Myliea - Blog Posts

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.