Happy Halloween

Bowynn Gods: Myliea

Myliea  (My-Lee-ah)  (Also spelled Myliea, Melia and Melea) is the Bowynn goddess of winter. She is one of the 4 seasons, daughters of Morrighynn and Herne and is the consort of the God of the North Wind, Arn. Her name literally means "Winter."

     Few tales are told of Meliea. She contested with her sisters for which season they would rule over and because Myliea granted conifer and pine trees the gift to survive the winter, she was so given the season of Winter to govern over. Thus, on the first day of winter, Myliea's sister Kora, [Autumn], departs the land, while Myliea appears on Winter's first day on a magnificent white horse, bringing the cold, frost, snow and sleep stage of the year. On the Bowynn holiday known as Kymeliea, (Candlemas and Imbolc for other traditions) it is time to celebrate the sacred and divine wedding of Arn to Myliea. Said to have been staged in a winter wonderland and decorated with all the color and mystical beauty of the season. During the holiday of Tsameliea (Winter Solstice) both god and goddess visits the homes that are decked in winter finery and have a candle lit in the window. If content that the homes is warm, safe, well stocked and filled with cheer, Arn will knock his staff on the doors and shutters, blessing the house while Myliea leaves a small gift at the door, under the door bough or hanging from it. Often these are in the form of bundles of foods; nuts, dried fruit, wine and for kids, candy and sweet cakes is left.

Several processional or Myliea and her 3 sisters

     Myliea is seen as a female figure of motherly-grand-motherly age. A woman refined with red hair laced with white, pulled back. She is clad in blues, silvers and whites. One can assume her hlad is of the same tones but it is not commonly seen because of the blue and white fur robe she wears over it, lined and trimmed in white furs. Sometimes she is said to have a Daddalo or Stola of blue laced with snowflakes over her robe. In her hand is often seen a staff of pine wood, wrapped in garland, ribbons and fillets. Her head is often said to be crowned (but not always) with a wreath of pine, conifer and/or holly. Sometimes she is said to be winged is glorious white feathers. When about mortals Myliea will take the image of a horse or deer, which are her totem animals.

     Sacred gifts to Myliea are Milk, Water, votive images of white horses, chickadees and cardinals. And of course incense.

Bowynn Gods: Kyrra

Kyrra (Keer-Rah)  Kyrra (sometimes Jyrra) are bird-like Kii and Tii that resemble the Greek Harpies. Unlike Harpies, they can be good as well. Said to have a humanoid head and torso but from the hips down the lower half of a bird. Originally, the Kyrra were all good natured and were messengers of Brand and the other gods but the god Mano corrupted some and turned them to be as malicious as himself. Bad Kyrra are often responsible for missing items and malfunctions in the home and life.  Good or bad, they are seen in small bird size. Someone who is having a bad swing of misfortune us referred to as "Being scratched by a Kyrra." Waking up with a scratch is an ill omen that one has been scratched by a Kyrra and bad times are coming. At the same time finding a random feather in your home is a sign of great fortune. "Kyrra Blessed."

Bowynn Gods: Kord

Brand and Kord: Gods of Brotherhood

Kord  (Khord)  Kord is the Bowynn god of bravery, freedom, justice, law, peace, virtue and brotherhood. He is the patron of heroes and is a guardian of the Bowynn people. He is the witness of brotherhood and adoption ceremonies. Kord’s parentage is Anhur and Rhya. He is the twin brother of the God Brand and brother to Brenda, the goddess of love and beauty. His position is often to the side of his father Anhur, king of the Bowynn pantheon.      In many ways Kord, along with his brother Brand, their union mimics the aspects of the Greek twin heroes Castor and Polydeukes, the gods Thanatos and Hypnos and the heroes Damon and Pythias. It was Kord and Brand that created the Ki'i (good spirits) to ward away any and all Mano and the Tii (evil spirits) from mortals and gods. This he did when his cousin Mano declared war on him and his brother Brand. When Brand was slain, Kord and Brend traveled to Daunnat to retrieve his brother. They did so but in turn had to build a great banquet hall for Chumash and Kalma and Brenda had to fill it with an endless amount of food.      Kord is seen as a most handsome god in armor most of the time, standing tall and strong. His long hair teams down his back onto his cloak and his eyes are said to be of deep forest green. And though Kord is muscular, he is gentle as well. If not seen with his brother Kord is followed by his faithful and immortal hounds. It is said and written that Kord also has a paid of immortal horses, which he and his brother will ride. These immortal steads are named "Hern kae Taulk" [Sun and Shield.]

