Leo Ruickbie's Witchcraft Out of the ShadowsA Complete History from Ancient Paganism to Modern Wicca - A History Re-Written |
Witchcraft Out of the Shadows is based on Leo Ruickbie's highly successful course, which has been favourably reviewed by major newspapers, websites and others. "... the best." GraduatePlanet.com "... you'll get quite an education!" WorthFinding.com "Study witchcraft at WICA." The Guardian "... you write well." The William Morris Agency "I found your material engaging." Bloomsbury "... a fascinating read... I recommend the book..." Marty Dodge "Unbedingt zu empfehlen!!!" Amazon.de reviewer "This is an incredible book..." Amazon.co.uk reviewer "Amazing!" Sven "... an excellent job." Ed "... thank you for sharing your knowledge." Briena "I'm well impressed..." Morven "You get to the point." Helen "... very informative." Ravenclaw "I am extremely impressed." Barbie "Keep up the good work especially when there are so many people out there that need you." Amanda "Refreshing and Wonderful..." Michael |
Interview with Leo RuickbieJump to: information for interviewers; information for webmasters. Interviews
Leo Ruickbie talks to Sarah Lipton of Somers High School, Connecticut, USA, on the 19th of May, 2003.Sarah Lipton: How did you exactly get interested in Witchcraft? Leo Ruickbie: Witchcraft has been like a magnet to me and exploring its tangled forests has been my abiding passion since I first heard the word. On a professional level, I began studying witchcraft at King's College, University of London, in 1994 as a means of understanding the sociological theory of disenchantment/re-enchantment for my PhD thesis entitled The Re-Enchanters. What interested me about witchcraft during my PhD studies was the way in which it might represent a new ontological condition, a new way of being-in-the-world. Sarah: What are the origins of witchcraft and where did it first begin? Leo: Witchcraft has multiple origins because it has been interpreted to mean different things at different times. The word itself developed during the Old English period (roughly the 5th century to the Norman Conquest of 1066) to mean the practice of socially undesirable magic. It was gradually re-defined as the worship of the Devil during the Middle Ages and Early modern period. In the middle of the Twentieth Century a book was published by a retired civil servant purporting to have discovered the last living witches in England. He claimed that they practised a Pagan religion unrelated to Satanism and unconcerned with the working of harmful magic, and 'witchcraft' again acquired a new definition. Sarah: What is the relationship of traditional religions to witchcraft over the years? Leo: Originally, witchcraft takes place within a pre-existing religious context as the practice of magic, usually socially proscribed magic, later it was re-interpreted by Christian theologians as a Satanic and anti-Christian religion in the Western world. Today it has become associated with Wicca and re-interpreted by Wiccans as the pre-Christian Pagan religion of Europe. Considered as another name for Wicca, witchcraft takes its place alongside the other religions of the world as an equally valid expression of spirituality. Sarah: Are witches simply just medicine men? Leo: Yes and no. Some people who were persecuted as witches during the Middle Ages and Early Modern period were clearly herbalists and folk-magicians, but not all of them. Some of them were innocent people falsely accused. Some of them were perhaps less innocent. Today the witch is generally a follower of the religion of Wicca. The medicine man or shaman is found in pre-industrial societies in an integrated cultural role concerned with healing and communication with the spirit world on behalf of the community. Some witches today may see themselves as fulfilling a similar role, but it is not a role that is recognised by the wider community. Sarah: What is the difference between black magic and white magic? Leo: Intent. Magic is magic, but the uses to which it is put define its moral colouring. Thus where used for evil purposes it is called 'black' and where used for good it is called 'white.' Sarah: Are white witches and black witches similar more than they are different? Leo: The terminology of white and black witches is not used nowadays, pre-supposing as it does a one-dimensional morality to the practice of witchcraft. Just as no one talks of White Christians and Black Christians, so today no one practising the religion of Wicca would define themselves as a White Witch or a Black Witch. Sarah: Do the people who practice Satanism practice the Wicca religion? InterviewersIf you wish to interview Leo Ruickbie, then please send an e-mail to in the first instance. Please state your full name, your professional affiliations (if any), and your reasons for wanting to interview Leo Ruickbie. WebmastersDo you need free website content? You can upload onto the Internet or otherwise distribute this interview in the form of the 'free distribution copy', free of charge, as long as the document remains unchanged and is represented in a fair and decent manner.
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 216 x 138 mm Click here for reference
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