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BOWYNN GODS: TREYA
Treya (Trae-ah) Goddess of sunset and dusk. She is the daughter of Shayla and Saul and sister of Enya. Aside from the goddess of these two periods of time, she is also the goddess if the evening frost. In her roles, she is the messenger of the celestial gods and goddesses; waking them up so they can fulfill their roles and duties. She is the herald of the dusk, painting the skies vibrant colors during these time periods. As a goddess of the evening, she also coats the ground with evening frost, so to lull the earth to sleep for the night.
There are no sacred stories of Treya, as her role is fixed and too important to stray from, for her to be partaking in the deeds and dealings of gods and men.
Treya is seen as a glorious young woman, often winged and clad in a gown and hladd of hues the colors of a sunset - purples, yellows, red and gold. Her hair is said to be red and long and eyes of a sunset. In hand she is often depicted with a pitcher which her evening frost is stored. Her brow bears a circlet with a gem in it, representing the Evening Star, Venus. Her totem animal is the Firefly or Lightning Bug, which she will at times take the form of. Other times she is said to have a circlet of Fire-Flys about her brow, much like Moryghynn and Mystara. For Treya, there is a special offering prepared with is that of a holy meal “Matenerm.” These are plates of food offered at sunset hours. Other scared gifts to Treya are tea libations, small lanterns, honey, flowers, and votive images of fireflies.
BOWYNN GODS: TSELLET
Tsellet (T-sel-let) Goddess of Duannat who purifies the soul of those that have passed away. She is the daughter of Chumash and Kalma and the sister of the keepers of the gates of Duannat.
She is considered in some way a Handmaiden of Daunnat but her role is so much bigger than that. Her role is to make sure that each and every soul that enters Daunnat is purged of all its worldly sins and ills. No soul can enter Daunnat otherwise. It is done there a series of chants and the four sacred cleansings by earth, air, fire and water. Once the soul is cleansed of all impurities, only then will Tsellet allow a soul to pass on.
It is said that Tsellet’s home is not in Daunnat itself by on the far beach of Evermore, just before one reaches the first gate to Daunnat. Sadly Tsellet is a lone body where her home is.
Tsellet is described and depicted as a young goddess with her hair pulled back and simple clothing in the colors of browns and lavender. It has been said that she is always seen with a basket in hand, which contains all the implements used to purge souls of sin and illness. Other times she is said to just hold a lavender wand in her hand. Sacred to Tsellet is Lavender itself and well as all scents that are used to purge away ills. These scents are often gifted to her in 7 bowls and often during a funeral rite, as Tsellet is rarely prayed to else someone has passed on.
BOWYNN GODS: TYA
Tya (right) along with her sisters Brea and a priestess
Tya (Ty-ah) Goddess of the element of Spirit and one of the first gods to come out of Bia’s creation. She is the sister to Brea, Unthar and the others. She is the goddess of the element of spirit, faith, spirituality and the human spirit.
During the creation of Mankind, it was Tya that placed a bit of herself into the first clay figures, giving them each a sense of feeling, hope and purpose. This she also did to all the first animals that were created. This was the only sacred story attributed to Tya and yet she, along with her siblings all holds the highest place of honor in Alaway.
Tya is seen as a rather young woman despite her time of reign. She is depicted and seen in visions with short hair, wearing a rather simple dress and hladd of blue or purple and a circlet on her head. Tya bears no totem animal but claims all are hers. All forms of offerings are sacred to Tya but ultimately candles and incense are the most divine gifts to Tya.
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: TYR
Tyr (Teer) God of protection, soldiers and war. He is the son of Anhur and Rhya. Many think of Tyr as a match to the gods Mars, Ares and the German god Tyr. But the Bowynn god is not an instagator of war. Nor is he wild and unruly. Tyr is a god that protects against war, protections soldiers from death and a defender. Tyr is a god that is the patron of soldiers and a god of general protection from harm. There is nothing to fear about Tyr.
