Leo Ruickbie

Last updated

Leo Ruickbie
Alma mater King's College, London
OccupationWriter
Years active2004–present
SpouseAntje Bosselmann-Ruickbie
Website http://www.ruickbie.com

Leo Ruickbie is a British historian and sociologist of religion, specializing in exceptional experiences, paranormal beliefs, magic, witchcraft and Wicca. Born in Scotland, he is the author of several books and has contributed to numerous academic journals and periodicals, as well as making frequent appearances in the media. He has played a leading role in parapsychology in the UK through his work with the Society for Psychical Research. [1] , particularly as editor of the Magazine of the Society for Psychical Research. [2] . In 2021, he won third-prize in the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest on the best evidence for life after death, and now lives and works in Las Vegas, Nevada. [3]

Contents

Education

Ruickbie studied at the University of Lancaster, taking a Master's degree in Sociology and Religion, supervised by Prof. Scott Lash. He went on to study at King's College London where he was awarded a PhD for his thesis entitled The Re-Enchanters: Theorising Re-Enchantment and Testing for its Presence in Modern Witchcraft. [4] [5] [6] under the supervision of Prof. Peter B. Clarke and Prof. Vivianne Crowley, the well-known scholar and Wiccan High Priestess. [7]

Career

Ruickbie began a career in writing with the publication of Witchcraft Out of the Shadows, [8] a 2004 publication outlining the history of witchcraft from ancient Greece until the modern day. Since then he has published prolifically. [9] As well as writing, he has also created public exhibitions: in 2008 and 2009 he exhibited on the subject of witchcraft in France. [10] [11]

He has played a central role in the Society for Psychical Research as a member of its governing Council, a member of its Education and Publicity Committee, and a member of its Spontaneous Cases Committee. [12] From 2014 to 2023, he was the editor of the Magazine of the Society for Psychical Research. [13] and credited with substantially reinvigorating the publication. [14]

He is also a professional member of the Parapsychological Association, [15] and was on the governing committee of the Gesellschaft für Anomalistik. [16]

In 2021, he won third-prize in the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies essay contest on the best evidence for life after death, with "The Ghost in the Time Machine." [17] The essay was published in a deluxe five-volume set with the other winning essays, and as a stand-alone ebook and audiobook; it is also available for download from the Bigelow Institute website. [18] [19]

In recognition of his work, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 2021 [20] and a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute in 2022. [21]

Publications

Witchcraft Out of the Shadows (2004)

Witchcraft Out of the Shadows begins with a survey of historical influences from classical times, northern European paganism, and medieval and early modern Europe. It then describes the roots of modern neopagan witchcraft in groups such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and individuals such as Aleister Crowley and Doreen Valiente. Particularly important is the critical analysis of the claims made by Gerald Gardner about Wicca, as well as a detailed discussion of the liturgical content of Gardner's Ye Bok of Ye Art Magical and its sources.

The final part of the book is an overview of modern neo-pagan witchcraft belief and practice, drawing principally on Ruickbie's own doctoral research. Using both original research and secondary analysis of a broad range of anthropological and sociological findings, Ruickbie gives estimates for the numbers of people involved in neo-pagan witchcraft in the UK, their age, gender and income distribution. He also asked participants in his own research about the nature of their religious experience, their relationship with the gods, their practice of magic and their beliefs about its effects.

Witchcraft Out of the Shadows was listed under 'Further Reading' in Owen Davies' 2009 book Grimoires: A History of Magic Books.

The Re-Enchanters (2005)

The Re-Enchanters: Theorising Re-Enchantment and Testing for its Presence in Modern Witchcraft is a sociological analysis of modern witchcraft (including Wicca) that builds a theory of re-enchantment using Max Weber's famous disenchantment hypothesis and then tests this using a sample group drawn primarily from practitioners of modern witchcraft and other forms of contemporary paganism. [22] [23]

Open Source Wicca: The Gardnerian Tradition (2007)

On Samhain 2007 he launched Open Source Wicca, a project inspired by the open-source software movement aimed at making the founding texts of Wicca more readily available by releasing them under a Creative Commons licence. [24]

Faustus: The Life and Times of a Renaissance Magician (2009)

Biography of Faustus (aka Faust) published by The History Press presents new information on the life and death of Faustus. Pagan Dawn magazine said of the book: 'Leo Ruickbie's solid tome does something unexpected. It rehabilitates someone with one of the worst reputations in history; Georgius Sabellicus Faustus Jnr, better known as Faust'. [25]

A Brief Guide to the Supernatural (2012)

An introduction to supernatural phenomena, beliefs and experiences published by Constable & Robinson. [26]

A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting (2013)

A detailed examination of the history and practice of ghost hunting also published by Constable & Robinson. Reviewing the book for the Magonia Review of Books, Peter Rogerson called it 'comprehensive and remarkable good value for the price', adding that 'this is an interesting and useful book one can recommend to ghost hunters and psychical researchers'. [27] It is recommended reading by the chairman of the Ghost Club and Rosemary Ellen Guiley. [28]

The Impossible Zoo: An Encyclopedia of Fabulous Beasts and Mythical Monsters (2016)

From the publisher's website: "The Impossible Zoo is a biology of the supernatural - a study of the life of things that never lived. This world of mermaids and unicorns, now confined to fantasy, but once believed to exist, is a world of the imagination that still affects us today. Wonderfully illustrated throughout, it also provides sources as a guide to further study and exploration." It is recommended by Dr Karl Shuker and Revd Lionel Fanthorpe, FRSA, author and president of the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena. [29] The book has been translated into Estonian and is published by Tänapäev. [30]

Angels in the Trenches: Spiritualism, Superstition and the Supernatural During the First World War (2018)

A narrative history of the First World War examining paranormal beliefs and experiences both on the Home Front and the Frontline. Published by Robinson, an imprint of Little, Brown for the Centenary of the Armistice in November 2018. [31]

The Ghost in the Time Machine (2023 and 2024)

One of the top three winning essays in the essay contest on the best evidence for life after death organized by the Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies.

