Aelles Tsa'Tarna And Merry Solstice

BOWYNN GODS: SANNA

Sanna  (Sahn-nu-ah)  This race of Kii is much similar to the ancient Greek and Roman “Ichthyocentaur.” That is to say the fore part is human, the back end is of a dolphin and has the front legs of a horse. The Sanna are the kii that protects boats, ports, harbours, and men that depend on the sea as a livilyhood. Bowynn ports will have a Sanna sculpture facing outward as a protective ward.

Bowynn Gods: Mura

Mura  (Mur-rha)  Daughter of Chumash and Kalma, Mura is a goddess of the 1st Gate of Daunnat, the Gate of courage. She is one of the goddesses of Daunnat, the spirit world. It is her gate that spirits reach first on their walk towards the “Fields of Forever.” Mura is not an evil goddess, nor a goddess of judgement.  Her role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. She is the recognizer and bestower of courage for spirits who are afraid of entering Daunnat. And at times even the living will call to Mura for courage. Especially those that have lost a loved one and do not know how to and scared to move on in life.

Mura (4th in line) leading souls along the path of Daunnat

     As goddess of the Gate of Courage, Mura is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram, which is the symbol of the Bowynn Tradition. She also abstains from visiting Alaway, instead she spends time with her folks and the spirts of Daunnat feasting and making merry. Being Daunnat is endlessly vast souls will sometimes get lost and scared. When that is the case Mura is there for them.

Mura (second from the end) with souls and holding two spirit orbs

     Mura has no known totem animal, instead always staying in her true godly form; that of a young lady dressed in green and white with green and white fillet and veil about her brow and head. some times she bears no veil. At times she carries a septagram dish or a shaft of wheat and sword. She is often seen holding spirit orbs that have separated from the soul (which is one of the transitions at death. Sacred to Mura is the septagram, sword and shaft of wheat. During funeral services, a bowl of milk and bread will be left to her and a statuette of the departed.

Bowynn Gods: Ohenn

Ohenn with Anhur and 2 of his 12 daughters

Ohenn  (Oh-hen)  Ohenn is the Bowynn God of time and journal keeper of the gods of mortal's deeds. Ohenn is one of the early gods of the earth. As such Ohenn is the creation of Bia.  Ohenn’s name literally means “Time.”

     When Anhur won the role as the King of the gods, built Alaway and claimed his throne, he gave great honor to Ohenn as a god of time by making him the great timekeeper of gods and mortals. It was Ohenn that divided the hours of the day equally for his 12 daughters, divided the year into months, days, hours, minutes and seconds. Ohenn discovered that there were 5 days left over after he dived the year into 30 days and 12 months. So, he declared a 13th month that has only 5 days to it. These 5 days he declared most sacred to the 5 gods of creation: Bia, Brea, Phoenix, Sumon and Unther. It is Ohenn that makes sure time flows smoothly and steadily and he records the hours in a great library in Alaway. During his stay with the first tribes, Ohenn taught mortals how time is precious and should not be wasted. Nor should it be taken for granted. And he showed them all how to journal their lives, living a record for others to read and learn from.

     Several sacred stories speak of mortals trying to steal away Ohenn's holy hourglass, which controls all time. Most of the stories say these thefts were tried because the mortal made a serious mistake and wanted to correct it or to save the life of a long one. The god Mano tried to steal Ohenn’s time piece to play a trick on Brand and Kord. But Ohenn sent a crow to steal it back. For his crime Ohenn punished Mano by making him clean up a massive tipped over barrel of sand, one grain at a time. It took mano a full year.

     Ohenn is one of the few gods that has no totem animal associated with him and is also one of the few gods that rarely, if ever, leaves Alaway. He is seen as an older man, much like with white hair, beard and moustache. But he is not ancient looking. He is clad in long robes of green and silver and has in hand a staff or hourglass. This hourglass not only is the controller of all time but is also a way Ohenn sees about the world.

     Sacred to Ohenn is all sorts of time pieces; clocks, watches, hourglasses, sun dials, as well as 4 and 12 spoked wheels. The wheel symbolizes the Bowynn calendar and cycles. The sunflower is a sacred gift as it represents the Bowynn New Year; the end of Summer and the beginning of Autumn. The Calendula flower is also sacred to Ohenn, as it is an “all year blooming” flower. These sacred gifts are often gifted to Ohenn in true form or as votive images.

