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Fire Child: The Life & Magic of Maxine Sanders 'witch Queen'
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.
316 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 5, 2021
Very interesting figure within the Craft. The book is mostly organised chronologically, but sometimes skips back and forth, or seems to meander into somewhat irrelevant stories. I had expected just more in general as well as more up-to-date tidings, as the post-Alex part is really short. Mixed feelings.
August 2, 2022
Very interesting life and she's still working with a coven, now back in London.
It was great to read about the other perspective from the Sanders, not just Alex's.
It was great to read about the other perspective from the Sanders, not just Alex's.
March 2, 2014
One of the early pioneers of Witchcraft, Maxine Sanders, wife of Alexander Sanders tells her story from beginning all the way to present times. Her autobiography is as much about her as it is about the growth and development of the craft.
Since childhood Maxine seems to have been destined for a life in the craft. Like most other accounts of witches that I have read Maxine had a troubled childhood and one that brought about the recognition of her gifts. Her father, Victor was a tall, large sized Gemini who could not hold down a job for very long, hence it became the job of her mother to be the bread winner. Victor was also abusive. He could get violent and he sexually abuse Maxine as a child.
At an early age Maxine noticed her affinity for fire, hence the title, Fire Child. Being fascinated with the flame of fire and the burning embers that remained after the fire would die down young Maxine would stare for long periods of time at the fire. One time she went in to commune with the ember, which she called Fire Mice. The commune burned her body but she did not feel pain.
Maxine also had the ability to astral project without any training. This ability made it easy for her to spy on people. This is something that her mother would try to exploit both for financial gain and to spy on Victor and see what he was doing.
Abusive men seemed to follow Maxine thorough out her life right alongside of spiritual growth. She met Alex Sanders through her mother. He was a healer at a church. Alex had been the son of an illegitimate union between his father and another woman., who stayed together despite him being married to another woman. It was Alexander that would prompt her involvement into the craft.
But Maxine was no stranger to different forms of spirituality. Her mother helped her get involved in an Egyptian spiritual order. They were very strict and demanding and not to mention wealthy. Once could feel the strength of the movement. Also in part thanks to her mother Maxine would get involved with the teachings of Gurdjieff.
When she got closer to Alex he would involve her in his coven and temple. Alex was also a publicity seeker which would land the young Maxine in trouble with her parents and force her to move to London for a spell. Upon her return she would reunite with Alex get married and form the temple of the Goddess. She was involved as a trainer of very high standards and Alex at the same time being a gifted and wise magician would be involved with affair behind Maxine’s back. He would try to force her to bear a moon child and could be emotionally abusive. Through the marriage they would have two children together. Maya and Victor. The autobiography traces the ups and down of her life and anyone pursuing the craft will want to pick up this gem and read it.
Since childhood Maxine seems to have been destined for a life in the craft. Like most other accounts of witches that I have read Maxine had a troubled childhood and one that brought about the recognition of her gifts. Her father, Victor was a tall, large sized Gemini who could not hold down a job for very long, hence it became the job of her mother to be the bread winner. Victor was also abusive. He could get violent and he sexually abuse Maxine as a child.
At an early age Maxine noticed her affinity for fire, hence the title, Fire Child. Being fascinated with the flame of fire and the burning embers that remained after the fire would die down young Maxine would stare for long periods of time at the fire. One time she went in to commune with the ember, which she called Fire Mice. The commune burned her body but she did not feel pain.
Maxine also had the ability to astral project without any training. This ability made it easy for her to spy on people. This is something that her mother would try to exploit both for financial gain and to spy on Victor and see what he was doing.
Abusive men seemed to follow Maxine thorough out her life right alongside of spiritual growth. She met Alex Sanders through her mother. He was a healer at a church. Alex had been the son of an illegitimate union between his father and another woman., who stayed together despite him being married to another woman. It was Alexander that would prompt her involvement into the craft.
But Maxine was no stranger to different forms of spirituality. Her mother helped her get involved in an Egyptian spiritual order. They were very strict and demanding and not to mention wealthy. Once could feel the strength of the movement. Also in part thanks to her mother Maxine would get involved with the teachings of Gurdjieff.
When she got closer to Alex he would involve her in his coven and temple. Alex was also a publicity seeker which would land the young Maxine in trouble with her parents and force her to move to London for a spell. Upon her return she would reunite with Alex get married and form the temple of the Goddess. She was involved as a trainer of very high standards and Alex at the same time being a gifted and wise magician would be involved with affair behind Maxine’s back. He would try to force her to bear a moon child and could be emotionally abusive. Through the marriage they would have two children together. Maya and Victor. The autobiography traces the ups and down of her life and anyone pursuing the craft will want to pick up this gem and read it.
July 30, 2014
Neither one thing or another... Maxine still appears besotted by Alex Sanders despite the way he treated her, so I felt it was too biased to be a truly engaging account of this period of British witchcraft history and it skips over important parts of her life so I didn't feel it gave me a solid enough biography of Maxine who has clearly led a very interesting life.
December 26, 2008
Very interesting if you're interested in the early history of British Traditional Witchcraft and Alex Sanders.
April 18, 2010
I found it a very interesting book, which delved into the life of Maxine Sanders and her husband Alex. Although some parts were a bit unbelievable, but it was a great book overall.
September 4, 2013
One on the best testimony of what once the craft was. Simple, honnest, captivating and, so far, for me, one of the best ressource on Alexandrian's tradition.
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February 24, 2019Poorly edited - for who would edit the Witch Queen?
Maxine comes across as an unhappy person, and I wouldn't recomment her memoir to anyone starting on the path of witchcraft. They could think they'll have a sad life.
Maxine comes across as an unhappy person, and I wouldn't recomment her memoir to anyone starting on the path of witchcraft. They could think they'll have a sad life.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews