Happy Harvest Day!!

Bowynn Gods: Hawynn

Hawynn  (Haw-winn)  Hawynn is the Bowynn God king of all the rivers in the world. But more-more-so the great river Muet, which flows under Alaway (Great Hall of the Gods) and ends up in Duannat (Home of those that have passed) He is also a god of fishing and protector of dams and bridges, and patron to those that depend on rivers for their lively-hoods. He is the son of Sumon and Phoenix.

     Prior to Hawynn's birth and taking of position, Alaway had Kii as water bearers bringing water from a well that was guarded by a serpent. Only the Kii could fetch waters. If any of the Kii drew near, the serpent would attack them into submission.  The fetching of water grew weary on the Kii, who would have to fetch water several times a day. Young Hawynn was fond of the servant Kii and hated to see them toil so. He took the great spear of his father, Tane, and the scrying bauble of his mother, Kalma, and went to subdue the serpent. Using the bauble Hawynn was able to predict the moves of the serpent as they battled. With the spear, Hawynn was able to finally say the beast. Then, using one of the ribs of the creature, Hawynn dug a massive trench to the well and released its waters. Thus, the great river was created and set to flow under Alaway. At the same time the servant Kii were released from their duties. In gratitude, Anhur gave Hawynn his blessing and made lord of all rivers and commander of the great river Muet. The Kii that were the water bearers before-hand were each given a river in the world to bless and sanctify, as all Rivers spiritually branch off of Muet.

     As for Hawynn himself, he took a bride, a Kii named Naea, whose status was raised to that of Goddess because she feasted on immortal foods and therefore, was given the blessing of Bia. When not feasting at night with the gods, Hawynn is busy marking the course of rivers and controlling their floods. Also making sure water is always clean and pure. He is a patron of those that depend on rivers for a livelihood, including mills, dams, power-plants, fishing and miners in some cases.  

     Despite his younger brash and reckless self, Hawynn is a most fun and pleasing god. He more often would hold banquets and riparian events on the banks of Muet than feast in the halls of Alaway and is a wonderful swimmer and fisherman. He is said to bear the face of a young thin man. Hawynn is often seen in a green cloak, with a goat-skin mantle and staff, which he uses to help control the waters. He also is said to always carry with him a drinking horn made from the serpent his slew. The horn is said to magickally hold enough water to drink from for a week. His totem is the otter which he often takes the form of, if not the otter, then he may take the form of a beaver.

My Prayer to Daekk, Lord of Fortune

O Daekk, Glorious Child of Wealth and Fortune, I stand before you, seeking the embrace of your bountiful gifts. You, who dwell in the splendid chambers of Alaway, amidst treasures adorned with lapis and gold, I beckon your innocent spirit to grace my path. With your golden locks and amber eyes, you embody joy and prosperity, guiding us through the currents of abundance. O Divine Infant, transformed by the wisdom of Anhur, grant me the clarity to see beyond mere appearances and superficial riches. Let your laughter ring out amidst the clinking coins and flowing grains as you dispense blessings to all, untainted by bias or pride. May the warmth of your spirit fill the hearts of those in need, that they may also know the sweet taste of fortune's favor.

In humble reverence, I lay before you offerings of coins, fragrant incense, and the sweet milk of the sacred herd. As the mice serve as symbols of fortune, I send forth votive gifts in their likeness, invoking your protection over my endeavors. With these offerings, I present play money inscribed with my deepest prayers, to be buried within the earth alongside a seed, so that as the plant sprouts, so too may my fortunes flourish. O Daekk, from your heavenly cradle, nurture my ambitions and aspirations like the rich soil of Alaway that bears fruit in due season. May I not only seek abundance for myself but take inspiration from your benevolence to share with others in need. Let my hands be open to receive and my heart expansive enough to give freely. As I summon your playful spirit, I pledge to judge not by wealth nor appearance but to celebrate the diverse paths of prosperity in my life. O Daekk, Eternal Child of Alaway, may your blessings flow unceasingly into my heart, guiding my actions and illuminating the lives of those around me. So shall it be, in reverence and love for Daekk, the generous spirit of wealth and sustenance, forever illuminating our lives with abundance.

Syember!

