High Priestess Says Interest in Witchcraft Increasing
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EDITOR’S NOTE – At Halloween it’s handy to have around an articulate practitioner of the occult arts in order to catch up on the
latest doings in esoteric circles. Here, then, is a dialog with America’s most famous resident witch, Sybil Leek.
By JOY MILLER AP Women’s Editor
Sybil Leek, who is fast becoming an elder statesman in the world of witchcraft, plans to become a U.S. citizen because she feels a
great affinity for Americans.
Of course, says the British twice-widowed mother of two sons, most Americans have a way to go before they’re spiritual enough to
take on witchcraft.
She is buying a house in Melbourne Beach, Fla., which will be the center of her numerous activities which include writing books and
a horoscope column for a national magazine, designing clothes, marketing a medal of meditation made from sketches by her 16-
year old son Julian, who has moved to America too. Older son Stephen will come when he finishes his education in England.
Sybil Leek seems always on the fly–by airplane, never broom–to speeches, lectures and personal appearances around the
country. With it all she remains remarkably good humored. In recent years the only time she has considered seriously turning
someone into a toad was when a well known woman columnist described her “as a jolly little pudding of a woman.”
Question. As a lifetime practicing witch, do you think America is ready for a full scale witchcraft addiction?
Answer. Well, it is not my intention to try and convert America, but it happens to be the religion that suits me and probably will suit
my children. America is entitled to have the many religions which it already has; my only complaint might be that some of the people
in the various religions do not junction within the framework of their religion as much as I do.
Q. What makes witchcraft so good for you?
A. It’s very simple religion, very basic, very down-to-earth. I think in these days when we are very tense, when the majority of the
world is very tense, and given the problems which it doesn’t seem to be able to solve, witchcraft is the answer because this religion
doesn’t ask man to be a god. It allows for his frailness; it allows for the amount of good and evil that is in man.
Q. I’m not trying to drum up trade for witchcraft, but could you explain how a housewife in the Middle West, say, who is interested in
learning more of witchcraft, can find out about it?
A. Well, it seems to me in witchcraft that when the time is right someone will be in your area that you can discuss this with.
Witchcraft has always been handed down verbally. It has never been a written religion, and so it is rather important to find a
teacher. We work on the old guru system, and in this day and age when everything is instant, it is sometimes difficult to find the time
to literally go sit at the feet of the master, and yet this helps the religion function and to be maintained in the way it is.
Q. Your latest book, “Diary of a Witch,” an autobiography, has an interesting dedication.
A. Yes, I dedicated “Diary of a Witch” to my two sons. I was thankful for their understanding that made them think of me not just as a
legend, which many newspapermen have called me, but also as their mother. I really believe so much in the family structure. When I
came to America–I became aware of the strange things that had happened in the structure of family life. For instance, there is this
tremendous thing of mothers wanting to relate to their sons on a brother and sister relationship. Now, I feel honored that my children
call me mother. I want them to be my sons. I don’t want there to be any mistake in this relationship.
Q. When you were in England you were high priestess of the New Forest coven?
A. Yes, indeed, and I go back twice a year to attend coven meetings.
Q. Do you find any to attend in this country?
A. Indeed I do. When I don’t go to meetings in England, I go to meetings in Boston or Cincinnati.
Q. Do you find that witchcraft is getting more prevalent in this country?
A. I wouldn’t say prevalent. The interest is increasing, but there is a big difference in being a follower of witchcraft, being interested
in it, and actually being initiated into the inner circle. The interest all over the world is indeed increasing. Of course, in the race for
material possessions America and many other countries have not kept pace with the spiritual evolution. This is needed. It is not
enough to have two or three cars and two refrigerators and televisions. It’s amazing how many men and women in the street are
aware that there is something missing in their life. Orthodox religion doesn’t seem to have quite fulfilled this and so they will look not
only to witchcraft but to more unusual religions. They are seeking for the truth. They are seeking really to survival to relate
themselves to other people.
Q. Sybil, most people in this country, I think, look upon a witch as someone who casts spells or can use supernatural means to
acquire wealth or to bring harm to others.
A. Well, all these things are possible but within witchcraft as a religion there is an entire philosophy for living as indeed all true
religions do have. It is possible because of certain mental gymnastics which are known in witchcraft to project the mind forward to
achieve success. I don’t think that the success that I have had in my life in various realms is due to education, which in my case is
non-existent, to high intelligence or to anything else. But I have the means within me of being able to extend my mind, to project it,
and to achieve the results that I want. But there is no such thing as instant magic. This is something that America has never quite
understood. It is not a case of waking up one day and saying, “Today I want to make some more money,” Witchcraft has never been
a substitute for human endeavor, ‘but it can extend the person and the personality to achieve success more quickly and more
efficiently than many other religions do.’
Q. What about the witches groups that strip and have a good time dancing in the buff?
A. Well, if they want to strip, they don’t have to be witches to do this. They can join a nudist colony. Restriction to me seems to
come with clothes; the more you put on, the more your mind is restricted. I, for instance, always wear one loose garment which
gives me complete freedom. I don’t like anything tight around the waist because the solar plexus in one of the psychic areas which
should be kept free. But I think if you want to dance around the waist because the so–well if its not offensive to other people.