Exhibitions

La Sorcellerie en France

This public exhibition explored the history of witchcraft in France with a special focus on the Ardennes region. In a series of highly illustrated panels it covered topics such as what is witchcraft, where was witchcraft to be found, the Knights Templar, Joan of Arc, Gilles de Rais, the legal and theoretical writers on demonology, famous demonic possession cases, legends of the Ardennes, witch trials in the Ardennes, plants used in witchcraft and stones (precious and semi-precious) used in magic, popular superstitions like the horseshoe and Wicca. [32]

It was held at the following locations:

Television

Mysteries at the Castle

Ruickbie has appeared in two episodes of Mysteries at the Castle, Season 3:

3.7: "Prince's Plight; Mad King Ludwig; Falling for Love". Here he talked about Dunrobin Castle, Scotland, said to be haunted by the ghost of 'Lady Margaret'

3.9: "Deadliest Chess Game; Gustav III Assassination; Shot in the Heart", in which he presented Ruthven Barracks, Scotland, where Alexander Stewart, Earl of Buchan was said to have played chess with the Devil. [36]

He also appeared in one episode of Mysteries at the Castle, Season 2:

2.3: "Faust; Pirate Queen; First Versailles". [37]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Leo Ruickbie". The Society for Psychical Research. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  2. ↑ "Paranormal Review: The Magazine of the Society for Psychical Research". The Society for Psychical Research. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Exploring Enchantment: An Interview with Leo Ruickbie". mindfieldbulletin.org. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  4. ↑ Selig, Martina (October 2006). Forum Gelb.
  5. ↑ "About Dr Leo Ruickbie". Witchology.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2007.
  6. ↑ Michelot, Luc (April 2008). "C'est pas sorcier". Les Ardennes en Marche.
  7. ↑ "Exploring Enchantment: An Interview with Leo Ruickbie". mindfieldbulletin.org. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  8. ↑ Ruickbie, Leo (2004). Witchcraft Out Of The Shadows A Complete History. Robert Hale. ISBN   978-0-7090-7567-7.
  9. ↑ "Leo Ruickbie". Parapsychological Association. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Mouzon: Les sorcières s'invitent au colombier". L'Ardennais. 19 June 2008.
  11. 1 2 "Un expert en sorcellerie partage son savoir". L'Ardennais. 17 February 2009. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009.
  12. ↑ "Leo Ruickbie". The Society for Psychical Research. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "Paranormal Review: The Magazine of the Society for Psychical Research". The Society for Psychical Research. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
  14. ↑ "Forty Years of Society for Psychical Research Magazines". tomruffles.blogspot.com. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  15. ↑ "Leo Ruickbie". Parapsychological Association. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  16. ↑ "Die Gremien der Gesellschaft für Anomalistik" (in German). Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Exploring Enchantment: An Interview with Leo Ruickbie". mindfieldbulletin.org. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "BICS Essay Contest Winners". bigelowinstitute.org. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  19. ↑ "BICS Contest Publishing". bigelowinstitute.org. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  20. ↑ "171 new Fellows & Members elected to the Society". Royal Historical Society. 7 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  21. ↑ "Directory of Fellows" . Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  22. ↑ Ruickbie, Leo (February 2006). "Weber and the Witches: Sociological Theory and Modern Witchcraft". Jasanas. 2: 116–130.
  23. ↑ Blain, Jenny; Wallis, Robert J. (2007). Sacred Sites -- Contested Rites. Sussex Academic Press. p. 26.
  24. ↑ "Open Source Wicca". Witchology.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 4 November 2007.
  25. ↑ "Is it Time to Sell Your Soul?". Pagan Dawn. No. 171. Beltane. 2009. p. 48.
  26. ↑ "A Brief Guide to the Supernatural". Constable & Robinson. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
  27. ↑ Peter Rogerson (16 October 2013). "Good Ghost Guide". Magonia. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  28. ↑ "A Brief Guide to Ghost Hunting". Constable & Robinson. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2014.
  29. ↑ The Impossible Zoo. Little, Brown Book Group. 21 November 2017. ISBN   978-1-4721-3644-2. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  30. ↑ "Võimatu loomaaed. Fantastiliste loomade ja mütoloogiliste olendite entsüklopeedia" (in Estonian). Tänapäev. Retrieved 9 November 2017.
  31. ↑ Angels in the Trenches. Little, Brown Book Group. 5 February 2019. ISBN   978-1-4721-3959-7. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  32. ↑ "La Sorcellerie en France". Witchology.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2008.
  33. ↑ "Office de tourisme". 25 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 March 2013.[ verification needed ]
  34. ↑ "Mouzon: Les sorcières s'invitent au colombier". L'Ardennais. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2008.
  35. ↑ 'Monday 11 August to Sunday 17 August 2008', Goingoutinfrance.co.uk, retrieved 12-08-08.[ full citation needed ]
  36. ↑ "Dr Leo Ruickbie appears on 'Mysteries at the Castle' television programme". www.rssing.com. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  37. ↑ "Faust; Pirate Queen; First Versailles". IMDb. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
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