Tyr is one of the gods of the Bowynn faith that has endless sacred tales. Not by the wars he wages by by the lives he saves. His first major tale, speaks of he and his sister Briathenaea protection the first tribes of people as they migrated from the south. With arms raised the two siblings protected the tribes from the burning sun with the shields. In the many tales of wars and battles, Tyr was the god out front to guard his people from death and injury. Tyr is also the god people pray to bring skirmishes to an end fast. At the same time, Tyr is a god that will seek retribution to anyone that wages war. Most of the sacred tales of Tyr coincide with the theme of his guarding Bowynn soldiers in times of war, but Tyr has also been a judge on godly contests and tales of love. The most famed of Tyr’s love stories is for his love of the young female Kii, Quallin. She was a most beautiful Kii but her heart was originally for another male Kii. Tyr fell madly in love with Quallin almost instantly. And she fell for his charm and strength. But when Tyr found her kissing a handsome male Kii named Baul, Tyr went in to such a rage and Tyr blindly slew Baul. The murder was seen by other Kii who quickly delivered to word to Anhur himself. Summoning Tyr to Alaway, the gods cast judgment on Tyr’s act and Anhur sentences his son to 25 years of service to Chumash in Daunnat. In that time Tyr fell into great despair, thinking in that time Quallin would forget him. But when Tyr’s term of servitude was over, he found Quanill waiting for him on the shore’s of Evermore. The two returned to Alaway where they were wed and Quanill was granted immortality.
Tyr is seen as a strong god with long raven black hair and sporting a slight beard. His clothes vary from a black doublet to being fully armored. Whichever he is seen wearing, he still bears a sword or spear and a shield. In times of need Tyr will appear as a great magnificent dog. Sacred gifts to Tyr come in the form of mostly votive images of weapons, shields, helms, and images of dogs.
BOWYNN GODS: UNTHAR
Unthar (uhn-thar) God of the air, sky and the air element. Unthar is the eldest of the primordial gods, created by Bia and considered their king, under Bia itself. Unthar is called by many names from Father Sky, to “all seeing.” He is the air, the sky, the universe, the heavens and the element of air. Unth in English means "Air"
In the creation of mankind, Unthar saw there was no life in the models that his siblings made of clay. So into the mouths of each one, Unthar gave breath. And with that the figures came alive. It was Unthar that separated the heavens from the earth, giving atmosphere and blocking the divine heaves away from the sight of mortals on earth below.
Wedding and bedding his sister Brea, Unthar fathered all the great gods of the Akua. He is one of the few gods that rarely visit Alaway, as his watch of “all” is never ceasing.
Unthar is seen as an older god, of grandfatherly appearance. His white hair and beard is long and eyes almost crystal clear, so he can take in everything. At times he is seen wearing a helm while other times a hood. His garments are white all about. At time he is seen with a staff in hand and other times, he is seen with a horn in hand, which he uses to summon gods to his attention. Sacred to Unthar is mostly incense of all scents and votive images of a horn and birds.
BOWYNN GODS: UYA
Uya Jarra and her three sisters
Uya Jarra (Yu-ya Jar-rah) Goddess of the healing arts and physical therapy. One of the daughters of Owenn, mothered by a Kii. Primarily Uya is the goddess that rules over the healing properties of exercise to make one recover faster. She is also a patron of Nurses, doctors and physical therapists.
There are no sacred tales of Uya or her sisters outside of their constant vigil over mortals. Uya is said to be seen at her father’s side almost always. Her place in Alaway is rarely visited, as she is always in constant vigil of those that require her help. She is considered the “Goddess always on the move”
Uya is described as a young goddess with light hair a dress of white with a hide coat over that. Many have seen her with a staff and scroll in hand. When not seen in this form, Uya will take the form of a Bird of some sort. Offerings to Uya are flowers and incense.
BOWYNN GODS: VADELL
Vadell (Vah-del) Sometimes "Vladell". The “Giants” that Brea made to protect the earth before Anhur and the Akua ruled. These giants were immortal and took on the shapes and forms of the territories they ruled over. Most of them were rather brutish and unruly. After Anhur contested with his brothers for the rule of the gods, the three released the Giants from their duties. Unfortunately, many refused to leave and the gods had to battle the Vadell into submission. A handful begged for atonement and were allow to work for Anhur, stoking the furnaces, filling baths and vats and filling the hearths with fresh wood in Alaway. Some were destroyed and others just merged into the landscape for eternal sleep. But it is said that some hide and still walk the earth.
