Keeping Her Keys: At The Crossroads of Modern Life and the Deeper World – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode combines meditation and discussion to ignite our connections with Hekate's Torches.

Explore a transformative meditation centered on Hekate's torches, symbolizing creation, nourishment, and destruction. Participants engage in breathwork to ignite their inner fire, while acknowledging local spirits and ancestors. The session emphasizes grounding through visualization, activating the heart for emotional balance, and connecting with higher wisdom. By integrating root, heart, and crown energies, participants foster inner harmony and receive guidance from Hekate's sacred fire, concluding with an invitation to reflect and meditate further.

The Pyriboulos Council project in Covina blends witchcraft, spirit rituals, and personal healing, drawing inspiration from Hecate, the symbol of trusted guidance. Participants engage with wise advisors, including deities, spirit guides, and influential figures, to aid personal growth and shift perspectives on relationships. This dynamic practice encourages the inclusion of nature elements and tools like tarot and oracle cards, allowing individuals to create their own councils that evolve with their needs and experiences.

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We delve into catharsis through Hekate, emphasizing personal empowerment and release via witchcraft. Join us in a candlelit ritual symbolizing letting go, while a protective circle welcomes spirits of release. Key contributors share insights on creative processes, magical crafting, and the integration of psychology with witchcraft. The focus is on shadow work, personal growth, and practical tips for starting a catharsis journey, including a unique ritual with garlic cloves.

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Join Dr. Cyndi and all the Key Bearers from Covina: The Coven of Hekate for this fascinating discussion about Hekate's ancient titles referring to her as a maiden to what this means for us as modern witches.

We explore the different meanings of the terms 'maiden' and 'virgin' when applied to Hekate in ancient Greek and Roman texts. Then we flesh this out by examining the historical meanings of "Parthenos" and "Kore," and delve into the complexities and cultural baggage associated with these terms, highlighting the societal expectations placed on women. The discussion also touches on the concepts of sovereignty and independence, as well as the multifaceted nature of Hekate as a goddess. The conversation emphasizes the need to understand the historical context and the diverse interpretations of these terms.

Keywords: Hekate, maiden, virgin, ancient Greece, ancient Rome, cultural baggage, societal expectations, sovereignty, independence, goddess.

Key Takeaways

• The terms 'maiden' and 'virgin' had different meanings in ancient Greek and Roman texts when applied to Hekate.
• The societal expectations placed on women and the cultural baggage associated with the concept of maidenhood are explored.
• Hekate is seen as a multifaceted goddess, embodying qualities of sovereignty, independence, and connection to nature.
• Understanding the historical context and diverse interpretations of these terms is crucial to fully grasp their meaning.

For more info and to register for courses, go to keepingherkeys.com

Agape refers to the ancient Greek word for close affiliation, deep affection and secure attachment. In the 21st century, our definition of love has been so narrowly restricted by society that, until we begin to explore the meaning of agape, we are often oblivious to this universal love flow. Agape is the love for a child, a friend, a parent, and our Goddess. Boundless, eternal and without condition. That is agape.

Phoberos means "fearful." Phoberos represents our shadow self, the parts of our psyche that we are afraid of. The thing with fear is what we often fear the most is our own ability to be fearsome. While our shadow turns our fear towards our true selves, it is also the power-seat of our ability to be toxic to others.

This meditation guides you through embracing agape and releasing phoberos to help heal into your unique self.

Based on an exercise in Keeping Her Keys, that explores the Love/Fear titles of Hekate.

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Angela and I explore the myth of Semele, Mother of Dionysus, and also called "The Mother of Frenzy." 

Semele was the youngest daughter of Cadmus, an ambitious king with connections to Aphrodite, Aries and more. Semele dared to fall in love with Zeus, and was shamed for it by her sisters. Ultimately, she was duped into requiring Zeus to reveal his true divinity, thereby rendering her to dust. However, Dionysus, being the good son, ensured that she was transformed into a goddess.   

At times called, "Thyone," meaning something like "Mother of Frenzy," we delve into the different types of frenzy, from panic to spiritual ecstasy.  Semele's key themes: desire, shame, love, death, rebirth, frenzy, and ecstasy.  Known as The Mother of Dionysus, Semele was venerated as an expression of The Great Mother in areas of the ancient Mediterranean where the cult of Dionysus was prevalent. In ancient Athens, she was honored during a minor festival. Generally, her origins are thought to be in Thebes. She is an expression of The Death Mother that is particularly potent, as she began as a mortal woman and then became a Goddess.   

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From the archives, this is a meditative journey to awaken your interior spring cleaning. Time to cleanse, refresh, and reset.

Go deeper into your spiritual spring cleaning by joining Covina for the Gate of Renewal Journey from April 13 - June 30, 2022. Learn more.

Boundaries refer to personal policies that we use as our interior compass for navigating modern life and our excursions in the deeper world. The fundamental question to ask ourselves is, "what do I want inside my personal magic circle?" Once we've established who, and what, is in, then we move onto the work of protecting this sacred space. Being intentional of where we situate this personal sacred space of ours is the next step. We may need to avoid situations with a high probability of having our boundaries violated. Of course, there are times when this isn't possible. Even then we don't have to let toxic vibes into our magic circle. Envision them bumping off your protective sphere. When someone does make it through, and gets under our skin, then imagine removing them from your sacred circle.

The Praesidium Shielding Meditation is right here in the podcast.

True Magic: Unleashing Your Inner Witch is my book that I reference. Find it from most major online retailers.

Prentiss Hemphill, ‘Boundaries are the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously,’

Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab

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This is a lunar aura meditation. You don't need anything or any special training to this meditation. Simply sit comfortably and rest, expanding and allowing the experience to unfold.

Recorded during the live Full Moon Lodge of September 2020. 

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The more authentic you are, the more safe you become. There's always going to be this weird minority out there who feel threatened. So they feel unsafe. You're feeling safe, authentic, being kind and clear. And here come the ones freaked out by your truth. When we're living from our truth, we can handle these attacks so much better. Because we know we are so much more than whatever they say.

I tackle how to respond when people try to tell us that our authentic truth is wrong. AKA unsolicited advice. It's annoying, boundary violating and ever so unkind.

The Four Agreements can be purchased just about anywhere books are sold.

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“Being kind is so important in this world that we live in. By choosing to be kind to ourselves and others, we honor ourselves and Hekate. Moreover, we collectively create an energy current of kindness that is vital to overthrow the forces that seek to disempower the vulnerable in society. This is what is known as compassionate anger. Being kind is not a state of weakness, but of immense strength. We rely upon our integrity to fortify our kindness into a force of change in this world.” - Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft

“Turn away from the world this year and begin to listen. Listen to the whispers of your heart. Look within. Your silent companion has lit lanterns of love to illuminate the path to Wholeness. At long last, the journey you were destined to take has begun.” Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy (1995) by Sarah Ban Breathnach

The War for Kindness: Building Empathy in a Fractured World by Jamil Zaki (PhD, heads the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory)

“Empathy’s most important role, though, is to inspire kindness: our tendency to help each other, even at a cost to ourselves. Kindness can often feel like a luxury—the ultimate soft skill in a hard world.”

“I always say that creating positive change in the world starts with just one person: you. That’s why it is so important to learn to be the right kind of selfish. It’s essential to learn the art of taking care of ourselves so that we can have the energy and the willpower to take care of each other and the world that we live in.” Dare to Be Kind: How Extraordinary Compassion Can Transform Our World by Lizzie Velasquez

Good article on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

When Someone Tells You Your Truth Is Wrong: You’re Not Wrong, They Are (Part 2) - in a separate recording.