High control covens

There’s a new article from Storm Faerywolf on The Wild Hunt today talking about the warning signs of high control groups and covens.

Members of these damaged covens are often instructed not to socialize with others outside the group, or lineage, or are otherwise told certain individuals to avoid. Information is often restricted; leadership oftentimes telling congregants that certain books or materials are forbidden, especially those that challenge the teachings or politics of group leadership.

I’ve written similar articles and lists before too.

And my book Changing Paths is about how to extricate yourself from high control groups and find a healthy group or tradition.

Review: An Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft

Once upon a time, Christendom labelled the Emperor Julian “the Apostate” because he reverted to Paganism. Nowadays, the title is applied to people who leave the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Moss Matthey left the JWs in order to live his truth as a gay man—as many others have left high control religious groups for the same reason.

Not long after he left, he discovered witchcraft, as well as a loving relationship and a community of Pagans and witches and occultists.

This joyous and life-affirming book is the account of his journey from fear and despair to the joy of living as his authentic self, as a gay man and as a witch.

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Deconstruction story: Richard Swan

A friend shared a Facebook post by Richard Swan (in the fun group Dull Men’s Club) today, talking about how vanishingly few people are tone deaf, and most people can sing.

Richard Swan

I take the view that singing is an outpouring of the soul and one of the cruellest things a person can do is to tell someone else that they can’t sing, so this is a topic that is very close to my heart.

My interest was piqued so I went searching to find out more about Richard Swan. He’s also written a book for people who think they can’t sing, which looks very worthwhile. And in my travels I found this podcast about his deconstruction journey and wanted to share it.

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Roots and wings

Changing Paths Challenge day 13: Roots and wings

Today’s prompt is a reference to Carolyn McDade’s classic song, Spirit of Life, which contains the line “roots hold me close, wings set me free”.

My family roots are in nonconformist churches but there’s also a strong tradition of loving Nature. My Mum loved Nature and so did her Mum. I feel very strongly rooted in the chalk and flint hills of Hampshire and Sussex in England.

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Repost: Should I stay or should I go?

Should I stay or should I go? Exploring a journal prompt from chapter 2 of “Changing Paths”

Excellent post from Jarred reflecting on one of the journal prompts from Changing Paths.

Hello dear readers! It’s Friday morning so that means once again exploring a journal prompt from the wonderful book, Changing Paths

Should I stay or should I go? Exploring a journal prompt from chapter 2 of “Changing Paths”

Get your copy here!

Religious trauma workbook

I’m excited to see that Gillian Jenkinson’s book is out! Gillian Jenkinson is a therapist with extensive experience in helping people break free of harmful beliefs dinned into them by cults. I quoted her work in Changing Paths (my book) and I’ve been looking forward to her book coming out.

It’s also very reasonably priced, presumably to make it accessible to those who need it.

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