BOWYNN GODS: TANE

My Prayer To Chumash, Lord of the Deceased

O Chumash, King of Daunnat, benevolent Lord of the Passage, I beseech you in the light of love and kindness. You, who have crowned yourself with mercy, watch over the souls that traverse the realm between life and the afterlife. May your presence bring comfort to those who mourn, as you guide the spirits from their mortal husks into the embrace of eternity. O Keeper of the Eternal, with your ebony hair like the night sky and eyes glistening deep as the most sacred earth, I appeal to your loving heart. Grant repose to the restless souls, separating them with gentle hands, ensuring they find solace in the beauty of Daunnat. May your wisdom guide the spirits to the lessons once unlearned, returning them anew to the cycle of life. With devoted heart, I lay before you the sacred gifts of Votive dogs, faithful companions that guard the seven gates of your realm. In honor of your beloved queen, goddess Kalma, I present iris and poppy flowers, symbols of our love and remembrance. May these offerings blossom upon the graves of the departed, signifying our eternal connection to you and the afterlife you cherish.

O Chumash, Lord of great feasts, as you gather the souls within your realm, may no spirit go hungry and no voice go unheard in the joyous revelry of the night. Let laughter and music echo throughout Daunnat, binding together the threads of family and love that stretch across the veil of existence. As you have transformed the kingdom of Daunnat into a sanctuary of light, I vow to honor your efforts by living with love and compassion in my own life. May I cherish the memories of those passed while embracing the lessons of the living. So shall it be, in reverence and devotion to Chumash, the gentle guardian of souls, whose laughter lights the darkened path to eternity.

Happy Harvest Day!!

The Elements / Tau Retammas

Soul / Paut - The Sun / Tau Saun

The fifth point of the Numatam {Septagram} is the point that represents all the aspects of the element that is the Soul. (Individuality, Day, Light, Warmth, Rejuvenation, Resurrection, Responsibility, Cycles, Masculinity, Work and Labor). The Soul is the inner you, the part that causes you to think and speak your own mind. It is what makes you unique, even though it is a duplicate of your body. It is the house that protects your spirit. It is your Ghost. And your soul glows bright yellow as bright as the sun, thus encompassing the powers of the sun. The soul is what is awakened first at the start of the day and from its light we get to see what is all around. It warms our body from the chills of the night and rejuvenates us from our sleepiness. Fully awakened the sun and our soul sets us on our daily goals, our work and chores, giving us responsibility. The sun has always warmed our planet and the surrounding planets which rotate around it, century after century – dancing on their life path effortlessly while the sun beams its radiance upon them and us. The power of the sun is a Masculine energy and so from it we all find masculinity in ourselves. The sun is also a primal force for our planet and its people. Without its warmth, as mentioned before, the planet and its inhabitants would not have the means to sustain themselves. The eternal dance between Earth and Sun is very important and recognized by many as a necessity for life to endure and exist. The sun is also associated with the Male or God aspect, linking the harvest with the sun as well. Sun warms crops as they grow and works with the earth to bare fruits and grains for our needs. The virtue of kindness is associated with the Soul, as you walk the earth, the soul calls out to be nice to all of those you meet along the way. With Paut, we awaken and start to explore. The path of the soul is a bright, illuminated one of yellow

Bowynn Gods: Khammii

Khammii  (Kham-My)  Khammii are the Kii (spirits) of freshwater bodies, such as ponds, streams, lakes, rivers and so forth. They are said to be of human size, very beautiful and live either in the waters they protect or on its shores. Unlike Mermaids, the Khammii do not have fish bodies. But they can turn into westland animals like fisf, herons, egrets, bitterns and otters. The beauty of the Khammii is depicted in many of the sacred tales. The sadness comes when one learns how protective the Khammii are of their waters. So much so, that mortals that abuse their waters fall to a dramatic ending. Other times sacred stories speak of a mortal and a Khammii that have fallen in love and either one or the other dies, in an attempt to live with the other. Clearly a warning as to how dangerous bodies of water can become.

     The Khammi can be compared to mermaids or water nymphs, but the gender of the Khammii is mixed; some are male and some female. 

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: Prayers

QUESTION: Are there any set prayers to each god in the Bowynn faith that all read and follow

ANSWER: This is tricky to answer. In general, no. We find it best to speak from the heart and at the moment. However, we to have a standard order of how prayers are spoken:

We speak the gods name and attach to it their general attribute. "O' Anhur, King of kings."

We mention the god's parentage. "Son of Brea and Unthar."

We mention many of the god's attributes "Sovreign, Father, Judge and lord of law and order."

Next, we speak out who we are. Sometimes we will add our own parents. "It is I ________, daughter/son of ________, daughter/son of ___________."

Then we go on to thank them or speak on about why we call them.

The last lines pay homage to the god in some way. "For all you have done and do for me and _________, I am forever grateful."

Prayers and rite and sacred lines are always ended with the word "SYEMBER". It is a Bowynn word with no English meaning. It can be VERY LOOSELY associated with "amen" but it is far beyond that. Syember is a word that has many meanings all in one. A word that binds us to the divine. A word that means "It is done." "Hear me." "These are my words." "Immortal." A divine "Thankyou." "Blessings." "We are one." And so much more.

This is the general outline for a prayer in the Bowynn tradition. One can make it as long or short as one wants.

