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Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminine Wisdom from Christian Patriarchy
"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 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.
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 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.
- GenresNonfictionFeminism
Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
22 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Angela J. Herrington
3 books6 followersAngela is a faith deconstruction coach and host of The Deconstructing Faith Summit who helps people break free from toxic religious culture & empowers them to recover from #churchhurt. She has led online ministries for a decade, enjoys working with clients 1:1, in groups, and is a dynamic conference speaker. She’s a Lark’s Song Certified Life Coach who reaches thousands of people in 40+ countries each month on Facebook, IG, Twitter, Pinterest, and her blog.
She’s a firstborn, Enneagram 8, Gen Xer who loves to question everything. She holds a BA from Indiana Wesleyan and a Master in Leadership from Wesley Seminary. Her graduate research project focused on leadership development and opportunities for Gen X women in the US church.
Connect with Angela at https://angelajherrington.com/
Angela and her unique online ministry are featured in Lyz Lenz’s 2019 book God Land: Story of Faith, Loss, and Renewal in Middle America. She has published articles in Hope for Women and HOPE is Now magazines. She has been featured in The New Republic, Publisher’s Today, and Religion News Service.
Her first book, Deconstruct Your Faith Without Losing Yourself (Eerdmans February, 2024), shares her decade of expereince as a faith deconstruction coach , personal stories, a hefty dose of compassion, and her trademark Gen X humor.
Angela is a also wife, mom to 5, and a proud resident of Marion, Indiana with her family when they’re not traveling the US in their RV.
She’s a firstborn, Enneagram 8, Gen Xer who loves to question everything. She holds a BA from Indiana Wesleyan and a Master in Leadership from Wesley Seminary. Her graduate research project focused on leadership development and opportunities for Gen X women in the US church.
Connect with Angela at https://angelajherrington.com/
Angela and her unique online ministry are featured in Lyz Lenz’s 2019 book God Land: Story of Faith, Loss, and Renewal in Middle America. She has published articles in Hope for Women and HOPE is Now magazines. She has been featured in The New Republic, Publisher’s Today, and Religion News Service.
Her first book, Deconstruct Your Faith Without Losing Yourself (Eerdmans February, 2024), shares her decade of expereince as a faith deconstruction coach , personal stories, a hefty dose of compassion, and her trademark Gen X humor.
Angela is a also wife, mom to 5, and a proud resident of Marion, Indiana with her family when they’re not traveling the US in their RV.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 2, 2026
This book reminds me of a condensed version (maybe like the CliffsNotes version) of Women Who Run With the Wolves. There is wisdom to be had, but sometimes it becomes quite repetitive. The writing style itself is a bit repetitive or formulaic at times, as the author constantly writes in lists followed by prepositional gerund phrases, something like: Christian patriarchal traditions attempt to suppress women’s power, intuition, and sovereignty. By realizing this, we can reclaim our identity and wholeness. That is not a quote, I just made that up as an example, but it’s a pattern that stood out glaringly to me, and it became a bit distracting. I will note that I’m an English teacher, so I realize that I am prone to pick up on details of writing that may not stand out as much to other readers. That being said, this book is very well organized: each chapter is broken down into sections that are distinct and labeled for easy reference. Herrington also concludes each chapter with an activity (journal prompts, meditation, mindfulness, or reflection) that helps the reader explore their own experiences and progress on their own path of healing and understanding. Reading this book can help women and marginalized people feel a sense of validation. It offers hope and guidance for personal empowerment.
December 21, 2025
If you’re looking for something to help you untwist Christian patriarchy from your life, get this book.
If you were taught your body was the problem and your desires would lead you astray, you will love this.
Angela gives us a different story to live into: the Old Witch in the Woods. Not the villain of fairy tales, but a woman who aged without shame, lived independently, trusted her own inner knowing, lived unconventionally, and chose her own spiritual path. She’s the woman patriarchy fears most—and the one we’re invited to become in the pages of this book.
This book is for anyone reclaiming their body as good, their sexuality as sacred, their autonomy as God-given.
Angela beautifully illustrates how Christian patriarchy has systematically erased feminine wisdom and spirituality to empower men to lead and control others. As an example, she shows how the church held up Mary’s story not to celebrate her courage or wisdom, but her submission and willingness to surrender bodily agency. Fast forward to today, and so many of us were cast as dangerous, seductive, untrustworthy. “A woman who doesn’t trust herself is far easier to control,” as Angela says.
