Camp Hekate is a three day, immersive weekend experience to awaken the witch within, from the afternoon of Friday, July 7th to the afternoon of Sunday, July 9th 2023, in Remus, Michigan at Wolf Run Wildlife and Spiritual Sanctuary. This event is co-organized by Rae Fia Brassell through her organization Sacred Medicine Sisterhood, and author and teacher Mark NeCamp, Jr.
Part of the inspiration for Camp Hekate came about after multiple people said that they wanted a Pagan summer camp experience. Many of us will never get to go to a magical school like in popular fiction, but we can build the witchy equivalent. The increasing popularity of witchcraft does not deter those of us that have studied the Craft for several years. Instead, it emboldens us to make the world better a place through the study of magick, the constant drive to learn how to be a better person through its use, and helping educate others that seek that knowledge and practice.
The knowledge and worship of Hekate has grown in popularity as witchcraft has gained cultural prominence. The goddess Hekate is the main spiritual inspiration and divine patron for the event. She is well known as a deity of witchcraft, change, and spiritual guidance. She is a divine teacher and revealer of the Craft. Witchcraft is an occult art. As occult means “hidden” so too does Hekate guide us in the hidden and subtle arts of the Craft.
The goal of Camp Hekate is to facilitate magickal education and fellowship as it relates to modern witchcraft. Witchcraft is a broad subject. It can include anything from the mystical usage of plants, spell work that allows the user to manifest their goals, astrology that helps explain our place in the cosmos and how it influences us, simple rituals to help cope with the stress of everyday existence, and much more. I feel that witchcraft has become more and more popular since it empowers the user to take back control of their lives and evolve as people through a connection to all things. Witchcraft is essentially pantheistic- meaning that we and the Universe are One- and the connection it offers is an antidote to a world that we sometimes feel woefully separate from. Magickal education is important since there is more information, and accessibility of the subject, than ever before and it is a great benefit to learn from experienced teachers. Fellowship is something that is also needed. Many witches are solitary practitioners, and the ability to connect to others in a welcoming space helps foster support and connection.
The main presenter of Camp Hekate 2023 is Dr. Cyndi Brannen. She is one of the preeminent experts in modern Hekate work. Cyndi Brannen, PhD, focuses on healing into wholeness through unlocking the magic, medicine, and mystery of the ancient goddess Hekate and her deeper world. She also founded The Covina Institute, a soul school dedicated to the pursuit of wholeness through structured programs of study and transcendent experiences. Her books include Entering Hekate’s Garden, Keeping Her Keys and True Magic. Her new book, Entering Hekate’s Cave: The Journey Through Darkness To Wholeness, is a trauma-sensitive exploration of healing through deep personal inquiry, natural magic, and ritual, centered in Hekate’s many different roles. Dr. Cyndi describes herself as a seeker of the sacred within and the mysteries of the deeper world. Her quest to understand both have led her through studies in comparative religion, mythology, gender analysis, and feminist scholarship, while developing an enduring relationship with Hekate. Along the way, she has studied many esoteric teachings, including astrology, herbalism, energetic healing, natural magick, shamanic techniques, divination, mysticism, and mediumship. Her career in health research and academia brings to her teaching and writing her expertise in women’s health, mental health, chronic illness, and evidence-based psychological methods for improved wellness. She holds an earned doctorate in applied social psychology. Learn more about her at www.keepingherkeys.com.
Aside from Dr. Brannen’s classes and rituals about Hekate, there are numerous workshops on subjects such as death, dying, and crossing the veil; uses of animal skulls in witchcraft and spiritual work; spell jars and magickal talismans; warding, banishment, and curse removal; classes on yoga and spiritual body movement; and much more. All workshops are geared to various experience levels. Workshops and rituals are not the only events happening at Camp Hekate. There will be numerous performances ranging from fire spinners, to award winning belly dancers, a Hekate Temple, sacred and community fires, a safe spiritual recovery space with helpers, a 420 friendly gathering space, and a Hekatean dance party!
People should come to Camp Hekate to be educated, find connection with other witches, be entertained, and have fun being themselves. It is not often you get to be with people of a like mind and celebrate your spirituality together while learning more, to enrich yourself.
Facilities for the event are rustic camping, with ample bathroom facilities. There is potluck dinner on Friday night, a professional catered dinner on Saturday, and continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Saturday and Sunday lunch is up to the guests attending.
Workshops will take place on all three days, while the main rituals will take place on Friday and Saturday, with one of them a Hekate ritual! There will also be opportunities for social connection including the aforementioned “Hekatean Dance Party” on Friday night.
For more information on the facilities, workshops, presenters, performances, and more, please go to https://www.sacredmedicinesisterhood.com/camp-hekate. Go here to buy tickets!