Cyndi Brannen's Blog

It’s been eight years since I wrote the first article on the Keeping Her Keys blog. I didn’t set out to do anything, other than answer Hekate’s call. Libra season, when the sun is in the sign, personally holds so much significance for me. I’m a lifelong learner, so this time of the year unlocks the potential for developing further. Going back to school. I have a Libra moon, positioned three days after the new moon. The energy of beginnings, coupled with Libra’s sense of commitment.

Makes perfect sense that I started KHK during the time of Libra. Three years later I left the platform I had been publishing the blog on because I couldn’t reconcile my beliefs with those of the company that owned the website. Checking the dates, the waxing moon was in Libra when I made the decision, reflecting this sign’s call for personal integrity. The baser side of Libra might have wanted me to stay, desiring acceptance and popularity over integrity. The scales, which perfectly symbolize this sign, of integrity and ambition, tipped to the former, and I quit. I could have handled it better. I own the mistakes I made in leaving that platform, and other groups that I was involved with at the time. But I have zero regrets. I did what was best for me. What I felt called by Hekate to do. Very Libra moon.

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I did this ritual on the beach prior to launching the Keeping Her Keys blog in Oct. 2017.

And here we all are today. If you are wondering if answering Hekate’s call is right for you, permit me to be your inspiration. Should you be wondering if it is Hekate calling you. It is. You’re here reading this. That is all the evidence I need. Trust, another key of Libra, is on the altar. Trust that if it feels right in your soul, it is. Make the choice. You are sacred. Your life is the altar.

The Real Meaning of Devotion

The word “devotion,” can carry trauma for me. I was raised in the evangelical church. Being a "devoted” Christian was dogmatic, believing that this religion was the only way to heaven, and scorning others was all part of the package. Jesus demanded a virtuous life, free of incorrigible sins like going to movies, dancing, drinking alcohol, and smoking cigarettes. Being queer was a guaranteed one-way ticket to hell, the same with being a witch. I knew, as we all do in our hearts, who I was, yet I didn’t dare to go for those unforgivable sins, since my dalliances with the minor ones of movie going and dancing resulted in such uproar. I moved who I was to the bottom of my life list, and focused on surviving. Libra loves costs/benefits analyses, and the toll was too steep to even dream of being who I was in the world.

My life was a sham, which is part of the shadow side of Libra. Playing a role to survive, denying what would make me thrive. Watch out for this trap. I made it out, and you can, too. Whatever pit life has thrown you into, reach out to Hekate. Like the wonderful Torch Bearer in Covina, Kira, said recently, “devotion to Hekate is devotion to yourself.” That’s the meaning of devotion. Showing up for ourselves. Being true to who we are. Like the indomitable Dolly Parton said, “find who you are and do it on purpose.” That is devotion.

I often get asked about what is required for being a devotee of Hekate. Dolly said it best. Do it on purpose. Libra brings us that energy. It asks, as does Hekate, “what is your purpose?” Hekate offers us keys, yet it is up to us to claim them. Devotion doesn’t need to be an elaborate daily practice, although I have a system of what I know works. You can do it in bed, on the toilet, during your commute. It’s naturally a three-step method, as our beloved Triple Goddess (Triformis) is. First, connect to Hekate or whomever you align with. A simple candle, a few words spoken, just open yourself. She will be there. Second, deepen the connection through meditating. It can be a mantra, or a guided meditation, or even just quieting down and listening. Third, reinforce the experiences of part one and two with a bit of divination. This method brings the harmony within and connection that Libra so desires.

Hekate as The Great Balancer

In my personal journey of creating harmony between who I was and the life I was inside, step by step, I broke out of all this programming. One act of rebellion at a time. Like my wife likes to say, “your new life is going to cost you the old one.” That was true, in the Libran energy of the balancing scales, to choose me was to remove so many things from their other side: the approval of my family, my career, relationships, and more. Yet it was as is Hekate, long before I even knew it was her, put a finger on that empty side of the scale and brought me the harmony I had never had. My weights of identity, purpose, passion, and those who supported me, among other things, were held in balance by the divine feminine. Always.

Since I answered her call to start the blog, her finger has remained on the other side of my personal scale, keeping me in check. Holding the balance when life got rough, and it was overwhelming at times. Recalibrating her weight on the scale as I grew, found love, and built a loving home. Yes, also a business. Why this word gets such a negative reaction out of some people is beyond me. Would it be better if I sucked at the business side of being an author and leader of a coven? No, of course not. Libra is good for helping us with the business side of life, governed by Venus who evokes love, and air that is concerned with communication and commerce.

Speaking of the coven, I grew into the role of High Priestess, too. It took so much from my Libra moon to learn the skills necessary, from administration to technology. I’m proud, in the humble Libra way, that I’ve been able to grow into this role that Hekate placed on the scale. Always balanced by her.

Now it’s the day before I realize another key that she gave me: to lead a moon-month long devotional journey with other witches committed, in the very essence of Libra, to following her torches along the crooked path. Step by step I’ve arrived at this place where I am living as my whole self, and supporting others as they do the same. The Libra moon in particular speaks to being a guide of others, and helping to heal with words into our unique beautiful selves.

Balance, Commitment, Beauty: Qualities of Libra

Christen and I explored the characteristics of Libra in a recent Moon Day class dedicated to the upcoming new moon on Oct. 21 at 8:24 AM Eastern.

