Tarna - Blog Posts

BOWYNN GODS: TARNA

Tarna with her sisters, Myliea, Quilla and Kora

Tarna  (Tar-nah)  Goddess of the summer season. She is the daughter of Morrighynn and Herne, sister of Kora, Myliea and Quilla and the consort to the god Saphon. Her name literally means "Summer."      Few tales are told of Tarna and her sisters as her role in nature keep her busy. She was born on the first day of summer. Tarna and her sisters were always bickering and contesting against each other over various things since their birth. Tarna contested with her sisters for which season they would rule over. In this contest Tarna created a field of sunflowers up from the ground. Tarna’s folks granted her the season of summer to govern over, judged by her gift. Thus, on the last day of Spring, Quilla departs the land, while Tarna appears on the first day of summer on a magnificent golden horse; bringing the greens and gold to the summer season and growing of sunflowers, marigolds and daisy.  The other sacred story tells of Tarna’s sacred marriage to Saphon, God of the South.

     Tarna is seen as a motherly female figure, refined with golden blond hair laced with a crown of ferns and sunflowers. She is clad in summer green colors and golden trim. Her hlad is of the same tones. Sometimes she is said to have a Daddalo [Stola] of golden yellows. In her hand is often seen a staff of Maple with ribbons wrapped on it of summer colors. Other times she is seen with a basket of summer flowers. Sometimes she is said to be winged with golden or yellow feathers. When about mortals she will take the image of a horse or a golden finch, her totem animals.

     Sacred gifts to Quilla are Milk, daisies and sunflowers, votive images of gold/yellow horses, sparrows, finch and of course incense. Most common gifts are wreathes and garlands of summer flowers.