Blessed Winter Solstice

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 Personal Prayer to Aetenn

O Aetenn, Ram-Crowned God, protector of arms and armor, I invoke your sacred presence as I stand before you with a humble heart. In the woodlands of Alaway, where the echoes of drums resonate, I seek your divine vigilance over that which I hold dear. Hear me, O Aetenn, son of Anhur and Rhya, guardian of warriors who tread the path of honor. I call upon your spirit, adorned with ram horns and the protective thorns of the black berry wreath. May your strength shield me as I navigate the challenges that lie ahead, that I may face them with the courage you impart. I lay before you the symbols of my devotion—swords and shields, crafted by the hands of mortals, and drums that carry the rhythm of my heart. Accept these offerings, O great Aetenn, as I seek your blessing upon my arms and the gear that I cherish. Let the resounding beat of your drums echo my intent to honor and protect all that I prize.

Grant me, Aetenn, your vigilance over my possessions, especially those that are most precious to me. As you guard the soldiers before battle, let your protection extend to my heart’s desires, ensuring they remain safe from harm. May your watchful eye preserve the integrity of what I cherish, standing steadfast through trials and tribulations. In gratitude, I celebrate your spirit, O Aetenn, the drumming god whose rhythms unite our souls. As your drums once communicated across campfires, may my prayers rise like the beat of your sacred drums, melding into the whispers of the forest, proclaiming my trust in your divine care. O Ram-Crowned God, I honor you with these words, pledging my loyalty and reverence. May your spirit protect me as I venture forth and may the arms and armor I wield bear the strength of your guardianship. Let my path be illuminated by your wisdom, as I carry your essence in my heart and in my actions. So shall it be, as the echoes of your drums resound throughout the realms of the living.

Syember!

Bowynn Gods: Aleglea

Aleglea  (Al-leh-glee-ah) Aleglea is the patroness of the Bowynn people. Amongst all the goddesses she is often revered the most. She is the goddess of all the joys and beauties of the world, all the things that makes us happy. She is a goddess of flowers, dance, joy, happiness, adornment, glory and magnificence, mirth and good-cheer, festivities and banquets, dancing and song. Her very name means “Happiness.”      Aleglea is the daughter of Brand and Brenda and considered a goddess that is most pleasing. It is said that some mortals cannot look at her without bursting into tears of joy. And others cannot look at her because they feel less than worthy to do so.

Aleglea represents beauty in crafted objects and artistic adornment, of festival dance and song, glory and flowers. No matter where you go the gifts of the goddess is there. Aleglea presides over the pleasures of life, including play and amusement, parties, banquets, floral decorations, rest, happiness, and relaxation. She is the goddess of flowers. So flowery wreaths are worn at festivals and parties just to honor the lady.      Aleglea is seen as a woman of simple beauty. Crowned in a wreath of flowers on her honey-colored hair and she has beautiful green eyes, wearing a saffron and ruby colored dress. It is said her hladd is decorated with flowers, birds, butterflies and images of dancing people though many people have said they have seen Aleglea without wearing a hladd. She wears no shoes, instead walking barefoot.

Sacred to Aleglea is the butterfly, a creature which she sometimes takes form in. The most sacred gifts of and to this goddess is in the form of all flowers. During festivals garlands and wreathes of flowers are hung everywhere in her name. Other offerings to her are pots of honey, votive butterfly images and of course incense.

Bowynn Gods: Brea

Part of an altar cloth depicting Brea - embroidery and paint - Created by Sheree Tsarnek 2021

Brea (Bree-ah)  Goddess of the earth and earth element. Brea is the great earth goddess born/created from Bia.  By the union of her to her "brother" Unthar,  she gave birth to the great household of gods.  Brea ultimately is the earth goddess and element. And she is part of the great creatrix of all things; for she was the one that gave the other gods the idea to create all that resides on the earth. She is the goddess of fertility, life, death, growth and represents the element of earth. She is also the goddess of evolution and creation on the planet.

Brea is often seen and depicted as a grandmother type image, with an aged caring face.

     The ancient story speaks that as a child Brea would often come down to one of the dead rocky planets and play on them. Bia warned the child to stay away from the planets but she would not listen. Finally one day Brea found that when it was time to leave one of the dead planets, she could not and was bound to it. Even with the help of all her brothers and sisters, Brea could not remove herself from the land. Bia stated that she was now that planet’s permanent resident and was free to do with the planet as she please. Working her divine will, Brea gave life to the planet with trees, flowers and grass. In time with her siblings helped mold and sculpt the landscape; Brea would create all the animal life and then mortal mankind. Eventually Brea became the very essence of the planet and gave it her name, Brea, “Earth”  

     Brea is the goddess that fashioned out of earth, the mold for all living creatures, including mortal people. But it was not with-out the help of her siblings, that these creations took life and populated the earth. This was done because Brea saw that despite trees, seas and sky, the world was silent and empty. Seeing the world was so lonely and quiet, Brea took dirt into her hand and sculpted the first beings from it. But the sculptures of dirt were nothing more than dirt, with no life and just fell apart. With the help of her brothers and sister, all beings came to be on Earth. Brea is called the ‘mother of the gods.’

     Brea is always depicted as a mother figure, a lot like Mother Nature. She often is seen wearing a crown or circlet to show her majesty and other times seen wearing a wreath of bounty of all sorts. Over these adornments she wears a veil. Her gown is green more than often and her bosoms are large, which represents fertility. Being that she is the supreme lady of life, all beings and things are sacred to her; flora and fauna and mankind. However, the most prominent gift that can be offered to her is incense; a gift she gave to mortal folk during her 7 Sacred Days of visitation.  

(Other like gods comparable to Brea are Gaea, Mama Pacha, Maka Akan, Akka, Papa, Terra, )