The Astrology Highlights of The Libra New Moon on Oct. 21, 2025

This Libra new moon occurs when it’s ruler, Venus, is nearby in the same sign, elevating the potency. Look to your chart to see what you have in the 12th house, where this new moon occurs. The 12th house is associated with rebirth, death, devotion to higher ideals, spiritual values, and overcoming what haunts us. What a perfect time to begin a devotional journey, whether by joining us in The Via Hekate, starting with the Keeping Her Keys book, or however you are called.

Additionally, there is a conjunction (meeting) of Mars and Mercury in Scorpio around the time of the new moon, which may bring the relational focus of Libra into the arena of speaking strong truth to those we are close to.

The asteroid Hekate is leaving the sign of Scorpio, moving into Sagittarius. I like to track how Hekate shows up in my life and others as the asteroid changes signs. She’s been in Scorpio since the beginning of 2025. I consider this the home sign for the asteroid based on the essential characteristics of Scorpio, including mystery, desire, and magick, being at the heart of how Hekate is typically experienced.

Hekate and The Libra New Moon

Epithets: Kalliste (Fairest); Eukoline (Good Tempered); Lampadios (Torchbearer)

Meaning: Ruled by air, this sign craves balance and interpersonal closeness. The illuminated side of Libra is a steady burning light that guides others. But shadowy Libra also veers into self-sacrifice in the name of love. Hekate in Libra speaks to the crossroads of self-identity and the need to be accepted.

Themes: Because of the emphasis on commitment inherent in Libra, coupled with the initiatory energy of the new moon, rituals of both are recommended. Seek Hekate’s guidance for navigating the complexities of your personal relationships and perhaps even appeal to her for a deepening of yours with her.

Read more about the signatures of the moon and Hekatean witchcraft in Entering Hekate’s Cauldon.

Practice Notes: Honoring Hekate on The Libra New Moon

In the coven, the Libra New Moon is when we experience our annual commitment ritual. Whether you join us for the ritual or do your own, the Libra New Moon is an opportune moment to answer her call, and commit to following her torches along the crooked path. In the coven, our personal work and collaborative project was to create a triple mask, consisting of our shadow, soul, and whole, bringing harmony. A great exercise to unlock your personal keys, creating harmony among our three selves. Whether on paper or an app, or even on papier mache masks, decorate them as you feel led, and then adorn with keywords for each of the three. Form into one whole shape and offer to Hekate as a symbol of your devotion.

The invocation I’ve selected is one from the early days of the Keeping Her Keys blog:

Hail Hekate Kleidouchos, She who holds the Keys.
Hail Hekate Dadouchos, She who lights the World.
Hail Hekate Propylaia, She who stands at the Gate.

I stand before you, humbled by your blessing of a new key,
That opens the gate to a new beginning.
Accept my gratitude for bringing me to this place.

May I be brave enough to take up the key.
May I be committed enough to do the required work.
May I be strong enough to overcome all obstacles.

I ask for Your continued blessing,
Your guidance,
And protection,
So that I will be true to my path ahead.

Hail Hekate Kleidouchos, She who holds the Keys.
Hail Hekate Dadouchos, She who lights the World.
Hail Hekate Propylaia, She who stands at the Gate.

Libra New Moon Meditation

I’m a bit sick in this video, in case you notice I’m not my usual self. Just a virus.

Blessings of The Libra New Moon,
And Hail Hekate, Bringer of Balance.

Cyndi

keepingherkeys.com

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I call to you, Queen of the Hieros Pyr,
For you were born of the stars and darkness,
You are the spark,
Giving birth to your sacred flame.
Your fire reigns.
Your fire breathed life into the world,
Descending into your fiery cave at the core,
Fueling your eternal cauldron
Your flames fuel all that is.
From hence you walk the worlds,
Guiding your chosen.
Hail Hieros Pyr, Keeper of the Wheel of Fire,
May I walk in your Wheel of Fire.

The harvest of the sacred fire is the energy of the Aries Full Moon of October 6-7 (11:47 PM Eastern on Oct. 6). This event brings the fire, evoking the illumination of Hekate’s Torches. Not only is this enough energy to fire us up, but it’s also a supermoon and often called The Harvest Moon, being the first full moon after the autumn equinox. The Season of The Witch truly ignites with this full moon.

Hekate and The Aries Full Moon

Ruled by the element of fire, and cardinal in position, the first sign of the zodiac is about the ignition, courage, and vitality necessary to begin anew. Aries is associated with assertiveness, independence, and power. As one of the three fire signs, Aries connects to all fiery aspects of Hekate. With it’s potential to burn away what doesn’t serve, but also create a free life, it’s an ideal full moon for illuminating the way forward. Certainly, connecting to Hekate during the Aries Full Moon will unlock the harvest of fire, both as a creative force and for releasing what blocks.

Bound “aries,” witches. Aries doesn’t suffer fools, or self-limiting beliefs. It is an intense, pedal-to-the-metal full moon. Stay rooted in the earth while you embark on your personal fire harvest. Keep your boundaries solid. Working on them is an excellent practice for this full moon.

Aries

Epithets: Ergatis (Energizer); Rixipyle (Breaker of Barriers); Agriope (Fierce)

Meaning: Brash, courageous, and independent. Hekate in Aries amplifies assertiveness, bravery, motivation, and the quest for personal freedom.

Themes: As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries is excellent for rebirth. Aries can bring up conflict, yet also courage. Petition Hekate in Aries for help with both.

Practice Notes For The Harvest of Fire

There’s many ways to connect with this full moon, including calling forth Hekate’s Sacred Fire. So aligned with the energy. Light a candle and explore the messages about what to harvest as bounty and what to banish as bane. Here’s a couple of different invocations to work with.

