Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, Boscastle, PL35 0HD

05/04/2025

We have lift off! Our first visitors of the day were welcomed in at 10am. Sadly we didn’t grab their names…

03/04/2025

The new moon appears over Boscastle as we put the finishing touches to our new exhibition and finish the maintenance and renovations at the museum. See you all on Saturday!

31/03/2025

We would like to thank Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone for allowing us to scan from one of Stewart Farrar’s original negatives. Stewart’s iconic photograph was used on the cover of the 1970 A&M Records, vinyl album, ‘A Witch is Born’.

30/03/2025

Starting tonight, 30th March on

booking link in bio

Photo Credit - Blue Moons, menstrual-derived cells (astrocytes), WhiteFeather Hunter, 2023.

Eagerly anticipated (if the number of tickets sold are anything to go by !) a 10 part series - Amy Hale’s Magic In Contemporary Art starts at 7PM over at Treadwells-london events. Few tickets available.

Tonight’s episode with Jamie Sutcliffe sets the scene for the series, which continues with:-

Susan Arberth ( April 13)
Judith Noble + Christine Binnie (May 11)
Barry William Hale + Jesse Bransford (June 15).

This ten-part series on magic in contemporary art hosted by will explore the history and key themes of esoteric and magical art, taking us on a journey through the recent cultural and creative fascination with all things numinous, liminal, and otherworldly. Through engaging discussions with curators, artists and scholars we will look at how art history is being rewritten, and how magical art today is changing the way we encounter the world.

27/03/2025

During the time we close for the winter, we are often asked if we can open especially for people who happen to be visiting the area. We explain that although the museum may be closed, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t busy behind the scenes and today was no exception. Our floors were deep cleaned, as they are every year before we reopen. Tomorrow our new cabinets doors and lighting are installed, and next week the finishing touches to our new exhibition will finished off before we fling open the doors at 10am on Saturday 5th April.

23/03/2025

The Mirror of Hathor

The Mirror of Hathor is a significant ancient Egyptian artefact linked to the goddess Hathor, who represented love, beauty, music, and motherhood. These mirrors were typically made of polished metal or stone and were often
used in religious or ceremonial contexts. The mirror itself symbolised divine beauty and the reflection of the soul. Hathor was frequently depicted with a mirror, emphasising her connection to both physical and spiritual reflection. This particular artefact was occasionally used in the Temple of the Mother workings.

19/03/2025

Egyptian-Styled Copper Box
This handcrafted copper box, designed in the Egyptian style, was created by Dennis Hardy and gifted to Maxine Sanders, accompanied by a handwritten note. Hardy, a self-taught musician and devoted member of Maxine’s Temple of the Mother, was also the artisan behind the elegantly crafted acrylic Sistrum, which can be seen several posts back.
His work reflects a deep appreciation for sacred traditions and artistic craftsmanship. It can be seen in our forthcoming exhibition when we reopen on the 5th April.

18/03/2025

As part of our forthcoming exhibition we are showing a selection of these BOTA tarot training cards.
B.O.T.A stands for Builders of the Adytum, an organisation founded by Paul Foster Case and dedicated to “spiritual attunement through enlightened worship in the Tradition of the Western Mysteries. Its congregation is an association of spiritual aspirants who participate through the B.O.T.A. lesson instructions.” One part of the lesson plan is colouring your own tarot cards using this deck. The instruction booklet is Highlights of the Tarot, first written in 1931. It describes the symbols on the major arcana cards and offers colouring instructions for all cards. According to the booklet, when you colour your own cards, they take on your personality and become deeply linked to you. These are the cards that Maxine Sanders coloured.

17/03/2025

One of our favourite pieces from Maxine Sanders collection is this Portable Magic Circle. Sadly, due to it’s size, we can’t display it in it’s entirety but it can be seen laid out here. The four bronze censers will be on display.
This circle, painted onto thin pieces of wood, was produced for the Sanders by a film company to be used in a film they were making on Alexandrian Witchcraft. It features in many press images from the 1960s and ‘70s and was made to be easily transported. It looks to have been repainted over time, with the white lettering turning to gold. It has words and symbols and six-pointed stars at each quarter. The three Hebrew words have the following meanings -

ADONAI - ‘My Lord’ or ‘My Master’
ELOHIM - ‘The Almighty’ or ‘Creator’
TETRAGRAMMATON - ‘Yahweh’ or ‘Jehovah’
The Angelic sigil represents one of the seven Archangels, Michael, and is used for protection.

