Bowynn Gods: Bryathenaea

Bowynn Gods: Bryathenaea

Bryathenaea (Bry-a-then-naya)  Brianthenaea is the great Bowynn patroness goddess. She is the great protector of all things and all Bowynn people. Though armored with shield, she is not a war goddess nor wager of trouble in any way, shape nor form. She is the type of woman that will protect her children and lead them on the righht course. She is the goddess of wisdom as well. Briathenaea is the daughter of Anhur and Rhya.

     It was Briathenaea that is said to have shielded the first tribes of mortals on the Great Migration from the south into Europe, shielding them also from the burning sun with a shield that was gifted to her by the god Gondor. Upon reaching Europe across the Bosphorus, Brianthenaea brought the people into a valley that had a bounty of apple trees to eat, drink, build and craft from. When the tribes settled in Europe, Briathenaea stayed with them for 7 days. In that time, she showed them the art of growing orchards and how to make things from its leaves, roots, flowers and wood. In that same wood she also created the first Bowynn alphabet, showing them how to write and read, make paper, books and scrolls. To date, a Bowynn Coden is only made of paper made from apple trees and its coover made from the wood. Only ink from its leaves can be used. For the people she created the hoe, spade/shovel, fork, rope and axe. On the last night Briathenaea told the tribes of mortals that she had to leave but if ever they were in need of her to look into the eyes of an owl and they would know she is there. For the owl is her most scared animal and the form she takes the form of most.

      When war loomed over the first tribes Briathenaea brought forth a great herd of horses for them to use in battle against the Southern Nation armies. The goddess quickly came and protected the women, children and homes with her shield. Today every Bowynn home has a shrine or even an altar to Bryathenaea. She is the very core and symbol of the Bowynn.

     Though Briathenaea is a goddess that neither wed nor gave birth, many swear that her stature is of a full mature woman. The people are her family. Briathenaea is said to have crow-black hair that is wavy and pulled back. Her eyes or that of forest green and her skin tanned. Her garment is said to be the color of sage-green and/or green in general. Over her dress she wears a long leather hladd that is well decorated. Some images have her holding an apple seed in her hand or cutting of an apple tree.  Often seen with Briathenaea is a barn owl, one of the rare owls that lives closest with people and yet still at a distance. Other times Briathenaea presents herself directly. Farms and orchards are blessed in her name yearly, along with the god Amaetheon and Deanna,

Sacred to the goddess are the gifts of Votive Owls, Apples, Apple wood, Books and Scrolls and Runes. Farm implements are sometimes also offered to her.

Embroidered bookmark of Briathenaea with Io and Kalma - Created by Rose Everett 1999

Bowynn Gods: Alaway

Alaway  (Al-lah-way)  Alaway is the great house of the gods. To be more precise it is the "nightly" hall of the gods. Alaway was created by lord Anhur on earth, built alone, by his own hands, as asked by his bride-to-be Rhya. This she asked to prove his love to her, demanding the building be completed in 7 days. With godly strength, speed and skill Anhur did in fact complete the great structure.

    While Alaway was originally only meant to be a dining hall of the gods, there are individual chambers for sleeping as well, though there are some gods do not use them, as their positions on are require them to be elsewhere, even Anhur at times. The Ano-Taya, goddesses of fate, reside in Alaway all the time, never leaving their work. They, and a small handful of other gods, reside in Alaway almost all the time.

     Alaway is described as a grand building standing over the river Muet. There are said to be many posts holding up the roof, carved from solid trees. The windows are made of cut crystals, each one depicting the first 7 days of creation and divine weddings. At the double doors that lead inside stands young Drudenn, who is the key-holder to Alaway. The whole of inside of Alaway is said to be painted in a magnificent colors, with white decorative trim. Inside the great hall there is a magnificent hearth, encircled in green marble and lanterns made of amber hang everywhere; the great hearth is tended by the goddess’s Io and Phaenixx and the god Hyu. About the hearth are many mats, cushions and seats for each god. The great kitchen is maintained by a series of Kii, entrusted with cleaning and cleansing, preparing mighty feasts for the gods. In the great hall, the walls are lined with the four tapestries of life woven by the Ano Taya. The palace is said to be lit with alabaster and ivory lamps, decorated in the most highest of fashion. The bed chambers are said to be decorated with great tapestries and the beds covered with woven blankets and furs.