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: Ve
Ve (Vay) Sometimes spelled "Vay" or "Vae." Mammoth goddess of seed and fertility. Vae is the creation of the Brea to populate the earth, long before the creation of man. She, along with her Mammoth brothers and giants, were the first gods of the earth.
During this time before the Akua, Vae was the guardian of the plains, the grasses and cereals that grew there-on. Making sure they spread far and wide, so to cover the earth with life so there would be food for all. After the Akua took over the old giants place as rulers, Vae was able to keep her position as an attendant and advisor to the goddess of Deanna. But Vae still kept her status as a seed and fertility goddess but just of the wild world, which she was proud to maintain.
Being a mammoth god, Vae has to major forms she takes; the first being her divine. In this form Vae is seen as a motherly aged goddess. She is seen with red hair and amber colored eyes, wearing a simple brown traveling gown of fur and a simple walking staff and/or a sack of seed. In her totem form, she is seen as an elegant massive mammoth with ancient reddish hair.
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: YORMELL
Yormell (Yor-mel) Mammoth god of the weather, wind, air and rain. He is the creation of Brea and the other gods of creation. In the time of the giants, before the Akua ruled the world, Yormell ruled over the winds and the weather. When the Akua took over the world and the wind gods took over. The 4 brothers of the winds felt sorry for old Yormell and so he became their eyes of the world and instructor as to where the winds should blow. And at time Yorell would help them out, stirring up the clouds to induce rain and storms. In the winter Yormell will assist the gods of winter Arn and Myliea in their travels across the world, making sure it's cold and snow is falling, creating winter wonderlands for the gods and mankind alike.
Yormall is seen most of the time in his divine storm; that of an old man in white winter robes. In his hand he carries a staff that’s topped with a deer antler or a long mammoth tusk that is said to help provide snow. In his totem form Yormell appears as a white mammoth of great size. Sacred to Yormell is a milk libation, bowls of water, incense and wicker fans.
The Bowynn Year and Holidays:
The Bowynn calendar is different from most Pagan calendars and certainly bears no resemblance to the Gregorian calendar. The start of the Bowynn year falls on September 1st and the last day of the year falls on August 31st.
During all 12 of the larger months there is one sacred holiday, though there may be a few secondary holdays. Despite this, Bowynn view every single day of their lives as sacred and celebrated not just verbally but spiritually. So its common for an individual to celebrate the worship of a deity on any and all days of the year. Holidays are celebrated for 3 days. The first day of a holiday is reserved for decorating, cooking, cleaning, cleansing and evening worship.
September ( Maeano )
1 Then Ohenn - New Years Day. The first day of the new year. Dedicated to Ohenn and the Nauidd. Also to Tymora. Fig cake, bundles of summer seed are offered to the gods
20-22 Tsa'kora - Holiday of the month of September, it celebrates the first day of Autumn. The Epiphany of the goddess Kora and Ryan. Also honoring Brea, Amaetheon, Deanna. The holiday celebrates the wedding of Deanna to Amaetheon. A time of great feasts and celebrations.
October ( Tombra )
29-31 Ky'kora - Holiday for the month of October. Mournful celebration to honor the death of Herne, to save all of humanity.
November ( Haedmor )
15-17 Emberfest - The great feast day honoring the gods Kane, Io, Hyu, Amaetheon and Deanna. A holiday for thanks of abundance, health, home. Hearths, homes and ovens are cleaned, and special meals are left just for the gods.
December ( Ellesmor )
20-22 Tsa'myliea - holiday of the month of December. The first day of winter. Devoted to Morrighynn, Arn and Myliea. On this day the goddess Morrighynn weeps for her lost love Herne and promised by Bia that her love will be back soon enough. Lanterns lit in Herne’s and Morrighynn’s honor.
January ( Banu )
14-16 Lenaea - Holiday of the month. Celebration of abundance for making it this far into winter. Devoted to Io, Amaetheon, Hyu, Deanna, Tymora and Daekk. Homes, people and animals are blessed with the seeds gathered from the year before. Great costumed parades are held to bring prosperity to all.
February ( Paola )
1-3 Ky'myliea - Holiday of the Month of February. Devoted to Myliea, Arn, Herne, Brea and to the wind god Arn, A winter festival. Celebration of the conception of Herne to Brea and making it halfway through winter.
