Blessed Winter Solstice

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.

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Water / Sumon ---- The Rain / Tau Reye

(Sometimes "Rain" can be substituted with "The Stream" {Tau Fold} )

The next point represents all the aspects of Water (Imagination, Forgiveness, Sensitivity, Easy-going, Blood, Tears, Emotions, Cleansing, Creativity, Healing), but concentrates specifically on waters elements of the forest. Water flows and ebbs within our oceans and weaves its way through various terrains. We use it every day from drinking to cooking, we swim in it on hot days. It gives our bodies comfort from aches and pains, as steam rises from the hot water soothing the stresses of the day. From the forest's waters we see the waters within the womb and the blood that flows through our veins. The rain nurtures the forest and us, quenching our thirst, and within the rain we also find our emotions- specifically tears of sorrow, pain and joy. The mist and dew cleanse the forest and us each morning, so we can start the day anew. In water we can scry into the depths and see what needs to be seen. The waters of the forest cool us down when we get too hot, both physically and emotionally. It is an element which supports all life, not just sea creatures and freshwater fish. One of the great forces on earth encompasses the earth with its wondrous colors and covers the vast, virtually unexplored, deep terrain below the water's surface. With water we are given the chance to create - inks, paints, clay, thus bringing out our creativity. It is the element associated with Faith – immutable and ever present, our emotions and beliefs change even if ever so slightly following what we feel to be right and true for ourselves and the world around us. From the rapids of the stream, we learn how to navigate our ways towards stillness. Faith, like water, fills us with peace and serenity if we let it wash away all our troubles and pains. We constantly seek peace in the faith that life will continue onward and that the Gods (or whatever we choose to believe in) are out there watching over us and protecting us from harm while guiding us on our life's journey. Water flows where others disdain, where it is in harmony with all things. The path of water is shaded in the hue of blue. The lesson of ecology was important to our Ancestors and should instill sacredness for our planet today. All life - every being, should strive to co-exist and live in harmony as nature intended, as the earth does. The virtue associated with the earth is Peace, because water gives us a chance to calm and relax. The earth path is one that is richly green.

Bowynn Gods: Dhonan

Dhonan  (Ah-ku-ah)  Dhonan is a mortal blessed god of love and passion. He was born mortal, his parents names unknown. But he was given the rare and blessed gift of immortality and took the role of that of a god of passion and true love.

     Dhonan was a simple ranger and hunter in his mortal life but in mortal terms, he was extremely handsome. Handsome enough that he caught the attention of Brenda, goddess of love. For the longest time she would visit Dhonan while he was out in the forests hunting and trapping, presenting herself in the guise and a simple woodsman's daughter. These daily encounters lasted a good long time because Brenda never revealed to him who she was. Eventually Dhonan found out the truth, talking to a wood Kii but his heart never changed for the goddess. At the same time both Dhonan and Brenda knew that this love they shared could not last because Brenda knew she could not live amongst mortals and Dhonan would never be allowed to live in Alaway. Brenda went to Dhonan one last time while he slept. This was to bid him goodbye. The goddess Kalma was so moved by this devotion that she allowed him to pass quietly in his sleep and then granted him the blessing of immortality, thus making him a god. In this way Brenda and Dhonan would be united forever.

The Wedding of Dhonan and Brenda was said to be oone of the grandest ever. All of that Kykua attended, in a grand forest under a white canopy.

     As a god, Dhonan is a most loving god. He blesses couples of weddings to uphold the vow of love and to hold it unconditionally. He is seen as a handsome young man, dressed more than often in hunting garb with a quiver of arrows on his back and bow in hand. Most of the time Dhonan is seen with his consort, Brenda but at weddings he is seen with the goddess Rhya, blessing and sanctifying the wedding couple. Dhonan sees that vows and oaths of love are kept. This is his main attribute.

     Sacred to Dhonan is the wedding fillet that is used to symbolically bond the couples' hands. Also sacred to him is the bow and arrow and a wreath of ivy, which Dhonan is sometimes said to be seen wearing.