Amongst Mortals Kord will often take the form of a dog, often being specifically a grey hound, Dane or Irish Wolf Hound. Sacred objects to Kord are primarily eggs. Other common offerings worthy to Kord are votive images of the Kii, horses and dogs, weapons and of course incense. However, it is not out of Kord’s nature to accept gifts such as flowers. Like all the gods, ne never turns down any sort of offering.

The Horses of Kord: Hern and Taulk

BOWYNN GODS: QUATT

Quatt  (Kwhat)  God of the 5th gate of Daunnat, of faith, in the land of Daunnat.  Quatt like the other Gate guardians of Daunnat are the children of Chumash and Kalma.

     As with all the gods of Daunnat, Quatt is not an evil god, nor a god of judgment.  His role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. He is the bestower of faith to souls, as no spirit can enter Daunnat without this virtue. However it is common for the living to call to Quatt who are in need of eternal. As god of the Gate of Faith, Quatt is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram. He sustains from visiting Alaway, instead preferring to live and feast with the spirits and other gods in Daunnat.

     Quatt has no known totem animal, instead always staying in his godly form. He is seen as a young god dressed in a long sleeve purple tunic with simple white trimmings. At times she is seen carrying a septagram tile and a horn which is blown when she allows a soul past her gate. Other times he holds a staff of ivory. It is said by the god Brand, Pedjed bears short brown hair and earthly green eyes.

     Sacred to Quatt is the Septagram and riding blow horn. During funeral services, a bowl of milk is left to her, as customary and a statuette of the departed, so the god will recognize the departed’s soul, which is identical to his body.

My Prayer to Dhonan, the Lover

O Dhonan, Immortal Guardian of Love, I come before you with a heart full of devotion and yearning, seeking your divine light to illuminate the path of my affection. Born of mortal heart, yet graced with the gift of eternity, you embody the depths of passion and the beauty of true love. I honor your sacred union with Brenda and the legacy of devotion that binds the realms of god and mortal. O Handsome Ranger, blessed with the strength of bow and arrow, guide my heart as it ventures through the labyrinth of love. May the spirits of your own love story inspire and empower me to cherish those I hold dear, nurturing the flame of connection that binds us through trials and triumphs. With each arrow loosed from your bow, let my love be aimed true, striking the core of unwavering devotion. O Divine Dhonan, I present my vows before you, like the sacred wedding fillet that unites lovers' hands in righteous bond. May my words ring with sincerity and my promises echo through the ages, reminding me of the sacredness of love bestowed upon me. As I cherish this bond, I call upon your blessings to strengthen our union and uphold it through the storms of life.

O Dhonan, as you appear with your beloved Brenda, casting blessings upon the couples gathered, may you delight in our shared joy. Bless our unions with laughter, compassion, and understanding, and may each moment together be imbued with the warmth of your divine witness. Let the ivy wreath that adorns your brow serve as a reminder of the eternal and ever-growing nature of love. In your presence, I pledge to honor the love I cultivate, embracing both vulnerability and strength. May my heart resonate with the echoes of your love story, emboldened by your enduring spirit. O Dhonan, as you dwell amidst the celebrations of love, may I always be a beacon of kindness and passion, sharing the gifts of warmth and joy that you so freely bestow. So shall it be, in reverence and adoration for Dhonan, the Blessed God of Love and Passion, forever guiding and nurturing the hearts of those who dare to love truly.

