Second-oldest modern tradition of Wicca, after Gardnerian Wicca (with the exception of family traditions, which are hard to date and may not qualify as “modern”). Founded by Alex Sanders in the middle ’60s, and is generally considered one of the more “conservative” traditions within Wicca (along with Gardnerianism; the two together are referred to as British Traditional Wicca, or BTW).
Despite Sanders’ notorious claims to have been initiated by his grandmother (at age eight, in a rite with sexual overtones after allegedly catching her in the middle of a ritual), it’s now generally accepted that much of the Alexandrian material was adapted from Gardnerianism, and it is known that Sanders was initiated into a Gardnerian coven in the early ’60s.
Like Gardnerianism, Alexandrianism: has a three-degree system; places the High Priestess above the High Priest; tends toward heteronormative boy-girl pairings and initiations; keeps track of initiatory lineage; and uses a written Book of Shadows. However, the Gardnerian requirement for ritual nudity is relaxed in Alexandrianism (being optional), and there’s more ceremonial magick material in Alexandrianism (Sanders having studied ceremonial magick before getting involved in Wicca). Alexandrianism also has less emphasis on secrecy, even to the point of sometimes allowing interested non-initiates to sit on rituals. However, the two are otherwise difficult to distinguish.
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