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

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 this impact, there are ways that connecting to Hekate can help guide us through healing from our trauma, and help center us during these difficult times.

I believe there are three distinct yet connect spiritual keys for healing. The first one is to release our burdens. We can even choose to see them as offerings to Hekate, sacred tears and pains. Retrieval of our missing pieces is the second key, reclaiming parts that have been hidden in shadow. The final key is rebirth, choosing to let all that no longer serves come to a conclusion so we can emerge whole.

In this episode, I share a class on Hekate and Healing from Trauma that delves into the ways that she can guide us through shadow work so that we can emerge stronger, more whole, and better equipped to navigate the crossroads that the world is at.

I cover various aspects of healing, including the importance of rituals, understanding pain, and addressing relationship wounds. I share personal insights and practical techniques for healing, such as cord work and daily rituals, while encouraging us to embrace their unique healing journeys.

This isn't a substitute for medical care or therapy. What I know to be true is that when mainstream treatment fails, or isn't enough, that the spiritual work we do can make all the difference.

I wrote a book about healing from trauma through practices and rituals centered around Hekate. You can find Entering Hekate's Cave wherever books are sold.

Find comfort in a supportive coven. LEARN MORE.

Takeaways:

• Healing from trauma is a journey towards wholeness.
• Hekate serves as a guide in the healing process.
• Rituals can help center and ground us in our healing.
• Pain can be understood as an ally and teacher.
• Self-care is essential for healers to avoid burnout.
• Understanding relationship wounds is crucial for healing.
• Daily rituals can create a meaningful practice of healing.
• Cord work can help sever unhealthy attachments.
• Empowerment comes from taking charge of one's healing journey.
• Healing is not about perfection but about living authentically.

"Our wounds are often our greatest strength."

"You are the architect of your own life."

"Don't let anyone tell you how to heal."

Chapters

00:00 Healing from Trauma: A Journey to Wholeness

14:31 Rituals and Practices for Healing

26:21 Understanding Relationship Wounds and Healing

37:23 The Role of Pain in Healing and Transformation

Keywords: healing, trauma, Hecate, Hekate, Paionios, The Healer, natural magic, rituals, relationship wounds, cord work, practices, self-care, empowerment.

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 regular personal development. The second is her function as the one who guides souls between the living world and the deeper one. The final way is that she may share this key with us, enabling us to work as mediums, transmitting messages between the living and the other side, and as ones who can assist spirits in making the transition to the deeper world. A fascinating trio of topics to explore.

We highlight her historical significance in facilitating transitions between life and death, while also addressing the evolution of psychology and the need to integrate soul work for deeper fulfillment. Our conversation touches on the responsibilities of those engaged in psychopomp work, emphasizing the importance of personal boundaries and self-care.

Join Covina, become a student in Hekate's Keys and explore our intensive courses: Keeping Her Keys Book, Destination Crone, and Via Hekate.

keepingherkeys.com

Christen@covinainstitute.com

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 identity crisis when Persephone was abducted by Hades, and how the humble Baubo helped her get her joy back. Then we talk about the tragic Hecuba, who asks us "what are we willing to sacrifice for?" We've done full episodes on Demeter and Hecuba if you want to go deeper.

Join Destination Crone

Key words: Crone archetype, aging, mythology, personal growth, self-discovery, Demeter, Baubo, Hecuba.

Takeaways:

• The Crone archetype represents wisdom and power.
• Embracing aging can lead to personal growth.
• Mythology offers insights into life's transitions.
• Self-discovery is a lifelong journey.
• Authenticity is key to living fully.
• The Crone challenges societal norms about aging.
• Aging is a natural and beautiful process.
• The Crone embodies the spirit of independence.
• Embracing the Crone can lead to empowerment.
• The journey to self-discovery is unique for everyone.

• Embrace Your Inner Crone
• The Power of Aging Gracefully
• Unlocking the Wisdom of the Crone
• Mythology and the Journey of Self-Discovery
• Living Authentically as We Age
• The Crone: A Symbol of Empowerment
• Finding Beauty in Life's Transitions
• The Crone's Guide to Personal Growth
• Aging with Grace and Wisdom
• The Journey to Embrace the Crone

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 wild, natural world. We discuss our annual winter solstice ritual that honours the Cailleach with stone and story offerings. We encourage everyone to find and decorate stones, write letters sharing their stories, and engage in community discussions about their experiences, fostering a deeper connection to this powerful figure, and the power of place.

Meditation

Embark on a meditative journey to The Cailleach's Cave. Sacred smoke from juniper and pine resin sets the tone for reflection and connection. Attune the three selves and journey into her Cave, offering stones as symbols of burdens and gratitude to the Cailleach, the Stone Mother and Bringer of Winter. The meditation invites wisdom and insights from winter's challenges, fostering a deeper connection to nature and personal growth before concluding with a renewed sense of purpose.

Learn more at keepingherkeys.com

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 confronting one’s shadows, alongside insights from psychological theories on dreams and shadow work. We encourage a mindful exploration of inner darkness, seeking community support and the gradual nature of healing, ultimately unlocking Hekate’s transformative darkness.

Go to keepingherkeys.com to learn more about courses and books.