Overview

""Through themes of aging, pleasure, intuition, and emotional expression, Herrington invites a return to the body as a trusted partner rather than something to conquer or correct."" —Booklist Untangle from patriarchal Christian attitudes toward women, and tap into the deep well of feminine wisdom. Christian patriarchy teaches that women are dangerous, manipulative, and untrustworthy. Whether painting women as the archetypal old witch in the woods or the biblical temptress, toxic religion vilifies their wisdom and uses fear to maintain male power. And these harmful stereotypes aren't just historical; they persist in modern religious, societal, and political rhetoric, where confident women are called ""nasty"" or ""radical."" But there's something they don't want you to know about that old witch in the woods: She deeply trusts her sacred gifts and hard-earned wisdom. Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is an invitation to reconnect with feminine wisdom that has been dismissed, maligned, and even persecuted over the centuries. When women lean into this wisdom, they learn how to trust their intuition, draw on their creativity, and lead with empathy. Christian patriarchy separates us from ourselves, each other, and our Creator as well as from the traditions, practices, and stories that should have been passed down through generations. Angela J. Herrington draws on more than a decade of experience as a faith deconstruction coach and seminary-trained online pastor to offer practical strategies and practices for readers to rediscover and tap into deep ancestral knowledge that once defined and empowered women. Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is a road map for readers to challenge limiting beliefs, confront systemic injustices, and reclaim their inherent worth and wisdom. When we reclaim feminine wisdom, we liberate ourselves, our communities, and our souls, gaining strength and resilience through our connection to ourselves and to each other.

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Reviews

""We live in a powerful time in which we need books that remind us of the ancestral, deeply spiritual power that women hold. This book reminds us of that power, and embraces the complexity of what healing might look like. In these pages, Angela Herrington dives deep into the patriarchal traps we've fallen into and gives rich steps for us to take in order to rediscover and celebrate the sacred feminine in our lives today. The stories and steps toward empowerment in this book can be life-saving for someone looking to live beyond the toxic power of patriarchy and live into the magic that women hold."" --Kaitlin B. Curtice, award-winning author of Native and Living Resistance ""Practical, insightful, and so necessary, Angela J. Herrington's Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminism from Christian Patriarchy is required reading for those who grew up in conservative Christian religious traditions, especially women (and those raised as women). If you've been feeling like you're never able to measure up to the standards of society and the church, if you feel like you've been taught not to trust yourself, if you feel like there must be more, this book is for you. Herrington is a gentle and generous guide to unpacking and beginning to heal from harmful gendered messages and embrace a life of fullness and freedom (as well as reclaiming your own inner Old Witch in the Woods)."" --Shannon T. L. Kearns, author of No One Taught Me How to Be a Man: What a Trans Man's Experience Reveals About Masculinity ""Angela Herrington tenderly carries you through learning about the acts of patriarchy to feminine freedom. She reminds us of our own Inner Knowing and invites us to lean into archetypes beyond the maiden. Healing from the Christian patriarchy is no easy feat, yet Herrington creates compassionate space to undo and redo your life beyond religious restrictions. You'll place this book down feeling empowered and POWERFUL."" --Dr. Candace Linklater, Indigenous educator and founder of Relentless Indigenous Woman ""Angela Herrington's Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is essential reading for anyone who has experienced the impact of anti-woman, patriarchal abuses in organized systems of religion, faith, or spiritual community. Herrington's voice is that of a companion during the often painful process of deconstruction, healing, and finding meaning again after spiritual abuse and religious trauma. The examples offered and stories told are especially relevant to the times in which we find ourselves."" --Dr. Jamie Marich, founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, and author of You Lied to Me About God: A Memoir; Dissociation Made Simple; and Trauma and the 12 Steps ""Angela Herrington's refreshing deep dive into feminine wisdom is needed now more than ever. Rather than giving us more rules to follow, she walks with us on a journey out of the lies of patriarchy and into a more authentic, liberated way of living. This is an empowering, inclusive, and freeing read!"" --Cait West, author of Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy ""Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods challenges assumptions and norms that are so embedded in our culture that we often don't even see them, even though they impact nearly every facet of our lives and identities. This book will lead you to ask important questions you'll wonder why you never asked before, and will help you see new paths of possibility and promise waiting ahead."" --Tiffany Yecke Brooks, bestselling ghostwriter, editor, author, and speaker

