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.Continued Sarah: Do the people who practice Satanism practice the Wicca religion? Leo: I have not met any and should think it most unlikely. Satanism and Wicca are like chalk and cheese-they do not go well together. Whilst Satanism is technically the worship of Satan, the Judaeo-Christian embodiment of evil, Wicca does not worship, nor even acknowledge such an entity. The use of the pentagram symbol, worship of a 'horned god' and the term 'witch' itself are all mistakenly interpreted as symbols of Satanic worship, and whilst they may be used in such worship they are not necessarily definitive of such worship, and are used by the modern Wiccan witch in ways entirely unrelated to Satanism. Sarah: How is witchcraft similar or different to voodoo and Satanism? Leo: Voodoo is syncretistic magico-religion adapted to very specific cultural conditions. Satanism was a construction of the Christian church during the Middle Ages, evolving out of their interpretation of witchcraft as a heresy and therefore anti-Christian. In the 20th century Satanism was re-invented as a cathartic self-empowerment religion by Anton Szandor LaVey. Loosely, the description witchcraft could be applied to Voodoo, but it is certainly not the same as the witchcraft religion of Wicca. Likewise, the constructed Satanism of the Middle Ages and Early Modern period was called witchcraft, but bears no relation to Wicca or other modern forms of witchcraft religion. Both voodoo and Satanism are heavily involved with Christianity, whilst Wicca draws none of its ritualisation or self-identification from Christianity. Sarah: Is witchcraft related to the Wicca religion? Leo: The Wiccan religion draws its inspiration from the theory that what we call witchcraft was the survival of the pre-Christian Pagan religions of Europe. So it is rather that Wicca is related to witchcraft, but witchcraft itself is not necessarily related to Wicca. Sarah: How has witchcraft changed over the years? Leo: From being the practice of harmful magic in the Middle Ages, through its re-interpretation as Satanism, to its current association with neo-Pagan Wicca, witchcraft has had a constantly changing career. Sarah: Does witchcraft exist in all cultures? Leo: Yes. If we take witchcraft to mean the use of magic, especially the use, or the fear of the use, of harmful magic, then this is certainly the case. Wicca was invented in England in the last century and has since spread mainly to the English speaking world, so, as a particular form of religion, Wicca does not exist in all cultures. Sarah: Are you born a witch or can you become one through study? Leo: This is a highly debated point. Some argue that a witch is born, others that a witch can be made. Again it depends on the definition of 'witch' one is working with. The Satanic witch of the Middle Ages and Early Modern period was definitely made, whilst many 'witches' identified in non-Western cultures are almost always born. The Wiccan witch today may claim to be born, but is almost always made through study and personal experience. Sarah: What are the primary traits associated with witchcraft? Leo: Do you mean personality traits? The accused witch of the Middle Ages and Early Modern period was sometimes someone disliked or of low reputation, perhaps of violent temper or vicious tongue. The Wiccan witch of today is more likely to be someone of a caring nature, concerned with animal welfare and environmental issues, and also someone mystically inclined, interested in meditation and fortune-telling. Sarah: What are the tools of witchcraft? Leo: The witch today as a follower of Wicca is usually equipped with a ritual knife called an athame, an altar, a candle or candles to represent the element of fire during ritual, a chalice to hold wine or water to symbolise that element, a pantacle to represent earth, an incense burner to represent air, sometimes a wand to represent the will of the magic-user, sometimes a sword for the same purpose. Other ritual tools may include a scourge, a chain, cords and robes (which again can be decorated to symbolise magical intent for specific operations). Whilst ritual paraphernalia are the indispensable trappings of religion, the only essential tool of magic is the mind. Sarah: Are herbs and other organic things a necessity when performing a spell? Leo: Spells are like recipes for magic, some require this herb and that, others require only the human mind. Sarah: If I were to do a spell, would it work? If it didn't why wouldn't it? Leo: Simply put, magic works, although not always in the ways we think it does. The success or failure of a spell depends more on the faith of the practitioner than any other single component. Sarah: Are there any special holidays that witches practice? Leo: Modern witches (Wiccans) observe eight seasonal holy days. Beginning with the old Celtic New Year of Samhain (Hallowe'en), the Wiccan year is marked by Yule (Winter Solstice), Candlemas (2nd February), Spring Equinox, Beltane, Summer Solstice, and Autumn Equinox. Sarah: Is there any special type of calendar that witches go by? Leo: Modern witches (Wiccans) use both a solar and lunar calendar, observing the solar solstices and equinoxes and the monthly cycle of the moon. But otherwise they keep the same reckoning of the days as everyone else. Sarah: Does witchcraft play a necessary role in society? Leo: In sociological terms witchcraft has been interpreted as a strain gauge. Thus during the English Civil War, witchcraft persecutions were very intense, demonstrating the general turmoil of society at that time. Today as an alternative religion (Wicca) it plays a crucial role in offering a new spiritual path better adapted to current concerns and conditions. Through my own academic work I have shown that 'witchcraft' as a modern Western religion provides a model for breaking out of disenchantment, the general social condition of modernity, and expresses a new being-in-the-world that can be termed re-enchantment. 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? 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