An Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft
My first book, ‘An Apostate’s Guide to Witchcraft‘, is coming Fall 2024 through Llewellyn Worldwide, and is available to pre-order now. You can get it from Amazon with this link, or directly from Llewellyn with this one.
This book is about my journey from a fundamentalist Christian cult to the joyous and freeing world of Witchcraft. Blending my personal experience with gentle exercises, this book is for anyone who is curious about witchcraft and alternative spirituality. It is also great for those seeking a way in to witchcraft, especially so if they are coming to this path from another faith. It focuses on joy, enchantment and freedom, to leave any reader feeling uplifted and inspired.
Why I Wrote This Book
I was raised in a Fundamentalist Christian Cult, and only discovered witchcraft after I left in my twenties. Therefore, there was no period of youthful exploration. It immediately became something hugely important to me, a way to make sense of life and reclaim my spirituality.
I wrote this book because I noticed many people who left fundamentalism felt lost and disconnected, like I had once been. I wanted to share the inclusive, queer-affirming path I had found, but also acknowledge the challenges that come with leaving a very rigid belief system behind. Above all else, I wanted to help people fall in love with the mystery of life, whatever form that might take for them.
The shame that follows leaving a cult can be overwhelming. It’s difficult to trust your own judgement, to find a new community, and to connect with others as your authentic self. It is my hope that in sharing my experience, I can help dispel a little of that shame for others, to help them feel a little less lonely on their journey, and to offer hope that things do get better.
In addition, in a world where queerness and the freedom of self-expression seem increasingly under threat, I have written this book to help anyone find a space where they can truly be themselves, and accept themselves as they are. While written from my perspective as a cult survivor, this book truly is for anyone seeking enchantment and self-acceptance through the wonderful world of witchcraft.
Advanced Praise
“This book is three things at once: a very good introduction to witchcraft and magic, a moving account of a personal journey, and—most remarkably—an effective guide to finding personal freedom.”
—Ronald Hutton, historian and author of The Witch and The Triumph of the Moon
“An extraordinary blend of personal narrative and practical wisdom. This book is as much of a memoir as it is a comprehensive guide to embracing the transformative power of witchcraft. Matthey’s journey from the restrictive bounds of a fundamentalist cult to the liberating world of magick is both inspiring and deeply insightful. Each chapter is rich with information, from understanding the role of spirits to the importance of community in witchcraft, all presented in an accessible and engaging manner. The exercises are thoughtfully crafted, inviting readers to actively participate in their own journey of liberation and empowerment. This book is a testament to what witchcraft can offer, making it an invaluable resource for both newcomers to the craft and seasoned practitioners alike. Matthey’s compelling work stands out as a heartfelt and enlightening guide, offering a beacon of hope and a rich source of inspiration for anyone seeking to find freedom through the magick of witchcraft.”
—Mat Auryn, bestselling author of Psychic Witch and Mastering Magick
“It’s not enough to walk away from a bad religion. True healing requires finding something good and helpful to replace the void left behind. In this book, Moss Matthey describes his escape from a fundamentalist cult to a path of nature, spirits, and magic—to witchcraft. The empowerment, acceptance, and joy Moss found are available to anyone who will follow the steps in this straightforward and easily accessible guide.”
—John Beckett, Druid and author of The Path of Paganism