Bowynn Gods: Hawynn

A Deeper look into the Goddess Abbennaea

The character of Abbennaea embodies profound symbolism through her connection to purity, transformation, and balance between offerings and the divine. The number seven, representing the sacredness of her teachings and the seven acceptable offerings, resonates with various esoteric traditions where seven often signifies completion and wholeness. The act of cleansing and purifying altars can be seen as a mathematical interplay of addition (incorporating good offerings) and subtraction (removing ill-intended gifts), suggesting a duality intrinsic to her role as both a nurturer and curator of spiritual exchanges. Additionally, her association with elements like incense, which transforms material into ephemeral essence, mirrors alchemical processes and the idea of transmutation of life energies, underscoring the significance of intention behind offerings. The portrayal of her as a protector against the darker aspects of sacrifice (blood offerings) emphasizes a moral dualism inherent in spiritual practices, reflecting an underlying mathematical balance between life energy and its appropriate channeling.

Abbennaea's attributes suggest layers of hidden meaning that extend beyond surface interpretation. Her role as a "purifier" can symbolize the importance of intention and authenticity in spiritual practices, indicating that the quality of offerings impacts the overall harmony within the divine realm and by extension, the human experience. The imagery of deep red hair may signify passion, vitality, and even the life force, linking her to the cyclical nature of creation and destruction. The duality of her form—taking the shape of a bird or butterfly—hints at transformation and transcendence, characteristics that encourage spiritual growth and evolution. Furthermore, her title as the messenger and "chamber-maid" of Alaway suggests a deep interconnectedness between the divine and the earthly; she acts as a bridge between realms, highlighting the necessity of nurturing relationships between humanity and the divine. This underscores a possible hidden teaching: true devotion requires not just ritual, but also care, mindfulness, and a commitment to purity of intention in the offerings we present to the universe. Ultimately, Abbennaea serves as an archetype for balance and renewal, inviting followers to embrace a holistic approach to spirituality that honors both craft and consciousness.

Abbennaea’s role as a goddess associated with offerings and purification can be interpreted through various scientific lenses, particularly in anthropology and psychology. Her emphasis on acceptable offerings aligns with the concept of reciprocity found in many cultures, suggesting an evolutionary basis for human relationships with the divine, where mutual exchange fosters community and social cohesion. This reciprocal relationship mirrors the ecological balance observed in nature, where organisms depend on each other for survival, highlighting a broader interconnectedness that could be seen as symbolic of ecosystems where each element plays a crucial part in sustaining life.

Scientifically, her act of purging ill intentions from offerings can be likened to the principles of homeostasis found in biological systems, where balance and purity are essential for health and function. This aspect of her character underscores the significance of mental and emotional clarity—something supported in psychology, where intentions and emotional states are shown to affect interpersonal relationships and environments. Add to this the very science of the art of making of incense, which is an exact science and act of pleasure all on its own. The time used to make these floral and woodland blends is used as a time to connect with Abbennaea.

Furthermore, Abbennaea’s frequent association with incense may have a deeper, physiological implication; the act of burning incense has been shown to have both calming and meditative effects on humans, promoting a sense of well-being that could reflect her nurturing qualities. The transformation of offerings into “that which is good for all beings” can parallel the biochemical processes where substances are metabolized for benefit, emphasizing a transmutation of energy from material offerings into spiritual sustenance. At the core of Abbennaea's mythology lies a tapestry of scientific truths about interconnectedness, the importance of purity and intention, and the profound psychological impact of rituals—all of which resonate with the laws of nature and human experience.

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)

My Personal Prayer to Adarro

O Adarro, Spirit of the White Dolphin, I raise my voice in reverence to you, joyous god of the waves and protector of all who dwell by the shores. With hands uplifted, I seek your blessing, for you are the Master of Abundance, the one who dances amongst the tides and whispers to the souls of the sea. Come forth, O Adarro, son of Sumon and Phoenix, twin brother of Madarro, hear me, your humble devotee. In the shimmering light of dawn, as the sun kisses the waters, I call upon your radiant spirit to guide my heart and my hands. I present before you meals of fish and offerings of star-fish, sweet water lilies, and fragrant seaweed, wafting incense toward the heavens. May these gifts reach your ears and fill your heart with joy, as you have filled my life with bounty and abundance from the depths of the sea.

Grant me, Adarro, the wisdom to weave my nets with skill and the strength to cast them upon gentle waters. Teach me the ways to honor the rhythm of the tides and to recognize the moments of peril, that I may navigate the currents with grace. Protect those I hold dear as you safeguard the fishermen of old and bring forth the harvest of the sea in merry abundance. I rejoice in your spirit, O joyful god, as you dance along the sandy shore, celebrating with mortals as you guide their lives with laughter and light. Let my heart mirror your joyful essence, so that I may also bring cheer to those around me, with hands that create and feet that follow your dance. In your presence, I find solace, Adarro, and in your wisdom, I seek understanding. May I honor you as the tides honor the moon, in perpetual rhythm and reverence, for you are the lifeblood of the sea and the joy of the shore. Let my voice carry your name, and my heart forever treasure the blessings you bestow. So shall it be, in the realm of the waters and the sands, marked by your joy.