You may be feeling more “harvest-y,” called to examine your personal ones, such I was in this invocation:

Harvesting The Power of Hekate’s Torches

I’m using “Harvest of Fire,” as the key expression for this one. Fire both creates and destroys, it nourishes and kills. Here at Aster Cottage, the months long fire ban was lifted on the anniversary of when Christen and I got engaged one year ago. Of course, we had a fire to celebrate. Sitting round the flames, drinking wine, telling stories. The nourishment of fire after months of being in a high risk zone for wildfires. There was one nearby, and we watched it from our property. Fortunately, the wildfires here in Nova Scotia this summer were not personally devastating, but they were part of our everyday life, rendering the danger of fire ever present. We couldn’t even go into the woods on our property until a month ago. The government had imposed a $25,000 fine. That’s how high the fire risk was.

When we were on vacation a few weeks ago, we drove through an area that had been devasted by fire a few years back. While there was still so much damage, new greenery had already taken hold. A powerful reminder that the old needs to burn to birth the new. I look to the signs and meaning in the natural world to connect me to Hekate and her deeper world. As above, so below. What is all around is a reflection of the mystical. The question for us is where do we need to allow spiritual fire to clear out the clutter so that we can harvest of our personal sacred flame, that is being offered by Hekate.

Watch the new podcast episode, featuring Christen and I discussing the meaning and mystery of Hekate’s Torches on all major platforms, and right here watch the whole recording:

You can learn more about Via Hekate and other ways to join Covina HERE.

Paid subscribers: continue onto my Hekate’s Fires and The Aries Full Moon talk and meditation:

Read more

There’s a change in the wind, calling us downwards. Persephone stands in solidarity. She knows the value of the descent into the mysteries. Hekate emerges to guide the way. This Virgo Eclipse-Autumn Equinox convergence on Sept. 21 - 22, holds the potential for ushering in a new era of the divine feminine, and personal empowerment.

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Hekate, Goddess of The Eclipse.
Ruler of The Moon.
Realm of magick and mystery.
Land of emotions and intuition.
Keeper of the Keys of the universe.
Behold how the natural cycle of your Wheel
Brings dark to light,
Ushering in a new era.
Goddess of darkness and light,
Watching over land, sea and sky.
All that is revealed, and yet remains
Hidden, even in this bright light.
Moon Mother, Mother of All.
Wandering under her moon
With rattling keys,
Offering freedom from what binds.
Shining moon-torch
Is as near as my shadow.
Light, darkness, and the in-between.
Life, death, and what lies beyond.
Dark Mother, Moon Mother, Witch Mother.
My soul’s harvest offered,
Triumphs and tragedies,
Guide me to true illumination,
Opening the Gate of Autumn,
So that I may seek your mysteries.

A short update about what’s happening in Covina, including the free Sabbat Salon this weekend. Here’s everything that we have available.

Tomorrow is The Evocation of Hekate during the Lampadios New Moon Salon, at 8:00 PM Eastern. All ritual guides will meet one hour before start time.

Sunday is the Autumn Sabbat Salon in the free Crossroads space. All those who will be reading their contribution to the Collaborative Hymn to Persephone and/or sharing their work on the Persephone's Journey Through The Major Arcana should join via the event link 30 minutes before start time.

There's no Moon Day class this Monday. Instead, we're working on our Collaborative Hymn to Hekate on The Autumn Equinox lesson for contributions. We'll be sharing our work on the hymn during the Book of Shadows Chat Circle on September 23.

View the recordings from last year's The Witches Hour On The Autumn Equinox.

Southern Hemisphere Witches: Go to the Spring Equinox replays.

Find the Autumn Equinox Spotify Playlist that I put together, and share your autumn intentions HERE.

The Via Hekate Resources Section is now available. Find everything you need to prepare for this immersive journey HERE.

The Month of Lampadios Curriculum is available in The Gate of Release, including new recorded classes and the replay from the special road trip edition of Moon Day when we connected with the Eclipse-Equinox energy, with Persephone and gratitude. VIEW.

NEW: Upgrade to Hekate's Keys and/or the Via Hekate with promo codes for 10% off: Hekate's Keys - HEKATESKEYS and Via Hekate - VIAHEKATE. Enter at checkout. LEARN MORE.

My next event hosted by Amityville Apothecary focusing on Hekate's Cave on The Night of Hekate of The Crossroads (November 3) is now available for purchase. CHECK IT OUT.

Can’t join us in Covina? Watch this MEDITATION.

Blessings of The Witch’s Season,

Cyndi

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A simple altar honoring Hekate Einalia, Goddess of The Sea, and the sign of Pisces, the final stop on the zodiac wheel, with the characteristics of emotions, intuition, and mysticism. On the altar: seashells, sea moss, and sand.

Hekate's watery aspects are connected with the three energetic realms. The depths of the sea, with the darkness and monsters like Scylla, are very much in keeping with Hekate as a Dark Goddess. In the everyday world, water we use to sustain our lives can be associated with Hekate as Enodia, the way through the Middle World. Hekate as The World Soul represents her energy of the Upper World, with her soul-stream fueling all creation. This can be represented many ways, including using rain water or melted snow.

The Qualities of Pisces

Pisces is the unique double fish who seeks strength of will to help manage how deeply they feel all their experiences. Coming after the heights of Aquarius to bring balance in the zodiac, it’s the final sign: the possibility of rebirth. This is the deepest depths that go so deep that it becomes ascension into the mystical, imaginal, and intuitive. Pisces asks if we’ve been too “up in our heads,” ignoring our intuition and feelings that come from our root. Pisces corrects this by pulling us deep down into the watery depths. Pisces beckons us to explore the inner life of emotions along with how we are being nourished by others.