Bowynn Gods: Deanna

Deanna dressed in red with 2 Kii accompanying her

Deaunna (Dee-awn-nah)  Deaunna (Dee-ahn-nah) is the Bowynn goddess of the harvest, gardens, vegetation and in general all foods that are grown. She is also the goddess if growth of new from old. She is the divine daughter of Anhur and Rhya and one of the most important of the Bowynn gods. Deaunna is the seed planter, the gardener, the farmer and the harvester all in one. She can also, if need be, wither or destroy crops to those that have abused her gifts.

     Deaunna has many sacred stories spoken about. But of all of then there are two that are the most prominent standing; the first being her 7-day visit with the first mortal clans-folk. It was during her stay with them, that Deaunna taught mortal man all the arts of farming and growing food, as well as storing and preserving food for winter. Without this important first lesson, mankind would surely have perished. The other blessed sacred tale of Deaunna is her courtship and eventual marriage to the god Amaetheon, lord of the grove, and orchard. United, the divine pair and their talents and lesson, assured mankind's place on earth. Deaunna’s and Amaetheon’s son is Hyu, the divine baker of the gods and their daughter being Io, goddess of the hearth and kitchen. Together, the four-some make a most divine and sacred pantheon all their own.

     When not tending to mortal needs and the earth in general (which is almost always), Deaunna is tending the great gardens and fields that surround Alaway. Here only the most divine of food grow and are tended to by Deaunna. Very few mortals are allowed to eat from this garden but all the seed and foods we eat stem from the gardens and fields of Alaway. Only the hero Allon was allowed to eat from the garden, in doing so, Allon was made immortal.

     Deaunna is seen as a most lovely young woman. Simple yet elegantly dressed. Her clothes bare the colors of her divine gifts, mostly earth times. It is said here hair is a golden color and she wears a wreath of woven wheat on her head. Others have seen her crowned with herbs or fruits. it may all depend on the time of year. On her hip she carries a gardening boline to cut harvested food and herbs. In here hand she is often seen carting either a basket of harvested food, staff and/or winnowing fan.

Embroidery of goddesses including Deaunna (3rd from the right)

BOWYNN GODS: SAUL

Saul  (Sawl)  God of the light and day, born from the will of Bia. As such Saul is a god of the great creatrix along with his brothers and sisters.

     Before Saul, the universe was black and filled with darkness that his brother Daeth and sister Tora ruled over. Saul and his other sister Shayla were opposite of their siblings and grew tired of this eternal night and dark. Saul learned that Light was confined to a small place and guarded by a great celestial lion. Mustering up the bravery that his brother had before him Saul faced down the mighty beast and defeated it. He then unleashed the celestial light and thus the suns and stars were placed in the heavens. And at the same time the law of balance was instilled in the heavens.

     Saul is seen as a young male god of great glorious beauty and radiance. He is said to bare long blond hair and wear a simple light-colored robe, or even wander the heavens naked.  The only scared symbol to Saul is the Lion, which is said he walked the heavens with. Aside from incense, his only other sacred offering is images of golden lions.

BOWYNN GODS: REYE

Reye  (Ray)  Reye is the Bowynn goddess of the hunt, the patron and guardian of wild animals and sacred groves. The name Reye is Bowynn for "rain" and thus she is also the goddess of gentle, life-giving, rain. She is the daughter of Amaetheon and Deanna and her consort is the bear god, Lomaun.

     The sacred stories of Reye are numerous, starting with her birth. Deanna gave birth to Reye while in the deep forest, which she was trying to convert to fertile farmland. But soon after the babe was born a fox dashed out and snatched baby Reye away. For months and years the gods hunted for the child and the fox. Eventually the immortal brothers Kord and Brand came to a small village in a forest and amongst the mortal villagers lived the, now child, Reye who was happily tending and talking to the domesticated farm animals and the fox that originally swiped her away. With a lot of persuasion, the brothers brought Reye back to the gardens of Alaway, where she was reunited with her parents. Her abilities and devotion to the wild and domestic animals granted her attributes to be their patron and protector. She was gifted a bow of yew by the god Herne and a mantle of fox hide by Myliea, the goddess of winter.