Syember!

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.

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: Tii

Tii  (Ty)  Spirits of ill nature, ill luck and destruction. These evil spirits were created by the god Mano, in his attempt to raise an army to war with his cousins Kord and Brand. These destructive spirits were counter-acted with the creation of the Kii by Brand and Kord, to protect mortals from the wrath of the Tii. While many were destroyed, they could not defeat all and spread throughout the world, bringing with them many of the ills of mankind.

     Tii, unlike Kii only come in one size. They are diminutive folk, much like popular fairies, with black bird with and black hair. Like their creator Mano, Tii are not called forward, invoked, worshipped or prayed to. They are destructive and if summoned will not do what they are asked to do but do as they wish. Tii are the manifested powers of all that is evil in the world. Instead, there are many rites and spells to ward these destructive Tii away.

Bowynn Gods: Nyalla

Nyalla as The Cleanser, The Purifier and The Anointer

Nyalla  (Ny-ah-lah)   Goddess of ritual cleansing, bathhouses, sweat lodges, saunas, and hot springs. Nyalla is the daughter of Tane and Kauldra. Nyalla has also been named “Nyalla Noma” and “Nyalla Lhaunomaea” meaning “Lady of the Bathhouse.” Nyalla is also considered the goddess of meditative baths and meditation places in general. She is thought to not only protect the buildings but help the mortal body relax, cleanse and heal; physically and mentally. Through the steam of such places, Nyalla helps the body and mind lift away what ails it, clearing it of impurities and making it whole again. At the same time, she gives words of wisdom through meditation and the steam.

      Nyalla is said to “be the rising of the steam” and the “hot water, the cooling of the air, the scent of the herbs and oils and the opening of the mind.” Nyalla is also the goddess of smudging and cleansing rituals. Often, she is seen with Abbennaea, the goddess of offerings and gifts.

Myalla is not a three-fold or triple goddess, as there is no such concept in the Bowynn faith. She is however spoken of as having 3 distinct aspects: The Cleanser, The Purifyer and the Anointer. In a rare few times, she has none more title: The fumigator. All of these are distinct processes to cleanse the body and the mind. This Nyalla is also seen as a medicinal/healing goddess.

     There are few sacred tales of Nyalla. One of the few says that she was the one that blesses all of the goddesses of the Akua in sensual baths before they wed. That on the eve she blessed Rhya’s bath and cleansing, Rhya in turn gave he a vial of her own tears of happiness. And it is from this vial that Nyalla blesses all mortals with. It is also said that Nyalla was one of the many of the Gods of the Akua that spent the 7 sacred nights with the first tribes of mortals. During this time, she showed the women folk how to keep their bodies and minds clean. She showed them how to build and tend a Bath House in a scared manner, as well as how to properly use the bathhouse in a spiritual manner for omens and visions.

     Nyalla is seen a sweet young woman in rather simple clothing. She is said to be seen lingering around houses and spaces of meditation, where she is found gathering stones or wood for the fire or drawing water for the steam bath. In her godly form, she is seen as a young woman in simple clothes of reds and saffron colors. Her hair is said to be braided in many long rows, sometimes being tied up, sometimes hanging down. In her totem form, she is seen as a lizard or salamander

     Sacred gifts to Nyalla are incense blends, vats of water, vials of oil and votive images of lizards and salamanders. Sometimes a special offering of a poppet of the goddess is left for her.

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.

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: Onaur

Onaur  (Oh-naur)  Winged god of love and passion. Onaur is a lot like his European counterparts Cupid and Eros only a bit older in years. He is the son of Brenda and Dhonan.

     Like his mother Brenda and father, Onaur is a god that cannot induce love on anyone. At first, he did try to do just that, when he was granted his godly station by Anhur. Onaur was so overjoyed by his godly gifts, he took his flute and played in the ears of mortals everywhere, making them fall in love with each other. But this caused much chaos and problems in the world. When word of this got to Brenda, she took away his flute and wings. Brenda then had to force him to undo all the false love he had spread. This taught the young god a lesson that would stick with him for the rest of his immortal life.  Despite the advances of many young girls, Onaur always stayed true stayed unbonded, so that he would not take sides.

     Unlike Onaur’s European counterparts, Onaur is an older god and not a cherub. He is often seen as a teenage buy. And unlike both his Greek and Roman counterparts, he is not winged. He is said to have blonde hair and the bluest of eyes. On his shoulder hangs a bag which he keeps his flute magical flute that he uses to project love. Some claim he also has a magic dust in his bag which induces lust instead of love. Onaur is said to take the disguise of a bird of his choosing, when he is around mortals. Unlike many of the gods of the Akua, Onaur was not one of the gods that sat with the first tribes, as he and his brother Shane were not born at the time. But now, Onaur and Shane spend much time among mortals to make up for his absence.        

     Sacred to Onaur is the flute and magickal herbal blends for love. Flowers like the carnation, lily and rose are just some of the flowers sacred to Onaur, as are their scents and votive images of birds also makes a most divine gift.