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

For over 3,000 years, Hekate has reigned as Queen of the Heavens—yet her celestial nature remains one of her most overlooked aspects. In this transformative episode, we journey beyond the underworld to discover Hekate Ourania, the goddess who dwells among the stars and holds dominion over the cosmic realms.

Join us as we reclaim the heavens from patriarchal programming, explore the scientific truth that we are literally made ...

In this episode, Christen and I explore the connections between Hekate and the crone archetype.

Hekate embodies wild wisdom and inhabits the threshold—the space between worlds. The crone similarly occupies liminal territory. Like Hekate, crones are associated with magic and mystery. Hekate tends to restless spirits, helps us cross into the deeper world (and back), is associated with protecting children, and has been subjected...

Content discusses sexual violence and other potentially distressing themes.

For centuries, Medea’s story has been twisted: cast as avillain or a victim, her truth buried beneath myths of revenge and foreignness. But beneath the myth, she’s a powerful archetype—one who challenges us to confront our own traumas, shadows, and the boundaries we fear to cross.

Christen and I explore the mythological and historicalsignifi...

I'm sharing one of my favorite rituals, focused on healing with the five elements, in this episode. The ritual, inspired by Hekate’s epithet of Physis, connects deeply with the natural elements—earth, air, fire, water—and invoke divine guidance for healing and transformation - with the fifth of spirit. This practice offers a powerful way to release pain and align with your authentic self.

Included:

• Steps to conn...

I claim the Key of Catharsis,
Letting go of what blocks and binds.
I claim the Key of Retrieval,
Calling back what was lost.
I claim the Key of Rebirth,
Emerging whole.

Episode cover: Moon phases with the Hekate Paionios: The Healer sigil in the middle. Yours to use as you feel led.

As the world continues to spiral downward, there can be a pull into the vortex that amplifies our own personal wounds. If you're feeling t...

The world is at a crossroads. This is Hekate's realm, where she can help us navigate the most turbulent times. In this new episode Christen and I sit down for another conversation about Hekate as Psychopomp, The Soul Guide.

We explore the different ways we can experience Hekate as The Psychopomp. The first is how we can call upon her to help us find our way to our own soul, from soul retrieval work to past lives, and even more regul...

This episode explores the wisdom and power of the Crone archetype, embracing aging, and finding beauty in life's transitions. The podcast delves into mythology, personal growth, and the journey of self-discovery, centering The Crone as a guide as we navigate the path of becoming a wild and wise older woman.

Christen and I discuss various aspects of The Crone, circling around three figures: Demeter, Baubo, and Hecuba. Demeter's iden...

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 her hist...

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 . C...

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 true s...

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 myt...

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...