Leo Ruickbie is an historian and sociologist of magic, witchcraft and Wicca. He is the author of several books, beginning with Witchcraft Out of the Shadows, a 2004 publication outlining the history of witchcraft from ancient Greece until the modern day. Ruickbie was born in Scotland and took a Master's degree in Sociology and Religion at the University of Lancaster. He then studied at King's College London and was an awarded a PhD for his thesis entitled The Re-Enchanters: Theorising Re-Enchantment and Testing for its Presence in Modern Witchcraft. 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. In 2008 and 2009 he exhibited on the subject of witchcraft in France.
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.
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.
