About Circé + Medée
Circé + Medée is a Community Wellness Centre dedicated to guiding individuals on their journey toward holistic health and well-being. Founded by Andrée Noye, MA, Clinical Herbalist and Certified Aromatherapist, C+M brings together modern clinical herbalism, aromatherapy, and the timeless art of healing through connection to nature.
Today, Circé + Medée is co-led by Andrée Noye and Cassandra Francis, whose partnership embodies the essence of the name itself. Cassandra represents Circe: intuition, transformation, and the gentle power of adaptation. Andrée carries the spirit of Medée: depth, resilience, and the courage to confront what must be healed. Together, they balance light and shadow, intellect and instinct, craft and care, guiding clients toward restoration and sovereignty of health.
At C+M, our mission is to empower our local community to live conscious, vibrant, and holistic lives through uncompromised quality in both services and products. We believe in nurturing the mind, body, and spirit through nature’s wisdom, ethical practice, and authentic connection to the land and waters of Mi’kma’ki.
Behind the Name
Circe and Medea are two fascinating figures of the Greek mythology. Circe was the daughter of the Titan Helios and the Oceanid Perse, a water nymph. Circe is known for her relationship with Odysseus, as detailed in Homer’s poem Odyssey (c. 750 BCE). But she is also known to be the first enchantress, who used plants in lieu of magic. Such magical use of herbs was called Pharmakeia, which etymology evolved into today’s words pharmacology and pharmacy! In my opinion, Circe represents acceptance of oneself, the ability to adapt, the power to live on her own terms, and being her own sovereign.
Medea is Circe’s niece, also an enchantress. She is known to have helped her lover Jason, the leader of the fabled Argonauts, to obtain the Golden Fleece. Medea is a complex character, who embodies feminine anger at being abandoned by her husband and is a horrifying example of how far somebody will go when pushed to the extreme. To my mind, Medea *is* passion, and our shadow self that we so often keep in check, but that she unleashed. She is a reminder of the importance of healing our trauma through ancestor work…
Together, I chose these mythical characters as they represent both light and darkness and the duality that is found in each and every one of us. Throughout my military career, I have visited dark corners of my soul as I experienced some of the worst the world offers. But in my healing journey, I discovered my craft and herbalism, and a return to a healthy life. I love both goddesses, as throughout the centuries, their complex natures have been sadly simplified to malice and selfishness. In retrospect, both Medea and Circe embody the archetype of the "dangerous woman," a figure whose independence challenges the patriarchal norms, and our perceptions of power and agency.
Discover more: Exploring the Tragic Power of Medea and the Mystique of Circe.
Behind the Logo
The Circé + Medée logo is a wreath of laurel attached to a waxing moon crescent. The laurel tree (Laurus nobilis) and its leaf, the bay, have long been symbols of victory and protection, believed to dispel negative energy. The waxing moon represents a period of growth, renewal, and intention. It emerges from the darkness of the new moon, marking a time to reawaken and expand. To us, both the laurel wreath and the waxing crescent reflect the spirit of Circe and Medée, healers who move between light and shadow, wisdom and transformation.
THE FLOWERS
The image we created for C+M includes four plants: the poppy, the dandelion, the American ginseng, and the mugwort.
The poppy stands as a symbol of remembrance and the hope for a peaceful future. We also work with the California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), a gentle sedative and analgesic that embodies calm and restoration.
The dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), often overlooked, remains one of our most meaningful plant allies. It represents resilience, adaptability, and the ability to thrive even in the harshest conditions. Every part of it—flower, leaf, and root—offers nourishment and medicine. Its form mirrors both sun and moon, a living emblem of duality and balance.
The endangered American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) reminds us of our duty to protect what is sacred. Revered for its vitality and strength, this plant has been pushed to the brink by overharvesting and greed. We see stewardship not as choice but as responsibility.
Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), named for Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt, carries the energy of intuition and insight. Through its connection to lunar cycles, mugwort has long symbolized feminine power and the quiet knowing that guides both our craft and our path. It offers a touch of magic and a reminder of why we do this work.
Land and Waters Acknowledgment
Land acknowledgment is an ancient practice in many Indigenous cultures. It is a way of recognizing the deep relationship between people and the land they inhabit. Today, it continues as an act of respect and reconciliation.
Circé + Medée operates in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. These lands and waters are protected under the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, first signed in 1725, which affirmed Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) title and established the foundation for ongoing relationships between nations.
We acknowledge the Mi’kmaq People as the past, present, and future caretakers of this territory. As herbalists and stewards of wellness, we understand that the health of people, plants, and ecosystems are inseparable. Our work depends on living waters, fertile soils, and respectful reciprocity with the land. These are values deeply shared across cultures.
We also recognize that conversations around stewardship and access to the waters here in Pubnico remain complex and emotional. We honour the efforts of all who depend on these lands and waters for their livelihood, and we remain committed to fostering understanding, respect, and shared care for the natural world that sustains us all.