Book Review – Changing Paths by Yvonne Aburrow
I recently read “Changing Paths” by Yvonne Aburrow and I am so very glad that I did. Changing Paths is a down to earth and extremely practical book on the complexities and intricacies of switching belief systems.
Yvonne’s words will leave you feeling deeply seen, especially if changing religions is something you have already encountered in your life like I have. Even if you have not yet made the switch, it will provide you with the framework and steps necessary to make those changes for your future if need be.
Stay tuned for Yvonnes episode on the Witch Talks Podcast coming April 16 where we chatted deeply about this topic.
What I liked
Yvonne’s tone is gentle, understanding and to the point which makes this book a refreshing change to others that try to tackle the dense topic of personal religion. Yvonne’s words are kind and accepting of all beliefs making this a book that is truly for everyone. I especially love how they sum up the best way to know if your chosen religion is beneficial to you or not;
“If religion or spirituality makes us more disconnected from other people, less compassionate, less rational, then it is harmful. If on the other hand, it enables us to feel more love and compassion for others, and be better able to cope with the sorrowful aspects of life, then it is helpful.”
— Yvonne Aburrow - Changing Paths
Covering topics such as religious trauma, gender and sexuality acceptance within various religions, the religious issues with patriarchy and opposite issues associated with a matriarchy and following it all up with a rich guide on joining or converting to paganism in any of it’s many forms. Changing Paths is a well-researched and easy to absorb book filled with wisdom and practical advice on what can often be a difficult and confusing topic for many people.
I truly wish I had a copy of this book during my own transition from evangelical Christianity to Witchcraft. It would have saved me a lot of frustration, confusion and ill-informed anger by providing the guidance and prompts required of a shift that big.
Here is another of my favourite quotes from Yvonne;
People become disenchanted with a spiritual tradition or religious community when its values and beliefs and attitudes come into conflict with their own, when they perceive an internal inconsistency within those values or beliefs, or when their tradition fails them at an important juncture in life. When a religion preaches compassion and tolerance, but is intolerant and harsh towards a specific group of people, its lived values are in conflict with its professed values, and this often creates cognitive dissonance for its adherents.
— Yvonne Aburrow - Changing Paths
Yvonne includes tools and suggestions for correcting any oppressive views from the tradition you were raised in. Including exercises, journal prompts and reflections (at the end of each chapter). I love that further reading resources are suggested throughout such as Karen Armstrong’s book, A History of God, where she discusses the different ideas of God and the issues with them throughout history.
Yvonne details how a clash of beliefs is often the cause for changing paths and all the things to consider along with that clash. How success with a belief writes a story in the power of that belief and can help us shift paths or keep us stuck.
There are valid suggestions for coming to terms with the [as the author puts it] simmering volcano of anger at Christianity which can be subbed for any form of major or minor religion.
I adore Yvonne’s approach which is down to earth, extremely practical and very gentle. This book would have benefited me greatly had it been around when I was navigating my own change in religious paths 15 years ago. In fact, it is benefiting me greatly even now.
There is no push toward any religion, in fact, simply switching from religion to a secular way of life is included within its pages.
I felt seen in a way I never have before in terms of the spiritual and religious abuse that occurred during my own childhood. Yvonne doesn’t shy away from the difficult topics, covering sexual abuse, conversion therapy and more and tackling them with grace, facts and most of all, resources for seeking help.
Some of the sentences felt like the author had pulled them from my own mind. The ideas that came through whilst still in the church and during my deconstruction that are echoed in these pages is highly refreshing to read. For example, they refer to some Liberal Religious Groups that do indeed recognize that “all scriptures have been written by humans in response to some interaction with the Divine, and therefore are subject to interpretation and debate.” A thought regarding the bible that had bugged me for years and was shut down at every turn with “Doubt your doubts, not your God.”
This sentence was particularly powerful because it speaks to the idea that actions speak louder than words and is something often forgotten when we get caught up in the thrill of a charismatic preacher - As Yvonne says, “Liberal Christian denominations and churches often affirm equality and diversity, but check to see who is at the back making the tea and coffee and doing the washing up at the end of the service.”
What I disliked
There isn’t much at all that I didn’t like in this book, except maybe that I had to read it as a PDF because it was an advanced copy but that is nothing to do with the words themselves.
I can imagine people expecting it to be filled with hate against christianity though and whilst it does address the discrepancies and problems within Christianity, this is not a Christian bashing book, in fact it calmly, kindly and openly discusses personal views and experiences of the author along with the benefits that lie within the religion. If a reader is switching from paganism to Christianity and another is doing the opposite both would find the information needed within it’s pages but the end of the book is focused on the move towards paganism specifically.
Do I recommend it?
Yes absolutely. I give it 5 witches hats.
If you’ve read my other reviews, I rarely give a 5 witches hat rating because not all books are for all people, but this is one that I truly think could benefit people EVEN if they’re not planning on changing paths. This is because the exercises within the book are so useful for assessing and confirming your current spiritual practice, to ensure that it holds up under scrutiny.
Reading this book may make others more aware of religious trauma and the sneaky ways it can show up for ourselves and for others, and some of the pitfalls we can come up against within any belief system so it serves as a good dose of compassion mixed with logic & rationality for everyone.
My witches’ hats rating system:
0 - Problematic, this book should be burned.
1 - Did not like this book, do not read
2 - It was ok, wouldn’t recommend it though.
3 - I liked it but it might not be for everyone
4 - I really liked it and think most people will like it
5 - AMAZING, I loved it and everyone should read it
Meet Hana
Hana O’Neill, the Suburban Witch is a professional Tarot & Astrology reader, Intuitive Coach and the host of the Witch Talks podcast.
