A guide to the plant spirit ritual and witchcraft, with practical instruction on the use of 60 botanicals associated with the beloved goddess Hekate.
Bringing pharmakeia (the practice of plant spirit witchcraft) into contemporary times, Entering Hekate's Garden merges historical knowledge with modern techniques. In it, author Cyndi Brennan offers her extensive insight into Hekatean ritual and witchcraft and its application to the use of over 60 botanicals, some from Hekate's ancient garden but most using North American botanicals, including American mandrake, bay laurel, birch, dandelion, hawthorn, juniper, pomegranate, and skullcap.
This book blends traditional methods with the author's personal approach, emphasizing her understanding of plant spirits as allies in the witch's journey. It includes a new taxonomy for interpreting plant energies, methods for creating new correspondences, the importance of layering, using botanicals in spells, rituals, altars, and more, as well as ways to develop meaningful relationships with the pharmakoi (master plant spirits). Poetry, petitions, and musings about pharmakeia are woven throughout.
Entering Hekate's Garden takes readers deep into the mystical world of botanical witchery in a way no other book has before.
About the Author
Cyndi Brannen, PhD, is a spiritual teacher, trained energetic healer, psychic, and herbalist. Merging her training in shamanism, tarot, past life work, meditation, and psychology, she teaches and writes about better living through witchcraft.
Industry Reviews
"Energy healer Brannen (Keeping Her Keys) presents a wide-ranging botanical grimoire based on the traditions of ancient Greek goddess Hekate and her daughters, Circe and Medea. At the heart of the guide is detailed information on 39 plants (among them dandelion, fennel, frankincense, juniper, lavender, and mugwort) explaining their physical and metaphysical properties, and how they can be incorporated into spells."-- "Publishers Weekly"
"Entering Hekate's Garden removes the veil of separation between the reader and the magical world of plants, as Cyndi Brannen generously shares her wisdom about thirty-nine species of plants associated with Hekate. Her deep insights on identification, harvesting, preparation, and spellwork can only be described as masterful. It's sure to inspire anyone interested in deepening their connection with herbalism or modern Hekatean witchcraft." --Astrea Taylor, author of Intuitive Witchcraft: How to Use Intuition to Elevate Your Craft
"From its first page, Cyndi Brannen's gorgeously written Entering Hekate's Garden is not your average herbal. Its clear instructions, straight-forward exercises, and incredibly detailed individual plant entries will be a long-time valuable tool for any witch who has already stained their fingers green, as well as those who've not yet stepped one foot in the garden. If you walk the Poison Path, read this. If you're an herbalist, read this. If you think you can't hear the voices of plant spirits, definitely read this. The torches are lit and the gate has been opened. Hekate awaits!" --Tara-Love Maguire, co-author of Besom, Stang, and Sword: A Guide to Traditional Witchcraft, the Six-Fold Path, and the Hidden Landscape
"I remember reading Cyndi Brannen's previous book, Keeping Her Keys, and the wave of excitement and emotion that kept coming over me as I read each page. It was so clear to me then, even though Cyndi had stated otherwise, that this was a nascent, yet ancient tradition that she was channeling forth and presenting to all of us. The rituals, the history and the body of work in that book felt so incredibly detailed that indeed at that time it felt like a complete tradition presented to the world. But now, with Entering Hekate's Garden, Cyndi takes us deeper, fleshing out a profound, complex, and beautifully rich body of work. The botanical lore and practices in this book serve to deepen what is a potently transformative and devotional path and practice for those called by Hekate. I truly believe we are witnessing a sacred download of wisdom and guidance through Cyndi's books."--Elena Rego, creator and owner of The Witches Box
"I have long wanted a book like Entering Hekate's Garden to exist. As a devotee of Hekate, the botanical connections of Hekate and her priestess-witch daughters in mythology and lore has always fascinated me. For many years, I have wanted to take the time to compile all the lore together myself for my own personal practice. Luckily, Cyndi Brannen has done all the heavy lifting for us. She has taken the seeds of ancient and classical lore and grown something lush, beautiful, new, and extremely beneficial for any modern witch, while also maintaining the historical roots. I greatly enjoy all of Cyndi's works and books, but this is by far my favorite of hers to date. I know it will be a book that I reference often in my personal magickal practice and devotional work." --Mat Auryn, author of Psychic Witch: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick, and Manifestation
"Beautifully written in classic grimoire style, Cyndi Brannen uses Hekate and her daughters Medea and Circe to navigate the occult world of botanicals and mythology. Entering Hekate's Garden is necessary for every witch and student of the craft!"--Lawren Leo, author of Horse Magick: Spells and Rituals for Self-Empowerment, Protection, and Prosperity
"Enchanting! Cyndi Brannen's Entering Hekate's Garden: The Magick, Medicine, and Mystery of Plant Spirit Witchcraft is a treasure trove of herbal lore blended with magical practice for empowerment, protection, and more. An in-depth study of Hekatean theogony demonstrating the passion of a true plant priestess, this book is a must for anyone looking to deepen their magical practice, connection to Hekate, or knowledge of plants." --Amy Blackthorn, priestess of Hekate, author of Blackthorn's Botanical Magic, Sacred Smoke, and Blackthorn's Botanical Brews
"One cannot talk about Hekate without eventually talking about Medea and Circe. One cannot discuss the magic of these witches without talking about plants. For the Greeks, pharmakeia was synonymous with magic, yet so few authors are willing to talk openly and frankly about it. In Entering Hekate's Garden, Cyndi Brannen manages to provide a cornucopia of plant magic that will be useful for anyone interested in Hekatean magic. I expect to be referencing the recipes and lore for years to come." --Jason Miller, author of The Elements of Spellcrafting
