Christen and I delve into the lore and meaning of The Cailleach, and then I guide us through a meditation.
Conversation
We explore the significance of The Cailleach in Celtic folklore, highlighting her role as a symbol of winter, wisdom, and the land. With our personal connection to her, we reflect on how she is the earth itself - land, sea, and sky. She is primordial, she before she had a name, and offers us deep attunement to her wild, natural world. We discuss our annual winter solstice ritual that honours the Cailleach with stone and story offerings. We encourage everyone to find and decorate stones, write letters sharing their stories, and engage in community discussions about their experiences, fostering a deeper connection to this powerful figure, and the power of place.
Meditation
Embark on a meditative journey to The Cailleach's Cave. Sacred smoke from juniper and pine resin sets the tone for reflection and connection. Attune the three selves and journey into her Cave, offering stones as symbols of burdens and gratitude to the Cailleach, the Stone Mother and Bringer of Winter. The meditation invites wisdom and insights from winter's challenges, fostering a deeper connection to nature and personal growth before concluding with a renewed sense of purpose.
Learn more at keepingherkeys.com
In this episode, Christen and I talk about the profound connections between Hekate and the themes of darkness, night, and the afterlife, while contrasting her illuminating aspects. The discussion highlights the importance of embracing darkness as a sacred journey towards personal healing and empowerment, featuring rituals and practices guided by Hekate. Christen and I share personal stories illustrating the challenges of confronting one’s shadows, alongside insights from psychological theories on dreams and shadow work. We encourage a mindful exploration of inner darkness, seeking community support and the gradual nature of healing, ultimately unlocking Hekate’s transformative darkness.
Go to keepingherkeys.com to learn more about courses and books.
Suitable for The Night of Hekate on November 16, this meditation evokes the threshold of light and dark, symbolized through Hekate's torches and the cave-womb of the divine feminine. Through an exploration of the three selves, attune to the power of the dark mysteries, for shadow healing and empowerment.
It's been eight years exactly since I first wrote about November 16, and the entire month, being a time for sacred darkness. As Christen reminded me, I declared back then that the "holy darkness is nigh." Perhaps a bit too-Scorpio, but that's my nature. Here's an excerpt from that original article:
"November 16 is a night for deep spiritual work, of offering Hekate Borborophorba our internal refuse so we may work toward healing our shadow and beginning the process of rebirth. Hekate welcomes her chosen home, but the profane will be banished. Seek her out of sincerity, or risk her fierceness. This ritual will open you to the spirits of the Underworld. Participants have received messages from departed loved ones, animal allies, and Hekate's companions. Persephone, in particular, often meets those who perform this rite.
In the same way we leave offerings at a crossroads for Deipnon, during this ritual, we need leave our spiritual junk, the miasma, in Her underworld, and we don’t look back. We offer her the toxic parts of ourselves that we are ready to let go of, in order to make space for our rebirth, space to take up her keys and move forward as sovereign, fire-walking, truth-weaving witches."
What I wrote about in that article, and the ritual I included, has since evolved into The Animarum Catharsis in Hekate's Keys on the Scorpio New Moon each year. I also included a DIY version of that ritual in my book, Entering Hekate's Cave.
While we are not accepting new students in The Gate of Release, the course within the Hekate's Keys program where the Animarum Catharsis is the concluding ceremony, enrollment is open for the next gate, The Gate of Retrieval. The first month is dedicated to Hekate's sacred darkness, through her epithet of Skotia. Christen and I just recorded a new class on Hekate's Darkness that's available in The Gate of Retrieval Playlist now.
I recorded this podcast episode back in 2019, exploring Hekate's Holy Darkness. You can listen to it, and the meditation I shared above, wherever podcasts are found, and on the Keeping Her Keys website.
Key themes:
This classic meditation, the earliest in what's become hundreds, works to attune our seven energy centers, aka chakras, with the celestial forces of the original seven planets. Goes with my first book, True Magic: Unleashing Your Inner Witch.
Also works well when connecting with Hekate Ourania, Queen of The Heavens.
Just in time for the Taurus Full Moon on Nov. 5, 2025.
The Orphic Hymn to Hekate
Lovely Hekate of the roads and of the crossroads I invoke.
In heaven, on earth,
then in the sea, saffron-cloaked,
tomb spirit reveling in the souls of the dead,
daughter of Perses,
haunting deserted places,
delighting in deer,
nocturnal, dog-loving,
monstrous queen,
devouring wild beasts,
ungirt and repulsive.
Herder of bulls,
queen and mistress of the whole world,
leader, nymph,
mountain-roaming nurturer of youths,
maiden, I beseech you to come
to these holy rites,
ever with joyous heart,
ever favoring the oxherd.
