At the beginning of Hocus Pocus 2, The Witch Mother shared magical secrets with the Sanderson Sisters, but it looked like she was hiding a few of her own. A sequel to Disney’s 1993 horror-comedy classic Hocus Pocus, Hocus Pocus 2 reunited Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) for another Halloween revenge plot. Premiering in 2022, Hocus Pocus 2 was reported as Disney+’s most-watched film and left the door open for a sequel should audiences want to return to the wicked world of the Sanderson Sisters.
Like the first film, Hocus Pocus 2 began with a flashback to colonial Salem; this time, however, it brought in the mysterious Witch Mother, played by Hannah Waddingham. Bestowing upon the Sanderson Sisters their iconic spellbook, it’s clear The Witch Mother had a hidden past when she warned them against one of its enchantments, The Magicae Maxima. Cited as a spell that grants incredible power for a demanding price, clues throughout the film suggest that The Witch Mother’s cautious insight came from experience, having used it herself and with devious plans for Salem.
Why Would The Witch Mother Use The Magicae Maxima Spell?
Hocus Pocus 2 hints that the Sanderson sisters’ mentor already attempted the Magicae Maxima before they met. Shown to have glowing purple eyes when mentioning the forbidden spell, many were quick to note The Witch Mother resembled Winifred after she cast The Magicae Maxima. Additionally, having said her coven was gone, The Witch Mother showed another parallel to Winnifred, who had to sacrifice her sisters to gain her spell’s full power.
While the Hocus Pocus 2 plot implied the Sandersons’ teacher enacted The Magicae Maxima, it still raises the question of why anyone would cast such a dangerous spell in the first place. The Witch Mother mentioned that Salem’s location in the movie was a place of power for practitioners. Claiming Salem was “run by fools,” she had ambitions of reclaiming it for the witches. So, it’s likely The Witch Mother cast a spell hoping to conquer the Sandersons sisters’ village, but complications kept her from achieving her sinister goals.
What The Magicae Maxima Spell Could Mean For Hocus Pocus 3
Although Winifred, Mary, and Sarah, served as villains for the first two movies, The Witch Mother will likely take their place for a Hocus Pocus 3. Shown to still be alive in the Hocus Pocus 2 ending, the sequel sets up a new revenge plot featuring The Witch Mother and the use of The Magicae Maxima spell. Hocus Pocus’ magical mentor will likely return to take Salem and seize absolute power for the witches.
However, in a shocking twist, from the sympathetic ending of Hocus Pocus 2, it’s suggested that the Sanderson sisters will return as good witches in the sequel, summoned by Black Flame Candle to combat their devious teacher after having dabbled previously with The Magicae Maxima themselves. Should the Hocus Pocus series continue, there’s no doubt something wicked is coming to Salem, and at the center of it; will be the malicious Witch Mother.
As much a sequel as it is a platform for the series’ future, the Hocus Pocus 2 ending left a lot of questions unanswered and secrets to be discovered. Hocus Pocus 2 showed that Salem’s legacy didn’t begin and end with the Sanderson Sisters and that there was always trouble brewing. The Witch Mother is undoubtedly behind some sinister machinations, and with Disney setting up a Hocus Pocus 3, it’ll be curious to see how they come to light.