Bowynn Gods: Abbennaea

Abbennaea  (Ab-bhen-nay-ah)  Goddess of all sorts of offerings and libation. She is the daughter of Phaenixx and Sumon. Abbennaea is a rather young goddess, mother-like in appearance, said to be graced with deep red hair. She is the goddess that receives the spiritual essence of the offerings sent to the gods by mortal men and in turn, turns them into “that which is good for all beings.” After the “Great Migration” of mankind, Abbennaea was said to have spent her “7 sacred nights” among the first tribes and taught them the arts of making incense and what offerings were allowed to be offered to the Akua. After the god Mano tricked mankind to sacrifice blood to the gods, it was Abbennaea that had to come back to mortal man, cleanse their altars and re-teach them all that what was acceptable.

    In Alaway, Abbennaea is not only a messenger of the gods but has the duty to purge and cleanse the halls with incense daily; burning Tsa'hekas of incense to dispense the energies from the night before. It was Abbennaea that cleansed the great hall after the battle between Mano and his cousins after one fight took place in the halls of Alaway.

    Abbennaea is said to be of a most loving face and of natural beauty, her garments often of reds and she is depicted always with either a single stick of incense in one hand (or a bundle of sticks). And in the other hand, a libation pitcher. She is often said to take the form of a bird or butterfly if she does mingle among men. The butterfly being her totem

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Soul / Paut - The Sun / Tau Saun

The fifth point of the Numatam {Septagram} is the point that represents all the aspects of the element that is the Soul. (Individuality, Day, Light, Warmth, Rejuvenation, Resurrection, Responsibility, Cycles, Masculinity, Work and Labor). The Soul is the inner you, the part that causes you to think and speak your own mind. It is what makes you unique, even though it is a duplicate of your body. It is the house that protects your spirit. It is your Ghost. And your soul glows bright yellow as bright as the sun, thus encompassing the powers of the sun. The soul is what is awakened first at the start of the day and from its light we get to see what is all around. It warms our body from the chills of the night and rejuvenates us from our sleepiness. Fully awakened the sun and our soul sets us on our daily goals, our work and chores, giving us responsibility. The sun has always warmed our planet and the surrounding planets which rotate around it, century after century – dancing on their life path effortlessly while the sun beams its radiance upon them and us. The power of the sun is a Masculine energy and so from it we all find masculinity in ourselves. The sun is also a primal force for our planet and its people. Without its warmth, as mentioned before, the planet and its inhabitants would not have the means to sustain themselves. The eternal dance between Earth and Sun is very important and recognized by many as a necessity for life to endure and exist. The sun is also associated with the Male or God aspect, linking the harvest with the sun as well. Sun warms crops as they grow and works with the earth to bare fruits and grains for our needs. The virtue of kindness is associated with the Soul, as you walk the earth, the soul calls out to be nice to all of those you meet along the way. With Paut, we awaken and start to explore. The path of the soul is a bright, illuminated one of yellow

Happy Halloween

BOWYNN GODS: TARM

Tarm  (Tarm)  Tarm is the Mammont [Mammoth] god of invention. Tarm and the other mammoth gods were created by Brea and her siblings, along with all animals and humans.

     In the early days when the Giants ruled the world, Tarm was the giant of the winds and winter season. He brought on this season to let the earth rest and fertilize itself. This he did with Brea, his mother. But when the younger gods took over and the brothers of the winds were born, Tarm stepped down from this role, even though Tarm will accompany the god Arn in the winter. Tarm however remained with the Akua because he was a most wise god and would create inventions for the gods and later, he spent the Seven Sacred days with the first tribes and creating items they would need to survive. These inventions were items like brooms, rakes, hand mills and many other items needed to get by every day. Tarm is also the bestower of wisdom to create and discover, so Tarm’s role as a god is still vital.

     Tarm is seen as an older god, grandfatherly, with wild long grey hair. His clothes are simple, earthly colored traveling robes and a wood staff in hand. In his totem form he is seen as a burly mammoth. All items are sacred and offered to Tarm.  Also gifted to Tarm is bowls of milk and woven fans, as well as votive images of mammoths.

