The subject matter instantly grabbed my attention, as someone who has long held a fascination with spiritualism and the supernatural, especially from an anthropological point of view. I’ve always been in two minds about the rise of spiritualism during both world wars, questioning the motives of many mediums of that time. Brilliantly captured the wave…
Category: News
Latest news and information about Dr Leo Ruickbie’s research and other activities.
Victorian Ghost Hunters in the 21st Century
Conflict, Continuity and the End of Psychical Research Since its founding in 1882, the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) has been the leader and model for the investigation of what we now call the ‘paranormal’, as both a profession and the expression of a subculture. Despite that considerable history and reputation, the SPR has now…
Angels in the Trenches Out Now!
New Book Explores Spiritualism, Superstition and the Supernatural During the First World War The mechanised slaughter of the First World War brought a sudden and concentrated interest in life after death, living in spite of death and trying to predict, or even influence, when the merciless killing would end. People asked, can one communicate with…
Society for the Academic Study of the Supernatural
Aberdeen Conference Inspires Launch of New Society Was the Supernatural in Contemporary Society Conference the best conference ever? Quite possibly. Beyond the excellent papers delivered by a broad range of experts in the field, there was a tremendous sense of energy and enthusiasm, and also community of purpose. The media reports ghostly encounters, supernatural TV…
The Winner
‘Ghost’ Takes 1st place I announced the winner and runners-up at the Society for Psychical Research’s 41st Annual Conference on Friday, 1st September. For those of you who were unable to attend, here are the results: 1st Place: ‘Ghost’ by Alan O’Regan 2nd Place: Untitled by Laverne Craven 3rd Place was tied between ‘Sotiria’ by…
The Finalists
The Final Selection for the Paranormal Review Photography Competition The hunt to find the photograph that best captures the ‘spirit’ of the paranormal continues. The competition received a high number of exceptional photographs and final judging was immensely difficult. A total of 16 were shortlisted out of 60 entrants and from these my expert panel…
Fabulous Beasts Reach Estonia
The Impossible Zoo in Estonian Yesterday, a box arrived full of books, strange yet familiar. The title read Voimatu Loomaaed: Fantastiliste Loomade ja Mütoloogiliste Olendite Entsüklopeedia. And there was my name as the author. It was, of course, The Impossible Zoo translated into Estonian and published this year by Tänapäev. It’s a lovely hardback edition,…
The Shortlist
Capturing the Spirit of the Paranormal: The Paranormal Review Photography Competition Shortlist Earlier this year I launched a competition to find the photograph that best captures the ‘spirit’ of the paranormal. The emphasis was on aesthetics rather than evidence, since the purpose was not to prove the paranormal in any way, but to represent it….
Photograph the Paranormal
Paranormal Review Photography Competition Shoot the Next Cover and Win a Camera from Olympus How to capture the paranormal? We have all seen photographs, from the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall to orbs, that claim to show evidence of a spirit world. But no matter how compelling the image, no photograph has convinced the earthly…
CFP: Death, Dying and Disposal 13
Death, Dying and Disposal 13 Ritual, Religion and Magic Conference 6th-10th September 2017 University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK In popular western culture the number 13 is often unlucky, evoking superstition, or witches. Yet there were 13 members of the last supper, Friday the 13 is lucky in Italy and in Judaism it is the…
Impossible Zoo Recommended on Reddit
The Impossible Zoo from booksuggestions If you like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, The Impossible Zoo may be for you. List of monsters and such from myth and legend.
Parapsychology Foundation Turns 65
I asked Lisette Coly, President of the Parapsychology Foundation, how they are celebrating their 65th anniversary: Lisette Coly: We are busy re-tooling and re-dedicating our programs in light of new technologies with the addition of new projects like the PF Youtube channel which will carry our Classic Perspective Lectures, Face to Face interviews and PF…
Something Impossible for Your Xmas Stocking
Here’s my Yule present for you: https://www.hobbiesontheweb.co.uk/cr107offer.html (Don’t worry about the weird ‘hobbiesontheweb’ website, this really is from my giant international mega-publishers. Valid until the 31st of December and Hurry! before someone tries charging over a £1000 for this one, too.)
Only £1,052.41
My book A Brief Guide to the Supernatural can be yours for only £1,052.41 + £2.80 UK delivery. Why pay the RRP of £8.99 when you can get it from AmysBookstoreUK for this amazing price? I’m not kidding, here’s the page on Amazon.co.uk. The good news is that you can get it used for £397.88….
I finally get my A-Levels
My first book, Witchcraft Out of the Shadows, is cited in the 2016 edition of the A Level Sociology Student Book. Thanks to Jack Hunter for pointing this out. But, strangely, he found a different reference… Better just buy the book, then.
Book Covers Released
What does The Impossible Zoo look like? My editor at Robinson has sent me the final version of the covers for The Impossible Zoo. We’ve spent weeks discussing the theme and colours, and then had to shoe-horn all the important copy onto the back – and we’ve got a great quote from the amazing Lionel…
Something for Hallowe’en
A recent survey by face-paint retailer Snazaroo found that two thirds of British children did not know why we celebrate Halloween. One in 10 thought it was to do with burning witches, while five per cent said it was the Devil’s birthday. You can read the rest of my Hallowe’en article at http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/life/529024/Halloween-traditions-and-superstitions.
Black Magic Code
“It began with a letter to a dead man…” My article ‘The Black Magic Code’ on Trithemius, cryptography and nigromancy published in Abraxas Journal. For more details see http://fulgur.co.uk/shop/abraxas/abraxas-journal-issue-6/