Emotional intelligence allows Pisces to be deeply attuned to their interior lives, while also attending to the feelings of others. Because Pisces occupies the depths of the element of water, they can live in the imagination. This fuels their intense creativity, but their inner world can get the best of them. Many Pisces are actors, artists, dancers, musicians, and writers. Both Albert Einstein and Kurt Cobain, two famous Pisceans, had the double fish in their sun. Pisces creates because they are driven to and may shun the spotlight that results from their typically brilliant output.

Pisces laid back nature regarding material pursuits can free them of the demands of our culture, for they often are unaware – or disinterested – in norms about careers and paid work. They must follow the dictates of their inner voice instead. For those with major placements in Pisces, especially the ascendant, this can lead to working with the marginalized, especially as healers.

Pisces thrive in relationships where their inner world can remain intact, so they are truly more independent than interdependent, even though they care so very deeply. Usually introverted, needing large chunks of time away from others to be with themselves.

Bright Pisces is compassionate, kind, and very invested in creating a better world. Their conscientiousness leads them to be devoted companions, although they can become aloof when their cup gets drained by too much stress or drama.

Read more about Pisces, including Spirit Cards and a Spotify playlist in The Oracle.

Hekate and Pisces

Epithets: Einalia (Of the Sea); Phileremos (Lover of Solitude); Ambrotos (Eternal)

Meaning: Otherworldly and oceanic, Pisces longs for the interior world of imagination and mysticism. Chronological time and daily life are foreign to this sign. Hekate Einalia is the sea itself—mysterious, eternal, and primordial—just like Pisces.

Themes: Ritual bathing with sacred smoke and all the accoutrements for transcendent shamanic journeying is appropriate for this new moon. Make a pilgrimage to the sea and place offerings suitable for the wildlife or cleanse yourself in the ocean air. Call on Hekate’s Piscean aspects to connect with her primordial essence.

I included a section on Hekate’s connection with all the major moons in Entering Hekate’s Cauldron, which is great for planning upcoming practices and for reflecting on how previous moons aligned with your connection to her. In Covina, you can find videos and more in The Oracle.

The Astrology of This Lunar Eclipse

Lunar eclipses, such as the Pisces one occurring on September 7, 2025 at about 2:08 pm Eastern, happen during full moons. While this eclipse won’t be visible for us in North America, the energy of the eclipse is still felt. Learn more about the astronomy of this eclipse, including where it’s visible HERE.

Each eclipse is a significant event, marking the transitional point in the greater cycle between earth, moon, and sun. This is the first eclipse of the Pisces-Virgo axis series, meaning that the following solar eclipse on September 21 will be in this earth-bound sign. In the zodiac, they are opposite signs signifying that their characteristics very dissimilar. Virgo makes lists, Pisces dreams. Virgo is practical, Pisces mystical.

The Pisces Full Moon occurs while the sun is in the sign of Virgo, bringing the imaginal into the rational. The opposite happens when the sun is in Pisces. This is how the axis signs of the zodiac work.

In traditional astrology, Pisces is governed by Jupiter, associated with expansiveness, optimism, and spirituality within this sign. At present, Jupiter is in the sign of Cancer, which is governed by the moon, forming a mutual reception with the moon in Pisces. This amplifies the power of the eclipse.

Generally, eclipses unlock what’s been stuck, or they call us back to finish up loose ends. With this eclipse occurring in the fourth house, what we’re called to dive into may swirl around our private self, home and family, psychological wellness, and nurturance. The fourth house is governed by Cancer, adding more tidal pull to the mutual reception I mentioned earlier.

To unlock how this eclipse may be especially relevant for you, look for your Pisces, Cancer, Jupiter, and fourth house placements in your natal chart.

Practice Notes: Eclipse Energy, Invoking Einalia, and Watery Witchcraft

Eclipses are such a powerful time to explore darkness, so very Hekatean in their essence, for they not only either dim the world or occur at night when they are visible, but are also liminal times. As part of my personal studies, I reflect on experiences during the previous eclipses to see how they brought powerful medicine to me.

More on Hekate and eclipses in The Oracle.

Hekate's association with the sea, and thus all the water signs in the zodaic, stretches from the earliest known descriptions to contemporary understanding. As Einalia, she is the Goddess of the Seas, ruling over the oceans and providing bounty to those who make their living from it. As The World Soul, she is the stream providing essence to all of nature. There are many ways to incorporate Hekate's watery aspects in contemporary devotion and witchcraft, ranging from honoring her though activism to making magick with oceanic treasures.

Eclipse Water

Set pure water, especially sea or salted, under the moonlight the night before and after the eclipse to infuse with the qualities of the Pisces lunar eclipse. Keep in mind that the moon is also full, so the attributes of this phase, such as illumination and manifestation, will be co-mingled with the “new era,” characteristics of the eclipse. You can watch this recording about making moon water, although I am discussing Aries, but the technique is the same.

Watery Hekatean Witchcraft

Water can play a big role in our witchcraft, from the suit of Cups in the Tarot to using oceanic items in spells. If you are inclined to work with Hekate as a Goddess of the Sea, you can incorporate water, sea salt, sand, oceanic rocks and even seaweed in your workings. I included seaweed in Entering Hekate’s Garden specifically to connect to Einalia. Seaweed can be found and purchased in various forms.

Pictured below is a small abundance wreath made from the type of seaweed known as bladderwrack.

