Revisiting the late Sybil Leek for her upcoming birthday

Last year, I wrote this post a few days after the anniversary of the birthday of “Britain’s most famous witch,” the late Sybil Leek. Since her birthday (the 22nd) is now exactly a week away, I thought this would be a good time to revisit, reword a bit, and update the graphic with a picture I snagged yesterday.

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I’ve bought so many books in my lifetime that it’s near impossible to remember each individual purchase. A few stand out in my memory – the acquisition of Scott Cunningham’s Guide for one. My first Harry Dresden for another. Then there’s the one by “Britain’s most famous witch“, the one and only Dame Sybil Leek, called “Diary of a Witch.”

In my head, I can vividly picture standing in the bookstore that used to exist at the corner of Hancock Street and Main in Gloucester, some time in the mid 70s. I’m not sure, but I think my father’s old business (Cape Ann Television) was still across the street, which is why I was able to be at the store by myself. I’d always been interested in the occult, and when I found the glorious red paperback with the word, “Witch” right there on the cover, I knew I had to own it. I know I also grabbed a couple other books to purchase at the same time, in an attempt to mask my obviously Pagan purchase.

While I know I read it multiple times, all these years later, I can’t recall a single word. Sadly, it was the victim of a roof leak in the early 90s, so I no longer own it. I still remember the thrill of seeing it perched on my small, wooden bookshelf (where I kept my favorites), and thinking how awesome it was that witches really did exist outside of fairy tales.

For the 100th anniversary of Sybil Leek‘s birthday (February 22nd, 1917), I thought I’d create a graphic from one of the few quotes I was able to verify online. Someday soon, I hope to replace Diary (there’s already a spot waiting next to her, “The Jackdaw and the Witch” that I scored in 2015). I definitely feel more of an affinity with her after my own, ongoing crow encounters! In the meantime, here’s a quote from the introductory chapter, paired with a crow picture I took this week with my brand new camera (can you tell I’m in love with it? *grin*).

UPDATED February 15th, 2017 with the same, now longer new but still awesome, camera (see the original graphic HERE), and possibly the same crow –

 

Oh, and while I was investigating quotes, I stumbled upon her appearance on The Amazing World of Kreskin. Check it out!

 

 

What was your first openly Pagan/Wiccan purchase? Please feel free to shout out in the comment section below. Bright blessings!

“There is alchemy in love-the mysterious feeling which no one is ever quite sure about but which contains all kinds of magical ingredients. There is the magic which drives illness from bodies in pain, there is the magic of a great name, of music, of spring. Magic is a joyous exceptional experience which leads to a sense of well-being, and there is nothing we witches love more.” ~ Sybil Leek, Diary of a Witch late Sybil Leek First, this is not a passive voice. Next, I am writing in an active voice. Therefore, my SEO will stop telling me how to write. Furthermore, these sentences are also shorter than twenty words. Rather, stop being so controlling. Especially since most of the sentences in this post are not mine. I will keep going while until you turn green. late Sybil Leek. I can’t believe this is still orange. Finally, it has turned. Success! First, this is not a passive voice. Next, I am writing in an active voice. Therefore, my SEO will stop telling me how to write. Furthermore, these sentences are also shorter than twenty words. Rather, stop being so controlling. late Sybil Leek. Especially since most of the sentences in this post are not mine. I will keep going while until you turn green. I can’t believe this is still orange. Finally, it has turned. Success!