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

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.

Haiti Article

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

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

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

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

Witchcraft Collection: New Acquisitions

Fourth Quarter 2009

Amulet. Described as a goodluck amulet. Inscribed with unidentified symbols. Metal. 20th century.

Amulet. Christian ‘Schutz-Amulette’. Provenance: Trier, Germany. Metal. 1933.

Carnival Mask. Carved wood in the form of a ‘witch’. Provenance: Tirol. Wood. 20th century.

Poison Bottle. Marked with skull and crossbones. Glass. 20th century.

Ritual Object. Described as a ‘Voodoo Skull’. Decorated animal skull said to have been used by a female shaman. Bone, skin, hair. Acquired from Mannheim, Germany. Of unknown date.

Tarot Cards. Albano-Waite deck. Card. Published by Moewig, no date, circa 1999.

Voodoo Doll and Coffin. Product name ‘Love Never Dies’. Card and fabric. Contemporary.