The Sanderson sisters witch ceremony is a pivotal scene in the cult classic film "Hocus Pocus." It takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, where the notorious witches Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson were hanged 300 years prior. On Halloween night, Max Dennison, a teenager new to Salem, lights the Black Flame Candle, unintentionally resurrecting the witches and setting in motion a series of events. In the witch ceremony scene, the Sanderson sisters are desperate to suck the life force out of children to maintain their immortality. They hatch a plan to throw a Halloween party at their old house, enticing all the children in Salem to attend. Once the children are inside, they cast a spell using a potion concocted from various ingredients, including a vial of "dead man's toe" and "oil of boil.
One of the other most famous props from Hocus Pocus is Winifred’s spell book, supposedly given to her by the Devil himself. (Psst, that part’s all Hollywood – most witches don’t believe in or work with the Christian Devil!)
There were 19 men and women killed during the Salem Witch Trials and you can visit a really lovely memorial that lists all of their names in downtown Salem but none of them were named Sanderson. You can use candles made of real wax or even battery-operated home decor candles aka a flameless candle are totally acceptable if you can t have flame or smoke in your house.
Once the children are inside, they cast a spell using a potion concocted from various ingredients, including a vial of "dead man's toe" and "oil of boil." This spell will enable them to steal the life essence from the children and, as a result, to remain eternally youthful. However, the witches face several obstacles during their ceremony.
The Sanderson Sisters are back from the 90’s in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’
Disney came out with “Hocus Pocus” back in 1993. 29 years later, they released a sequel to this Halloween classic. The Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, made their comeback in “Hocus Pocus 2.” They performed several musical numbers in this sequel, all while they are faced with strange, modern technology. Viewers also got to see the return of Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones). The film was a combination of nostalgia for the older crowd and an appeal to the newer audience.
There were several new characters introduced in this film. Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) were introduced as three 16-year-old girls interested in witchcraft. There was a local eccentric, Gilbert (Sam Richardson), that they went to for their mystical supplies. He gave them the black flame candle that brought the Sanderson sisters back for one night. The witches came back and interacted with the teenagers to find the souls of children so they could gain immortality. The story mainly focused on the three girls trying to protect Salem from the witches.
The film was very modernized. There was a lot of singing and performing from the Sanderson sisters, something that is seemingly becoming more popular in recent years. The witches found themselves in a Walgreens, coming face to face with automatic doors, beauty products, and even the security dome mirror. It was very comical to watch the sisters try to figure out these “new” things. It was a bit less intense than the original Hocus Pocus and aimed more toward the younger audience.
This film also catered to the growing interest in contemporary witchcraft. The girls used crystals and rituals for good luck, among other things, which is something becoming more common among young people today. The local eccentric shop owner, Gilbert, and his store full of magic and witchy things also appealed to this interest among the younger generation.
This movie was very “pro-witchcraft” and that’s troubling from a Christian perspective. Of course, the original movie consisted of a lot of satanic-related content and witchcraft, but it’s particularly concerning that this movie encouraged rituals and witchery because of its growing popularity among the younger generation. This sequel made being a witch out to be a good thing and it really hit on the power of the coven. This went one step further to promoting witchcraft for young people today.
The Sanderson sisters are hilariously exposed to the modern world.
I will say, I was very impressed with how young and glamorous the Sanderson sisters look, even after the original film was released 29 years ago. It was like taking a journey back in time, seeing how the original characters seamlessly stepped right back into their roles. The portrayal of these roles felt very natural, even after all these years.
Another thing that many people have been noticing about this film is the poor greenscreen work. It was most obvious towards the end of the movie with the moonlit forest backdrop. In 2022, viewers expected this sequel to be cinematic, but it actually looked very comparable to the Disney original from the ‘90s. The film wasn’t even shot in Salem and you could tell. While the audience wanted that nostalgia from the original film, we didn’t want it to look like the original that was made almost 30 years ago.
While this sequel does focus quite a bit on Becca, Izzy, and Cassie and their “coven” that is formed through friendship, it concentrates more on the Sanderson sisters. It was a nice shift from the original that focused on the characters of Max, Dani, and Allison. This was more about the Sanderson sisters’ story, where they came from, and what they are all about. Each of the “coven’s” narratives compliment each other well.
I enjoyed this movie, despite its few hiccups. It was a very admirable continuation of the original film, especially because it wasn’t separated entirely from the plot of the first film. The nostalgia and humor within this movie made for a very pleasant watch.
I give this film an 8/10.
“Hocus Pocus 2” is now streaming on Disney+
Anna Harman is a junior Biblical Studies major and also a reporter for Cedars. She appreciates writing, peppermint tea, flowers, and going to concerts.
Images courtesy of Disney+
Okay, so we’ve talked about all the things in Hocus Pocus that are actually pretty spot on… but what about the aspects that are pure Hollywood fiction?
Max, along with his younger sister, Dani, his crush, Allison, and a talking cat named Binx (who was once a human by the name of Thackery Binx), aim to stop the witches and save the children they have captured. With the help of a spellbook, which falls into their hands earlier in the film, they attempt to ruin the witch ceremony and defeat the Sanderson sisters once and for all. During the ceremony, chaos ensues, and a showdown between the witches and the teenagers commences. The stakes are high as Max tries to light the Black Flame Candle once again, which is the only way to turn the witches into dust, thereby putting an end to their wicked ways. With the Sanderson sisters on the brink of stealing the life force from a group of children, Max manages to ignite the candle just in time. The witches are reduced to ashes, and the curse that had plagued Salem for three centuries is finally broken. The Sanderson sisters witch ceremony is a critical moment in "Hocus Pocus," where the fate of the characters and the town of Salem hang in the balance. It showcases the determination and bravery of Max, Dani, Allison, and Binx as they band together to defeat evil. Furthermore, it highlights the themes of friendship, loyalty, and the power of good triumphing over evil. This scene has become iconic, reminding audiences of the importance of standing up against injustice and protecting those we care about..
Reviews for "From Fiction to Infamy: Unraveling the Legends Surrounding the Sanderson Sisters' Witch Ceremony"
1. Emma Thompson - 2/5 stars
I was really excited to see the "Sanderson sisters witch ceremony" show, but I ended up feeling disappointed. The costumes and set design were impressive, but the actual performance fell flat. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was mediocre at best. The story was predictable and lacked any real depth or originality. Overall, I found the show to be underwhelming and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. John Smith - 1/5 stars
I can't express how much I disliked the "Sanderson sisters witch ceremony" production. The acting was wooden and amateurish, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and lacked wit or cleverness. The whole performance felt forced and unengaging. I left the theater feeling bored and regretting my decision to attend. Save your money and skip this one.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 stars
I had high hopes for the "Sanderson sisters witch ceremony" show, having heard so many positive reviews. Unfortunately, I was left quite disappointed. The script felt clichéd and uninspired, with no real surprises or memorable moments. The actors did their best, but they couldn't salvage the weak material. The production lacked energy and failed to create any sense of suspense or excitement. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that didn't live up to the hype.