Sybil Leek
1922-1982
©2000 by Carlo RavinAll human beings have magic in them. The secret is to know how to use this magic, and astrology is a vital tool for doing just that...
~ Sybil Leek, 1972.
Sybil Leek, one of the most publicized Witches of the 20th century, was no stranger to the zodiac. Little Sybil was taken to see her first eclipse by the author H.G. Wells. She was enchanted by her father with his impassioned study of Pluto. Sybil's grandmother prepared astrological charts for such house guests as Thomas Hardy, Lawrence of Arabia, and Dame Edith Sitwell. Sybil Leek foresaw the charismatic success of an obscure French captain named Charles DeGaulle, and predicted the literary achievements and death of Ian Fleming years before he set Agent 007 to paper.
Sybil Leek's astrological meanderings took her from Hollywood to the Yucatan; from nursing wounded soldiers in the Hebrides to establishing the world's first astrological management consulting service. This service is still thriving, and began advising investors to cash in on health foods long before the boom began in the late Sixties. And through it all, Sybil was a popular Witch, and her legacy has survived well into the modern resurgence of Neo-Paganism at the turn of the 20th century and into the 21st century.
Witches and Pagans alike are ideally suited to the study of astrology, which was originally a pagan form of divination. The ranks of "modern astrology" are not filled with astrologers who profess to walk a Pagan or Wiccan path; in fact, we are in the strong minority.
Why? Because most "modern" astrologers, like many people, still fear those terms. An example is the emphasis placed on "neo-Platonic" ideas and mythology. Well, Plato was a Pagan. The term "neo-Platonic" is itself a fiction. It means "Pagan", and not to use the correct word is to be afraid of it, and to be unaware of the True Joy that can come from honoring the Old Ones. Sybil Leek was one of the Pagan community's most esteemed elders. She will always live on in spirit, as all our elders do.
Thank you Sybil, and a special thank you for doing so well by your name, for you truly were a Sybil, a Priestess of Delphi, and we are proud to have your name embedded in our efforts, as it is so deeply affixed in our hearts.
NOTE: For a more complete bio and excerpts from her out-of-print books, visit Carlo's on-line tribute
TRIBUTE:
IN 1977 OR
1978 I MET SYBIL LEEK THROUGH A FRIEND THAT HAD STOLEN A CAR [STATION WAGON]
FROM HER AND WAS VISITING MY HOUSE IN MELBOURNE FLORIDA..SHE CALLED THE HOUSE
AND I ANSWERED THE PHONE AND SHE ADDRESSED ME BY MY NICKNAME ,SUNNIE,,SHE ASKED
IF SHE COULD SPEAK TO THE FRIEND,,{OTTO] BY NAME AND I SAID SHE COULD,I WENT
UPSTAIRS AND TOLD OTTO THAT SHE WAS ON THE PHONE AND HE THOUGHT I WAS PULLING A
JOKE,,BUT HE WENT DOWN TO THE PHONE TO BE FLOORED ..WHEN SHE TOLD HIM THAT SHE
KNEW HE HAD STOLEN HER CAR AND HE SHOULD RETURN IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ,,SO I
FOLLOWED OTTO OVER TO INDIANLANTIC FLA, AND RETURNED HER CAR,,,,THATS WHEN I MET
SYBIL LEEK, I KNEW RIGHT OFF SHE WAS A WITCH . BUT NEVER SAW HER AGAIN,BUT TOLD
ME I WOULD MEET MY WIFE AT THE HOUSE I LIVED AT THE TIME AND HAVE BEEN MARRIED
26 YRS,AND HAVE TWO CHILDREN. I AM VERY GLAD I GOT TO MEET HER. SUNNIE
TAYLOR,'one small wave in a huge life of beautiful sea'
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I visited the wonderful memorial website dedicated to Sybil Leek. While I
did not ever have the opportunity to meet her, I feel an affinity to her.
'Dairy of a Witch' was the first book I read on the subject of Witchcraft. I
found a paperback version in our grocery store when I was 15. That was 37 years
ago, and I am now a high priestess in the Temple of Hekate's Torch. Sybil's
words and deeds have never left me and in moments of personal doubt, I reread
her books and find the energy and courage to go forward. My daughter now reads
her books and finds the same strength of purpose and common thread that connects
us all. I did ever meet Ms. Leek, but because of her efforts, I proudly say in
public, "I am a Witch".
On April 19th, 2008, I have been asked to be a speaker for the annual Enlightenment 4 event in Las Cruces, New Mexico, sponsored by the Pagan Student Union of the New Mexico State University. I will be speaking about Pagan Community. In preparing for this speech, I reread 'Diary of a Witch' and will be quoting Sybil. To some, this may be the first time they have heard her name or her words. I think Sybil would be pleased to know her thoughts and feelings will be placed in the hands of the next generation of Witches, who share her dream of acceptance and religious freedom. While I will honor Sybil as a matriarch of Witchcraft, especially in America, my intent is to connect the generations through our common emotions and goals. It made me smile to remember the first time I opened her book. Yes, I am a Witch.
Thank you for allowing me to say this in deepest gratitude and the most sincere affection,
Cynthia Wilson, Hps The Temple of Hekate's Torch Roswell, New Mexico, USA |
BIRTH AND DEATH DATA: According to AstroDatabank, Sybil Leek was born February 22, 1922, 11:52 PM GMT in Straffordshire, England. However, AstroDataBank notes that for years, Sybil Leek publicly gave the date as February 22, 1922, yet when she died, her funeral card said February 22, 1917. She died October 26, 1982. (Lois Rodden has a copy of the funeral card).
Carlo's on-line tribute
Memorials L-Z
Memorials A-K
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? This memorial is interactive, and we welcome your memories and tributes, which we will add in the order received. (They may be edited for grammar, length, and suitability.) If there are any additional contributions we should mention or any inaccuracies in the memorial, please bring them to our attention. To suggest names, share memories, create tributes, or volunteer, send us an e-mail.
CREDITS: This memorial was created by Carlo Ravin and Donna Cunningham. Border created from a photo of Sybil Leek found on ebay.