Then Ohenn - Blog Posts
QUESTION & ANSWER: NEW YEARS
QUESTION: Is The first day of November, (All Saint's Day) also New Years in the Bowynn Tradition?
ANSWER: No. Thats a Wiccan ideology. For us, New Years day is September 1st, called "Then Ohenn."
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.
