Alexandrian Wicca was founded by Alex and Maxine Sanders in Britain in the early sixties. Sanders claimed to have been initiated into Wicca by his grandmother, but Alexandrian reflects more his initiation into Gardnerian Wicca by Pat Kopanski. Seeing as the Alexandrian Book of Shadows differs only slightly from the Gardnerian one, the grandmother story is one that is difficult to believe, and he later admitted it to be untrue. Sanders was notorious for initiating people the same day he met them, which although unwise, probably helped spread the tradition widely.

Over time, Alexandrian and Gardnerian Wicca have moved closer together. Some Alexandrian groups practicing the tradition as handed down to them, others emphasising development of new material. The same festivals are followed by both traditions. Alexandrians sometimes emphasise higher magic such as Kabala but both strongly focus on training and maintaining the coven structure. Differences between the two are often subtle such as slightly different ritual tool use, deity names, and ritual forms.

Although not as open to initiating all and sundry as Sanders, Alexandrians often have a more open structure than Gardnerians, some allowing non-initiates at circle meets. Also in this vein, they tend to be more eclectic and liberal. Ritual nudity is often optional rather than compulsory.

Last updated: February 01, 2005.