Sybil Leek

Sybil Leek (February 22, 1917 - October 26, 1982) is an English witch, occultist, astrologer, psychic and author. She wrote many books on occult matters and esoteric subjects. She was dubbed "Brittains most famous witch" by the BBC.

Because she rose to fame in the 1950s after the appeal of witchcraft in England in 1951, she had an effect upon neopagan formations, especially Wicca.

Early life
Sybil Leek was born on February 22, 1917 in the village of Normacot in Stroke-on-Trent, Straffordshire, England to a well-to-do family. Sybil claimed to come from  a family with a long history of witchcraft, which she traced back to the 16th century to her ancestor Molly Leigh, who had been accused during the witch hunts.

Sybil’s immediate family all played a part encouraging her to follow the craft. She learned much from her father about nature, animals and the power of herbs, and even discussed eastern philosophies. Her grandmother taught her astrology, by decorating biscuits and cakes with astrological symbols and asking Sybil to put them in order and describe what each symbol meant.

She only had three years of orthodox schooling. Her family continued to school her at home, but her grandmother focused on her esoteric training, such as the knowledge of herbs, astrology, the psychic arts, and divination much more than she did mathematics and English.

Sybil’s family played host to some very scholarly characters. H.G. Wells, Sybil and her father used to take long walks discussing metaphysics. Sybil Leek claimed she knew Aleister Crowley, stating that he was a family friend and he had told her family that Leek would be his successor.