(Athanassakis translation)
The Tauropolos meditation positioned at us the center of Hekate’s Crossroads, the convergence of the three worlds and selves, as we connected with her governance over the realms to bring a deep attunement within ourselves. Tauropolos connects Hekate to the crescent moon through bull’s horns, symbolizing majesty, power, and fertility. Beginning with The Orphic Hymn to Hekate as our invocation, which highlights her dominion over the underworld, middle world, and celestial realms, while also emphasizing her role as “The Herder of Bulls,” the meditation grounds us in her abiding power. Follow up the meditation with practices that honor the body and embrace sensual pleasure, aligning with the nurturing essence of Taurus moon energy.
Go to my Substack for more.
This conversation delves into the symbolism of Hekate's twin torches, representing the duality of creation and destruction. We begin by lighting candles with a new sigil for Lampadios, exploring the significance of fire in both personal experiences and recent wildfires. Hekate's various fire-related epithets highlight her role in spiritual illumination and guidance, particularly in shadow work. Our conversation reflects on her historical context in mythology, her connection to thresholds and journeys, and the integration of the sacred with the mundane, culminating in a celebration of Hekate as the eternal torchbearer.
Learn more about Via Hekate.
Experience profound connection to Hekate and Persephone in this meditative journey. Unlock your inner mysteries as we descend into HER realness, for inner exploration, healing, and transformation. We begin this journey by activating our energetic roots, summoning what sustains and releasing what burdens. Persephone's message of balance, mercy, and grace, comes through, reminding us that we are not meant to be perfect, but whole . Conclude with a return to awareness, integrating the insights gained from this enriching experience.
Join the free Keeping Her Keys Library for tons of recordings and episodes.
Become a member of the COVEN.
Explore the essence of Gemini, a sign embodying duality, communication, and adaptability through this attuning meditation.
Governed by Mercury, Gemini emphasizes the importance of sharing ideas and embracing diverse perspectives. The attunement process fosters grounding and mental agility, while promoting emotional balance and acceptance of internal dualities.
Discover how Gemini season encourages growth and connection, and reflect on the influence of spiritual guides and Hekate's insights. Embrace the journey towards unification and wholeness as you integrate Gemini energy into your life through an attuning meditation.
The discussion emphasizes the duality of Gemini, the importance of communication, and the role of personal development through witchcraft.
Key takeaways:
Chapters
00:00Understanding Gemini: The Dual Nature
05:54Grounding and Connecting with Gemini Energy
09:02The Interpersonal Nature of Gemini
11:53Embracing Duality and Wholeness
14:55Attuning to Gemini's Mysteries1
15:39 Introduction to Hekatean Witchcraft
18:39Exploring the Keys of Hekate
21:31The Transformative Power of Covina GO TO THE SUBSTACK.
In this episode of the Keeping Her Keys podcast, Dr. Cyndi Brannen guides listeners through a transformative ritual dedicated to the divine feminine, specifically focusing on the energies of Hekate during the Aries New Moon eclipse. The conversation explores themes of rebirth, cleansing, and connection to the deeper world, culminating in a meditative journey into Hekate's cave, where participants are invited to embrace their true selves and offer their sincerity to the goddess.
Go deeper into this meditation with Entering Hekate's Cave: The Journey Through Darkness To Wholeness.
Become a student in The Hekate's Keys Program for the live ritual experience and curriculum.
Highlights:
Keywords: divine feminine, Hekate, Aries new moon, eclipse, rebirth, ritual, meditation, cleansing, spiritual journey, astrology, goddess worship.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Aries New Moon Rebirth Meditation
02:55 The Significance of Rebirth and Transformation
05:55 Astrological Insights and the Power of Eclipses
08:05 Preparing for the Meditation Experience
09:28 Rebirth Meditation
44:44 Outro
In this episode of the Keeping Her Keys podcast, Cyndi explores the meaning of Imbolc with Christen and then leads a guided fire and ice meditation. Our conversation delves into the significance of this time in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, emphasizing the importance of inner reflection, rituals, and the connection to Hekate. The meditation guides listeners through the process of embracing both the challenges and the potential for rebirth that this season brings.
Key takeaways:
keywords: Imbolc, Hekate, fire, ice, meditation, rituals, rebirth, witchcraft, Celtic Wheel, spirituality
Join the Gate of Rebirth for a deep immersion in Modern Hekatean Witchcraft.
Cyndi Brannen and Christen Bennett delve into the tragic story of Hecuba, the Queen of Troy, exploring themes of power, grief, and the divine feminine, and why she has much to teach us right now. They discuss Hecuba's transformation from a powerful queen to a symbol of loss and rage, examining the implications of her story in the context of modern life. The conversation highlights the importance of empathy, the role of women in mythology, and the reclaiming of Hecuba's narrative as a means of empowerment.
Join The Witches Hour of Rebirth FREE weekly live sessions, chat and replays.
