History
of the Chalice
Use of the
Chalice in Ritual - As a Solitary
The Chalice has been around and used for many, many
years. The symbolism behind it is therefore complex.
Originally, the Chalice was thought to be a
goddess/rebirth image. Take the legend of Ceridwen who
brewed greal (thought to be the origin of the word
"grail") made from six plants for inspiration
and knowledge that Taliesin drank 3 drops of and gained
infinite knowledge.
It also represented the womb, and the
blood a woman sheds each month and during birth that
filled it and represented everlasting life.
Unfortunately, this motif was replaced by the later
patriarchal societies who felt that the cup (for example
holy grail) was filled with the blood of a male who had
to die to produce it. Men could not produce blood like a
woman does monthly without injury. The male then becomes
a "savior" whose blood gave rebirth much like
the original goddess did.
I realize that this sounds like
Christianity, but this basic story was in place long
before the birth of Christ. This motif worked so well,
however, that Christianity did use it as part of its
mythos.
For untold centuries blood sacrifices were demanded by
the Heavenly Father who also drank of the blood and was
propitiated. Ritual would demand that the God be given
his portion first, then the rest would partake. This
habit is still seen today in a very watered down version
with the simple toast. People hold glasses high
"towards the heavens" and a wish for good
health is given. The raising of the cup is to show that
the God had received his portion and is satisfied, and
would not send any illness on the wishes.
I use a chalice in ritual mainly for performing a devotional
to my altar. Silver RavenWolf in her book To Stir a Magick Cauldron
on pages 20 - 23 wrote a devotional that I use almost every time I perform
a ritual and a chalice performs an intregal part. The water represents
the element (no suprise here) of water. Added to it is salt, representing
earth.
On another layer though, the chalice is representing the Goddess, with the
water the "womb" of creation. Salt being added to it is the seed of the Lord.
During this devotional I lower my athame into the chalice with the words...
"As the rod is to the God So is the chalice to the Goddess...and together they
shall be as one." (pg 22).
I use this energy to draw power from two elements, the God and the Goddess and
swirl it around and bless my entire altar and working space before starting
the actual "work" of the ritual. The feeling is indescrible! It is very powerful.
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Chalice picture is © 1998 - 2000 by Robin Wood and are used with her permission.
This page was last updated by
Spyrit Dancer on 9/22/00, and is under construction.