""Through themes of aging, pleasure, intuition, and emotional expression, Herrington invites a return to the body as a trusted partner rather than something to conquer or correct. . . . Pleasure, rest, and nourishment are reframed as necessary forms of resistance. By honoring the body's wisdom and embracing authentic expression, readers step into a more rooted and liberated way of being."" --Booklist ""We live in a powerful time in which we need books that remind us of the ancestral, deeply spiritual power that women hold. This book reminds us of that power, and embraces the complexity of what healing might look like. In these pages, Angela Herrington dives deep into the patriarchal traps we've fallen into and gives rich steps for us to take in order to rediscover and celebrate the sacred feminine in our lives today. The stories and steps toward empowerment in this book can be life-saving for someone looking to live beyond the toxic power of patriarchy and live into the magic that women hold."" --Kaitlin B. Curtice, award-winning author of Native and Living Resistance ""Practical, insightful, and so necessary, Angela J. Herrington's Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminism from Christian Patriarchy is required reading for those who grew up in conservative Christian religious traditions, especially women (and those raised as women). If you've been feeling like you're never able to measure up to the standards of society and the church, if you feel like you've been taught not to trust yourself, if you feel like there must be more, this book is for you. Herrington is a gentle and generous guide to unpacking and beginning to heal from harmful gendered messages and embrace a life of fullness and freedom (as well as reclaiming your own inner Old Witch in the Woods)."" --Shannon T. L. Kearns, author of No One Taught Me How to Be a Man: What a Trans Man's Experience Reveals About Masculinity ""Angela Herrington tenderly carries you through learning about the acts of patriarchy to feminine freedom. She reminds us of our own Inner Knowing and invites us to lean into archetypes beyond the maiden. Healing from the Christian patriarchy is no easy feat, yet Herrington creates compassionate space to undo and redo your life beyond religious restrictions. You'll place this book down feeling empowered and POWERFUL."" --Dr. Candace Linklater, Indigenous educator and founder of Relentless Indigenous Woman ""Angela Herrington's Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is essential reading for anyone who has experienced the impact of anti-woman, patriarchal abuses in organized systems of religion, faith, or spiritual community. Herrington's voice is that of a companion during the often painful process of deconstruction, healing, and finding meaning again after spiritual abuse and religious trauma. The examples offered and stories told are especially relevant to the times in which we find ourselves."" --Dr. Jamie Marich, founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, and author of You Lied to Me About God: A Memoir; Dissociation Made Simple; and Trauma and the 12 Steps ""Angela Herrington's refreshing deep dive into feminine wisdom is needed now more than ever. Rather than giving us more rules to follow, she walks with us on a journey out of the lies of patriarchy and into a more authentic, liberated way of living. This is an empowering, inclusive, and freeing read!"" --Cait West, author of Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy

Author Information

Angela J. Herrington is a faith deconstruction coach and seminary-trained online pastor who has spent more than a decade helping people break free from toxic religious culture. She is host of the Deconstructing Faith Summit, a Lark's Song Certified Life Coach, a dynamic conference speaker, and author of Deconstructing Your Faith without Losing Yourself. Her work has been featured in The New Republic, Religion News Service, Hope for Women magazine and Authority Magazine. She lives with her husband and five children in Marion, Indiana, when they are not traveling the US in their RV. Shannon Harris is a singer, actor, composer, and writer. She grew up involved in music and theatre--performing, singing, and writing until she met and married bestselling author Joshua Harris. Since her departure from conservative Christianity and the conclusion of her marriage, she has reevaluated ideas society takes for granted about women and their contributions. Now Shannon has returned to pursuing a career in the performing arts. She is currently writing a one-woman show and released her first album under the name Shannon Bonne. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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