My Prayer To Deanna, Of Abundance

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: Ikarro

Ikarro  (Ih-kar-ro) The Milky Way. The bridge that lead the gods to earth at the beginning of time. The bridge was removed after the creatrix goddess Brea descended to earth and became trapped there. The Ikarro is a divine symbol of where there was chaos and sadness, balance and happiness will come. 

My Prayer to Briathenaea, Goddess of Inspiration

O Mighty Briathenaea, Daughter of Anhur and Rhya, I stand before you, a humble child of the Bowynn, seeking your divine protection and wisdom. Guardian of all, you who don armor yet wield your shield not in malice but in nurturing strength, I honor your presence as my guiding light. O Briathenaea, Great Protector, encircle me with your steadfast shield, granting me courage in the face of adversity. As you shielded our ancestors on their Great Migration, let your unwavering support guide me through the journeys of my life. Bestow upon me your wisdom, that I may forge my path with the strength of invention and the clarity of thought. In your name, I offer gratitude for the blessings of nature you bestowed upon us—the bounty of apple trees that nourish body and spirit. As you taught our forebears the art of cultivation, may the seeds I sow in my life flourish under your sacred guidance. May I harness the creativity that flows from you, crafting tools and words that serve the greater good.

O Divine Briathenaea, your sacred owl flies high in the sky, a symbol of your ever-watchful presence. When I find myself in need, may I see your reflection in its wise eyes, reminding me of your eternal support. And let me always cherish the horses you gifted us, powerful companions in both work and battle. Train my heart to ride with grace and strength, to face challenges boldly. O Warrior of Sage-Green, as you walk amongst us, may your wisdom inspire my actions and words. I honor the sword that remains sheathed, a reminder that true strength lies in protection, not aggression. In the image of your shield, bright with the sun and the owl, I find hope and resilience. In your honor, I lay before you votive owls, apples rich with promise, and tools of the earth. May these gifts speak to your spirit, intertwining our fates as we strive towards wisdom and unity. Allow my heart and mind to remain open to the teachings you so graciously impart. So shall it be, enveloped in the blessings of Briathenaea, the Patroness Goddess of the Bowynn.

Aelles Ky'Kora!

Blessings to all on this first of Ky'Kora. Blessings to all. May the abundance, joy and frivolity of this holiday find you and fill you all with happiness and may you find the child within.

Indeed, today is the first day of the Bowynn holiday of Ky'Kora. That is to say Mid-Autumn. So, legends and holy Books say: Hern, our great god journeyed to the great western mountains and spoke to Bia, the great creator, after seeing mankind's neglect of harvesting the gifts the gods gave them. Saddened, Hern realized what he had to do to help man survive. On the eve of Kykora (Samhain), Hern proclaimed one finally great hunt to the mortal hunters. During the hunt, Hern turned himself into a mighty stag and gave himself to humanity so they may survive. This is why we celebrate. We celebrate also this time of year as the second to last harvest; By now 90% of what was planted in spring and late February is gathered.

The first day of Ky'Kora (October 30) is used to clean and cleanse the house, temple, altar, and oneself. It is a mellow day. Soft harvest music is played, soft sad hymns are sung, for we are mourning the loss of Hern. Little food is eaten, in respect for our ancestors, and what is ate this day is bland, abstaining from herbs, spice, salts, sugars and sweets. And no meat is eaten at all this day, not even fish nor poultry. Usually, unsalted soups and slices of bread are the meal of the day.

Homes are purged of all ills and negativity: a procession of candlelight, incense, holy water and sound (drink or chime) is marched along inside the house, room to room banishing all of the ill's that may linger. Then decorations for the holiday are hung and displayed: Garlands, Wreathes, Carved gourds, Draperies of the harvest seasonal colors. On home alters and shrines, an icon of Hern or a deer is placed, in memory of Hern's blessed gift to us.

Some of use will use the day for long walks and self-review as to what we are grateful for, taking in the beauty of what nature looks like right now all around us. absorbing the beauty and color of the day and autumn. And in this time, we also give thanks to the goddess Kora, the goddess of the season and who's name the holiday it is named after, and to her beautiful consort Ryan, the god of the West Wind, who fans the colors of change into the leaves and cools down the earth.

At late night we come together as a family and friends and hold ceremony and private vigils at temple and home altars, often led with an icon of Hern beings carried to the altar. Candles in gourds are lit and the spirits we call Jakk's are invoked to spend the night at home, keeping the home in its family safe. Hymns are hummed and sung to Hern and his beloved Morrighynn this night. For we remember that the goddess of the moon has lost he beautiful and divine husband.

So, as you see, while there may be a few scatterings of similarity to the Wiccan/Keltic Samhain, there is little connection otherwise. It is not a time of honoring our own dead, (we do that another time of the year) it is about the death and the giving of our lord Hern so that humanity survives.

