David Rankine is an author, magician and esoteric researcher who first started exploring the practices and history of the Western Esoteric Traditions in the 1970s. Through his extensive and ongoing work he has opened up new areas of research and magical practice and made a wide range of previously unknown and/or unavailable grimoires available for the first time. The grimoires are one of David’s greatest passions, along with the Qabalah, Graeco-Egyptian magic and European folklore.
As well as his own works, David has written extensively with his wife, the author and priestess Sorita d’Este, co-authoring ten books together including the very popular Practical Magick series (their latest work being Practical Qabalah Magick). Together with scholar magician Stephen Skinner he has co-authored the Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic series, including The Goetia of Dr Rudd and The Veritable Key of Solomon. David is currently working on projects with linguist Paul Harry Barron, their most recent collaboration being the unique Psalm grimoire The Book of Gold.
As a child, David was raised in Singapore and Wales, the latter being the land he calls home and always returns to. From an early age he had a passion for mythology and folklore, which manifested through his voracious childhood appetite for books and visiting ancient sites.
David is a prolific writer, having authored/co-authored twenty-three books to date, as well as hundreds of articles for anthologies, journals and commercial and community magazines. He is a member of Societas Magica and ESSWE (European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism). David currently leaves in Wales, near Hay-on-Wye, the book capital of the world.Since the early 1980s David has facilitated many dozens of workshops and public ceremonies throughout the UK, since 2001 often with Sorita. He has also given lectures and presentations throughout the UK and Europe on his work and the subjects he is passionate about – including the Grimoire Tradition, Angelic Magic, Egyptian and Celtic Mythology and spirituality.
David has appeared on many television and radio programs over the years. His work and interviews with him have featured in numerous publications including TIME OUT, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Alternative London and many others. More recently he was interviewed for That’s Wierd on Glastonbury Radio about the Qabalah (1 hour program, syndicated worldwide) and BBC Radio London on the Tarot and Dr Rudd’s Goetia. He has also featured on television programs on Channel 5, ITV, BBC and Sky.
For recent interviews with David, see:
http://www.thelemacoasttocoast.com/archives/52 – discussion of Goetia, Qabalah and the grimoires with John Crow
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/witchtalk/va/2009/10/25/the-method-of-science-the-aim-of-religion–a-conve – discussion of use of the voice in magick, the grimoires, and a wghole host of other topics in a wide ranging interview with Karagan
Also see:
Sorita d’Este Blog & Website – www.sorita.co.uk
Avalonia Books – www.avaloniabooks.co.uk