Keeping Her Keys: At The Crossroads of Modern Life and the Deeper World

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 ...

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 confrontin...

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 Ch...

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 b...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 tr...

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 ...

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...

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...

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.

JOIN COVINA FOR FREE TO ATTEND THE LIVE RITUAL AND ACC...

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 t...

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 ...

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, ...

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, ...

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 exercis...