About Dr Leo Ruickbie

Here you will find out who runs WICA - The Witchcraft Information Centre and Archive - and find out why he is uniquely qualified for this mission. You can also click here and here to read what people are saying about his work.

Brief Biography

Dr Leo Ruickbie is the founder and director of the Witchcraft Information Centre & Archive.

More Than Just a Name

I was rather surprised when the Sunday Herald newspaper (16th of June, 2002) called me "uniquely named", but I suppose they have a point. You can't spell it and you don't know how to pronounce it. Right? It's easy, take another look: R U I C K B I E, pronounced rookbee.

Out of a Land of Legend

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, he has always been fascinated by witchcraft and the occult. It is a fascination that has led to over ten years academic study at some of the UK's most prestigious institutions and which continues to drive his writing career.

Scotland is a country suffused with legend and folklore. Edinburgh in particular is a place long associated with witchcraft and the supernatural. Growing up there had a profound impact on me, from listening to tales like Tam O'Shanter and of the body-snatchers Burke and Hare, to going 'guising' on Hallowe'en when we all dressed up as ghosts and ghouls to terrorize the neighbours.

On the Road to Re-Enchantment: Education

Re-Enchanting the World

Torn between philosophy and sociology, Leo decided to find out what society was really all about, rather than what it should be about, and took his first degree in sociology. He went on to study at Lancaster University, doing a Masters in sociology and religion in the country's top-rated research departments of sociology and religious studies. He was awarded a distinction for his dissertation on 'The Re-Enchantment of The World'.

The Witch Doctor

Leo studied at King's College, University of London, for a doctorate in the sociology of modern Witchcraft. His thesis, entitled The Re-Enchanters: Theorising Re-Enchantment and Testing for its Presence in Modern Witchcraft, dealt with Max Weber's diagnosis of modern society as disenchanted and demonstrated that those involved in modern Witchcraft can be considered to be 're-enchanted'. He is the first person to have been made a doctor in the sociology of modern Witchcraft. He has also been made an Associate of King's College and awarded the First Tinniswood Prize for the excellence of his work.

Amongst Witches

Leo Ruickbie has been actively engaged in serious research into modern forms of witchcraft, including Wicca, since 1994.

Although my PhD work was concerned with sociological theory, it wasn't always abstract. Part of my work involved participant observation, i.e., getting out there and doing it. I've had many adventures during my research. I've danced with witches under the full moon and seen them work magic.

Leo has used this invaluable first-hand experience to bring his writing alive with a rare degree of insight and understanding.

Witchcraft Out of the Shadows

In 2004 Leo's historical and sociological researches were published by Robert Hale as Witchcraft Out of the Shadows. Leo wrote Witchcraft Out of the Shadows to do just that: bring witchcraft out of the shadows of confusion and misunderstanding that have darkened its long history. Click here to read more about the writing of Witchcraft Out of the Shadows.

Witchcraft Over the Airwaves: Radio and TV

In 2001 Leo Ruickbie was invited onto the Breakfast Club, the most listened to morning show on Jamaican radio hosted by former First Lady Beverley Anderson and Anthony Abrams. He used the opportunity to dispel some of the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft.

Witchcraft on the Web: Internet Projects

Leo Ruickbie is also committed to furthering the understanding of witchcraft, Wicca and magic through the medium of the Internet. On the 10th of June, 2000, he brought WICA, the Witchcraft Information Centre & Archive, onto the web. He is the webmaster and designer for all of WICA's internet projects, including www.WitchcraftOutOfTheShadows.com and www.Witchology.com

Sympathy for the Devil?

Well no, not quite, Leo has also led charitable fund-rasing campaigns to support Witches facing religious discrimination.

• Brandi Blackbear Fund

Witchcraft in Words: Public Speaker and Writer

Published Works

Books

• Witchcraft Out of the Shadows. Robert Hale, 2004.

Articles

• Journal of Alternative Spirituality and New Age Studies:
  'Weber and the Witches: Sociological Theory and Modern Witchcraft', JASANAS, vol. 2, February, 2006.

Public Speaking Engagements

• 'Amongst Witches', School of Oriental and African Studies, London, 5th March, 1997. A seminar presented to post-graduate students on the topic of research methodology and modern Witchcraft.
• 'Gerald Gardner and the Great Wild Beast: The Role of Founder in Modern Witchcraft', King's College, London, 23rd January, 1996.

Interviews

• 'Mouzon : Les sorcières s'invitent au colombier', L'Ardennais, 19 juin 2008. [external link]
• 'C'est pas sorcier...' Les Ardennes en marche, avril 2008. [external link]
• The Wiccan Pentagram and the US Military. Stephanie Clary, Gannett News Service, 14th June, 2006.
• '... the nature of modern witchcraft/wicca.' Eddie Lawrence, Bizarre Magazine, 25th March, 2006.
• Turin and the Gates of Hell. John Torres, Gannett News Service, 10th February, 2006. Published as 'Italian plaza infamous as gate to the otherworld', Gannett News Service, 11th February, 2006.
• 'Could you describe a typical Yule/Winter Solstice ceremony?' Catherine Boyle, The Irish News, 13th December, 2005.
• 'Out of the Shadows'. Jerry Bird, Merry Meet, Issue 22, Autumn, 2005, pp. 23-5.
• Sarah Lipton, Somers High School, Connecticut, 19th May, 2003.
• The Breakfast Club, Radio Jamaica, 21st March, 2001.

Specially Commissioned Research

• 'Pagan Practices in Eastern Europe', for a38films/BBCi, 17th January, 2003.

Other Work

• Peer reviewer for the ASANAS.org.uk Journal of Alternative Spiritualities and New Age Studies.

Witchcraft in Pictures: Artist and Designer

Leo Ruickbie is also an artist and designer, responsible for the unique, eye-catching designs used on the Witch Wear product range. Leo provided much of the photographic content for Witchcraft Out of the Shadows, including the dramatic cover photo.

Reviews

Leo Ruickbie's work has been reviewed and recommended by British newspapers The Guardian and the Sunday Herald, Germany's L!VE Magazine, the Graduate Planet website, the All About Eve BBC Magazines website and the American WorthFinding website. Read the reviews for Witchcraft Out of the Shadows, or the WICA website.

Further Information

Wikipedia entry on Dr Leo Ruickbie