When Hekate Calls: The Awakening of the Goddess Within

In this workshop from March 2020, watch Dr. Cyndi Brannen discuss experiences with Hekate.

Who is this presence? Hekate is rising, re-awakening the wildness inside of us. She whispers, haunts our dreams, and sends messages through symbols and more. Weird, I know. However, as a researcher, I’ve been studying this phenomenon for years. The legitimate experience of Hekate rising has been described by so many that it is undeniable that there is something going on.

To the ancient philosophers Hekate was so much more than the Goddess of Crossroads and Magic, she was Anima Mundi, Soul of the World. She is Soul, and she always speaks to us through our own. Soul is the deeper self that is the key to the spirit world and the infinite time of the universe. She cracks open the hard shell of ego, quiets the shadow, and shines light on our inner temenos.

Cyndi Brannen, PhD, is a psychologist, author and teacher. She teaches and writes from the crossroads of psychology, spirituality and traditional wisdom, merging ancient knowledge with modern practices. Her work explores the journey through darkness to wholeness using the archetypes of the witch and Hekate. Her teaching focuses on personal healing through herbalism, rituals, meditations, and exploration of the deeper self.

She founded The Covina Institute, a soul school dedicated to the pursuit of wholeness through structured programs of study and transcendent experiences.

After years of a successful career in academia and healthcare, she transitioned to teaching and writing about reclaiming the sacred feminine through spiritual practices after she became convinced that mainstream psychology was not sufficient to lead to personal wholeness.

Her writing explores the archetype of the witch as a mechanism for healing from trauma, and as a font of personal sovereignty. She examines the many faces of the goddess, through mythology and personal experiences, as a reflection of the feminine principle, the anima, within. Added to her work is her years of professional experience in developing and evaluating self-directed programs based on modern psychological evidence. Notably, the roles of attachment, coping skills, and stress management. She draws heavily from certain modalities, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Motivational Interviewing.

Dr. Brannen describes herself as a seeker of the goddess within and the mysteries of the deeper world. She is deeply connected to the Witch Mother, Hekate. Her quest to understand both have led her through studies in comparative religion, mythology, gender analysis, and feminist scholarship. Along the way, she has studied many esoteric teachings, including astrology, herbalism, energetic healing, shamanic techniques, divination, hermeticism, and mediumship.

A dedicated scholar of mythology, she describes herself as an "accidental classicist," who studies the ancient views of the many faces of the goddess and women, through a modern lens, extrapolating themes to help others heal.

Dr. Brannen's teaching approach is rooted in the belief that exploring the sacred feminine, which she focuses on as Anima Mundi/Hekate, is essential for the achievement of personal wholeness and for healing the wounds of the world. She views the soul is eternal, and archetypes as living forces upon which the universe is built. These archetypes include, but are not limited to, animal spirits, plant medicine, and the powers of the planets.

Reclaiming feminine archetypes, such as the witch and the goddess, is a requirement for wholeness for all genders, and especially relevant for those who identify as women.
This is accomplished through a transpersonal process which includes dream exploration, transcendent experiences through meditations, journeys and rituals, sacred creativity with such things as art, talismans, and, yes, even the casting of spells.

She conducts ongoing research on personal experiences of the numinous using a mixed-methods approach including quantitative analysis and grounded theory. Her teaching and leadership styles are collaborative, focusing on power with instead of power over.

Go deeper into your experience of Hekate by applying to join The Covina Institute, an online soul school providing professional structured programs of learning and live opportunities for transcendent experiences. Covina comes from the Latin word meaning to come together for a shared purpose. Within the gates of our institute, you'll find the keys of psychology, spirituality and the traditional wisdom of the goddess meeting at the crossroads of learning, transcendence, and kinship.

The Covina Institute is the soul school of learning through courses included with membership and advanced study in master courses, plus live online events including medicine circles, meditations, moon lodges, rituals, salons and workshops. The courses included with membership are self-directed so you can work through them at your own pace.

[professionalpainthuffer]

As a general rule, if you've found yourself watching this video or another one like it, there's a reason why. Not everyone receives her signs, it's possible to find her yourself, or get her name stuck in your head. If you've got a gut feeling, follow it.

[BiohazardBunney]

I became curious about Hekate around October of 22 and on the new moon I decided to invoke Her into my life. About thirty minutes after the ritual, something clicked in my head, after years of ignoring it, that I was an alcoholic. After breaking down and weeping, unable to ignore the voice in my head telling me it was time to get help, I realized no other deity in my life has ever pushed themselves in my life like this. That night I had a very vivid dream, not even making it up (I swear on my mother's life), of a shadowy figure standing next to a huge waning moon. I still remember the image, and being in my late thirties I don't remember my dreams often. From there it was one sign after another. I got Keeping Her Keys for Christmas, after it was one of about 7 books I wanted. I didn't even specify I wanted that one the most. The longer I work with her, the more lucky and prosperous I become, and I only feel so connected with Her.

[giovannag]

Hekate for me personally is somebody that's always been with me. I was raised Catholic but I was always interested in spirits and magic at such a young age. I've always had a very feminine energy and considered myself a very kind soul. Turns out that the feminine energy is what connected me to her and she protects kind souls. I've also had a dream of a beautiful sunny day sitting at a picnic table across from an older women cloaked in black. We touched hands and from her sleeve a pink snake slithered up my arm and coiled itself around my neck and turned itself into a rose gold necklace. Come to find out she's considered a Goddess of Daemons, guardian spirits. I always took this as a sign of her gifting me a daemon of my own. I'm so ready for this journey! Blessed be the Daughter of Light, our Dark Mother, Balanced and Wise Crone, Hekate!

