Wednesday 20 October 2010

Tonight we are going to invoke Satan - just for fun

Did I ever tell you about the time I went to a Black Mass? No? Pick up this month's copy of Paranormal magazine and read 'Talk of the Devil, Part 2' - all will be revealed.

From the contents page:

Continuing the history of the Prince of Evil, the Devil is brought in to the modern age of theological doubts, possession and Satanic cults and murders. The author also describes the night he attended a Black Mass.


From the article:

After 2,500 years of tormenting mankind, I was about to find out if the Devil was still alive and well.



'Talk of the Devil, Part 2', Paranormal, 52, October 2010.

Friday 15 October 2010

At the Mountains of Madness

Just heard about this new exhibition, thought I would pass it on. From the press release:

Gallery Nucleus Presents
AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS: H.P. LOVECRAFT TRIBUTE EXHIBIT
October 16, 2010 – November 8, 2010
Opening Reception: October 16, 2010 (7 pm – 11 pm)

Alhambra, CA – Gallery Nucleus presents an art exhibit tributing H. P. Lovecraft who is considered by many to be the most influential horror writer of the 20th century. Lovecraft’s stories deal with the terror of the unknown or incomprehensible and have inspired modern day talents like Clive Barker, Stephen King, Neil Gaiman, and H. R. Giger. It has been recently announced that one of Lovecraft’s best known stories will receive big screen treatment at the hands of director Guillermo del Toro and James Cameron. It is difficult to deny Lovecraft’s influence on our culture.

The art exhibit promises to touch on the writer’s best known stories such as “The Call of Cthulhu” as well as some lesser known ones showcased in a variety of mediums in both two and three-dimensional format. It features several premier artists currently working in the film industry including Jordu Schell who was the character designer behind the “Na’vi” people depicted in Cameron’s Avatar. Several award-winning illustrators will also offer their interpretations of the classic horror tales including the acclaimed John Jude Palencar whose paintings have been commissioned for several Lovecraft publications. All works will be available for view online as well.

Learn more about the exhibit and the fifteen contributing artists by visiting online at:
http://gallerynucleus.com/gallery/exhibition/249

CONTACT wade buchanan gallery@gallerynucleus.com

www.gallerynucleus.com
210 East Main St.
Alhambra CA 91801
p: (626) 458 – 7482

Tuesday 31 August 2010

Remember The Exorcist?

The priest approaches the bed, a smile on his face. His words are kindly as he addresses the girl bound to the bed frame...

Leo Ruickbie, 'Talk of the Devil', Paranormal, 51, September 2010.

Wednesday 18 August 2010

Witchcraft Out of the Shadows 2nd Edition

A second edition of Witchcraft Out of the Shadows is now in the works. First published in hardback in 2004, the last copies of the first edition of Witchcraft Out of the Shadows left the warehouse some months ago. There are now only four copies being sold through Amazon.co.uk. There are more Stateside with ten selling on Amazon.com. But be warned, prices are going through the roof. One seller is charging as much as $160.71 for a used copy. If you can get a copy cheaper, this could be a good investment for the future, as well as a good read.

Tuesday 3 August 2010

History of the Devil

New two-part history of the Devil to be published in Paranormal magazine.

In the first of a two-part feature Leo Ruickbie reveals the history of the force of evil known in the Western tradition as variously Satan, Lucifer, the Enemy, the Adversary, and most commonly the Devil. In part one Leo reveals the Devil's origins and traces his evolution into the Middle Ages.


Paranormal asked me to delve into the dark history of the Devil. I'll be looking at possession, The Exorcist, and how the Devil started out as God's hard man (or angel). When did he get those horns? And who gave them to him? All and more will be revealed.


The first part is out September 2010. You can get an advance glimpse of some of the graphics for the article from editor Richard Holland.

Get a copy from the publishers here.

Saturday 5 June 2010

New Article on Magic

I saw him do it. On national TV. Took a voodoo doll out of his pocket and wrapped a thread around it. His victim was watching him, not quite believing. But when he'd finished, could she move her arms? Legs?

In the July 2010 edition of Paranormal Magazine you can read my latest article on the supernatural:

Sympathy from the Devil

Expert on magical practices, Dr Leo Ruickbie, discusses the two main principles of spell-craft - sympathetic and contagious magic. Do they really work?


Click here to read the story in Paranormal magazine

Monday 29 March 2010

Haiti's 'Devil Pact'

"In this Paranormal News special, expert on modern witchcraft Dr Leo Ruickbie examines the legend that inspired a bizarre and callous comment from an American preacher in response to the Haiti earthquake." - Paranormal, issue 46, April 2010.

Click here to read this story in Paranormal magazine.

Friday 26 February 2010

Watkins Books Closure

Email from Stephen Gawtry, received 25/02/10, reproduced with permission.