March ( Aeven )
20-22 Tsa'quilla - Holiday of the month. The first day of spring. Devoted to Herne, Brea, Quilla and Lyan. On this day Quilla appears on the east and Herne is born to the world. Kii are also honored this day.
April ( Prana )
15-17 Tau Mystaraa - The Great Mysteries. Holiday for the month of April. Devoted to Mystara, Mauro and Ehlrik. Though really, it is devoted to ALL the gods. Celebrated as the great cleanings and initiation of new mages into the groves. 3 nights of great Magic, Spiritual and divination practices and a day for new practitioners to start.
May ( Auma )
1-3 Ky'quilla - Mid-Spring holiday and Sabbat of the month of May. Devoted to the reunion of Herne and Morrighynn. Also celebrated are all the Kii, Lyan and Quilla. Lovers holiday as well as the second blessing of gardens.
June ( Dellet )
12 Founder’s Day - Holiday celebrating the conseption of the Bowynn Tradition. Summer celebration. Dedicated to Anhur, Rhya, Briathenaea and Aleglea. Celebrating a time of joy of summer. Fun, food, games and frolic. Part of the Migration celebrations. Also a day for introspection of ones self, who they are.
20-22 Tsa'tarna - First day of Summer and the holiday of the month of June. Dedicated to epiphany of Tarna, Saphon and the wedding of Herne and Morrighynn. No meat is eaten during the first two days of the holiday.
July ( Iona )
14-16 Briathenaet - Holiday of the month of July Great celebration to the goddess Briathenaea and Aleglea as our patronesses and saviors. Celebrated with the cleansing and blessing of her icons and temples. followed with great games and contests that last for 3 days.
August ( Olten )
1-3 Kytarna Mid-Summer holiday of the month of August. Dedicated to Io, Amaetheon, Hyu and Deanna. Celebrating the sacred wedding of Tarna to Saphon. It also celebrates the first harvest.
31 Anj Ohenn - New Years Eve. The last day of August and the year. Dedicated to Ohenn and the Nauidd. Great pots and bundles of tall grass and cattails are offered, laid about the icon of Ohenn. Images of the 12 Nauidd are made, gifted and hung about.
The Bowynn Faith
So with the posting of the holidays/Calendar, that is pretty much all to post. Gods, implements, holidays, proper offerings... I am not sure what else to post at this point. That is outside of holiday details as they fall.
So if there are any questions at this point, you are free to ask.
Q&A: Moon Worship
QUESTION: Does the Bowynn Faith/Tradition have respectful days devoted to The Moon and Morrighynn?
ANSWER: In the Bowynn faith, we do honor Morrighynn highly. But if you are pertaining to worship like Wiccan "Drawing down the Moon" ceremonies; then the answer is 'No." We do not celebrate Full Moons. We do recognize the power of the moon and the blessings of her ladyship. However, what some Bowynn may do, is simply moon-soak. That is to say we will bask in the light of the moon if we are compelled to do so. We allow its energy to soak into our bodies and its it cleanse and heal. But there is no formal ceremony. We do not "Draw do the Moon" as we see it is very disrespectful to our lady Morrighynn, as well as to the Thracians, Northern Hellen (Greek) an Aegyptian cultures who performed these practices. We see and feel the power of the moon without taking from it. And not just the full moons, but all phases.
Q&A: Bowynn Divination
QUESTION: Does the Bowynn faith have any forms of Divination practices, unique to the tradition?
ANSWER: Yes. While most of us consult various forms of divination (Tarot Cards, Runes and so on), we do have a specific form of sortilege unique to our tradition, which is a set of long flat wooded slates we call "Thellos" (made of apple wood). Each one has the name of the Bowynn gods on them. 7 of these slates are drawn, are laid out in a specific pattern and read, using the attributes of the gods, as they correspond to where they are laid out and if they intersect with another slate.
I cannot reveal that information to each slate, as it is for those of the Bowynn faith only.
Aelles Tsa'Kora
May the light of the Equinox fill your soul and body. May you be blessed with the harvest of abundance and have no need of want. May the epiphany of Autumn come into your life with joyous glee. May the colors of the season radiate all about you, bring you happiness.
Happiest of Holidays one and all
If you worship the Equinox or not, may your day be filled with love and light.