The witch trials never ended, Angela reminds us. They just shape-shifted into purity culture, toxic standards, and the silencing of women who age, who question, who own their sexuality, who break generational cycles.
If you’re unlearning what broke you and relearning what makes you whole, start here. Angela doesn’t only illustrate how terribly patriarchy has attempted to break the collective spirit of women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, she also offers helpful examples of practices that we can adopt to fully lean into the lives we were always meant to live: filled with autonomy, knowing, and thriving.
Be sure to get your copy today!
If you were taught your body was the problem and your desires would lead you astray, you will love this.
Angela gives us a different story to live into: the Old Witch in the Woods. Not the villain of fairy tales, but a woman who aged without shame, lived independently, trusted her own inner knowing, lived unconventionally, and chose her own spiritual path. She’s the woman patriarchy fears most—and the one we’re invited to become in the pages of this book.
This book is for anyone reclaiming their body as good, their sexuality as sacred, their autonomy as God-given.
Angela beautifully illustrates how Christian patriarchy has systematically erased feminine wisdom and spirituality to empower men to lead and control others. As an example, she shows how the church held up Mary’s story not to celebrate her courage or wisdom, but her submission and willingness to surrender bodily agency. Fast forward to today, and so many of us were cast as dangerous, seductive, untrustworthy. “A woman who doesn’t trust herself is far easier to control,” as Angela says.
The witch trials never ended, Angela reminds us. They just shape-shifted into purity culture, toxic standards, and the silencing of women who age, who question, who own their sexuality, who break generational cycles.
If you’re unlearning what broke you and relearning what makes you whole, start here. Angela doesn’t only illustrate how terribly patriarchy has attempted to break the collective spirit of women and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, she also offers helpful examples of practices that we can adopt to fully lean into the lives we were always meant to live: filled with autonomy, knowing, and thriving.
Be sure to get your copy today!
October 20, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For the past few years, I’ve referred to myself as the old crone or old witch, potions master extraordinaire. Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is just the sort of book for those women who were raised to be silent, obedient, and pure.
As Angela J. Herrington explains, those of us raised in a Christian patriarchy who were seen only as vessels have a lot of generational unpacking to do. Gone are the days when women should be judged by what they wear (how many times have you heard of a rape victim ‘asking for it’ because they wore a miniskirt?) Or being told to smile because it will make us prettier? Or this western, colonial imperialist belief that women, like children, are better off being seen and not heard?
There’s some history of witchcraft through the centuries. Basically, it boils down to the fact that any woman who did not get married and have kids was treated as abnormal, and many times was branded as a witch. Any woman who did not conform to society’s expectations was labeled a witch. Midwives and herbalists were seen with suspicion because they knew things that men didn’t, and that often meant they were ostracized or stoned to death.
The temptation to read the whole book in one sitting is great, but I suggest you go through it slowly. There’s a lot to unpack and a whole lot of rethinking that women need to do in order to heal ourselves from our patriarchal Christian upbringings.
For the past few years, I’ve referred to myself as the old crone or old witch, potions master extraordinaire. Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods is just the sort of book for those women who were raised to be silent, obedient, and pure.
As Angela J. Herrington explains, those of us raised in a Christian patriarchy who were seen only as vessels have a lot of generational unpacking to do. Gone are the days when women should be judged by what they wear (how many times have you heard of a rape victim ‘asking for it’ because they wore a miniskirt?) Or being told to smile because it will make us prettier? Or this western, colonial imperialist belief that women, like children, are better off being seen and not heard?
There’s some history of witchcraft through the centuries. Basically, it boils down to the fact that any woman who did not get married and have kids was treated as abnormal, and many times was branded as a witch. Any woman who did not conform to society’s expectations was labeled a witch. Midwives and herbalists were seen with suspicion because they knew things that men didn’t, and that often meant they were ostracized or stoned to death.
The temptation to read the whole book in one sitting is great, but I suggest you go through it slowly. There’s a lot to unpack and a whole lot of rethinking that women need to do in order to heal ourselves from our patriarchal Christian upbringings.
October 1, 2025
"How can we possible connect deeply to a creator when we’ve been taught that we, as women, are the reason the world is broken?"
Love. Love. Love.