Dear friends and colleagues,

Some of you may have already heard the sad news, but I’m afraid that Watkins Books has gone into administration and the shop closed on Tuesday, February 23rd. Watkins has been struggling for the last few years to keep its head above water. The tide turned with the collapse of the Net Book Agreement and the rise of discounted books. Independent bookshops relied on the bigsellers like Harry Potter or the latest Dan Brown to enable them to survive and stock the classics and slow sellers. Once the Net Book Agreement went, supermarkets were suddenly allowed to sell the bigsellers at heavily discounted prices, literally taking the bread from the mouths of the independents. When "The Da Vinci Code" first came out in paperback, Watkins was buying copies from the wholesaler at around £4.50, while up the road Tescos in Covent Garden was selling it for around £3.50. I heard of one independent bookseller who drove to his supermarket and filled up a trolley with the latest Jamie Oliver book, as it was far cheaper than getting it from his regular supplier. On the last Harry Potter books, supermarkets like Asda were selling them as lost leaders. A vast mountain of brand new £16.99 hardbacks marked down to £4.99 so that every little 'Potter' fan would urge their parents to take them there and hopefully buy their weekly shopping at the same time. This is the real crime. These people don't respect books. To them they are a throw away commodity. What other area of retail gives away the latest brand new products like that? The collapse of the Net Book Agreement has enabled the supermarkets to take the cream of the bestsellers and demand huge discounts from publishers, thereby depriving bookshops of their life-blood. But what happens when there is suddenly nowhere to buy the classics, the text books, the car and computer manuals? Yes, if you know exactly what you want, you can order online. But what if you don't know? What if you need to look at the book or to browse and see what is right for you? This is the reality. As of 2009, 500 independent bookshops in the UK had closed since the demise of the agreement in the late 90s. That number will vastly increase over the next year. Online sellers like Amazon have compounded the problem and the recent recession has just about brought the high street to its knees. Even specialist shops with loyal customers like Watkins are now struggling to survive. I always thought Watkins would pull through somehow and have not yet given up hope. There are several people interested in buying Watkins and hopefully it will rise again from the ashes and be given a new lease of life. Having worked at Watkins since 1993, I have seen many changes, met many dear friends - authors, publishers, distributors, work colleagues - and of course customers! I would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the years. Like Watkins, long may it continue!

Those of you who have adverts, books or articles in the Spring or Summer issues of the Review, please note that I have every intention of continuing with the Review and will do my best to get future issues out when I can. I will let you know more once I know more myself.

Best wishes,

Stephen Gawtry
Editor, The Watkins Review

Book Recommended on Yahoo Answers

There are several books on the history of Witchcraft: a particularly good one is "Witchcraft out of the shadows" by Leo Ruickbie.

from Yahoo Answers, accessed 26/02/10.

Thursday 11 February 2010

Haiti Article

My article on Haiti and Robertson's Devil-pact comments will appear in a forthcoming issue of Paranormal Magazine.

Hexen - Mythos und Wirklichkeit

Interesting new exhibition on witchcraft:

Hexen - Mythos und Wirklichkeit

13. September 2009 bis 2. Mai 2010

Das Historische Museum der Pfalz widmet sich in der Sonderausstellung „Hexen – Mythos und Wirklichkeit“ der Bedeutungsvielfalt des Hexenbegriffs. Dabei stellt die Ausstellung das Stereotyp „Hexe“ auf den Prüfstand.


At the Historisches Museum der Pfalz Speyer until 2 May 2010.

Tuesday 19 January 2010

Voodoo Caused Quake, Claims Minister

A minister in Northern Ireland has blamed Voodoo for the earthquake catastrophe that has hit Haiti.

During his sermon at Newbuildings Independent Methodist Church on Sunday, the Rev Jonathan Campbell told his congregation that Voodoo was a ‘dangerous and destructive religion, involving the worship of evil spirits’.

Read the full story at http://www.witchology.com/news/2010/2010-01-19-Voodoo-Haiti-Earthquake.php

Monday 18 January 2010

Witches Cast Spell for Haiti

Witches across the world joined forces to cast a global spell to help the people of Haiti.

Rev Terry Power, High Priest of the Correllian Nativist Tradition of Wicca, issued a call to all witches to join him in performing a ritual for Haiti at 17:00 on Saturday, 16 January.

Power said ‘this ritual is designed to cascade around the planet... the energy is directed and released to add itself to the growing wave of love, comfort and healing around the world’.

Read the full story at http://www.witchology.com/news/2010/2010-01-18-Witches-Haiti-Spell.php

Sunday 17 January 2010

Robertson Blames Haiti Quake on Devil Pact

American evangelist Pat Robertson called the earthquake that has devastated Haiti a 'blessing in disguise'. Speaking on the Christian Broadcasting Network on Wednesday 6 January, Robertson told viewers that the Haitians 'got together and swore a pact to the Devil'.

[...]

Robertson explained that the Haitians had allegedly told the Devil that 'We will serve you if you will get us free from the French. And the Devil said, "OK, it’s a deal".' Haiti was a French colony until granted independence in 1804. Despite their freedom, Robertson believes that the Haitians 'have been cursed by one thing after the other' ever since.

Read the full story at http://www.witchology.com/news/2010/2010-01-17-Haiti-Devil-Pact.php