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

In this talk, I contextualize the rich history of Hekate Kleidoukhos, ranging from ancient sources such as The Orphic Hymns to her role governing thresholds. Note that this talk was recorded as part of a live class on Hekate as Key Bearer, which was the central seminar for a weekend devoted to this aspect, including the second segment on the thirteen modern Keys of Hekate, a guided meditation to receive a key, a collective tarot reading, and a ceremonial ritual. You can become a student in Hekate's Keys to view those recordings.
The current six month cycle is rooted in my book Entering Hekate's Cauldron. Weekly live seminars, moon salons, sabbat rituals. Resource guidebooks, sharing circles and a vibrant community of Hekate's Witches. If you join before July 18, you'll immediately have access to all eight lessons of Part 1. Use code "OURANIA" at checkout. LEARN MORE.I wrote a lengthy essay about Hekate Kleidoukhos, which you can read on my Substack.

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 of stardust, and learn practical techniques for working with Hekate's Upper World nature. This is the first episode in our Upper World series, perfectly timed with Gemini season's focus on divine mind and celestial consciousness.
Historical Deep Dive (5:00)
Discover how ancient sources consistently portrayed Hekate as a goddess of three realms—land, sea, and sky. Learn why her celestial nature has been obscured in modern practice and how we can reclaim this essential aspect of her identity.
Reclaiming the Heavens (13:00)
Explore the difference between patriarchal religious concepts of "heaven" and the ancient understanding of celestial wisdom. Learn how to release conditioning that keeps you from accessing your cosmic birthright.
Science Meets Spirituality (23:00)
Dive into the fascinating science behind our cosmic origins. Discover how the carbon in your body came from stellar dust, why Earth is literally made from star factories (nebulae), and what Carl Sagan meant when he said "we are a way for the cosmos to know itself."
The Witness Consciousness (30:00)
Explore the part of you that observes your own thoughts—the metacognitive awareness that connects you to divine mind (Noeros) and proves your participation in cosmic intelligence.
Practical Upper World Work (35:00)
Learn about the four celestial epithets, discover your botanical ally (frankincense) and crystal ally (fluorite), and understand the Sigil of Ourania—a septagram representing the Sacred Seven celestial bodies.
Unlock The Mysteries: Go Deeper
Hekate Ourania Guidebook - Get your complete guide to working with the Celestial Queen HERE.
Enlightening the Three Selves Meditation - A 20-minute guided meditation working from crown to root, bringing celestial consciousness into embodied awareness.
KEEPING HER KEYS SUBSTACK.
Hekate's Keys of The Cauldron - The most comprehensive training on working with Hekate's complete cosmic nature across all three realms. LEARN MORE.
Use code OURANIA for 15% off
Historical Sources Referenced
Hesiod's Theogony (~700 BCE)
Orphic Hymn to Hekate (beginning of Common Era)
Chaldean Oracles (2nd century CE)
Remember: You are made of stardust, you are cosmic consciousness embodied, and Hekate Ourania is waiting to illuminate your path.

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 to much denigration. When examining Hekate’s ancient attributes—guiding souls, serving as divine midwife, protecting children, and practicing magic—these qualities resonate strongly with what might be called “crone energy.” While a few lesser-known myths depict her mothering her own children, she generally appears in ancient Greek stories as a wise woman associated with the natural world and spirits, dwelling in caves or gardens rather than cities.
I'm taking a break from the podcast and other public-facing activities for the new few months while I work on my new book.
I'll be teaching a six-month long course diving deeper into my book, Entering Hekate's Cauldron, starting May 1. Go to keepingherkeys.com for more details.
If you're interested in the crone, consider joining the Destination Crone course. LEARN MORE HERE.
You can read an in-depth article exploring Hekate and The Crone on my SUBSTACK.

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 historicalsignificance of Medea, her representation in ancient stories, and her relevance for modern shadow work and healing.
She’s the witch who transforms poison into medicine—reminding us that healing often comes from the deepest shadows.
Key questions:
What choices are you capable of making to claim your voice?
What does your longing for belonging look like?
 
Keywords: Medea, shadow work, mythology, Hecate, Hekate, Greek gods, healing, trauma, witchcraft, ancient Greece, empowerment 
Key  topics:
Medea's mythological origins and cultural context
Her connection to Hekate and ancient Greek magic
Themes of trauma, betrayal, and empowerment
The role of shadow work in healing personal wounds
Symbolism of serpents, dragons, and thresholds in Medea'sstory
 
"Medea challenges us to explore our shadows."
"She is a spirit of poisons that heal."
"She is a symbol of the sacred feminine andthresholds." 
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Exploring Medea: The Complex Witch
04:32 Medea's Story: A Reflection on Power Dynamics
07:39 Healing Through Shadows: The Power of Medea
08:24 Exploring the Myth of Medea
13:02 Medea's Truth: A Channeled Message
19:17 Understanding Medea's Power and Presence
22:02 Historical Context of Medea's Story
29:04 Medea as a Symbol of the Other
34:00 The Enchantment of Medea
36:29 Medea's Sacrifices for Love
39:27 The Tragic Consequences of Betrayal
42:03 The Complexity of Choice and Power
45:08 Medea as a Symbol of Grief and Loss
47:50 The Duality of the Feminine Spirit
51:14 Medea's Role in Founding Cities
52:51 Medea as a Figure of the Oppressed
57:13 The Wisdom of Medea
 
Books by Cyndi Brannen:
 
Entering Hekate's Garden
Entering Hekate’s Cauldron
 
Euripides’ Medea
The Argonautica - Ancient Greek Epic  
Madeline Miller's Circe
 
Learn more: keepingherkeys.com

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 connect with each of the natural elements for healing
How Hekate’s energy enhances and guides the ritual
Use of sacred symbols such as the pentacle and the Hekate sigil
Practical tips for integrating elemental practices into daily life
The symbolism of the five elements and their role in spiritual cleansing
Visualizations to embody your healed, empowered self
Timing and lunar considerations for ritual practice
Go to Keepingherkeys.com to learn more about the courses I teach and my online coven.

00:00 - Introduction to the elemental healing ritual and its origins
00:32 - Personal reflections on connecting with the elements daily
01:06 - Overview of Hekate’s Physis and its significance in nature
01:52 - Preparing for the ritual: setting intentions and environment
02:36 - Invocation of the elements and the sacred space
03:05 - Casting the circle and calling upon the moon and Hecate
04:37 - Visualization and calling upon Earth for grounding
06:11 - Evoking Air with steam bowl and breathwork
08:00 - Utilizing Fire through incense and flames
10:04 - Water as a symbol of emotional cleansing
12:12 - Receiving healing from the elements and lighting of the spirit candle
15:03 - Embodying your healed self through visualization and imagery
16:30 - Integration of the five elements and divine guidance
17:29 - Closing blessings and gratitude to Hekate and the elements