Bowynn Gods: Briora

Bowynn Gods: Briora

Briora  (Bry-or-rah)  The Briora are Kii (spirits, fairies, nymphs) of wisdom, organizers of books and protectors of buildings like libraries and other places where tomes of knowledge and records are kept. The Briora are diminutive spirits a lot like their European Fae cousins but do not bare wings at all. They take up residence in libraries among the books, where they indulge in reading, cleaning, maintaining and sorting books that are out of place. The Briora are the immortal essence of the term “A treasure in books.” In Bowynn libraries, images of the Briora and a shrine to them are kept. Most heavy readers will even places small images of Briora on their own bookshelves. Gifts to them are generally simple like a candle and incense. Even candy. 

Bowynn Gods: Allapae

Allapae (Al-lah-pay)  This is the name for the “Upper World” or better known as space, the universe and sky. Allapae is where the celestial bodies are located and where the god Unthar resides and where Morrighynn and Hern drive the moon and sun. Also where Naraea spins her web in the night sky. It is from Allapae where Bia and the first gods (Brea, Phoenix, Sumon and their siblings) came from.

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

Bowynn Gods: Arn

Arn  (Arn)  God of the North wind and the lord of the north. In some respects also the god of winter. He is often called “The Winter Wizard.” He is the eldest of the wind gods and as such, he is sometimes considered their watchers. Arn is the god that the goddess Myliea wed on the holiday of Kymeliea (also known as Candlemas and Imbolc). Their home resides in the far north and he accompanies Myliea on her first appearance on the winter solstice. In some ways, Arn is seen as a Bowynn version of Father Christmas and Santa Claus; On Winter Solstice eve Arn visits the homes that are decked in winter finery and have a candle lit in the window. If content, Arn will knock his staff on the doors and shutters, blessing the house and leaving a small gift at the door. Often these are in the form of foods; nuts, dried fruit and for kids, candy is left. Much like his contemporary, Arn has a stable that houses 12 great elk, which serve as his mounts.

     Arn is seen as an elderly man, sometimes adorned with white bird wings. His garments are of blue color, a wreath of holly on his head and in his hands, a staff with lantern on top, shaped like an acorn. When not in his godly form, he will appear as a white wolf or cardinal. Both of which are sacred to the god. On his side is a shoulder bag which holds the gifts to mankind. Arn is sometimes seen accompanied by the older winter mammoth god, Yormell, who also bears the same title of “The Winter Wizard.”

     Sacred gifts and offerings to Arn often consist of milk, fresh water, elk, wolf, feathers, cardinal, snow and white flowers. Pretty much anything winter and north wind related is sacred to him.

Bowynn Gods: Anhur

Anhur (An-her)  Anhur is King-Father of the gods, Son of Brea and Unthar. Anhur is the god of families, men, fatherhood, laws, virtues, courtrooms, justice and men’s rites.  Anhur is the son of Unthar and Brea. He is the ruler of the earth and considered king of the Gods in the Bowynn faith. Being the figure-head of all the Akua, he upholds law, justice and morals, and this made him the spiritual leader of both gods and mortals. His symbols are the scepter, the hawk, wolf and the Maple Tree. Ultimately, Anhur is the God of Councils and councilors. He is a patron to all men and men’s rites, rituals and initiations. He lends wisdom to fathers. He is the god-king of justice, law, order and all virtues. He is a god of protection, liberty and freedom. Anhur is protector and patron of the king and his family. As the supreme deity, Anhur oversees the conduct of civilized life.     

      When born, Anhur and his brothers Chumash and Tane were living in the Second Age. Back then the rulers of the gods were his parents, aunts and uncles. The three boys quarreled often to their parents, who of the three would end up ruling what realm of the earth. The gods sent them into contest with a bow and arrow. The rules were that wherever the arrow that each one of the boys shot would land, that would be the realm they would rule. Tane’s arrow landed in the sea and Chumash’s landed in on another continent where one day mortal spirits would make their home far across the western sea. Anhur’s arrow however landed in a tree. None of the gods could agree what the ruling would be for such a shot. The Great Creator Bia was asked to judge the shot and Bia ruled that the realm Anhur would rule was the earth and the air. And so Anhur’s Kingdom was gained

     Next Anhur set on his first great task; to attain his totem animal. He picked not just the wolf but the king of the wolves, Lankner. But Lankner refused to be treated as a Totem animal. This led to a great chase and battle between Lankner and the young Anhur. Eventually the chases and wrestling were too much for the king of wolves and his mortal body collapsed and died. Grief stricken, Anhur saved the soul of Lankner from entering Daunnat and thus not only obtained his totem but to this day, he is Anhur’s immortal hound. Not as a pet but as a brother.

     Anhur fell in love with the Goddess Rhya. But she refused his advances till he showed her his true love. by Rhya's request, Anhur built the great Hall of the Gods, Alaway. This was not to be a home for them to stay in all the time but a place to where all the gods would meet for evening meal and sleep. It was said that an oath was made with all the gods that no matter what friction was fused during the day between the gods, when they enter Alaway to eat, all differences were left outside. It took Anhur 7 days to complete Alaway alone, but its completed state would make it the grandest of all hallows. (see “Alaway”)

     Anhur in appearance does not come off as a king, as much as he is seen as a father figure. That is to say he seems to present himself as a man in his 40s. Fully bearded, crowned with a circlet, helm or a wreath of maple leaves and with a staff in hand. His hair is said to be golden brown and his eyes green. Often Anhur is seen with Lanker the immortal wolf, or a wolf himself. His clothes are that is a counselor, warrior or a king, but of earthen colors.

Embroidry & Paint of Chumash (left) and Anhur (right) - created by Ksandra Weldess - 2011

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.