Syember!

Bowynn Gods: Ortsall

Ortsal  (Or-tsal)  Ortsall is the God of the 3rd Gate of Daunnat and of eternal love and self love in the land of Daunnat.  Ortsal like the other gate guardians of Daunnat are the children of Chumash and Kalma. He is one of the older of the sacred seven gate keepers.

     As with all the gods of Daunnat, Ortsalt is not an evil god, nor a god of judgment.  His role is that of a guardian of Daunnat. He is the bestower of self love to spirits, as no spirit can enter Daunnat without this virtue. And he is also the god that units souls back together whe were in love and wed during their lifetime. However, it is common for the living to call to Ortsal who are suffering from the lack of love, but he is not the bestower of such love. These attributes are gifted from Brenda, Dhonnan, Shane and Onaur. As god of the Gate of Love, Odjett is one of the 7 gods of the sacred septagram. He sustains from visiting Alaway, instead preferring to live and feast with the spirits and other gods and souls in Daunnat.

     Ortsal has no known totem animal, instead always staying in his godly form. He is seen as a man black leather jerkin and purple tunic under that with silver trimmings. At times he is seen carrying a heptagram tile or a hunter’s horn, which is blown when he allows a soul past his gate. It is said by the god Brand, Ortsal bears long brown hair and something of a beard and moustache, giving him something of a fatherly look.

     Sacred to Odjett is the Septagram and riding blow horn. During funeral services, a bowl of milk is left to him, as customary and a statuette of the departed, so the god will recognize the departed’s soul, which is identical to his body.

Aelles Tsa'Myliea

Blessings and good fortune come to you this Tsa'Myliea.

Indeed today is the first day of the Bowynn holiday of Tsa'Myliea, the celebration of the Winter Solstice. It is the epiphany of the goddess Myliea, the goddess of Winter and her consort Arn, the god of the north and north wind. The first day, like with all holidays is the cleaning and cleansing of homes and temples. It is a day of fasting and purging of all ills and artifacts left over from Autumn. In place of rich and sweet foods, rice bowls and soups are traditionally served. At night a candlelight procession is held with icons of the two deities carried to the temple, symbolizing their rise.

On the second day, The Calling Horn is blown at the crack of dawn, indicating that Myliea and Arn have emerged from they northern relm and come to bless the land, allowing Winter to begin. Bringing with them cold winds, snow, frost, joy, harmony and all the fun and frolic of the winter season. While some will start late night feasting this day, its more common to wait till the 3rd day of the holiday. The day is however filling with glorious ceremonies and small feasting. A time to take account of the strength of the home to stand up to winter winds, the abundance of foods stocked away and the amount of wood gathered year long, to last till the warm days of spring. During the evening, tradition has that the officiating priest/priestess will come to the homes and bless it with song and a sacred incense blend. Some would rather spend the evening in quiet vigil at home or temple. A time to be deep in prayer, thanks and gratitude. Sacred storied hold that Arn and Myliea come at night and go door by door, to inspect one's home is well. They will knock on the door with their staves if it will well stocked and safe. In turn a basic of goods will be left at the door. The basket is said to be filled with fruits, 7 candles, a cut of wood, books, tools, recipes and warm cloths. Sometimes sweets, cakes and wine as well. Though these last three are normally reserved to be given from friends and loves ones.

Day three of Tsa'Myliea starts with an early morning ceremony. After which colorful parades are held, foods galore, contests and games and fun all around. The cord of wood and candle are lit just before dusk with a Bowynn hymn to Arn and Myliea. While it is often hard to find the sacredness and divine reason for the holiday on the 3rd day, it is still a holy day and there are ceremonies held in temple and in the home, giving thanks. One should remember it is still a time of sacredness. A time that allows snows and rain to decompose autumn leaves and all left to wither in gardens, turning them into composite, to feed the ground. A time to remind us all to take stock in whatever bounty and abundance we have in the home, cleaning the home and making it strong, safe and warm. People often will take walks on this day to explore and remind themselves of the beauty, holiness and necessity of the holiday

Bowynn Gods: The Abonna

Abonna  (Ah-bhon-nah)  The Abonna at a multitude of gods and goddesses of music, dance and all of the fine arts. In some cases, the Abonna are considered a division of the Kii. {Fairy/Spirits/Nymphs} In other cases they are considered gods themselves, though there are no individual known names for each of the Abonna. And their number seems endless. Among their many attributes, the Abonna are the patrons of dancers and musicians, crafters of all sorts and fine arts.