    Though built on earth, Alaway is no longer visible nor reachable by mortal man. Very few mortals have ever found or been invited to Alaway mostly due to disbelief or other reason due to their individual sins. But it's really not a place for mortals.

Bowynn Gods: Adarro

Adarro  (Ah-dar-rho)  A god of friendly water and the sea. He is sometimes called “White Dolphin Spirit.” Adarro is the son of Sumon and Phoenix. Adarro is called the fisherman’s god, as he brings good fishing to men and protects them as well. He is a joyful god and when not swimming about the waves can be seen joyfully dancing about the beach, celebrating with mortals. In this way he can also be seen as a god of abundance, to those that depend on the sea for food. And some attribute the skill/sport of surfing to Adarro. He is often summoned before a beach gathering, to bless the celebration and asked to join in on the fun.

    There are little sacred tales of Adarro, as he seems to avoid trouble, instead enjoying his times in the water and beaches. During the Seven Sacred Days, Adarro spent his time with mortals, teaching them how to catch fish, build boats and weave nets and trap-baskets. He also showed mortals how to avoid the waters when they could be destructive.

    Adarro is seen as a most handsome youthful sea god; his hair is blond and curly, and his body is lean and tanned by the sun. Often, he is seen without clothing or just a wearing a long “stola.” Sacred offerings to the god come in the form of meals of fish, star-fish & dolphin votives, water lilies, seaweed and of course incense.

Bowynn Gods: Brand

Brand (Brand)  Brand is the god of music, prophecy and oracles. Brand is the son of Anhur and Rhya and the twin brother to Kord and brother of Brenda. His very name means “Light.” Not physical light but Light as in “Enlightenment.”

     There was always a special friendship and bond between Brand and his brother Kord. This was clear from their birth. So close were the two that their cousin Mano became enraged with jealousy. Often Mano would pick on the brothers. Brand in particular for Brand was considered the most handsome of the male gods. So, it was more than often that Mano would play practical jokes on the two. This went on for many years. However, one day, one of Mano’s jokes went too far and backfired on himself. So enraged, Mano wanted revenge on Kord and Brand more than ever.  He took Brand’s sister Brenda, the goddess of love and hid her in a cave and trapped her there. This started a long war between the three young men. Then one day while Brand was sleeping in a field, Mano attacked and slew him. Kord in the meantime, not knowing this, snuck into Mano’s home and freed Brenda.

     When they got back to Brand, it was too late, the handsome god was dead. While Brenda wept for her brother, Kord went on a mad hunt and after a long battle, defeated Mano and imprisoned him. Back at his brother’s side, Kord and Brenda wept and begged the gods of the world of souls to bring Brand back. Anhur said that to bring Brand back, Kord and Brenda would have to go to the underworld and bargain with Chumash. This Brenda and Kord did and the god was taken back with Brenda's plea that Chumash brought Brand back to life.

      It was also during this war against Mano that Brand and his brother Kord created the Kii in order to protect the land that battled on and mortals. Some of the Kii they created were small and others large, depending on the attribute they were bestowed to protect. Not to be outdone however Mano created the Tii, spirits of ill repute.

Since Brand's resurrection Brand took up less of a role as a warrior and more of a god of wisdom. He built, with the help of the god Kane, the first Vlanato Thanto {Oracle's Temple}, blessed and sanctified the first Vlanatos {Oracles} and gave instructions on the design for Bowynn Thantos {Temples}. He also created the strict codes by which all vlanstos need to live by. By taking the Bowynn alphabet he devised a divination system for people to use.

      Together with his brother Kord, the two represent the epitamy of brotherhood and friendship. One being the defended and protector and Brand being the thinking and voice of wisdom. The two together see over friendship and the rights of blood-brother making. They guard well over such friendships. Brand’s harp and voice is said to be that which brings such friendships together.

     Brand is considered of all the gods, the most handsome. This beauty is called ‘radiant’, and some say his presence and beautiful radiance has a sort of hypnotic power. Brand and Kord’s deep friendship are considered the very symbolism of true brotherhood. In art and in visions Brand is at most times depicted as a handsome young man, clean shaven, with light colored hair and carrying either a lute or flute. Brand has two immortal golden gryphons as steeds, which are his companions. Their names are Amber Wind and Honey Wind. Sacred to Brand are the Gryphon, Cattle, the harp, flute, amber stone and wreath of oranges or limes.