Evoking Hekate Einalia

Beyond the invocation shared at the beginning of this article, connect with Hekate Einalia through focusing on water, from a simple offering bowl to submersing yourself. Einalia is of the depths, so she will unlock the mystical, coupling up with the sign of Pisces.

Ancient texts such as The Orphic Hymn to Hekate and Hesiod’s Hymn, as well as portions in The Greek Magical Papyri include her aspect of Einalia, such as this one:

For you engendered everything on earth

And from the sea and every race in turn.

Of winged birds who seek their nests again.

Mother of all, who bore Love, Aphrodite.

Lamp-bearer, shining and aglow, Selene.

Adapted from The Greek Magical Papyri, IV 2441-2621. (In Entering Hekate's Cave)

Hekate as Goddess of the Sea provides another way to work with her in addition to her more widely known roles as a liminal goddess and as a an Under World deity. Just like the water we so often take from granted, we acknowledge Hekate as a watery life force is vital to our practice and existence.

Coupled with this Pisces eclipse, Hekate Einalia comes through with the keys of emotional intelligence, imagination, and mysticism.

However this eclipse unlocks for you, may you swim in the magic.

Here’s what’s happening in Covina:

In the Via Hekate, we’re chatting about how we’re honoring Hekate on this dark moon, as we get ready for the program which has the first class in September. The immersive 30 Days of Hekate, with THIRTY live events, including three rituals starts with the preview class on September 21, the autumn equinox. Join now to get ready, and connect with other devotees, plus add the schedule of events to your calendar, and get early access content.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIA HEKATE

In Covina this month, we’re exploring Hekate’s aspect of Chthonia, of the depths, which connects to our work with Einalia. We’re celebrating the Pisces eclipse with the Chthonia Full Moon Salon, when we’ll be collaborating on a sustaining talisman, and crafting Oleum Spirita, which is traditional for the Pisces Full Moon, merging the mystical with the liquid. Watch the replays from this week’s Pisces Eclipse class, too. Coming up is the Month of Lampadios, Hekate as the Torch Bearer, starting on the solar eclipse-autumn equinox.

DISCOVER HEKATE'S KEYS

Get a taste of Covina with the free self-directed Crossroads space, full of recorded classes and lessons.

JOIN THE CROSSROADS

All Covina members can also join our free supplemental spaces, including The Keeping Her Keys Read Along, The Oracle: Astrology and Divination, and The Well: Healing Resources once inside the coven. There’s the Coven Chat, Help Desk, and more to unlock within the gates of Covina. You can upgrade to a program of study within the tradition whenever you are ready.

Continue onto my class on Hekate and The Pisces Lunar Eclipse, plus a brand NEW conversation about Einalia that Christen and I recorded on the coastal cliffs. We took a full day to dwell in her mysteries as we connected with the upcoming eclipse energies.

Read more

I’ve felt called to lead an immersive experience of Hekate that challenges and connects for a long time. That time has finally arrived.

The Via Hekate is a five-week long program with thirty live events, including three rituals that runs from Oct. 18 - Nov. 22, 2025.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Suitable for anyone called to deep work with Hekate. We’ll be exploring thirty aspects of Hekate, from personal reflections, exercises, meditations, readings, and rituals. Of course, there’s witchery, too, with our collaborative talisman and personal versions.

We’ve already got an amazing group of students, guides and torch bearers in the Via Hekate. Join now to get ready, review the schedule and topics, plus connect in our chat. All located within Covina, a private network where you can safely express your spirituality.

The program is $99 USD/$109 CDN, which includes a one year subscription to Via Hekate so you can work through all the event recordings and content at your own pace, plus stay connected to the community of Hekatean devotees. Since it’s a one-time payment, joining now doesn’t cost any extra.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIA HEKATE

If you want to wait to decide until the free preview, that’s great. The preview is on Sept. 21 at 4:00 PM Eastern. Here’s the link to join the live preview event:

SEPT. 21 LIVE PREVIEW LINK

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To the flame,
I now release
All that blocks my inner peace.
From the flame,
Drawing truth and power.
I call them to me this very hour.
Standing before this flame of might,
I invoked the sacred light.
To Chthonia,
I now descend.
To Lampadios,
Who shines within.
To Borborophorba,
Bringer of catharsis.
Entering Hekate’s Cave,
The journey begins…

Read more

I’ve just finished a month-long devotional cycle, where I deeply connected with Hekate’s different aspects. Thirty Days of Hekate. I’ve been sharing the Book of Shadows creations from scrap paper and my imagination over on Instagram. What can’t been seen in these photos is the deep work I was engaged in, from exploring new avenues of scholarly research on the epithets to personal healing.

Here’s the completed Book of Shadows from this devotional cycle.

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I’m staying down here in Chthonia’s realm, inviting you into her depths. This isn’t the easy path of artificial light. It’s the bravery to face our shadows, to commit to the intentional underworld journey so we eventually emerge whole.

Her darkness is so vast, and she knows suffering so well, there is nothing we can offer her that is ever refused.

Chthonia (usually pronounced "ka-thon-ee-ah," but also as "thon-ee-ah") is one of Hekate’s most ancient titles. A deity is considered chthonic if they abide in the Underworld, as opposed to ouranic deities, who reside on high.

It is Hekate’s chthonic energy that often presents to us when we are at our lowest. This is a symbolic representation of our own "earthiness," an indication that we feel deeply when our internal Underworld calls us to deep healing. Chthonia comes at these moments and especially during autumn, when all is returning to the earth.

Chthonia is a call to healing, a path of resistance against the false gods of artificial light, and an awakening to our own witch powers. I welcome you into her territory. Go gently, trust she abides, and you’ll unlock a richness within and with her.

