Descend With Our Witch Mother

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 4:57 pm By Cyndi Brannen

The glorious Season of The Witch is here. October is the month when the thinning veil, stockpiles of herbs and longer nights signals the return of Hekate as The Queen of the Witches. Casting spells, working with poisons and summoning spirits are all very Hekatean ways to tap into the energy of October. October, my favorite month, is here at last. Modern Halloween and Samhain celebrations are wonderful, but they often omit the Queen of Witchcraft herself, Hekate. While she may not be an overt part of the festivities, her energy runs throughout the month, especially for those of us living where it's dark, damp and chilly. Read more

Walking With The Spirits: Tips For Finding And Working With Spirit Guides

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 5:07 pm By Cyndi Brannen

Spirits of all sorts have been my companion since I was a small child. When the autumn winds start to blow, the spirits dance with the leaves. They call to me louder now that the veil between our worlds is thin. Sometimes, these departed souls become part of my life. I value my spirit guides, from the earth bound dead to my animal spirit companions. Based on the number of messages I've been receiving, I think they are calling to many of us as the darkness grows. Here's a short introduction to all types of spirit guides, including a journey. Read more

Hekate And The Harvest Moon

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 5:17 pm By Cyndi Brannen

While the Autumn Equinox can be acknowledged with the sun's fiery energy, I prefer to make the transition to fall under the bright light of the Harvest Moon. It's the time when Hekate, like the natural cycle of the earth, transitions from lightness to dark. Hail the return of the Dark Mother while celebrating the harvest under the light of her Harvest Moon. While celebrating the Autumnal Equinox, known by many different names including Mabon, is a lovely practice, I’ve never felt that it was particularly witchy. It’s a problem I’ve had with the other parts of the Wheel of the Year as well. The seasons, like most of nature, don’t follow rules imposed on them by man, including the calendar. For the sabbats, the emphasis is always on the sun. While I’ve got nothing against the giant ball of fire that gives us all life, it’s not my preferred celestial object. The moon has always claimed me for her own. Read more

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 5:53 pm By Cyndi Brannen

Demeter: Fierce Goddess in Control

Last updated on: June 25, 2020 at 1:48 pm By Cyndi Brannen

Demeter reigns over the life cycle, from the fallow of winter to the bounty of the fall harvest. To the ancient Greeks, her dominion over agriculture extended her influence to civilization, including the mysteries of the life, death and rebirth. This fall, I’m honoring Demeter as a Goddess of Fury and Fertility, while following the ancient practice of creating an Inner Temple to contain my personal mysteries. I’ve included the new translation of The Orphic Hymn to Demeter that I’ll be using, along with Demeter’s themes, epithets, correspondences, animals, and more to help you connect with this impressive goddess. Read more

Severe Weather And Witchcraft

Last updated on: June 25, 2020 at 1:46 am By Cyndi Brannen

With the remnants of a tropical storm descending upon my little piece of the world, I'm reminded that the season of severe weather is underway. Fall brings with her many emotional gifts, including the transformative power of raging winds and flooding rains. Survival and protection witchery is in order when hurricanes and blizzards come my way. I love absorbing severe weather energy, but there are times when shielding is the best choice. I also like to capture the incredible storm energy for future magickal use, including charging tools and objects. Included you'll find a petition to Hekate Brim for severe weather protection and many other tips for severe weather witchery. Read more

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 6:01 pm By Cyndi Brannen

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Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 6:06 pm By Cyndi Brannen

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Hekate And September (Suggestions for Correspondences, Rituals and More)

Last updated on: June 17, 2020 at 6:05 pm By Cyndi Brannen

September is the month of the final harvest from the land. Labor Day is connected to Hekate via her role as a champion of the common people, as she was in ancient Greece and Rome and remains today as Guardian of the Marginalized. The Fall Equinox marks the return of Hekate Chthonia as the Wheel of the Year turns to decreased daylight and our energy shifts inward, towards the emotional depths of the Under World. As we move towards the Season of the Witch, the energy of September offers an excellent opportunity to contemplate endings, beginnings and the space in between. This article contains suggestions for epithets, correspondences, rituals and more that are appropriate for Hekatean Witchcraft in September. Read more

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 6:10 pm By Cyndi Brannen

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