Product Description

One of the world's most influential and respected witches, Maxine first caught worldwide public attention while married to the celebrated - and controversial - 'King of the Witches', Alex Sanders. A highly respected Priestess of the Sacred Mysteries, in her role of teacher she has encouraged, enabled and inspired students of the Priesthood to take on the conscious mantle of their spiritual potential. In this long awaited autobiography Maxine reflects on her life and magical experiences spanning Modern Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Gods and Goddesses, Seasonal rituals, Sabbats, Ceremonial magic, Cabbala and The Sacred Magic of the Angels. This is a unique, poignant and often humorous memoir of an extraordinary life, by a rare, courageous and inspiring woman.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #328381 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 316 pages

Review
"This is one of the most important books ever published on modern paganism: a full and candid autobiography by one of its most influential, and charismatic figures." - Professor Ronald Hutton author of The Triumph of the Moon

From the Inside Flap
The Sanders were leading figures of the 1960s occult revival. The atmosphere of the era was vibrant with experimental creativity, and London the capital of the psychedelic music scene and fashion.

Alex and Maxine were much sought after teachers of the Arts Magical, and initiated many spiritual aspirants into the Mysteries, when the Craft was still secretive and difficult to access for those seeking initiation. The Sanders popularised their own tradition widely known as Alexandrian witchcraft.

Here many of the rumours regarding Alex and Maxine are either confirmed, verified and clarified, or denied; the real facts being far more interesting and humorous than those spread by jealous hearts or hearsay.

From the Back Cover

For thirty-five years, Maxine lived in Notting Hill Gate, London, where she was High Priestess of many training covens. Five years ago, she exchanged her life as a City witch for the remote Welsh countryside.

Today, when she is not traveling or giving talks, Maxine practices the Art Magical and celebrates the Craft's rituals in the mountains. Maxine practices her Magics alone; she has retired from the work of teaching, believing this is better performed by younger priesthood. Her vocation as a Priestess includes talking to audiences who wish to listen and counseling those who are in need of kindness, truth and hope.

Customer Reviews

Privileged to read a preview
This is a fascinating book. Whether you were part of the group in the sixties and seventies, know Maxine from her recent talks or are simply interested in the roots of Modern witchcraft I guarantee you will learn something new. Written with candour and warmth every chapter reveals something new about Maxine, the times and the craft. I enjoyed this book immensely - as a great read and story itself as well having real depth. What a welcome departure from the previous books written about Alex and Maxine. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Slaying those sacred cows with style !
The long awaited autobiography of Maxine Sanders does not pull any punches! Until now the only available works were the difficult to obtain Maxine: Witch Queen or the almost impossibly elusive Ecstatic Mother. The influence of Maxine Sanders on the development of the Wiccan tradition has long been overshadowed by Alex Sanders and others, when in fact Maxine has more claim to being the "first lady of Wicca" than any other high priestess in the history of the modern Craft movement.

This book reflects Maxine's character. It is not an easy read, and it certainly slays a herd of sacred cows! Nevertheless, shining through the humour and sadness found in equal measure, is a sense of the inspiration which flows through Maxine and has inspired so many people into the Wiccan path. As can be seen from the accounts of her life with Alex, if he was the mind, she was the heart. Maxine was the pre-eminent priestess during the decades when Wicca went from being a small elite club to being a global spirituality.

So what stands out in Maxine's tale of her magickal life and the people who have populated it? Her early life and the influence of her family in shaping Maxine's future are well documented. However it is when she reaches the influence of Alex and how the two of them interacted that things quickly become more revealing (happily this is from chapter 3 onwards!). Maxine is very honest about how her shyness was almost painfully clear during her early exposure to the media. What is more surprising is her revelation that Sharon Tate was initiated into Wicca during the filming of `Eye of the Devil'.

It would be too easy to recount lots of fascinating details from this book, presented from a unique perspective from the point of view of the development of Wiccan and modern paganism. However it is more appropriate to look at what the book says about Maxine. Here is a woman of courage, who has been to hell and back many times, and is still around to tell the tale. Not only that but she has grown strong in the fires of testing which she has been repeatedly exposed to through her life. Maxine is also very honest, admitting her own mistakes and failings in a way that many people would find difficult to.

Firechild is a wonderful book that is very difficult to put down. It will give you a completely different view of the development of Wicca, and many of the people within it. As such it is a very important book for everyone interested in the history of modern paganism (whichever tradition) and of course everyone whose work, beliefs and practices have been inspired, in one way or another, by Maxine - which quite possibly includes all of us.(Only those suffering from extreme arrogance or who prefer to bury their head in the sand, will tell themselves differently)

FireChild by Maxine Sanders.
This long awaited book by Maxine does not disappoint! An extremely open and honest account of her life,before, during and after her marriage to Alex Sanders. She tells of her joys and sorrows of being a teacher of The Mysteries and High Priestess of The Temple of The Mother.Funny, moveing and challenging throughout, a MUST read for anyone interested in the Craft and the history of the Alexandrian Tradition.
Thank you, Maxine.