She crouches in the corner,
Shivering from eons of damp neglect.
Then Titaness, with eyes shooting fire-arrows.
Next, ancient stone mother with snakes for hair.
Daughter.
Crone.
Mistress of life,
Bringer of death.
The transforming
Wild goddess.
Trembling, dancing.
Relentless thrumming.
Whispers, shouts.
Cave and mountain.
River and desert.
Pulse of the universe.
Go ahead, she says,
Remain.
With your doom-scrolling, panic-inducing nonsense.
Plucking eyebrows, yet
Avoiding the mirror.
I’ll still be here.
Getting water all over the bathroom floor.
Sitting at your desk.
In the corner of your bedroom,
Black eyes shining watching you slumber.
Legs stretched out from a kitchen chair,
Watch out, don’t trip.
Until. You. See.
That it is a reflection.

from Entering Hekate’s Cave: The Journey Through Darkness To Wholeness

Meditation: Healing In Hekate’s Cauldron

The cauldron, the iron womb, is symbolic of Hekate’s Cave. I view the cauldron as the center point on her great altar in the heart of the cave. All energy flows from this cauldron, and to it we all return. In this meditation, I add the sacral healing power of the color orange, which I associate with Chthonia in addition to more obvious hues like black and brown.

Practice Notes

Working with Chthonia includes facing our own inner mysteries, from shadow work to better boundaries, while descending into her calling.

Get your feet and hands into the earth. Chthonia translates as “of the earth,” including not only the symbolic underworld but also the actual earth. Venture into caves, bury yourself in sand, contemplate a bog. Burrowing insects and other chthonic creatures are messengers of Hekate’s chthonic aspects. Look for them in unexpected ways as you connect with Chthonia. Christen was recently burying a release spell we did with the coven, and in the hole were the largest grubs we’ve ever seen.

The eschara was a type of altar-brazier that the ancient used in venerating Hekate. Meant to be placed low to the ground to connect with Chthonia, create a modern version with a tray and make your offerings to her upon it. Even an altar cloth, when we see it as emblematic of the chthonic realm, helps us connect. In almost all of my photos, there is a tray under the objects, so the down belowness of Hekate is always present.

Root work: Chthonia dwells in the lower realm of emotions, intuition, magick, and the deeper world of dreams and spirits. What areas are unlocking for you?

Practice prompt: Create your own shadow mask and offer it to Hekate.

All this month in the Hekate’s Keys Program, we’re connecting to Hekate Chthonia. Today, we’re working on our collaborative hymn in preparation for the upcoming (very chthonic) eclipse, here’s my personal contribution:

Write your own hymn or letter to Hekate Chthonia, expressing your feelings, offering her what you are releasing, and committing to the deeper journey she offers. If you are called to our coven community, you’ll experience the mysteries of Chthonia all this month.

MORE ABOUT THE HEKATE'S KEYS PROGRAM

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Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

My journey is a blessed one,

Each key you give me unlocks great power,

Grateful I am for all your keys

The key of acceptance for that which I cannot change,

The key of courage to overcome adversity,

The key of compassion for myself and others,

The key of pain through which I discovered my own strength,

The key of suffering in which I found healing,

The key of peace that brings me contentment,

The key of wisdom so that I may live a life of truth.

Rosemary, the colors green and orange, and a good clean-up of the altar are all in keeping with the Virgo New Moon.

I’ve selected The Witches Prayer to Hekate from the Keeping Her Keys book as the invocation for this Virgo New Moon. The structure and tone of this channeled prayer connects us to many of the qualities of this lunar event.

In 2025, there are TWO Virgo New Moons, one arriving in the early hours of Aug. 23 (2:06 AM Eastern) and the other as an eclipser, accompanying the autumn equinox on Sept. 21 (3:53 PM Eastern). How is this possible? Maybe it’s just that the world needs this most considerate sign, that knows boundaries and how to enforce them, so much right now. Astrologically speaking, it’s happening because the first Virgo New Moon occurs just when the sun moves into the sign, at zero degrees, and the eclipse version occurs at the tail end (29 degrees).

Virgo’s earthiness calls us downward into our own realness. We are sacred. The drive for order characteristic of Virgo reminds me of a flight of stairs. Envision releasing what no longer serves as you descend. Quite a few years ago, I wrote a Facebook post that said something like, “Hekate tells us to stop our shit, and give her our bullshit.” This could be the Hekate and the Virgo New Moon slogan. Virgo is always kind, yet firm. Never fussy, leaning towards fastidiousness, and ever willing to help. However, Virgo has their boundaries, from keeping it all organized to who they are willing to give energy to. Much to be learned from this sign. Let it go with Virgo.

Keep in mind that the new moon is for honoring Hekate, from rituals to setting personal intentions on how to walk the path she sets out for us. The New Moon is the spiritual Dark Moon, and the night without it’s light is sacred. Virgo may not be known as the most mystical of signs, yet her orderliness and compassion evokes Hekate as the firm, yet gentle guide. What is she calling you to do? Isn’t it time to Virgo your calling into a plan? Perhaps this new moon is for cleaning up the altar, refreshing your statues, arranging flowers into a bouquet and taking it to a crossroads.

Hekate and Virgo

Epithets: Aregos (Helper); Alexeatis (Destroyer of Evil); Phosphoros (Light Bearer)

Meaning: Concerned with comfort and order, as well as deeply sensitive, Virgo is a helpful sign that bids us to tend to hearth and home. Hekate in Virgo teaches us to take care of what matters, with attention to the small things.

