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

In this episode, Luxa Strata and Dr. Cyndi explore the practice of Pharmakeia - Witchcraft Medicine - and its ancient roots connected Hekate, Circe, and Medea. We get into a deep discussion of the poison path's intersection with these goddesses. We start out with a simple ritual, awakening The Sacred Fire, and finish up with a meditative journey into Hekate's Garden. The seven forces assoc...

I was delighted to speak with Nicholas Pearson, author of so many wonderful books and fabulous teacher. Nicholas is my go-to source for information on stones, as well as his books on energy healing and floral essences. Liz Westlake, owner of Materia Magikeia and Stone Instructor in Covina, joined in this conversation where we covered so many topics, from how stones are connected to Hekate (and oth...

Hekate's connections to other goddesses and mythic witches, including Artemis, Selene, Persephone, Demeter, Circe and Medea, are explored in this episode from the archives. View the transcript and watch with CC HERE.

A meditative journey to connect with the energy of early spring, for some spiritual cleaning. Blessings for the Spring Equinox.

Coyote Mae and Dr. Cyndi explored the intersection of spiritual programming and liberation through witchcraft. Focusing on their personal journeys and observations, they discussed the insidious nature of spiritual conditioning, from how it shows up in pagan practices to the unconscious restrictions on personal practice. Respect for varying spiritual paths by seeking to understand rather than domin...

I wanted to do something special for International Women's Day, and I can think of nothing better than starting our conversation about being embodied witches, my lovelies. However you move, from breath to adventure, I honor you on this day, and every damn one. As women, we are often told from the moment we are born (and sometimes even before) that we need to force our bodies into tiny little forms...

This meditation restores equanimity to beings through releasing fear (Phoberos) and embracing the energy of pure love (Agape). This meditation works with breath and the body-spirit essence, forming an internal system unlocking trust, security and firm boundaries. Within this energy field of pure love, we access agape energy, allowing us to embrace/release fear, as well as open up to memories, desi...

This episode explores the powerful archetypal Great Mother Goddess, a figure that spans many cultures, times, and traditions. Focusing on Hekate as one face of this primordial goddess, and others, including Kybele, Demeter, and Kali Ma, discussing how SHE can be a powerful ally for healing our personal mother wound. The mother wound is something that we all carry in different ways, from the conseq...

This is talk and meditation that introduces the listener to Soul Retrieval, as described in Entering Hekate's Cave: The Journey Through Darkness To Wholeness from Red Wheel Weiser. Psychopomp, which translates from Greek as “Soul Guide,” is one of Hekate’s most ancient roles. Certainly, she guided Persephone through rebirth out of the cave, yet we can envision Hekate helping her call back the miss...

Gather round the kitchen table with me and Christen for our conversation blending soul retrieval, kitchen witchery, and the ancient practice of Hekate's Supper. This chat is rooted in the Psychopomp chapter in Entering Hekate's Cave. We were both in the thick of wintry weather, so the warmth of the hearth was especially compelling, and our conversation reflects this. We discuss how we are culinary...

In this special edition recording, the amazing Carmen Spagnola, host of The Numinous Podcast,  interviews me about my new book, Entering Hekate's Cave, which provides the reader with  trauma-sensitive and spiritually-oriented healing practices rooted in the symbolism of Hekate's Cave and some of her many attributes. Listen to The Numinous Podcast. Watch this episode with CC and searchabl...

I love chatting with the fabulous Amy Blackthorn. She's one of my favorite authors, bringing a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to her writing.  We cover some hard topics, from my chronic illness and eating disorder to Amy's horrific injuries from an accident years ago. However, we equally bring JOY to the dialogue, how we stand in our power (even with the mainstream healthcare sys...

I've been wanting to do an episode on gender and queerness for ages. Hekate provides a safe space for exploring gender and queerness, providing comfort and security for this amazing conversation between me and the fabulous Coyote Mae. Personally, hanging out with Coyote Mae is always healing for me, and I believe you'll concur after this episode. Hekate's long history clearly indicates that, as a...