16/03/2025

Visitors to our new exhibition will be able to compare this Angelic Mirror with the two others on display in our divination section.

The Angelic Mirror is an enigmatic artefact first recorded by Francis Barrett in his 1801 work, The Magus, a seminal text on occult philosophy and ceremonial magic. Described as a polished, reflective surface—often a disc of obsidian or highly polished metal—the mirror was believed to serve as a conduit between the earthly realm and the angelic spheres. Practitioners used it in scrying rituals to summon and communicate with celestial beings, seeking divine wisdom or prophetic visions.

Alex Sanders made this version in the early 1960s, used a teardrop-shaped Beryl as the centrepiece, and occasionally taught students how to use it. Alex would hurl the Beryl at any student who was caught not concentrating! Photographs by .reitze

15/03/2025

The Chalice
This chalice originally had handles; it would have been a trophy cup. The handles were removed, making it suitable for a large coven. The chalice appears in many press images from the 1960s and ‘70s and elsewhere in the exhibition.
In witchcraft, the chalice is a sacred tool representing the element of Water, the divine feminine, and the womb of creation. Often used in rituals and ceremonies, it symbolises intuition, emotion, and the flow of spiritual energy.
Traditionally, the chalice is filled with wine and, once consecrated, used in offerings, blessings, or to unite energies in spell work. In Wiccan practice, it plays a key role in the Great Rite, symbolising the union of the Goddess (chalice) and the God (athame). Whether used in solitary or group rituals, the chalice serves as a vessel for transformation, connection, and divine communion. This chalice is still very much in use by Maxine and her working group and we are honoured to be able to share it with you this year.

15/03/2025

The King of the Witches Crown
This crown was created for Alex around 1972. It went missing after Alex died, and Maxine presumed it had been lost. Then, six or seven months later, Sean, a Canadian initiate and a member of Green Peace, arrived after
several months at sea, in London. Alex had given the crown to him, saying it should be given to Maxine in the event of his death. Sean laid the crown at Maxine’s feet. There were originally two crowns, one in silver and the other in gold. The silver crown disappeared, presumably given away by Alex, whose generosity was at times overwhelming. However, the gold one remained.
Years later, circa 2015, it was accidentally gilded in silver, thus having to be re-gilded in gold. One could surmise a symbolic merging of the two. (Maker unknown)

13/03/2025

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p0kqbfv4

Listen to the latest episodes of Heart & Stone on BBC Sounds.

12/03/2025

Scourge from the collection of Maxine Sanders.
A wooden-handled scourge featuring eight leather thongs, symbolising the Eight Ways of Magic. Used within Alex and Maxine’s London Covens at Claricarde Gardens, this ritual tool played a role in traditional ceremonial practices.
During the 1960s, at the height of the counterculture movement, some seekers were drawn to the scourge for personal gratification rather than spiritual growth. In response, and for a short period of time, Alex adapted the design, replacing the leather with silk to discern true initiates from those with less sincere intentions.
This example retains the traditional leather thongs, reflecting its original form and significance in contemporary witchcraft. The scourge in Alexandrian Witchcraft is used ritually and intended to be used correctly avoiding harm. Photography by .reitze

10/03/2025

Another taster from our forthcoming exhibition, the Crook and flail, used by both Alex and Maxine Sanders during Egyptian influenced rites. Photography by .reitze

10/03/2025

09/03/2025

The UK’s pollinator numbers are dropping heavily - we need the UK government to step in and protect them.

08/03/2025

Bernard Ball was an Australian sculptor and artist who made this statue in the late 60s, early 70s. It was one of several. The statue would often be draped in appropriate seasonal attire as can be seen in the background of this photograph of Maxine Sanders taken by Jenny Potter for the book, The Ecstatic Mother. Bernard was said to have taken inspiration from several High Priestesses, including Maxine, when crafting it. It can be seen in our forthcoming exhibition, opening April 5th