Yvonne Aburrow's Blog

Change of circumstances

Up until now, my blog has always been free, so you may be wondering why I have created a Patreon and Substack for paid subscribers. It is because I was laid off from my job in April.

If you enjoy my writing and videos, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to either my Patreon or my Substack.

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The Folklore of the Dead

Halloween and Samhain are coming and as they approach, everyone’s thoughts turn to the uncanny, the liminal, and the numinous.

And what could be more liminal and uncanny than a path which was regularly used to transport the dead from remote villages…?

My new post about corpse roads, the grateful dead, the fair folk, the wild hunt, and the journey to the otherworld is now available to paid subscribers on Substack and Patreon.

The folklore of the dead – The Moon Path on Substack

The fo...

Repeated, protracted protest

Apparently a member of the British government has said she doesn’t think repeat protests are British.

Protest — long-drawn-out, repeated and sustained protest — is very British indeed.

Indeed, repeat protests — often involving destruction of property, sometimes even loss of life — have historically been the only way to get change to happen.

Here are some examples from history.

The Poll Tax riots, 1381 and 1991The Peasants’ Revolt, 1381,
a major uprising across large parts of...

Discerning good theology

It may seem that there’s no point criticizing other people’s theological beliefs because from the standpoint of atheists, all religious beliefs are equally unreasonable, but different theological beliefs are not equal, and they lead to different outcomes.

I define theology as beliefs about gods, spirits, and ethics: how we show up in the world as humans.

Good theology versus bad theology

Bad theology is when a theological belief leads to harmful behaviours. Here are some examples:

...

My books

All acts of love and pleasure: inclusive Wicca

The tenth anniversary edition of All acts of Love and Pleasure: inclusive Wicca — expanded, revised, and updated.

The book includes chapters and sections on 2SLGBTQIA inclusion in Wicca, anti-racism, cultural appropriation, including disabled and neurodivergent people, consent culture, Wicca and science, running a coven, and more!

The first edition broke new ground by advocating for inclusive Wicca that celebrates all acts of love and ...

Tenth anniversary edition

I’m super excited to announce the tenth anniversary edition of All acts of Love and Pleasure: inclusive Wicca — expanded, revised, updated and considerably bigger than the original — coming soon from Avalonia Books (details of where to buy it coming soon).

The cover of the tenth anniversary edition of All acts of Love and Pleasure: inclusive Wicca, designed by Sorita d’Este with a painting of The Divine Androgyne by Paul B Rucker.

The book includes chapters and sections on 2SLGBTQIA in...

Alternatively English

The identity of being English is a difficult legacy, as we’ve had some colossal assholes who shared that identity. Here, in no particular order, are some of the things that do make me happy to be English:

The Tolpuddle Martyrs (early trade unionists).The Chartists (political resistance movement).Three Acres and a Cow (travelling show about the history of land theft and resistance in England). Thomas Hardy (author).Mary Webb (author).Wilfred Owen (poet).Tom Cox (au...

The Witch of Etsy and Charlie Kirk

What worries me is that instead of finally being a wake-up call to do something about guns, the assassination of Charlie Kirk will be an excuse for the Republicans to clamp down on any minority group that they don’t like. Like the Nazis with the Reichstag fire, they will use it to consolidate their power.

My reaction to his death is that he died doing what he loved: sowing division and hatred — and what could be more fitting than becoming one of the people who he said were an acceptable l...

Spells for busy witches (1)

Introducing a series of videos on simple low-cost spells that you can do with items that you probably have in your house or can get from a charity shop / thrift store.

The first spell is one of my favourites: a spell for moving house.

House moving: candle ritual

On leaving the old house, take a lit candle into each room. Visualise the flame burning away any negative memories, and the candle absorbing the good ones. You can also take round incense to banish any negativity. Blow out t...

Pagan leadership course

Pagan leadership, a series of videos on the issues arising for Pagan leaders and teachers. This series is one of the exclusive benefits of paid membership, so if you would like to access it, please sign up for my Patreon.

Session 1. Pagan models of leadership; Other models of leadership; Management; Leading a group; Time management

Session 2. Diversity and inclusion

Session 3. Organization; Starting a group; Creating safe space; developing group guidelines.

Session 4. Pagan Ethic...