Leo Ruickbie is a British historian and sociologist of religion, specializing in exceptional experiences, paranormal beliefs, magic, witchcraft and Wicca.
[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.
[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.
[21] 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.
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.
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.
[32] It was held at the following locations: Ruickbie has appeared in two episodes of Mysteries at the Castle, Season 3: 3.7: "Prince's Plight; Mad King Ludwig; Falling for Love".