     Another sacred story describes Reye’s unconditional love for wild animals when she witnessed mortal hunters that struck down a cougar. Reye tried to comfort the animal, but the hunters drew close. She turned herself into a cougar to lead the hunters away. Once the slayers were lost deep in the woods, Reye returned to the dying cat and with her weeping tears saved the cougar from dying. (Artemis)

     One of the most beautiful of Reye’s scared tales is told in her creation of gentle rains. That’s she was so upset to see forests dying and sleeping each time it got too hot in summer. Lifting her face to the canopy of the forest she let out in song. The song lifted to the canopy and turned into rain. A rain that was able to nurture the forest and keep it from dying.

     While Reye is primarily a goddess that protects animals, she is also a protector of hunters as well; making sure they do not fall in traps or attacked by bears, cats and boars. She also makes sure a hunter hunts only enough to support his himself and his family. Reye condones sport hunters.

     Reye is seen as young woman or late in her teen years with traditional short blond hair and light-blue eyes. She is clad with a simple clothing of buckskin. In hand is often a bow and on her back a quiver of arrows. She is always seen with a fox at her side. Scared to Reye are reeds and cattails, hunting dogs, foxes and hooves animals such as the deer. In temples devoted to Reye, small trees are arranged in barrels about the floor to simulate the forest. A special offering to Reye is bowls and libations of rainwater, as well as life size votive images of foxes and deer.

BOWYNN GODS: SUNII

Sunii  (Suen-eye)  Wind Kii that often accompany the wind gods. while not the true gods of the winds, they can be brewers of calm breezes or assist in the conjuring harsh winds. Most are human size and winged in description and like all Kii are numerous.

QUESTION & ANSWER: Money

QUESTION: Is there any sort of fees Bowynn practitioners pay out for services

ANSWER: This is a general question that can cover several practices. I will do the best to cover what I can.

A Bowynn Myst [Witch] ethically and morally should never, ever, ask for any sort of fee for services rendered. We believe that the inherent gifts a Myst has, is a greater gift bestowed by the gods. As such charging a fee is unethical, immoral and sacrilegious.

The same holds true to doing divinatory help for others.

The same holds true for any religious services granted to others; like births, naming, marriage, death, 7th hour and blessings. If one feels obliged, gifts / offerings of a meal or baked goods is best. But a Bowynn priest/ess will never accept money for services rendered. Again, on the grounds of ethics.

When it comes to practitioner's gatherings, money can be offered to help find gatherings (for buying supplies that may be needed, like feast food, chairs, tables, incense and so on) But no should never feel obliged to do so. Gifts of foods, supplies and general help is much better.. In short, no, we do not collect "dues".

Often, I personally have been told that not taking money makes people question your skills and abilities. To this I say the following: Then how much do you pay your God/s when they bestow a gift to you??? What are their hourly rates??? Taking or not taking money does not demean our abilities. We do not condone other people from other faiths if they feel they must pay a tithe, but it's not our way.

Bowynn Gods: Hyu

Hyu  (Hi-you)  Hyu is the God of baking, ovens and bread. He is the “Baker of the Gods.” He is also the god of bread making, mills, harvesting wheat, the grinding of flour, acorn gathering and the patron of bakers. He is the son of Amaetheon and Deanna. His man means “Flour.” Hyu is a master bread maker. He has his own room and kitchen at Alaway, where he makes all the feasts for the divine Akua family each morning and night, particularly the daily first loaf, which is divided up among the gods. He taught the first mortal tribes how to harvest and prepare acorns for bread making. The bread he makes for the holy family is the most sacred. Hyu is also the guardian of mills. His image was always depicted on mill doors and all mills had a small shrine to Hyu. Hand mills are blessed in Hyu’s name.

     The 7 days Hyu spent with the first tribes to teach them the arts of bread making. This was one of the key elements that brought on man’s survival. So grateful were the tribes, that they build a special temple to Hyu in the shape a mill, instead of the typical shape. The altar as well was designed in the shape of a millstone.

     Hyu is depicted as a man of full age, His hair longish and brown, often seen in workman’s clothes of earth tones and a bakers tan tunic. He carries a broom-staff to which is bound his bread-board with red fillets, a color sacred to him. Offerings to Hyu are in the realm of bread, wheat, flour, acorns, and other grains that are made into flour. Special gifts also consist of elaborated carved spoons, brooms, bread-boards, honey and herb cakes. Hyu’s totem is the mouse, the symbol of abundant wealth.

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!

Blessed Winter Solstice