The Abonna are both male and female and both sexes are depicted as patrons of the arts. As Kii (if so that they are Kii) they are the taller type and bare no wings as their diminutive cousins. Unlike the Kii, the Abonna did spend the “Seven Sacred Days” with mortals after the Great Migration. During this time each Abonna taught mankind the arts of dance, song, music, the arts of drawing and painting, carving and so many other arts and crafts. In Alaway, the Abonna are often scene decorating the many halls and during the nightly feasts, the Abonna will be seen dancing and playing for the other gods joyously as they meal together. Some are seen accompaning the god Drautmer as he played his drum of the assembly of the Nykua. Others will accompany the God Kane in his workshop. While they are divinities of the arts, they are not bestowers of the arts but instead merely the inspiration behind them. Being Kii, the Abonna are guardians of all the great and wonderful things in the world. And if indeed they are Kii, then they too were created by the gods Brand and Kord to ward off the malicious spirits known as Tii. No other parentage has been spoken of.

      Sacred symbols and objects to the Abonna are the tools of the trades, such as musical instruments, paint and brush, carving knives, sewing kits and so on. Also sacred to the Kii is the Lark bird

      The Abonna are depicted most of the time as young spirits in look. However there are older and elderly Abonna as well. Often the Abonna will appear in the guise of birds and when among mortals.

Aelles Anj Ohenn

Today is the Bowynn last day of the year. "Anj Ohenn. Literally meaning "Old Year." Which falls on August 31. It is followed by Then Ohenn "New Years".

Unlike western/mundane New Years (December 31/January 1st) It is not just a holiday to get drunk, kiss a girl and call it good. Anj Ohenn has a greater significance. The year is over in the Bowynn tradition, it is the transition of Summer months to Autumn months. Anj Ohenn is the eve before the birth of the god Ohenn, the god of Time itself. It is a 2 day holiday to reflect on how one's time is spent. A time of beginnings and ends. Old projects end and new projects begin. It is also the official first day of Harvest and great offers are made to Deanna on Anj Ohenn and Then Ohenn.

Instead of a glass of wine or other alcohol beverages, the holiday is celebrated with feasting and fun all day long. But it is all done in respects to the gods of the Harvest and Time. Foods of the harvest. In the morning homes are swept clear with chants to be rid of old energy. And on Then Ohenn, a plant or tree seedling is purchased or harvested and brought into the house. In Altars, images of Mice and grain are placed to insure abundance for the new year. Turquoise coins are kissed and then given as gifts, as wishes for others to have a new year. Twelve or Twenty-Four small poppets filled with grains of all sorts are also gifted to young girls and displayed, representing the Nauidd; the daughters of Ohenn and goddesses of the hours. All sorts of time pieces are given as gifts. It is also a holiday to clean and maintain such time pieces.

In the last few years a character has been created to help children understand the true meaning of the holiday, named "Orry." the story tells of Orry as he learns how time is often wasted throughout the year and not used wisely. But in the end he gathers enough seed to give to the birth of baby Ohenn and the magic of the birth increases his meager cluster of grain 100 times over. Enough to get him through the year.

However you spend the Holiday, Aelles Then Ohenn and peace to you all.

Happy Halloween

Due to a very negative incident that happen this past night, I will not be engaging in any information today. Instead I shall leave you with just images. I still wish you all a very blessed and fun-filled holiday. All good. no bad.