More on Cyndi's teaching and writing at keepingherkeys.com Keywords: Hecuba, Greek mythology, divine feminine, empowerment, tragedy, grief, loss, women in mythology, Hecate, Trojan War
In this episode Dr. Cyndi discusses the significance of Hekate as we enter the new year, particularly focusing on the astrological implications of Hekate's position in Scorpio, then she guides us through a meditation based on Proclus' Hymn To Hekate and Janus. The conversation delves into some other astrological highlights for this year, the teachings of the ancient philosopher Proclus, and the importance of rituals and meditations in navigating the changes of the year ahead.
The full class on this hymn is HERE.
Key Takeaways:
Astrologers mentioned: Chris Brennan, Chani Nichols, Pam Gregory.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Proclus and Hecate
10:40 Meditation and Grounding for the New Year
14:50 Invocation of Hecate and Janus
18:34 The Duality of Hecate and Janus
20:40 Conclusion and Reflection
We began this episode with some BIG news before entering The Cave of The Cailleach for a Winter Solstice Meditation.
Join The Witches Hour FREE.
Hekate Sigil Necklaces and Books in the KHK SHOP.
This ritual is held live every Night of Hekate around November 16. The text of the ritual can be found in Lesson 6 of the Keeping Her Keys book. In this episode I read through the ritual so you can perform it with me guiding your through it. The second recording is a meditative journey for after the ceremonial components, available in Covina for those who cannot attend live.
This is deep work, go gently. If you are not feeling up to connecting with our ancestors who were persecuted and murdered, or your own witch wound inflicted by hurtful others, you may want to take a pass on this meditation.
This meditation honors witch ancestors and acknowledges the historical persecution of witches, including the Salem witch trials. It emphasizes deep lineage healing and encourages participants to connect with their witch ancestry while extending healing to victims of witch hunts. The session includes grounding exercises, collective healing in a circle, and a focus on reclaiming the identity and power of witches. Participants are invited to connect with specific ancestors for guidance, culminating in a celebration of goddess Hekate and reflection on their experiences.
Join Covina: The Coven of Hekate FREE for all our Samhain content HERE.
Cyndi Brannen and Amy Blackthorn discuss the intersection of witchcraft and social media, focusing on Amy's new book, the Social Media Spellbook. They explore the collaborative process behind the book, the importance of rituals in the digital age, and how to share magical practices online while maintaining personal boundaries. The conversation also touches on the significance of vetting sources in the witchcraft community, the use of online magical names for safety, and the liminal nature of social media as a space for connection. Finally, they introduce a fun spell called 'Candy Corn Creativity' that encourages practitioners to weave their magic into social media posts.
keywords witchcraft, social media, magic, rituals, online community, boundaries, magical names, creativity, collaboration, book review
This episode combines meditation and discussion to ignite our connections with Hekate's Torches.
Explore a transformative meditation centered on Hekate's torches, symbolizing creation, nourishment, and destruction. Participants engage in breathwork to ignite their inner fire, while acknowledging local spirits and ancestors. The session emphasizes grounding through visualization, activating the heart for emotional balance, and connecting with higher wisdom. By integrating root, heart, and crown energies, participants foster inner harmony and receive guidance from Hekate's sacred fire, concluding with an invitation to reflect and meditate further.
The Pyriboulos Council project in Covina blends witchcraft, spirit rituals, and personal healing, drawing inspiration from Hecate, the symbol of trusted guidance. Participants engage with wise advisors, including deities, spirit guides, and influential figures, to aid personal growth and shift perspectives on relationships. This dynamic practice encourages the inclusion of nature elements and tools like tarot and oracle cards, allowing individuals to create their own councils that evolve with their needs and experiences.
We delve into catharsis through Hekate, emphasizing personal empowerment and release via witchcraft. Join us in a candlelit ritual symbolizing letting go, while a protective circle welcomes spirits of release. Key contributors share insights on creative processes, magical crafting, and the integration of psychology with witchcraft. The focus is on shadow work, personal growth, and practical tips for starting a catharsis journey, including a unique ritual with garlic cloves.
Learn more: keepingherkeys.com
Embark with us on a mystical journey, attuning with goddesses and practicing healing witchcraft. Light candles, invoke mystical experiences, and embrace wild and free goddesses. Through poetry and sacred creativity we deepen connections, without rigid rules, following the way of the wild and free goddesses. We discuss balancing everyday life with sacred practices, the benefits of documenting mystical experiences, and cover exercises for awakening your internal mystic, like writing letters for guidance. The cards, dreams, intuitive writing, and more deepen our relationships with goddesses, as we embrace the mystical lifestyle for courage and deep rewards. I wouldn't want to live otherwise. Would you? Go to keepingherkeys.com to learn more about events, courses, and more.
Some announcements: new free space, livestreams, and courses.
Go to keepingherkeys.com for all the details and links.