About Cyndi

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I’m an outlaw witch devoted to Hekate, witchcraft, my two sons and living the rural coastal life here along the Atlantic shores of Nova Scotia.

Hekate guided me along a path that includes being a psychologist, spiritual teacher, social justice advocate, policy consultant, relentless outdoor adventurer and incurable optimist. 

Keeping Her Keys is a mixture of all these things with an emphasis on personal growth through Hekate and witchcraft.

Due to a series of unexpected blessings, I was able to start focusing on teaching and writing about Modern Hekatean Witchcraft full-time in the fall of 2017. If there’s one thing I know for certain is that when Hekate decides it’s time for me to do something, She’ll hand me the key to cross that new threshold.

From my career as a psychologist and academic, I bring to Keeping Her Keys my expertise in evidenced based self-help programs in maternal depression, PTSD, and various childhood vulnerabilities. My doctoral training explored personality characteristics, interpersonal relationships and well-being. Various projects in this theme include studies on loneliness, attachment, romantic relationships, social skills, and coping skills. Along the way, I became an unintentional expert in psychological assessment and the evaluation of psychological tests.

I’m trained in Cognitive Behavioral Techniques (including Mindfulness Based CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and other evidence-based approaches used in self-help programs. I’ve completed lots of management training, too.

In addition, I am an internationally recognized expert in caregiving stress, especially the impacts of secondary trauma. I bring to Keeping Her Keys my research passion for making equality a reality, especially for women and girls. 

My strong research skills in qualitative and quantitative analyses provide a framework for me to interpret emerging trends within the Hekatean community, in online discussion groups and in books. Arising from my informal analysis were several themes that were common amongst practitioners of devotion to Hekate and witchcraft. I organized these themes into a movement that I termed Modern Hekatean Witchcraft. 

I been developing my witchy skills since I was sneaking occult books home from the library when I was 10. I’ve taken courses on witchcraft, herbalism, Tarot, Reiki, Quantum Touch, Psychic Development, and Mediumship to name a few. I’m always learning something! 

For the past decade, I’ve been teaching courses on spiritual development. Part of this is a course called The Real Work that’s a pagan personal growth program. I’m also an unintentional medium and a practitioner of intuitive healing.  

Personally, I’ve had my share of trauma. Haven’t we all? I sometimes discuss some of these things in my blogs, like in the Me, Too article or times I’ve written about my upbringing. I try to learn from these painful experiences.

I can often be found hiking in remote areas alone or exploring creepy places. I’m happiest when I’m in my slightly run-down coastal cottage hanging out with my sons, especially when we’re cooking.

Brightest Blessings,

Dr. Cyndi Brannen, PhD