Themes: If chaos and clutter are taking hold, the Virgo new moon is the perfect time to call upon Alexeatis to get rid of this particular evil. This is an opportune time to pretty up your witchy space, adding flowers as offerings, comforting scents, and more. Petition Hekate on the Virgo new moon to discover joy through beautiful things.

The Astrology of This Full Moon

With the bookending New Moons surrounding the sun’s season in Virgo, expect all the Virgo vibes to be intense for the next four weeks. Mercury has come out of retrograde, so he is full of energy, ready to instill the powers of this sign, where he is exalted.

Not only do Hekate and Mercury share the title of “Chthonia,” they are also both psychopomps, pulling us downward into our own realness. Calling us to do deep healing, especially in relationships, and honoring what is real, true and beautiful in our own soul.

Practice Notes: Honoring Hekate Through The Witches Prayer

Prayer as a word can be challenging, due to previous experience or just wanting to distance ourselves from anything to do with religion. I get it. Years ago, I reclaimed the word for my sacred practice. The Witches Prayer to Hekate is ideal for the Virgo New Moon, as it evokes the aspects of Hekate that most align with it’s qualities. Tidy up, set your candle, place your offerings, and then recite this. Then wait. Hekate will come to you.

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

Blessed am I,

To call myself one of your chosen.

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

You are both the dark and the light,

You are the way,

And You are the light along it.

My Queen, You hold the keys of all creation.

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

I stand before you in this liminal space,

That you created for us alone.

Here in this place of the in-between,

I feel the energy of the worlds,

I see the vision of the future,

I hold the wisdom of the past.

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

You have bestowed upon me the power of the Witch.

Through the gifts of Your sacred keys,

I am the walker between the worlds,

The spinner of the web of fate,

The knower of Your secrets,

The student of Your mysteries,

The giver of Your healing.

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

My journey is a blessed one,

Each key you give me unlocks great power,

Grateful I am for all your keys

The key of acceptance for that which I cannot change,

The key of courage to overcome adversity,

The key of compassion for myself and others,

The key of pain through which I discovered my own strength,

The key of suffering in which I found healing,

The key of peace that brings me contentment,

The key of wisdom so that I may live a life of truth.

Mighty Hekate, Queen of the Witches,

My witch’s journey is a blessing,

Through the darkness of the underworld,

Up to the heights of the heavens,

And the balance of everyday life.

Through all situations, I honor You.

In all ways, I honor You.

For all of time, Eternal Queen, I honor You.

I’m concluding my month-long personal Devotional Cycle, that I’ve been sharing bits of on my Instagram. In the Via Hekate, we’re chatting about how we’re honoring Hekate on this dark moon, as we get ready for the program which has the first class in September. The immersive 30 Days of Hekate, with THIRTY live events, including three rituals starts in October. Join now to get ready, and connect with other devotees, plus get all mine and Christen’s prep notes, previews, and bonuses.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIA HEKATE

As an earth sign, Virgo is great for connecting to Hekate’s Chthonia aspects, especially since her ability to travel through the down below is shared with this sign’s ruler, Mercury. In Covina this month, which starts with the Virgo New Moon, is dedicated to this aspect.

DISCOVER HEKATE'S KEYS

Get a taste of Covina with the free self-directed Crossroads space, full of recorded classes and lessons.

JOIN THE CROSSROADS

All Covina members can also join our free supplemental spaces, including The Keeping Her Keys Read Along, The Oracle: Astrology and Divination, and The Well: Healing Resources once inside the coven. There’s the Coven Chat, Help Desk, and more to unlock within the gates of Covina. You can upgrade to a program of study within the tradition whenever you are ready.

Continue onto my class on Hekate and Virgo, with a meditation. Plus an all-new class on Hekate Chthonia: Goddess of The Depths

Read more

The Gate of Release Altar is ready for the new season. Claim Hekate’s Keys in The Gate of Release.

To the flame,
I now release
All that blocks my inner peace.
From the flame,
Drawing truth and power.
I call them to me this very hour.
Standing before this flame of might,
I invoked the sacred light.
To Chthonia,
I now descend.
To Lampadios,
Who shines within.
To Borborophorba,
Bringer of catharsis.
Entering Hekate’s Cave,
The journey begins…

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The Moon Months of Release

Journey through the season to release what no longer serves through connecting with three aspects of Hekate via magick, mystery, and soul medicine.

Chthonia: The Descent

As The Wheel of The Year (in the Northern Hemisphere) turns towards releasing the vibrancy of summer, we, too, begin to separate from the solar and start the descent into the lunar mysteries. Chthonia translates to "Of The Earth," this is not the common Earth Goddess but a deeper spirit that dwells in the depths.

During Chthonia, we focus on healing the shadow through explorations of The Sustainer archetype and our personal boundaries. Ever her faithful companion, Deer is our animal ally. To "sustain" our real work, we are helped by the correspondences of rosemary, black obsidian, and the color orange.

Lampadios: The Illumination

As we enter Hekate's Cave for our journey through darkness to wholeness, we see the flame of Hekate's Torch burning within. Lampadios is one of the many ancient titles given to Hekate, and other Chthonic spirits, to symbolize the illuminated journey back to the soul. This month we focus on The Destroyer archetype as we prepare to release our burdens. What do you carry that needs to be released? Persephone, whose very name means "Destroyer," comes through as companion for the journey.

Ever the ally for the night journey, Owl comes through as we call upon this spirit, plus our individual avian allies as helpmates for the Cave Journey.