Dhonan and Brenda

The wedding procession of gods to the union of Dhonan and Brenda

Blessed Winter Solstice

My Personal Prayer to Abbennaea

O Abbennaea, Radiant Daughter of Phoenix and Sumon, Keeper of Offerings and Purifier of Hearts, grant us thy benevolent presence as we gather in humble devotion. With deep red tresses like the evening flame, illuminate our paths with thy love and wisdom. As we place before thee our blooms and fragrant herbs, transform our gifts into nourishment for all souls, casting aside the hollow and ill-given. Teach us anew the sacred ways, that our altars may be cleansed, and our offerings accepted in purity. O Gentle One, in thy embrace of incense, envelop us in peace, and may thy spirit soar among us as a tender bird, guiding our hearts toward the divine. In gratitude, we honor you, Abbennaea, our cherished goddess, now and forevermore.

O Abbennaea, Beloved Guardian of Alaway's Sacred Halls, we bow before your radiant spirit, wrapped in the warmth of your loving essence. Daughter of the Flame and the Waters, weave your gentle touch upon our offerings, transforming our humble gifts into the blessings of the divine. As we raise our libation pitchers and scatter fragrant blooms, may your grace descend upon us, purging our hearts of doubt and filling our souls with light. Teach us the sacred art of connection, that our incense may rise like whispers of love, touching the realms above. In your presence, let joy flow and harmony reign, as we honor your eternal beauty in all that is pure and good. O Abbennaea, our nurturing goddess, we embrace your guidance with open hearts, now and always.

Syember!

Q&A: Bowynn Divination

QUESTION: Does the Bowynn faith have any forms of Divination practices, unique to the tradition?

ANSWER: Yes. While most of us consult various forms of divination (Tarot Cards, Runes and so on), we do have a specific form of sortilege unique to our tradition, which is a set of long flat wooded slates we call "Thellos" (made of apple wood). Each one has the name of the Bowynn gods on them. 7 of these slates are drawn, are laid out in a specific pattern and read, using the attributes of the gods, as they correspond to where they are laid out and if they intersect with another slate.

I cannot reveal that information to each slate, as it is for those of the Bowynn faith only.

Bowynn Gods: Gorto

Gorto  (Gor-toe)  The Gorto are Kii of forges and kilns. The Gorto are the helpful spirits of potters and blacksmiths. These Kii are said to be some of the small servants to brothers Kalen, Gondor and their wives. The Gorto try to assure that pottery will not shatter while baking and metal wares will not overheat or bend wrong while being forged. The Gorto will take residence most of the time in blacksmith's and potter's shops, close to the forges and ovens. Gorto often work hand in hand with The Abbonna.

Smithies, will have images of Gorto carved in their anvils and hammers, and Potters with have their images on the sides of their kilns. Potters and Blacksmiths will make the first object they create devoted to the Gorto or in the shape of a Gorto, this is a way of asking the Gorto to bless the crafter in all they make there-after.

The Gorto (left and right in the 2nd row) working hard in the home of Gondor

QUESTION & ANSWER: Maenna

QUESTION: I saw your Bio on the goddess Maenna. It gave me chills in that she sounds like the Egyptian Goddess and concept of Maat. May there be a connection of the two? I ask because I have become interested in Maenna since I read your article.

ANSWER: Knowing of Maat very well I can say that, yes, there is somewhat of a connection. Maenna is the divine version of Bia. Balance and Order. We pray to Maenna to make sure there is an order when bad, evil and discourse become over inflated. So yes, we as the children of the gods must make sure balance is attained.

BOWYNN GODS: TORA

Tora  (Tor-ah)  Goddess of the night and universal darkness.  She is the creation of Bia at the beginning of time, along with her siblings Saul, Shayla and Daeth. She is not seen as a negative goddess but merely a guardian and essence of the element of night and all that night pertains to. She is particularly much a patron to people who are “night owls” or feel more attuned to work nights. Those that find a bond with Tora will often light floating lanterns to her and send their prayers to Tora using these lanterns as a form of a link between them and Tora.

     Tora was not born with her godly attribute but like her brothers and sister, had to gain it. She wrestled with a pair of great black celestial panthers that were the guardians of the night. Winning them over, she tamed the two great sky cats and made them her steeds instead of destroying them.

     To this days Tora is seen crossing the night sky with two panthers. Tora eventually wed the god Daeth and from them was born the goddess Morrighynn, which took over the control of the moon at night.  Tora also gave birth to the dream goddess Naraea.

     Tora is seen as a motherly goddess, with long black hair and garments of black with silvery accents. She is often seen with her black panthers or as a black panther or black cat herself, when mortals are close by. Sacred to Tora are votive images of black cats and black panthers, as well as any nocturnal creatures. Also sacred to her is candles and lanterns and black tea.

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.