Leo Ruickbie's Blog, page 3
June 11, 2012
Wanted: Old Gods
Preternature Volume 3:2. Old Gods and Ancient Ones [Call for Papers]
Call them pagan
or ancient, earth-based or demonic, or by names like Hekate, Isis,
Poseidon, Ereshkigal, Loki, and Anath, the Old Gods have been topics of
energetic scholarly discussion, literary recreation, and artistic
depiction for decades. As supplanted as they might seem to historians,
the Old Gods live on and
Call them pagan
or ancient, earth-based or demonic, or by names like Hekate, Isis,
Poseidon, Ereshkigal, Loki, and Anath, the Old Gods have been topics of
energetic scholarly discussion, literary recreation, and artistic
depiction for decades. As supplanted as they might seem to historians,
the Old Gods live on and
June 8, 2012
'Vampire' Corpses Found In Bulgaria
Ancient 'Vampire' Bodies Found In Bulgaria
Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed centuries-old skeletons with
iron rods through their chests - believed to have been victims of an
old anti-vampire ritual.
According to Bozhidar Dimitrov, head of the National History Museum
in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, two skeletons from the Middle Ages have
been discovered near the Black Sea town of
Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed centuries-old skeletons with
iron rods through their chests - believed to have been victims of an
old anti-vampire ritual.
According to Bozhidar Dimitrov, head of the National History Museum
in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, two skeletons from the Middle Ages have
been discovered near the Black Sea town of
June 7, 2012
Goth Tech Conference CFP
CFP: International Gothic Association Biennial Conference 2013
Gothic Technologies/Gothic Techniques
Biennial Conference of the International Gothic Association
August 5 – 8, 2013
University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Confirmed Keynote Speakers: Professor Roger Luckhurst (Birkbeck College, University of London), Professor Fred Botting (Kingston University), other Keynotes TBA
Recent Gothic
Gothic Technologies/Gothic Techniques
Biennial Conference of the International Gothic Association
August 5 – 8, 2013
University of Surrey, United Kingdom
Confirmed Keynote Speakers: Professor Roger Luckhurst (Birkbeck College, University of London), Professor Fred Botting (Kingston University), other Keynotes TBA
Recent Gothic
June 6, 2012
The International Gothic Association
Yes, there is an International Gothic Association! It's an academic society for the study of everything Gothic with a peer-reviewed journal Gothic Studies. According to their website:
The International Gothic Association unites teachers, scholars,
students, artists, writers and performers from around the world who are
interested in any aspect of gothic culture: fiction, drama, poetry, art,
The International Gothic Association unites teachers, scholars,
students, artists, writers and performers from around the world who are
interested in any aspect of gothic culture: fiction, drama, poetry, art,
June 3, 2012
Hekatean Curse Tablets
Black Magic Revealed in Two Ancient Curses
Owen Jarus, LiveScience Contributor
Date: 22 May 2012
At a time when black magic was relatively common, two curses involving snakes were cast, one targeting a senator and the other an animal doctor, says a Spanish researcher who has just deciphered the 1,600-year-old curses.
Both curses feature a depiction of a deity, possibly the Greek
Owen Jarus, LiveScience Contributor
Date: 22 May 2012
At a time when black magic was relatively common, two curses involving snakes were cast, one targeting a senator and the other an animal doctor, says a Spanish researcher who has just deciphered the 1,600-year-old curses.
Both curses feature a depiction of a deity, possibly the Greek
June 1, 2012
Vampire Autopsies
What happens when you cut open a vampire? Read this analysis of the 18th century vampire epidemic and the medical experts who examined the undead corpses in the Fortean Times, issue 288 (Special, 2012).
Visit: Fortean Times
Visit: Fortean Times
January 5, 2012
Obama Will Lose, Says Mexico's Chief Witch
The Brujo Mayor - Supreme Sorcerer, Witch-in-Chief, or Grand Wizard as the BBC likes to call him - of Catemac in southern Mexico has made public his New Year predictions. Top of the list: Obama will lose the 2012 elections.Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City, Brujo Mayor Antonio Vazquez revealled that Obama was finished. Vazquez was quoted as saying, "I feel Obama will lose. They will 
December 17, 2011
Christmas or Yule? Pagan secrets of the festive season
It's that time of year again. Behind display windows sprayed with fake snow, stores play all our Christmas favorites, endlessly, and bearded men in red suits loiter in grottoes. But as you order your tree and hang up mistletoe, have you ever wondered what any of this has got to do with Christmas?Read my full story on the real meaning of Christmas in The Sierra Sun, published Thursday, December 15
November 28, 2011
Monsters Need Your Help
Call for Papers for Preternature 2.2:Monstrophy: The Academic Study of Monsters ''Monstrophy'' is a term referring to the academic study of monsters as representational and conceptual categories, which has gained recent currency in several related fields of study (literary and cultural history, sociological theories of identity and difference, et al.), as well as in a number of recent books and 
November 11, 2011
11-11-11 Fears Close Great Pyramid
"Egypt has closed the Great Pyramid outside Cairo after rumours that groups would try to hold special rituals on 11 November at 11:11", claimed the BBC earlier today. The Great Pyramid was indeed closed, but Egyptian authorities said it was for routine maintenance only. The Associated Press noted an increased police and armed military presence in the area. Discovery News reported that Atef Abu 