Kord and Brand Bronze of Brand

Bowynn Gods: Ano Taya

Ano Taya  (An-oh Tay-ya)  The Ano Taya are three goddesses that preside over “Fate.” The three goddesses are Nae (the past)  Narna (The present)  Nareen (The future). The Ano Taya are 3 of the few gods that never leave Alaway. Instead, they forever sit in front of a giant loom and weave the great tapestry of life; whose threads present every mortal ever born. Unlike the Greek and Roman Fates, the threads do not hold the very essence of mortal life. So, if they are cut, mortals do not die. The threads of the Ano Taya weave represent the paths of life we take, the threads that are woven in with are those we met in life. Grandmother Nareen tends to what was woven. Mother Narna weaves in the new threads and Nae prepares the threads that shall be woven into the loom.

     It is said that when the Ano Taya finish the current tapestry of life, this age is over. Then they will then start over making a new tapestry, and a new age shall begin. Currently mankind is the forth tapestry woven by the Ano Taya. The past tapestries they have created are hung in the great hall of Alaway.

     Sacred gifts offered to the Ano Taya goddesses are candles of white, red and purple. Also Fillets of the same color and votive images of the goddesses. The number 3 is most sacred to the Ano Taya so any offerings in the amount of 3 are most welcome by the Ano Taya.

Bowynn Gods: Chumash

"Akua Naedarren" 2000 - left to right: Chumash, Tane and Anhur.

Chumash (Chu-mosh)  Chumash is the Bowynn guardian of passed Spirits and the Lord King of the next world, Daunnat. He is the son of Brea and Unthar and the brother of Sumon and Anhur.

     Unlike other mythologies and sacred stories of gods of the dead from around the world, Chumash is not a god to be fear. And depicting his as such is sacrilegious. He has no hatred, vengeance nor ill thoughts about him. He is a very kind soul for one that bears a crown on his head. In Daunnat he is the guardian of the souls and spirits that have passed, as well as Lord King of the other gods that dwell in Daunnat. Next to him sits his wife and most beloved queen, the goddess Kalma. Being the king of Daunnat is not just a status position but a lot of work. During the day, Chumash makes sure that souls and spirits are rightfully separated from their mortal husk; He makes sure that souls and spirits do not leave Duannat and living mortals do not enter Daunnat. In some cases, he is the judge of the dead, in that he may return souls and spirit back to the mortal world to be born again if they did not attain the lessons given to them at birth. In some cases, Chumash reunites family members that may not be able to find their past loved ones. At night Chumash leads the great feasts with the souls, making sure all have plenty of food to eat and drink and that music lasts throughout the night. Daunnat is very much the Architect of Daunnat and the creator of rites of the dead.

     Chumash should never be considered as a god of the cause nor effect of death itself. He does not bring death to mortals, nor does he send out agents of death to slay mortals on a whim. He has no dark side at all to him. Nor do any of the gods of Daunnat, in fact. Prior to Chumash taking the throne of Daunnat, there was no keeper or watcher of souls, and they would wander in and out freely, sometimes haunting mortals. Then one day Chumash and his brothers held contest as to who would be king of what realm: Earth, Sea and Daunnat. Each man drew an arrow and shot it. Wherever their arrow landed was the realm they would rule over. Chumash's flew the furthest and into an endless chasm; Thus, winning the kingdom of Daunnat. His other brothers laughed at Chumash, judging him as the winner of the worst prize. But he swore that he would make the kingdom of Daunnat more beautiful than any other kingdom of the living. And through hard work and the help of other gods, this became so. After this task was complete, Chumash asked the goddess Kalma to be his wife. However, she turned up the request several times. He bathed her with gifts of gold and jewelry, but she still turned his marriage proposal down. Finally, she accepted his hand when he offered her a single flower, an iris. It is now that flower that grows in abundance in Daunnat and by laying iris flowers on a grave, we honor the Chumash

     Chumash may be a light-hearted god, but he has a dark physical profile. His hair is said to be black and curly, as is his beard and moustache. His skin is tanned dark, and his eyes are chocolate brown and deep. Still, he is hardly a divinity to be feared. Sacred to Chumash are the gifts of votive dogs, Iris and Poppy flowers as well as all 7 sacred offerings of the Bowynn Tradition.

Chumash and Anhur Anhur, Tane and Chumash

Felt & Embroidery ribbon trim of Chumash and the gods of Daunnat