Entering Hekate's Cave: The Journey Through Darkness to Wholeness

by Cyndi Brannen Ph.D

Overview

An in-depth spiritual journey through the truths and traumas of one’s past to a rebirth and renewal of personal wholeness.

To the ancients, the goddess Hekate symbolized the inner journey back to the soul.

Indeed, ancient philosophers identified her as Anima Mundi, the "soul of the world." As such, she connects many archetypes associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. From her role as protector of roadways to her power as the bringer of death, she offers us keys for healing.

Incorporating her personal experiences with those of her students, Cyndi Brannen weaves a supporting circle around the reader as they start their path towards soulful living, culminating in rebirth.

Blending symbolism, transcendent experiences, dreams, and natural magic with sound psychological theories and practices, Entering Hekate’s Cave guides the reader safely through the journey back to the soul.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578637911
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	01/01/2023
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	113,878
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Cyndi Brannen, PhD, teaches and writes from the crossroads of the deeper world and modern life. She merges her career as an applied social psychologist with meditation, ritual, and natural magic, centered around the Goddess Hekate as World Soul.    
 

Table of Contents

Introduction: The Call xi

Chapter 1 Anima Mundi: The Deeper World 1

Chapter 2 Kleis: The Keys 23

Chapter 3 Triformis: The Transformation 34

Chapter 4 Drakaina: The Awakening 45

Chapter 3 Enodia: The Crossroads 53

Chapter 6 Propylaia: The Threshold 64

Chapter 7 Chthonia: The Descent 67

Chapter 8 Lampadios: The Illumination 79

Chapter 9 Borhorophorba: The Catharsis 93

Chapter 10 Skotia: The Darkness 109

Chapter 11 Paionios: The Healer 123

Chapter 12 Psychopomp: The Soul Guide 144

Chapter 13 Rixipyle: The Chain Breaker 165

Chapter 14 Anassa Eneroi: The Death Queen 177

Chapter 15 Kore: The Reborn 199

Conclusion 213

Appendix A List of Practica and Rituals 215

Endnotes 217

Editorial Reviews

11/07/2022

Hekate, the Greek “Mother Goddess,” can help readers emotionally heal, contends spiritual teacher Brannen (Keeping Her Keys) in this abstruse outing. Brannen outlines vague advice on how symbols and metaphors associated with Hekate can help readers get in touch with their intuition and emotions. Lambasting “toxic positivity” for discouraging self-reflection, she urges readers to instead “descend into our depths” to face the trauma and depression that reside there, an abstract interiority she calls “Hekate’s domain” because of the goddess’s reputation as the “soul of the world.” Brannen entreats readers to shed their burdens and “break free of what has barred us from transcending into our own sacredness,” but offers little practical advice on how to do so. The guidance she does provide is entirely in a metaphorical register, and while the author warns readers to “resist demanding literalness,” it remains frustratingly opaque how one is supposed to follow such suggestions as “enter into the mercy of Psychopomp,” let alone how doing so leads to “soul retrieval.” Additionally, her attribution of addiction, borderline personality disorder, and PTSD to “soul loss” oversimplifies. Muddled by dream logic and hazy recommendations, this leaves much to be desired. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

"Cyndi Brannen takes us on a journey of the soul in her book Entering Hekate’s Cave. In this masterful tome, we follow Hekate’s guidance as we look into our shadow selves so that we may transform our spirit and step into our personal power." —Chris Allaun, author of A Guide of Spirits: The Psychopomp’s Manual for Transitioning the Dead into the Afterlife
 

Reviews

Among the best resources for trauma-sensitive and spiritually oriented healing for our times.”

author of The Spirited Kitchen Carmen Spagnola

Cyndi Brannen takes us on a journey of the soul…In this masterful tome, we follow Hekate’s guidance as we look into our shadow selves so that we may transform our spirit and step into our personal power.”

author of A Guide of Spirits Chris Allaun