Emberfest - Blog Posts

QUESTION & ANSWER: Thanksgiving

QUESTION: Do Bowynn celebrate Thankksgiving (Canadian or American)

Answer: No. That for two reasons. The first being out of respect for the people's whose land North and South America belonged to.

The second reason is because we have a sacred holy festival day on the days of November 14-16th, Emberfest. It is the most holy of Feast and the celebration/preparation of Winter. Sacred candles are lit in the home praying that its warmth light and glow will never fad throughout winter, protecting house and home. Stoves, hearths, ovens and fireplaces are cleaned. Then the officiating priest and priestesses come to the home singing hymns to the Goddess Phoenix, the goddess of primeval and element of fire. The officiants then gift a single blessed charcoal to the home owners. It is lit and there is a roar of joy and love, hoping that abundance and protection lasts the home and family the winter through.

During the festival homes are decorated with autumn leaves, candles, lantern, gourds carved into bird houses and images of Phoenix birds are everywhere. Small and large. The gourds houses are invites for Phoenix's children to come stay in the house and protect it. While it seems this holiday is a feast day, it is more than that. It is a time to give praise and thanks to the goddess Phoenix for bestowing on mankind the gift to domesticate fire for light, warmth, cooking food and casting spells.