Bowynn Bods: Amaetheon

Amaetheon (Ah-may-thee-on)  Amaetheon is the Bowynn God of shepherds, cheese-making, bee-keeping, honey, olive trees, oil making, soap making, harvest, brewing, milking, the protector of groves, farms and orchards, the vine, grapes, berries, fruit and abundance in life. He is the patron to farmers, brewers and shepherds.      Amatheon is the son of Rhya and Anhur. The god, in his role as the discoverer of honey and the art of brewing, makes these his prime attributes. But he is not to be confused with a god of drunkenness such as Bacchus. Infact, he is often seen and spoken of as a god that deplores drunkenness; In the end, making those that abuse his gifts, ill with hangovers and sickness, which they will not soon forget.      Amaetheon is a much beloved god, and many sacred stories are bound to him. Many speak of how he had bestowed onto mortals his many gifts or how he punished those who have mistreated his gifts. One of the more hair-raising tales speak of a group of men that gathered to have a private party, during which wine and ale flowed far too quick and often. The men became so drunk that they started to wreak havoc on their neighbors and all across the city. Getting word of this, Amaetheon directed their blurred vision on their own homes. By morning when the men woke, their homes were totally destroyed by their own drunken state and hands. The men were quickly cast out of their town and forced to wander for months with stones chained to their ankles.

In the 7 sacred days that Amaetheon stayed with the first tribes, he taught man-king all about tending to cows, goats other animals to gather their milk, how to grow fields of fruit trees, bee-keeping and the making of drinks from various trees and plants. 

     Amaethon is seen as a well built young man, with beautiful brown hair and sometimes with an apple or ivy wreath on his brow. His clothes are simple and are tainted in harvest colors. Purple and green however often prominent of colors. He always has a tankard tied to his belt or with a cluster of milk jars over his shoulder. He is said to be a very beautiful god and a charmer with his words and music. Often seen with him are a cow or goat. His image is placed in pantries and cupboards to make sure that they are always overflowing and in orchards for health harvests and its common to have a small shringe to Amaetheon in the Kitchen.

Clear equivalents to Amaetheon are Bacchus and Dionysus.

Bowynn Shrines {Tymons}

In the Bowynn tradition, shrines {Tymons} are often abundant throughout the home. they are mini altars where small tributes and offerings are left, and prayers can be spoken at. Having at least one shrine is common, often to the house patron deity. But having several shrines is the norm: One in the foyer or entry way, one in the kitchen to the hearth gods, one in the bathroom for cleansing and healing and one in the bedroom. Having one outside the house is common and one in the garden. The shrine design is that like a house with for sides. This represents Alaway, the hall of the family of gods. Inside rests the statue icon of a deity. The shrine will usually set in a nook in a wall but if there is no such space in possible, a small shelf is used. And here there is placed a single candle that is lit when praying and a small incense burner. Normally there is space left over to place a flowers, a small offering and/or of a small vessel for libations.

During holidays all these shrines are decorated with garlands or a wreath over them.

Aelles Anj Ohenn

Today is the Bowynn last day of the year. "Anj Ohenn. Literally meaning "Old Year." Which falls on August 31. It is followed by Then Ohenn "New Years".

Unlike western/mundane New Years (December 31/January 1st) It is not just a holiday to get drunk, kiss a girl and call it good. Anj Ohenn has a greater significance. The year is over in the Bowynn tradition, it is the transition of Summer months to Autumn months. Anj Ohenn is the eve before the birth of the god Ohenn, the god of Time itself. It is a 2 day holiday to reflect on how one's time is spent. A time of beginnings and ends. Old projects end and new projects begin. It is also the official first day of Harvest and great offers are made to Deanna on Anj Ohenn and Then Ohenn.

Instead of a glass of wine or other alcohol beverages, the holiday is celebrated with feasting and fun all day long. But it is all done in respects to the gods of the Harvest and Time. Foods of the harvest. In the morning homes are swept clear with chants to be rid of old energy. And on Then Ohenn, a plant or tree seedling is purchased or harvested and brought into the house. In Altars, images of Mice and grain are placed to insure abundance for the new year. Turquoise coins are kissed and then given as gifts, as wishes for others to have a new year. Twelve or Twenty-Four small poppets filled with grains of all sorts are also gifted to young girls and displayed, representing the Nauidd; the daughters of Ohenn and goddesses of the hours. All sorts of time pieces are given as gifts. It is also a holiday to clean and maintain such time pieces.

In the last few years a character has been created to help children understand the true meaning of the holiday, named "Orry." the story tells of Orry as he learns how time is often wasted throughout the year and not used wisely. But in the end he gathers enough seed to give to the birth of baby Ohenn and the magic of the birth increases his meager cluster of grain 100 times over. Enough to get him through the year.

However you spend the Holiday, Aelles Then Ohenn and peace to you all.