The Cauldron * A cauldron or caldron (from Latin caldarium, hot bath) is a large metal pot for cooking and/or boiling over an open fire, with a large mouth. The Cauldron is symbolically the womb of the Goddess and as a symbol of transformation. A versatile tool to place offerings to the gods of old within it, brew potions, burn candles and paper spells. They have also been used by Witches as tools of divination and scrying and containers for sacred fires and incense. Often dedicated to the Goddess Ceridwen, and associated with water and the west. Perhaps the most popularised uses of a cauldron comes from Shakespeare's Mcbeth -:
"Round about the cauldron go; In the poison'd entrails throw. Toad, that under cold stone Days and nights has thirty-one Swelter'd venom sleeping got, Boil thou first i' the charmed pot. Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. Fillet of a fenny snake, In the cauldron boil and bake; Eye of newt and toe of frog, Wool of bat and tongue of dog, Adder's fork and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg and owlet's wing, For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble." From Shakespeare's Macbeth Act 4, Scene 1 * Real and Mythological Cauldrons... The Dagda's Cauldron, a large cooking pot which never emptied and which left none hungry, is one of the four legendary treasures of Ireland. In Irish mythology the Tuatha Dé Danaan (peoples of the goddess Danu) brought with them a treasure from each city – from Murias came The Dagda’s Cauldron, known as Undry. The Gundestrup cauldron is a richly-decorated silver vessel, thought to date to the 1st century BC. It was found in 1891 in a peat bog near the hamlet of Gundestrup, Denmark. It is now housed at the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. The Gundestrup cauldron is the largest known example of European Iron Age silver work (diameter 69 cm, height 42 cm). The style and workmanship suggest Thracian origin, while the imagery seems Celtic. * The Gundestrup cauldron Detail of antlered figure holding a serpent and a torc, flanked by animals (including a stag), depicted on the cauldron found at Gundestrup, Denmark. Author Bloodofox XXX
Cauldron Spirit...
Many Witches pour a bit of ordinary surgical spirit (rubbing alcohol) into their cast iron cauldrons and light it carefully dropping in a lit match.
This is often done as part of healing rituals, invocations to the elemental spirit of fire, scrying, divinations, sabbat fire festivals, and various working rituals.
(Note: A quarter cup of alchohol will burn for approximately three minutes.)
Be sure that the cauldron is resting securely on a fireproof stand and is not close to any flammable substances.
Do not touch the cauldron while it is hot unless you cover your hands with protective oven mitts.
If the fire must be extinguished before it burns itself out, smother it by covering the cauldron with a lid or by sprinkling salt or sand over the flames.
Remember, whenever working with the element of fire, use caution and common sense, and respect the spirits of the flame.
The sight of a cauldron blazing with fire can be very magikal and mesmerising, and when the alcohol has been steeped in aromatic herbs, a sweet but gentle incense-like fragrance is produced.
To make a herbal cauldron spirit, put a small bunch of any or all of the following into a glass bottle: fresh lavender flowers and leaves, fresh mint leaves, fresh rosemary flowers and leaves, and fresh thyme flowers and leaves.
Fill the bottle to the top with the alcohol, cap it tightly, and then give it a good shake.
Keep it in a cool place for thirteen days, shaking it twice daily (every sunrise and moonrise).
Strain it through a double thickness of muslin into clear bottle.
Cap it and store it away from heat and flame.
Cauldron spirit will keep indefinitely.
Source - http://www.lunasgrimoire.com/cauldron-magic/
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Cauldron Usage...
Using a cauldron, symbol of inspiration and rebirth, has brought new dimensions to both group and solitary work.
In summer, the cauldron will flash and spark.
A blue flame burns mysteriously within the Water cauldron during the autumn festival.
Throughout Yule, the Earth cauldron burns steadfast and constant. During moon rites, when magik is done, we write the purpose of our working on flash papers and toss them into the burning cauldron while chanting.
A working cauldron should be of cast iron, with a tight-fitting lid, three sturdy legs, and a strong handle.
Season your cauldron before using it for the first time.
Pour in a generous helping of salt and lighter fluid, slosh it up to the rim and wipe dry.
For indoor use it MUST have a fireproof base or your workings will summon up yellow-coated salamander spirits from the fire department. :)
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EARTH Cauldron
Layer salt, wax shavings, three powdered or ground herbs, lighter fluid and ivy leaves in the cauldron while focus and chanting.
Use a candle to light it.
When the smoke starts to roll, extinguish the cauldron by putting the lid on.
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AIR Cauldron
Using tongs, put a chunk of dry ice in a small glass or ceramic bowl and place the bowl on a cloth in the bottom of the cauldron.
Allow the cauldron to smoke as long as the ice lasts.
The mists create excellent images for scrying.
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FIRE Cauldron
Cover the inside bottom with dirt or sand to dissipate heat.
Light incense charcoal and add either salt-peter for flame and spark or flash powder for a different but spectacular effect.
To assist in releasing or firing off peak energy, try using flash “bombs”.
Make a small pocket in a piece of flash paper, fill with flash powder and tie with thread.
The “bomb” should be about the size of your smallest fingernail.
The results are spectacularly bright, so use the powder sparingly. Don’t look directly at the flash as you drop the “bomb” in the cauldron.
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WATER Cauldron
At least seven days before the ritual, place equal quantities of three appropriate herbs in a pint glass jar.
Fill the rest of the jar with Everclear (200 proof alcohol), cap tightly, and shake gently while concentrating on the purpose of the ritual. Add a chant if its feels right.
Let the jar rest in a dark, warm spot and shake twice daily, charging with purpose.
Before the ritual, place a fireproof ceramic or glass bowl in the cauldron.
Pour in the herb mixture, being careful none spills into the cauldron. Light with a candle to produce a beautiful blue flame.
The cauldron, as the fifth elemental spirit, symbolises inspiration, rebirth, illumination and rejuvenation.
Use a Fire cauldron with salt-peter to cast a Circle.
Use the mists of an Air cauldron for an initiation.
Burn away hate, prejudice and negative self-images, with a Water cauldron.
The Earth cauldron is ideal for indoor Beltane rites.
Remember to place a burning cauldron on a fireproof surface. Practice safety when using any volatile materials and you will enjoy your cauldron for many rites.
Source - http://www.lunasgrimoire.com/cauldron-magic/
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Image - www.jasesbooks.com.au