[CourtneyAuraFreeman]

Likely if we are watching this, Hecate is with us. Of course we are hearing the call at this time as the wise women (or men) who seek understanding of universal truths. I’ve been seeing a lot of crows lately and that made me think of her. Then an older video came into my feed and now this video is a good indication. Crows are more common in October than April. We are facing some dark energies on the global scale at this time. Perfect moment for Hecate to support us :) Thank you for covering this topic and thank you Hecate for your guidance and support. 🖤

[rilleygriffin]

Hekate came to me in a dream. The room I was in filled with red light and she spoke to me. Ever since I’ve been researching her and I can’t believe the signs she’s been sending me for YEARS. This is my goddess, this is who I’ve been searching for.

[NRG_Nori]

"awakening of the sacred witch fire within" -- my soul felt that 😩🙏

[MidnightInamorata]

Hekate showed herself to me at 4 yrs of age and then contacted me when I was 7 in a lucid dream. I grew up in an abusive home that was also extremely paranormally active. I am 50 now and am only recently putting the pieces together. In the dream I was in front of a temple where a woman told me to hurry and catch small bits of paper that were floating away in water. She had me catch 2. They had symbols on them. For YEARS I have tried to match the symbols to something. 5 days ago I found them. Symbol 1..."Saturate"...Symbol 2..."Home". I instantly understood that she'd been trying to empower a scared child....for 43 yrs. I always turned away from the possibility that I am a Witch. I am also a quadriplegic...self confidence has been forever a struggle. But now...hindsight...all the visions I've had all my life...thank you Hekate. I am taking my power.

[aaleyah]

Hecate presented herself to me at an extremely low time in my life. I was in the midst of a nasty divorce from a covert narcissist. And my, my the strength she bestowed upon during that time. Is indescribable & I’m I’ve never looked back. She is awesome!

[Miss_Lexisaurus]

This was so interesting. I knew nothing about her when she called me, I just had her name appear in my brain. I ignored her for a year because I just never saw myself as someone who worked with deity, I had no desire to be involved with deity, it wasn't in my spiritual plans. She came knocking again a year later, louder, and I figured what's the worst that can happen? I can see how it feels and opt out if I want. I have never looked back now. Similar to Angie, riding the wave of empowerment and action.
I absolutely relate to her being so much about personal power and your own choices. She has, for me, always been of a "you have to do the work, you have to make the hard choices, you have to take responsibility for your life" attitude but she supports and empowers me when I do that.

[anniesue]

After almost 18 months with Hekate ... she has a permanent alter in the house, on the front porch and a dedicated deipnon spot near my house. She is a Matriarch, Diety, Goddess. She makes her authority clear! But she offers companionship. If i procrastinate .. she will come back later. Her wisdom is so clear but subtle . I have grown to trust her implicitly. I deeply appreciate her encouragement and lack of judgement she just shows me the path and I have to choose ... my health, my wealth, my choices etc. She will love me either way.

[boitumelojosephmerafe]

I'm a south African male and think am attracted to Hecate. I started getting closer to the Goddesses as I'm now doing research about her.

[sophiethestrophie]

I was adopted by Hecate in person after my whole biological family sexually abused me, and betrayed me spiritually, I’m crying because I love Hecate so much, she never put up with my sh$& and put me into a dark night of soul so I would pay for karma and learn while transforming into the best me I can be, I was so loving and sweet as a child but because I was hyper feminine as a “boy” and felt I was in the wrong body, so my conservative Christian parents betrayed me my using witchcraft on me for there benefit, I was hospitalized 38 times for suicide, I can go on about her but this video gives me tears of joy that i had to share this 🌑🌑🌑 I’m doing better now

[thesummerland]

as a witch, I was always drawn to her strength, her association with dogs/wolves, justice and she is Queen of the Witches

[aninhalucas]

I was always impressed by Her, actually a mixture of fear and attraction...for many years beggining to walk the path but afraid of what I could find...now I feel I surrendered to Her. Thank you for teaching us! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[AryaJade]

Hekate Came to me as a tiny black and white snake literally in my science class room last week. I had no idea that 2 of her colors were black and white and it is exciting!!
Thank you for your expertise and knowledge.❤

[ktmerfeld]

I was binging the newer Sabrina series during my time off at the beginning of the pandemic. At the time, I knew nothing of Hektate. When they performed the Invocation, I LOST IT!! Uncontrollably sobbing!! She has awakened a freedom and confidence inside me!! This Tower's been shaking ever since!! 🙏💫💜

[rargza]

She literally whispered her name in my ear and i have never heard of her. Now here I am.

[fiercedondebruja]

🔥🔥🔥😢😢😢 this video has hit every cord within me. I had forgotten how powerful I am. Always expecting a higher power to save me. And no such luck. This video made sense. Thank you.

[wendyburns]

I was minding my own business & crafting with music playing in the background. Suddenly a folk song starts playing & chanting this name HEKATE over and over. I was mesmerized! I havent functioned the same since. Im seeking understanding & hungry fir more!

[addypolasek]

This video gave my all answers ive needed. Shes been there all along. She protected me during the hardest time of my life. All of it makes so much sense. Also when you said "Light that torch" i was lighting my torch lighter to melt so.e wax. It was super shocking. Thank you<3