As someone who grew up in the Christian patriarchal tradition, I never realized the deep the narrative of sin and femininity and how rigid that foundation becomes. I think the material in this book will become increasingly important as the Western socio-political world evolves and looks to solidify the messaging that points fingers at women or put women in boxes. This book looks to change that by breaking those boxes, breaking down purity culture and emphasizing these messages were attempts at the church to disconnect us from our bodies. Afterall, if we are merely bodies then we are nothing more than "passive objects in time".
I also appreciate the messaging on motherhood - this book takes a dive into the idea that women are conditioned to view motherhood as natural, and that motherhood is a condition of their worth. Herrington writes that "Women are conditioned to view their own pain as a necessary burden, reinforcing the belief that personal boundaries and self-care are acts of selfishness rather than essential parts of flourishing." If a woman is not a mother - is she being selfish? No, that would undermine her state of being. 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for the ARC of this splendid read.
Love. Love. Love.
As someone who grew up in the Christian patriarchal tradition, I never realized the deep the narrative of sin and femininity and how rigid that foundation becomes. I think the material in this book will become increasingly important as the Western socio-political world evolves and looks to solidify the messaging that points fingers at women or put women in boxes. This book looks to change that by breaking those boxes, breaking down purity culture and emphasizing these messages were attempts at the church to disconnect us from our bodies. Afterall, if we are merely bodies then we are nothing more than "passive objects in time".
I also appreciate the messaging on motherhood - this book takes a dive into the idea that women are conditioned to view motherhood as natural, and that motherhood is a condition of their worth. Herrington writes that "Women are conditioned to view their own pain as a necessary burden, reinforcing the belief that personal boundaries and self-care are acts of selfishness rather than essential parts of flourishing." If a woman is not a mother - is she being selfish? No, that would undermine her state of being. 5/5
Thank you to NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for the ARC of this splendid read.
August 21, 2025
I grew up in the Catholic Church and was taught early on that women should be quiet, obedient, and pure. Anything outside of that was seen as dangerous or sinful. Reading Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods felt like a breath of fresh air. Angela Herrington takes the figure of the “old witch” and flips the script, showing how she can actually represent wisdom, intuition, and strength.
The book is written with compassion and honesty, which I really appreciated. It does not feel preachy or like just another set of rules to follow. Instead, it creates space to question old beliefs and gently encourages you to trust yourself. I could feel my own memories of Catholic teachings being challenged in ways that felt healing rather than shaming.
I loved how Herrington validates the experience of people who have felt “not enough” in church settings. She talks openly about patriarchal structures but also gives practical ways to reconnect with yourself and your spiritual life. This book is both empowering and comforting, and I think anyone who grew up in a conservative Christian background will find something freeing in it.
A beautiful read for anyone trying to reclaim their spiritual identity and move toward a fuller, more authentic life.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The book is written with compassion and honesty, which I really appreciated. It does not feel preachy or like just another set of rules to follow. Instead, it creates space to question old beliefs and gently encourages you to trust yourself. I could feel my own memories of Catholic teachings being challenged in ways that felt healing rather than shaming.
I loved how Herrington validates the experience of people who have felt “not enough” in church settings. She talks openly about patriarchal structures but also gives practical ways to reconnect with yourself and your spiritual life. This book is both empowering and comforting, and I think anyone who grew up in a conservative Christian background will find something freeing in it.
A beautiful read for anyone trying to reclaim their spiritual identity and move toward a fuller, more authentic life.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
December 13, 2025
I almost didn't buy this book because my fundamentalist Christian upbringing (+ Disney movies & Grimm's fairy tales) taught me that witches are real, dangerous, evil...and that is exactly why this book was for me.
The "old witch in the woods" is a patriarchal trope based on fear of women's intuition & power. If we instead embrace her, she becomes the archetype of the Wise Woman.
Herrington has a lot of important things to say, and ending each chapter with exercises could be particularly helpful. It was a particularly interesting read alongside A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts by Katherine Spearing. I'm grateful that women are breaking free of the confines to which we've been limited for far too long.
4 instead of 5 stars because the writing tends to be winding rather than straightforward, & the author has a pattern of ending too many sentences with a sequence of three:
intuition, power, and emotional depth
love, compassion, and attention
routines, spiritual practices, or personal boundaries
The "old witch in the woods" is a patriarchal trope based on fear of women's intuition & power. If we instead embrace her, she becomes the archetype of the Wise Woman.
Herrington has a lot of important things to say, and ending each chapter with exercises could be particularly helpful. It was a particularly interesting read alongside A Thousand Tiny Paper Cuts by Katherine Spearing. I'm grateful that women are breaking free of the confines to which we've been limited for far too long.
