It is difficult to mention witchcraft without conjuring visions of bubbling cauldrons over an open flame, potions brewing, sisters chanting and cackling over the proceedings. I know, it sounds rather cliché, but here we are. The fact is, cauldrons are just one of many tools that can be used by witches to practice their craft. Like all tools, they are not a necessity, but they do come in handy, and their symbolism is rich.
Generally we think of cauldrons as being made of something like cast iron, however, they can be made from things like brass, aluminum, or copper as well (to name a few). One doesn’t have to own a specially made cauldron to do the work either. As long as the vessel is heat resistant and won’t leach unwanted chemicals into your brew (like a stock pot or something similar), it’s all good. Symbolically, the cauldron is generally accepted to represent the feminine aspect; receptive. It can symbolize the womb, the power of creation or transformation, and used to channel or amplify power. In some cultures it also represents the underworld. They can be used ritually to brew potions, combine spell ingredients, burn spell components, manifest, scry, or whatever else you can think of. They are typically thought to correspond to the element of earth as they are a working tool, but could also be considered to correspond to water (when replacing the chalice). The cauldron appears in stories, myths and legends such as Shakespeare’s MacBeth with the three witches, Cerridwen’s cauldron that grants knowledge and inspiration, the Norse gods were said to feast from a cauldron called Eldhrímnir, and The Cauldron of the Dagda, also known as the coire ansic ("the un-dry cauldron") , from Irish Mythology, was said to represent generosity and “plenty”, sort of like a cornucopia. Cauldrons are mentioned in many books about practicing witchcraft, Llewellyn even released an entire book all about them as part of a series on magical tools. It is called The Witch’s Cauldron. The Craft, Lore, and Magick of Ritual Vessels by Laura Tempest Zakroff. This book is quite informative if you want to learn more about the use and history of cauldrons than most craft guides provide. That goes for any of the books in this series. Knowing the history of the tools you use, while not strictly necessary, is never a bad thing. The use of cauldrons as both cooking vessels and ritual tools was wide spread among many cultures. Like today, many every day household items can and did double as ritually used items. While it is nice to be able to separate your tools, that is not always practical, or financially possible. Do you use tools like the cauldron in your practice? Have you read the stories about them? Do they conjure good or scary images for you? Do you like to learn the history of the tools you practice with?
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AuthorNot just a writer, I am also an eclectic solitary practitioner, Reiki Master, and Shadow Worker. Archives
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