Aster, one of the key ingredients in the traditional Oleum Spirita formula, is the plant spirit, accompanied by tiger's eye and the color yellow.

Borborophorba: The Catharsis

An obscure title of Hekate, Borborophorba translates as "The Filth Eater." She is the one who accepts our burdens, the miasma weighing us down. Hekate's capacity as The Unseen spirit within all, both life and death, and how The Unseen within us can be illuminated, is the archetype. We end this month with the Animarum Catharsis, and our work afterwards focuses on processing the ritual, while allowing the space created by release to come into consciousness.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Vulture is our animal companion, supported garlic, red jasper, and the color red.

Join Now For Our Free Preview Trial

Tomorrow is the launch of The Gate of Release. Unlock the magick and mystery with Hekate's Keys of Chthonia, Lampadios and Borborophorba.

Join The Hekate's Keys program now for our free preview weekend, including the Witches Hour live session with ritual, meditation, and witchery. We'll be sharing how to make sacred adornment, craft a fab paper BoS, and more. No worries if you can't join live, the replays for all our live events are shared as recordings afterwards.

See you in The Gate of Release,

Cyndi and Christen

ENTER THE GATE OF RELEASE

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The Aquarius Full Moon occurs at 3:59 AM on August 9, 2025, ushering in the opportunity to see beyond the limits, and embrace our unique practice.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

She who is the very soul of the world,

Within me lives the same spark,

That fuels all of creation,

And birthed the universe.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

The higher perspective of Aquarius reminds me of this invocation from the Keeping Her Keys book, making it my recommendation for rituals honoring Hekate on the Aquarius Full Moon.

Governed by air, yet fixed rendering Aquarius into the high altitude stillness of a mountain top, this sign offers the climb upward to see beyond the mundane. Ever unique and non-conformist, Aquarius releases our own quirkiness and desire for self-expression. Unlike Leo, who needs to be seen, Aquarius needs to see. Concerned with humanity, prone to innovation and resistant to pithy definitions, this sign certainly can be a portal to Hekate as Anima Mundi, Soul of the World.

Indeed, the main source for this appellation comes from what could be considered an Aquarian text - The Chaldean Oracles. Thought to have been written at a time when the “old religion,” was bein usurped by Christianity, the context breathes that Aquarius need to speak their truth as right. The Oracles describe, in the minute detail that this sign favors, the essence and order of the universe. Very Aquarian concerns.

Hekate and Aquarius

Epithets: Astrodia (Star Walker); Promethikos (Visionary); Psychopomp (Soul Guide); Propylaia (Threshold).

Meaning: The star-born water bearer pours perspective onto earthy dwellers, offering insight into your own soul and encouraging you to break away from tradition and appreciate your own uniqueness.

Themes: Soul retrieval and past-life explorations are ideally suited for the Aquarius new moon. Hekate’s celestial aspects—like those associated with the higher mysteries, channeling, and astral travel—open up during this time. When troubled by the confines of everyday life, connect with Hekate in Aquarius to awaken your personal truth.

The Astrology of This Full Moon

I'm spotlighting the Mercury-Aquarius connections for this full moon. Although Mercury is still retrograde until Aug. 11, he's been dialing up to Uranus in his home sign of Gemini. With the moon in Aquarius, which is governed by Uranus in modern astrology, the interplay between these two will only intensify. The full moon itself occurs in the seventh house of the interpersonal (ruled by Libra), near Pluto in the same sign. Depending on where this hits in your chart, you may find the tension between wanting to be fully yourself and maintain relationship harmony is front and center during the days before and after the full moon.

Practice Notes: The Meaning of Devotion and Personal Expression

I began a month-long Via Hekate Devotional Cycle on the Leo New Moon, exploring thirty different aspects through “junk journaling.” There’s something very Aquarian about expressing spirituality with unique means, and not giving a whim if it makes sense to anybody else. While I’m spending my days creating pages that are offerings with whatever scraps and resources I have on hand, I encourage you to express your devotion using what you have. There’s no ritual or meditation that connects me more to Hekate than when I am in deep with how to vivify her epithets by creating a paper collage. Whatever is your personal way of self-expression, from making art to the clothes you wear, allow that Aquarius flow to inspire you to resist conformity. You do you.

My junk journal entry for Anima Mundi. I made the strophalos from a piece of acrylic that had been packaging, after I taped it to paper and ran it through the laser printer (note that I said laser, it won’t work on inkjet). Background is a galactic image I had saved and then edited for the cool effect. Printed on silver shimmer paper. The strophalos spins. You can join me for the immersive Via Hekate program which begins in October.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VIA HEKATE

In Covina, we’re concluding The Gate of Renewal with the Propylaia Full Moon Salon on the Aquarius Full Moon. On Sunday, we’re recording the overview class for The Gate of Release that starts on the Virgo New Moon, but we’ve got special prelude classes coming up, too. Bonus: if you join The Hekate’s Keys program now, you’ll have immediate access to all four months of The Gate of Renewal plus get oriented to The Gate of Release.

DISCOVER HEKATE'S KEYS

Get a taste of Covina with the free self-directed Crossroads space, full of recorded classes and lessons.

JOIN THE CROSSROADS

All Covina members can also join our free supplemental spaces, including The Keeping Her Keys Read Along, The Oracle: Astrology and Divination, and The Well: Healing Resources once inside the coven. There’s the Coven Chat, Help Desk, and more to unlock within the gates of Covina. You can upgrade to a program of study within the tradition whenever you are ready.

Continue onto my class on Hekate and Aquarius, with a meditation. Plus an all-new class on Hekate Propylaia: Goddess At The Threshold

Read more