This meditative exercise is an excerpt from a class I taught earlier this week. It's absolutely one of my favorite practices. In Entering Hekate's Cave, I discuss kairos, the eternal nonlinear time of the deeper world: We open up to our soul’s vision, which perceives our inner depths and sees beyond chronological time. Skotia opens us up to the kairos, the eternal cyclical time of the goddess. We...

I can't think of a better first episode for the new year than by illuminating Hekate's connection with the moon. The healing essence of the moon evokes the intuition, deep inquiry into the self, and connects us to our emotions.  In the following incantation I invoked the spirit of Hekate Paionios (The Healer). The inspiration for this comes from an ancient verse in The Greek Magical Papyri. Y...

This Hekate's Garden meditation can be used to enter the New Year with passion, kindness, and integrity. Combining deep breathing aligning the selves with a meditative journey into Hekate's Garden where we claim the keys from the past, release burdens, and then cross over to the road of the New Year.  Aided by the use of candles, incense and botanicals, this meditation begins with a simple ri...

Proclus, an influential Ancient Greek philosopher who lived during the time that Christianity was taking hold in the fourth century, wrote the Hymn to Hekate and Janus, a theurgical invocation that thrums with mystery and power. I find Proclus' hymn to be a soul balm, and he's quite an enchanting character. This is a wonderful prayer for the new year. Hekate is a three-headed goddess of boundaries...

Join me and one of my favorite Hekateans, Jessika, for this chat exploring our places within the holiday season from deep within Hekate's Cave. We riff about so many topics, from why Hekate as a Goddess of Boundaries and how she can help us to have firm ones, to The Black Madonna and other Underworld Goddesses, how we found peace with the story of Jesus' nativity story, to those creeptacular holid...

Join me on this meditative journey to the heart of Hekate's Cave where we meet The Cailleach for unburdening our "stones," on the Winter Solstice (or anytime we need to let go our heaviness). I adore The Cailleach. She connects me to my Celtic roots, and always welcomes the weary traveler, offering shelter from the winter's storms. From Entering Hekate's Cave: The Journey Through Darkness To Whole...

I discuss the very difficult period of Hekate's History from Roman Times, through Christianity, to today. Note that this is a heavy discussion, including references to violence, misogyny, and patriarchy. Take good care while watching. It all ends well, with the redemption of Hekate during the 20th century.  Hekate is an ancient goddess who stands for a balance between darkness and light.&nbsp...

In my new book, Entering Hekate's Cave, I discuss developing a close connection with an avian ally as we do the deep work of healing into our unique wholeness. This meditation connects us to winged creatures through imaginal shapeshifting. "I recommend developing a close alliance with a winged companion for your journey through Hekate’s cave. Avian allies were often associated with Hekate and her...

Claiming ALL our emotions is absolutely necessary for becoming so much more. However, we live in a world that often tells us that we are "overly emotional," or (even worse) "too sensitive." What's the deal with that? It is that our culture conditions us to deny the power of emotions, which are deeply rooted in the sacred feminine. In this first part of my talk on emotions, I dive into the stories...

Borborophorba is an obscure title of Hekate translated as "The Filth Eater." She brings the Spirit of Catharsis with her, calling upon us to release our personal junk to her. This meditation introduces you to the energy of Borborophorba. Recorded live during the Borborophorba New Moon Salon in Covina.  You can learn more about Borborophorba in my book, Entering Hekate's Cave. Find where to pu...

Gatekeeping is such a loaded word today. Often used to how others work to prevent access to knowledge, especially in spiritual settings. However, the role of The Gatekeeper is central to understanding both the history and mystery of The Goddess Hekate. In this talk, mythologist Angela Natividad and I open the gate to Hekate as Propylaia. The term "propylaia," itself has a fascinating past; referri...

Journey to the Moon Altar to retrieve a key from Hekate in this meditation. Watch with subtitles, read the transcript and more here: https://app.searchie.io/watch/mpqzgze92K Ethics: https://keepingherkeys.com/ethics  Study with me: https://members.covinainstitute.com/