Publishers Weekly
09/14/2020
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. Brannen opens by reframing the mythology around the goddesses, suggesting that rather than being dark and evil sorceresses, they are empowered practitioners who use their extensive knowledge of the natural world for both “bane and blessing.” Brannen’s “pharmakeia” (“part art, part science, part intuition and part experience”) is made up mostly of spells and rituals, and covers the basics including banishing, protection, and spell building, as well as a variety of astrological, elemental, and magical correlations. 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. For instance, moss can be added for slow-acting spells, and olive oil is best for “consecrating sacred icons.” Brannen mixes her recipes with poetry and explanations of Hekate’s influence as “Queen of Witches.” This’ll be a handy resource for witchcraft practitioners. (Nov.)
Amy Blackthorn
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.
Elena Rego
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."
Tara-Love Maguire
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!”
Mat Auryn
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.
Astrea Taylor
"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."
Jason Miller
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.
Lawren Leo
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!
Library Journal
★ 11/01/2020
Brannen (True Magic and Keeping Her Keys) makes perfectly clear from the outset that this is not your typical herbiary. Brannen elegantly weaves the fundamentals of plant-spirit witchcraft's ontology throughout a 13-chapter structure designed to amplify the message that plants and herbs are not just medicine but are also magic and mystery. She explains that pharmakeia is the art and science of using plants given to us by Hekate (Goddess/Primal Source/AnimaMundi) to regain our wholeness after the suppression of her healing wisdom for centuries. Each chapter begins with an evocative poem imbuing the divine into mundane instruction for medicinal and ritualistic preparations. Monographs of 39 different plants and herbs describe their characteristics, properties, and correspondences and supply their medicinal uses as well as artfully crafted magical spells and rituals. This book is a master lesson in the holistic merger of scientific knowledge and a deep honoring of the magical and sacred plant-spirit that is the basis for Green Witchcraft. VERDICT Readers familiar with, new to, or curious about witchcraft, herbalism, or plant medicine will find this title informative and deeply satisfying.—Janet Tapper, formerly with Univ. of Western States Lib., Portland, OR
