Francis King Francis King and Stephen Skinner

Stephen Skinner, born in Sydney in 1948, is an Australian writer, editor, publisher, and lecturer recognized for his contributions to the fields of magic, feng shui, sacred geometry, and alchemy. He has authored and published a significant number of books, translated into numerous languages. His academic background includes a BA in English Literature, Geography, and Philosophy from Sydney University, and he later earned a Ph.D. in classics for his research on the transmission of magical techniques from ancient Egypt through the Byzantine era to Western grimoires. Skinner's career has involved periods in publishing, computer programming, and teaching. He founded Askin Publishers Ltd and Golden Hoard Press, specializing in esoteric texts. His work has been instrumental in introducing and popularizing feng shui in the West. He has also been involved in organizing conferences and relaunching publications related to feng shui. Skinner has been recognized for his academic and literary contributions, including a feature in Watkins Mind Body Spirit magazine's list of spiritually influential people.

Born in Sydney in March 1948, Stephen Skinner received his early education at Trinity Grammar Preparatory School and Sydney Grammar Secondary School. He pursued higher education at Sydney University, earning a BA with a focus on English Literature, Geography, and Philosophy, including Greek Philosophy and formal Logic. During his university years, he launched and edited two underground magazines, 'Lucifer' and 'Chaos'. After a brief stint in government intelligence and the stock market, he transitioned into teaching, working as a Geography Master and then a Lecturer. In 2014, Skinner obtained a Ph.D. in classics from the University of Newcastle for his doctoral thesis examining the historical transmission of magical practices from Graeco-Egyptian papyri to later European grimoires, a study later expanded into published books.

Relocating to London in 1972, Skinner's career bifurcated between publishing and computer programming. He founded Askin Publishers Ltd in 1973 to publish seminal works by figures such as Dr. John Dee, Cornelius Agrippa, and Aleister Crowley. He played a role in the production of the Crowley Thoth Tarot. Skinner was also instrumental in the rise of feng shui in the West, publishing 'Living Earth Manual of Feng Shui' in 1976 and later launching 'Feng Shui for Modern Living' magazine, for which he was nominated for Publisher of the Year. He established Golden Hoard Press, focusing on classics of magic and feng shui, and co-authored the 'Source Works of Ceremonial Magic' series with David Rankine. His extensive bibliography includes over 49 books on magic, feng shui, alchemy, astrology, and sacred geometry, with many translated into over 20 languages.

Skinner's dedication to feng shui led him to relocate to Malaysia in 2003 to facilitate his research, subsequently co-founding the International Feng Shui Association in Singapore. He has delivered lectures at numerous international conferences on topics such as the I-Ching and classical feng shui. His academic work in magic includes detailed studies on grimoires and magical techniques, such as 'The Complete Magician's Tables,' which significantly expanded upon Aleister Crowley's 'Liber 777.' He has also undertaken significant editorial work on historical magical texts, including Dr. John Dee's 'Spiritual Diaries.' Skinner's influence is recognized by academics who consider him a crucial Western scholar dedicated to the serious study of feng shui, highlighting his contributions to clarifying its often-vague perception in the West.