BOWYNN GODS: VELLA

Vella (Vel-Lha)  Goddess of Jewelry, Gold and Silver Smithing. She is the daughter of Brea and Unthar and the sister of Panu. She is also the patroness of jewelers, jewel-smiths.

     No know sacred stories of Vella exist. All that is spoke of her is that she wed the God Gondor and lives with him, Kalen and Panu in a grand yet simple smithy deep in the sacred forests of Alaway, where she crafts gifts for mortals and immortals alike. For mortals, these gifts will appear as a strange find in some manner or another.

     Vella appears as young woman with black hair and light eyes. She wears simple clothes, as with those she resides with. His simple woven dress is said to be of an orange or rust color with yellow accents. In her hand she is said to hold pinchers or tongs. Sacred to Vella are all the tools a jeweler would use as well as gem stones, time pieces and or course incense.   

BOWYNN GODS: Tii

Tii  (Ty)  Spirits of ill nature, ill luck and destruction. These evil spirits were created by the god Mano, in his attempt to raise an army to war with his cousins Kord and Brand. These destructive spirits were counter-acted with the creation of the Kii by Brand and Kord, to protect mortals from the wrath of the Tii. While many were destroyed, they could not defeat all and spread throughout the world, bringing with them many of the ills of mankind.

     Tii, unlike Kii only come in one size. They are diminutive folk, much like popular fairies, with black bird with and black hair. Like their creator Mano, Tii are not called forward, invoked, worshipped or prayed to. They are destructive and if summoned will not do what they are asked to do but do as they wish. Tii are the manifested powers of all that is evil in the world. Instead, there are many rites and spells to ward these destructive Tii away.

BOWYNN GODS: SAPHON

Saphon  (Saf-fon)  God of the south and south wind. Saphon is the son of Herne and Morrighynn and the brother to Arn, Lyan and Ryan. As lord of the south, his home was what some may call “The Summerlands” but this is not the next world, more like deserts lands of the south..

     Saphon is one of four sons to Morrighynn and Herne. Like all his brothers, Saphon is winged with great golden majestic wings. It is Saphon who blows the hot winds of the summer and southlands. His wind turns leaves on the trees green and changes the hue of grass. Saphon is seen as a father-like figure with longish blond hair and beard and moustache, his eye color is that of either green or amber, depending who you talk to. His garments are of yellows, tans and gold. He is said to wear a wide brimmed leather hat on his head to shade himself from the summer heat and sun. Often he is seen on the first day of summer with his consort Tarna, Goddess of the summer season. It is said that of the four wind gods, Saphon is the second eldest after Arn. Some claim that they can see Saphon walking with a winged lion or cougar. Which would make sense as these animals are sun and heat related and is Saphon’s totem animal.      Sacred symbols to Saphon are summertime symbols like ferns, sun symbols and the hat he wears. Shrines to Saphon often have wind chimes hung in them as well as clear glass suns. Common gifts and offerings to Saphon are bowls of milk, fans, votive images of lions and incense.

Happy Halloween

BOWYNN GODS: VADYSS

Vadyss  (Vah-dys)  God of Duannat who separates the Soul, Spirit and Body before it travels on to Daunnat. Son of Chumash and Kalma, he is considered one of the funerary gods of the Bowynn faith. Being that the body itself is no longer functional, it cannot travel to Daunnat. This is where Vadyss comes in and with his power the Soul and Spirit separate from the body and it is these that Heron takes on to Daunnat, leaving the mortal husk of the deceased for the mortal world.

     Vadyss is the eldest of the funerary gods of Daunnat. As such, his appearance is that of a father figure; a man of great stature, said to be bald but bearing a beard and moustache. His clothes are said to be black robes and, in his hand, he holds a staff. Sacred to Vadyss is mainly incense but many offer flowers to him as well.

Bowynn Gods: The Aetennii

Small wood carving made for a pet burial area - made by Myself - 1999

Aetennii  (Ae-ten-ni)  The Aetennii are guardian Kii (spirits) of Bowynn cemeteries and protectors of tombs and cemetaries. These Kii are bird size and are much like the typical Kii with bird wings. They do not accompany the deliverer of the dead, Heron but will often signal to Heron that a loved one was just laid to rest, and its soul and spirit require his assistance. The Aetennii do not serve the soul, spirit or body but instead the cemetery itself and the tombs within. Making sure they do not suffer damage, be it natural or manmade.

Typically, images of the Aetennii are placed on the entrance way of the cemetery but also on the tombs themselves. In the Bowynn tradition, any bird seen in a cemetery is an Aetennii in disguise, particularly if a heron is with them.

Flowers and libation are gifted to the Aetennii my grounds keepers monthly and their images are cleaned and polished up.