some cases, a basket of makeup toiletries is offered.