4 instead of 5 stars because the writing tends to be winding rather than straightforward, & the author has a pattern of ending too many sentences with a sequence of three:
intuition, power, and emotional depth
love, compassion, and attention
routines, spiritual practices, or personal boundaries
November 11, 2025
Angela has crafted both tender and tough foods for thought. This book is a must-read for everyone who desires to help move human society from male-dominated to true gender equity. As she points out in creative and well-researched detail, Christianity originated in a time when women had lesser status than cattle. Today the religion created to honor Christ, who was a fierce advocate for women, remains dominated by men who have been generationally programmed to fear embracing the powerful feminine aspects within themselves and women and girls. The soul has no gender and it’s time for human civilization to evolve into that understanding and that requires us to confront patriarchy head-on. The Church is stuck in an era that is light-years removed from our own. This book is a vital contribution to help grow the spiritual intelligence necessary for the Church and true followers of Christ to achieve the goal of ending Christian patriarchy.
January 9, 2026
Welcome to your emancipation! This is a fantastic place to start if you want an intro to feminism and reclaiming yourself and your divinity. I think it probably doesn't matter what country or culture you're from, we've all been influenced by the Christian Patriarchy. I had the grave misfortune to be raised up in it, forced to attend church and Christian school... Every section of this book brought something up for me. Every section of this book peeled back the lid I fitted on those traumatic memories and forced me to see it in a new light. Look, this is what happened to you and this is how you evolved to cope with that. Look at the way you reacted here, you knew it was wrong and you fought back in your own way. I would love to come back through this book and utilize the meditations and journal questions, I really do think it would help me heal further. All the stars to Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods! Everyone should read this book!
November 28, 2025
I was very hopeful for this book. I wanted to learn how to "embrace the old witch in the woods" mentality. I wanted to learn how to make changes in my life. This book wasn't it for me. There are a few pieces of advice here and there, but mostly it's a book about the problems. The problems with Christian patriarchy and the issues that society has today because of them. As a former Catholic, I fully agree with the issues the author has raised. I felt though, that this book has fewer solutions than I was expecting.
* I received this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
* I received this book at no cost in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 12, 2025
Where do I begin? As a recovering IFB occult survivor that was taught trusting myself or my god-given instincts was “bad”, this book has spoken to and begun to awaken my inner woman. A must read. I have been sharing with all my tribe! Thank you, Angela for truth!
November 11, 2025
Excellent and interesting read! Highly recommend because unless we discuss the continued steamrolling of society by Christian patriarchy we will not advance as a human species.
October 15, 2025
This book gives practical advice and guidance about how to embrace feminine wisdom in a Patriarchal culture that has suppressed, denied and even vilified that wisdom. The author is thorough in explaining how we have gotten to this point, even delving into some of the history of witches and who and why many women have wrongfully been labelled witches. Then she writes eloquently about reclaiming feminine wisdom that has been labelled witchcraft.
Some of the chapters are about embracing our bodies, exploring pleasure and the many things that bring us pleasure, reparenting and nourishing ourselves, expressing emotions including anger (in appropriate, safe spaces), reclaiming our heritage and ancestry, and valuing our own aging experience.
I appreciated Angela delving into epigenetics and how we sometimes need to heal things passed down through our genetics. Sections around purity culture and sexual suppression stood out to me as deeply helpful as well.
This book is beneficial to anyone exploring their inner wisdom and autonomy/agency, not by throwing away relationships or trying to create a matriarchal society over a patriarchal one. The goal and aim is egalitarian equality and equity amongst all sexes, genders, and humanity in general. This is a deeply important and timely book!
Some of the chapters are about embracing our bodies, exploring pleasure and the many things that bring us pleasure, reparenting and nourishing ourselves, expressing emotions including anger (in appropriate, safe spaces), reclaiming our heritage and ancestry, and valuing our own aging experience.
I appreciated Angela delving into epigenetics and how we sometimes need to heal things passed down through our genetics. Sections around purity culture and sexual suppression stood out to me as deeply helpful as well.
This book is beneficial to anyone exploring their inner wisdom and autonomy/agency, not by throwing away relationships or trying to create a matriarchal society over a patriarchal one. The goal and aim is egalitarian equality and equity amongst all sexes, genders, and humanity in general. This is a deeply important and timely book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews