In the 1960s, after briefly being involved with Gardnerian Wicca, Sanders founded his own tradition, which came to be known as . Along with his wife, Maxine Sanders , he established a coven that focused heavily on training and formal ritual structure.
Before his rise in Wicca, he worked as a medium in local Spiritualist churches and studied ceremonial magic. The Rise of Alexandrian Wicca
Sanders' career was often dogged by accusations of plagiarism and fabrication. Critics pointed out that much of his "secret" material was actually drawn from existing sources: Alex Sanders at the John Rylands Library - Manchester Hive
Despite the drama, his tradition became one of the main branches of Wicca worldwide. Many influential leaders in the craft, such as Janet and Stewart Farrar, were originally trained by the Sanders. Historical Controversy