On the other hand, if you want to wear a fur coat and be psychic that’s equally okay. I rather like mink myself.
latest doings in esoteric circles. Here, then, is a dialog with America’s most famous resident witch, Sybil Leek.
By JOY MILLER AP Women’s Editor
Sybil Leek, who is fast becoming an elder statesman in the world of witchcraft, plans to become a U.S. citizen because she feels a
great affinity for Americans.
Of course, says the British twice-widowed mother of two sons, most Americans have a way to go before they’re spiritual enough to
take on witchcraft.
She is buying a house in Melbourne Beach, Fla., which will be the center of her numerous activities which include writing books and
a horoscope column for a national magazine, designing clothes, marketing a medal of meditation made from sketches by her 16-
year old son Julian, who has moved to America too. Older son Stephen will come when he finishes his education in England.
Sybil Leek seems always on the fly–by airplane, never broom–to speeches, lectures and personal appearances around the
country. With it all she remains remarkably good humored. In recent years the only time she has considered seriously turning
someone into a toad was when a well known woman columnist described her “as a jolly little pudding of a woman.”
Question. As a lifetime practicing witch, do you think America is ready for a full scale witchcraft addiction?
Answer. Well, it is not my intention to try and convert America, but it happens to be the religion that suits me and probably will suit
my children. America is entitled to have the many religions which it already has; my only complaint might be that some of the people
in the various religions do not junction within the framework of their religion as much as I do.
Q. What makes witchcraft so good for you?
A. It’s very simple religion, very basic, very down-to-earth. I think in these days when we are very tense, when the majority of the
world is very tense, and given the problems which it doesn’t seem to be able to solve, witchcraft is the answer because this religion
doesn’t ask man to be a god. It allows for his frailness; it allows for the amount of good and evil that is in man.
Q. I’m not trying to drum up trade for witchcraft, but could you explain how a housewife in the Middle West, say, who is interested in
learning more of witchcraft, can find out about it?
A. Well, it seems to me in witchcraft that when the time is right someone will be in your area that you can discuss this with.
Witchcraft has always been handed down verbally. It has never been a written religion, and so it is rather important to find a
teacher. We work on the old guru system, and in this day and age when everything is instant, it is sometimes difficult to find the time
to literally go sit at the feet of the master, and yet this helps the religion function and to be maintained in the way it is.
Q. Your latest book, “Diary of a Witch,” an autobiography, has an interesting dedication.
A. Yes, I dedicated “Diary of a Witch” to my two sons. I was thankful for their understanding that made them think of me not just as a
legend, which many newspapermen have called me, but also as their mother. I really believe so much in the family structure. When I
came to America–I became aware of the strange things that had happened in the structure of family life. For instance, there is this
tremendous thing of mothers wanting to relate to their sons on a brother and sister relationship. Now, I feel honored that my children
call me mother. I want them to be my sons. I don’t want there to be any mistake in this relationship.
Q. When you were in England you were high priestess of the New Forest coven?
A. Yes, indeed, and I go back twice a year to attend coven meetings.
Q. Do you find any to attend in this country?
A. Indeed I do. When I don’t go to meetings in England, I go to meetings in Boston or Cincinnati.
Q. Do you find that witchcraft is getting more prevalent in this country?
A. I wouldn’t say prevalent. The interest is increasing, but there is a big difference in being a follower of witchcraft, being interested
in it, and actually being initiated into the inner circle. The interest all over the world is indeed increasing. Of course, in the race for
material possessions America and many other countries have not kept pace with the spiritual evolution. This is needed. It is not
enough to have two or three cars and two refrigerators and televisions. It’s amazing how many men and women in the street are
aware that there is something missing in their life. Orthodox religion doesn’t seem to have quite fulfilled this and so they will look not
only to witchcraft but to more unusual religions. They are seeking for the truth. They are seeking really to survival to relate
themselves to other people.
Q. Sybil, most people in this country, I think, look upon a witch as someone who casts spells or can use supernatural means to
acquire wealth or to bring harm to others.
A. Well, all these things are possible but within witchcraft as a religion there is an entire philosophy for living as indeed all true
religions do have. It is possible because of certain mental gymnastics which are known in witchcraft to project the mind forward to
achieve success. I don’t think that the success that I have had in my life in various realms is due to education, which in my case is
non-existent, to high intelligence or to anything else. But I have the means within me of being able to extend my mind, to project it,
and to achieve the results that I want. But there is no such thing as instant magic. This is something that America has never quite
understood. It is not a case of waking up one day and saying, “Today I want to make some more money,” Witchcraft has never been
a substitute for human endeavor, ‘but it can extend the person and the personality to achieve success more quickly and more
efficiently than many other religions do.’
Q. What about the witches groups that strip and have a good time dancing in the buff?
A. Well, if they want to strip, they don’t have to be witches to do this. They can join a nudist colony. Restriction to me seems to
come with clothes; the more you put on, the more your mind is restricted. I, for instance, always wear one loose garment which
gives me complete freedom. I don’t like anything tight around the waist because the solar plexus in one of the psychic areas which
should be kept free. But I think if you want to dance around the waist because the so–well if its not offensive to other people.
On the other hand, if you want to wear a fur coat and be psychic that’s equally okay. I rather like mink myself.
Anderson Herald - Anderson, Indiana
October 23, 1968
October 23, 1968