WICA will reveal Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Magic (Magick) and the Occult for you with expert research services. We undertake both in-house research as well as commissions. We also provide the opportunity for you to submit your own research or join a research project.
Witchology Research Projects
Here you will find a listing and brief description of our investigative studies into specific aspects of witchcraft, Wicca, paganism, Satanism and the occult. Dr Leo Ruickbie has been conducting academic level research into witchcraft since 1994. For most of that time effort has been directed towards doctoral research at King's College, London, in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies.
This listing includes externally commissioned as well as self-commissioned research and development projects. In addition, we have also been soliciting the input of our members and are pleased to include some of their research here.
In-House Research and Development
Werewolf Field Trip (2008)
Field research for a project in development. Details withheld.
Sorcellerie en France (2007-2008)
Development of French language version of Witchology.com in preparation for forthcoming witchcraft exhibition, scheduled for June 2008. Details to be announced. [Witchology.com en Francais]
Open Source Wicca: The Gardnerian Tradition (2007)
Based on the Open Source software movement, Open Source Wicca aims to make the 'source code' of Wicca accessible to everyone to further research, development and understanding. The first part, The Gardnerian Tradition, was launched on Samhain 2007. [Read online][Get the book]
Werewolf Field Trip (2007)
Field research for a project in development. Details withheld.
Walpurgisnacht Field Trip (2007)
An expedition to the Harz region of Germany to investigate contemporary traditions of Walpurgisnacht with a focus on the region around Thale and celebrations on the Hexentanzplatz. This was also a photo-documentary project and forms part of the Photo Archive.
Demonology: The Devils of Moissac (2006)
First in an occasional series exploring demonological motifs in art. Field trip to the Abbey Church of Saint Pierre in Moissac, France, led to the development of an online exhibition to present the material to the public. Click here to enter.
Walpurgisnacht Field Trip (2006)
An expedition to the Rhineland (Burg Satzvey) in Germany to explore contemporary celebrations of Walpurgisnacht. This was also a photo-documentary project and forms part of the Photo Archive.
Sociology of Witchcraft (2006)
Article for the Journal of Alternative Spirituality and New Age Studies published as: Leo Ruickbie, 'Weber and the Witches: Sociological Theory and Modern Witchcraft', JASANAS, vol. 2, February, 2006.
Black Magic in Turin, Italy (2006)
Research into black magic in Turin, Italy, conducted for John Torres of Gannett News Service, 10th February, 2006. Published as 'Italian plaza infamous as gate to the otherworld', Gannett News Service, 11th February, 2006. Or, click here for the original interview.
Witchology Website Project (2005)
Re-development of WitchcraftInfo.info involving extensive research into web interactivity. The website was re-launched with a greater emphasis on dynamic content and interactivity involving DHTML, JavaScript and PHP.
Walpurgisnacht Field Trip (2005)
An expedition to the Harz region of Germany to investigate contemporary traditions of Walpurgisnacht. This was also a photo-documentary project and forms part of the Photo Archive.
Curse Survey (2004)
An investigation into the role and practice of cursing in modern forms of paganism. Questionnaire fielded 28th October to 20th November 2004.
Witchcraft Out of the Shadows Website Project (2004)
Development of a companion website for Leo Ruickbie's Witchcraft Out of the Shadows with accompanying graphical and pdf material. This was a stand-alone project and can be accessed at http://www.witchcraftoutoftheshadows.com.
Vampires (2003)
An exploration of the ancient traditions of vampirism and the modern vampire subculture. Includes the short film The Fallen and an interview with Andrew Ian Dodge. This project produced a literary compendium of vampire lore and stories in the region of 1,000 pages, totalling some 500,000 words.
History of Witchcraft (2001-2004)
In 2001 Dr Leo Ruickbie began work on a history of witchcraft and the modern religion of Wicca. Over the next two years he conducted wide-ranging historical research and further sociological analyses to complement his in-depth PhD research work. The London publishing house Robert Hale offered a contract to publish in 2003 and the book was brought out in 2004 under the title Witchcraft Out of the Shadows.
"Witchcraft Voices" Ethnographic Series (on-going)
This is an on-going investigation into individual experiences of modern witchcraft. This project includes interviews, personal essays and opinion polls. [Click here for the Witchcraft Voices project page]
Witchcraft Traditions: The Sabbats of Witchcraft (on-going)
This project has been running since 2001 with the aim of exploring and understanding the origins, development and current practices of the principle celebratory rituals associated with modern forms of witchcraft.
Commissioned Research
We get a lot of requests from television and film companies to conduct research for them. We turn most of these down.
Eastern European Paganism (2003)
In 2003 we were commissioned by a38 Films/BBCi to conduct research on paganism in Eastern Europe.
- 'Pagan Practices in Eastern Europe', for a38films/BBCi, 17th January, 2003.
Member Submitted Research
We encourage members and visitors to our site to submit their own research work. For people without access to other means of publication (print or digital) this is an important community service and one that we undertake at no charge.
Research Submissions
You can submit your own research to Witchology in one of two ways:
Research Proposals
If you want a specific piece of research into Witchcraft and related subjects undertaken, then our academically trained experts have the specialist knowledge you need. Contact us with your proposal for further details. Please note that only properly drafted proposals with full funding will be considered. A reading fee is applicable in advance on all submissions.
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