Co-founder of Alexandrian Witchcraft
Maxine Sanders
Author. Witch Queen. Over sixty years in the Craft. Still practising, still teaching, still here.
The almanac
Tonight
- Moon phase Waning crescent 25% illuminated What it means The moon is almost dark, with a thin sliver lit on the left. A time for rest, reflection and letting go. The percentage is how much of the moon is lit tonight.
- Moon name Hunter Moon October What it means The full moon after the Harvest Moon, when hunters tracked game across the bare fields. Each month’s moon has a traditional name from old folk almanacs.
- Next festival Samhain in 25 days 31 October What it means The witches’ new year. A time to remember and honour those who have died. One of the eight festivals in the witches’ year, called the Wheel of the Year.
- Season Autumn Wheel of the year What it means The harvest is gathered and the nights draw in. A season for giving thanks and slowing down. The Wheel of the Year marks the seasons with eight festivals.
Maxine Sanders is the living co-founder of Alexandrian Witchcraft, one of the most significant initiatory traditions in the history of modern Witchcraft. She began her path in the mid 1960s alongside Alex Sanders, and in the decades since she has become an author, teacher, and elder whose voice continues to shape the tradition for those drawn to it.
This is her home on the web. A place to find her writings, her history, and the work that continues now.
Read her story →Explore
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Her lifeThe Story
From a young woman in 1960s Manchester to the Witch Queen of the Alexandrian tradition. Sixty years, told in full, with her books, her teaching, and the tradition itself, in her own framing.
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Her writingThe Diary
Essays, reflections and history written by Maxine over the years. Migrated from Medium and added to here as new pieces arrive.
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Her booksThe Books
Two autobiographies of one life, written thirty-two years apart by the same hand. The earlier from inside the founding decade; the later from a generation on.
On the rare occasions I speak publicly, I am increasingly aware that what is important
is what goes on in my own Circle. I am part of a Mystery tradition.
Latest from Maxine.
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It is Secret to keep it Sacred
Keep it Secret to keep it sacred Like most magical traditions, witchcraft possesses names of power.
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Who Built the Alexandrian Tradition
Who built the Alexandrian Tradition
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Jealousy, Hearsay and Murky Cauldrons
There is an interesting phenomenon that seems to have become increasingly common in recent years.
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Grace Under Fire
As 2025 progresses, a quiet yet unmistakable shift is stirring within the magical and occult communities.
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Today's Alexandrian Witchcraft Tradition
The power of the circle is still as fresh and exhilarating as it was sixty-two years ago.
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Music in Alexandrian Witchcraft
'My first experience of circle music of sorts was at cakes and wine after my initiation; the wine was flowing, and the singing of the Witches became…
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Battling the Scourge of Historical Inaccuracy
Recently there have been a number of mistakes regarding the contents of the Alexandrian Book of Shadows and how certain Alexandrian practices came…
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The Joys of an Alexandrian Witch
In the sixties, Alex and I believed our work and joy as witches meant nothing and no one is too high or low including lords and beggars, the sick,…
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The Temple Pilgrimage to the Alexandrian Grand Sabbat
An 'Alexandrian Grand Sabbat' was recently announced giving rise to questions about what a Grand Sabbat is.
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The Heartbreak of the Teacher
When the exceptional student comes along, there is an awakening within the teacher's heart, a rejoicing that is incomparable.
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Beauty, Truth, Silence, Love
Which would you choose, Silence, Beauty, Love or Truth? The choice is an exercise used in the training of the student who would endeavour to put…
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Craft Joys and Tribulations
"Oh, thou circle be thou a place of love, joy and truth." The opening words of many a witch's ritual that lead us into a space between the worlds and…
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High Priestess and Witch Queen
Witch Queen; Magus. The Title given at the Higher Degrees of Witchcraft, Witch Queen; Magus. These titles are ceremonial.
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The Alexandrian Rose Ankh
Alex and I moved to London in 1967, it wasn’t long before the elite and the scurrilous of the occult world made their way to the basement of number…
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Flouncing and Renouncing
It is a year or so since two of its priesthood publicly renounced the Alexandrian Craft, and while this was regretful, it was not entirely…
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1st May 2017
It is remarkable how the Craft has evolved and not always in a priestly way, however, the majority of Alexandrian groups continue the work of the…
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May Day 2017
Forty-nine years ago today, Alex and I were married. It is remarkable how the Craft has evolved and not always in a priestly way, however, the…
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Brazil, June 2016
2017 is going to be an exciting year, I have been invited to New Orleans to speak at HexFest; last year I was speaking at the Goddess Conference in…
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A Day for Doreen Valiente
Einstein said ‘The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and…
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Yuletide 2006
The last few months have been taken up with writing my autobiography; the book will be called ‘Fire Child’ and published by Mandrake of Oxford.
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Beltane 2006
The anniversary of Alex’s death was spent in Georgia, Atlanta. Alex had always wanted to go to the States and my visit somehow seemed to bring his…
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February 2006
It is that time of year when the keys go missing and the Imps of Perverse, as Madeline Montalban (Madeline was the magician who created the Angelic…
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November 2005
Winter approaches, the tasks seem endless as the yearly jobs of preparing for the cold need to be done. The weather witch forecasts a hard winter.
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August 2005
A standing stone has been erected in the garden of Bron Afon and rather like acupuncture, it has stimulated the surrounding earth into a place of…
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Candlemas 2005
Since the Autumn Equinox, the Lords of Opposition have thrown everything, in my direction. The Lords of Karma have been quite busy too!
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Autumn Equinox 2004
The effects of the equinox have had their usual amount of sadness, marriage, and partnership break ups, illness etc.
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Lammas 2004
Lammas was golden in every sense of the word. Initiate elders invited me to join them for the celebration of Lammas at Alderley Edge in Cheshire.
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Summer Solstice 2004
This cycle has been spent working with quartz and the blessing of the rivers. This accompanied the four sacred breaths performed four times every…
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Beltane 2004
It will be sixteen years since Alex died at Beltane; he seems to be getting on with his work and occasionally makes his presence felt in the Valleys,…
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The books
See both books-
Fire Child, a life.
First published 2008 · Mandrake of Oxford
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Maxine, the Witch Queen.
Originally 1976 · Star Books
Still here
The work continues.
Alexandrian Witchcraft is not history. It is now. Alex and Maxine Sanders did not leave behind a relic. They founded something that continues to grow, to initiate, and to evolve. Maxine carries that work forward today.