The cauldron or pot symbolizes cyclical
time and the lunar calendar. This is because the cauldron represents the
womb of rebirth, the bowl of blood held by the Hindu Kali and other goddesses.
This blood is the Wise Blood from the Cosmic Womb. It has been called soma
by the Hindus, red claret by the Celts, and greal by the Welsh Bards. In
Vedic myth, Indra stole the soma so that he
could rule over all the gods, a reference to the stealing of importance and
power from the Goddess for a patriarchal god.
The Goddess and Her cauldron is the center
of all feminine power and every female group. Spiritual transformation can
only come through Her cauldron,or belly-womb. Ancient tradition says that
only women can tap into the great power of the cauldron, for only women are
made in the image of the Goddess with Her all-renewing womb of rebirth and
transformation. This tradition remains in the
figure of the witch and her cauldron.
The cauldron is also the repository of inspiration
and magick, as seen in Cerridwen's cauldron which was sought by the Bards.
The Goddess has long been considered to be the source of inspiration andthe
Mistress of Magick. When a true initiation takes place, the initiate willingly
descends into the cauldron, she is often filled with ecstatic emotions when
she returns to her present state. She may sing, play music, dance, prophesy,
see visions, or become creative in
poetry and prose. In short, she is filled with
Goddess spirit and inspiration, the type of power that only comes from the
sacred cauldron. Such Bards as Taliesin stated that they regularly "drank"
from the cauldron to promote their creativity and divine inspiration.
Magickal Meaning: development of psychic gifts; creative talents being used. Coming to terms with physical death, either through the death of someone close to you, or a very personal experience in dreams and/or meditation."
~from Falcon Feathers & Valkyrie Sword
by D.J. Conway
The Nine woods in the cauldron are as follows
Birch in the fire goes
To represent what the Lady knows
Oak in the forest towers with might
In the fire it brings the Gods insight
Rowan is a tree of power
Causing lige and magick to flower
Willows at the waterside stand
Ready to help us to the Summerland
Hawthorn is burned to purity
And to draw faerie to your eye
Hazel-the tree of wisdom and learning
Adds its strength to the bright fire burning
White are the flowers of Apple tree
That brings us fruits of fertility
Grapes grow upon the vine
Giving us both joy and wine
Fir does mark the evergreen
To represent immortality seen
Elder is the Lady's tree
Burn in not or cursed you'll be.
CAULDRON FIRE
Materials Needed:
Cast-iron pot or cauldron of any size
Lid that fits snugly, for putting out the fire
hot plate or other heat-resistant material
to set the cauldron on
Epsom salts
rubbing alcohol
Any cast iron pot can be made into a cauldron
with a fire of Epsom
salts and rubbing alcohol. This is a very safe
blaze (still be
careful!). Once the cauldron is secured on
a heat-proof surface, pour
the Epsom salts in until the bottom is covered,
approximately 1 inch
deep. Pour rubbing alcohol over the salts until
the alcohol is about
an inch higher than the salts. Hold a lighted
match just above the
alcohol. The liquid will light and produce
a strong orange flame. The
flame burns cool, unlike a wood fire, and is
difficult to burn things
in. When the flame gets low, cover to snuff
out completely. Add more
rubbing alcohol to the cauldron and relight
carefully.
The warmer the rubbing alcohol, the quicker
it ignites. This fire
recipe leaves a significant amount of sediment
in the cauldron.
CAULDRON PROPHESIES
To Gain Prophecies
Fill a cauldron half-full of water and place
it
on a table where you can see comfortably into
it while seated.
Light two purple candles and a good divinatory
incense; a
combination of mugwort and wormwood works well
for divination.
Arrange the candles so their light does not
shine into the water
or your eyes. Focus your attention on the bottom
of the cauldron,
your hands placed lightly on either side. Breathe
gentle onto the
water.
Say:
Cauldron, reveal to me that which I seek.
Great Mother, open my
inner eye that I may truly see. Empty your
mind as much as
possible; remain relaxed while looking deep
into the cauldron
waters. The answers may come in images in the
water, pictures in
your mind, and/or strong bursts of "knowing."
Cauldron Prophecy
Purpose: For prophecies to be revealed through
dreams, strong
impressions or immediate visions.
Fill a cauldron or large, black iron pot
half-full of fresh water.
Add a handful of buttercup or marigold petals.
Light incense of
wormwood or burn the herb thyme. Stir the cauldron/pot
gently three
times while chanting:
Into the threads of time I cast my thoughts
To catch a glimpse of what will be O Gods of
Asgard, bring into my
mind The lovely gift of prophecy
Look deep into the cauldron and you will receive
messages as per the
above.
The Cauldron Chant
by Ammond ShadowCraft
We form the Circle,
The Circle most round.
We form the Chalice,
The Chalice now found.
We call the Goddess,
to meet the great need.
We call the God,
To plant His fertile seed.
We call the quarters,
which we call four.
We summon the powers,
that contain the force.
We stir the Cauldron,
from which we were born.
We call the Gods,
from whom we were torn.
We say the words,
which lead us round.
We pass the kiss,
with our lovers found.
We face our dreams,
in nights psychic flight.
We face our hopes,
in bright moon of the night.
We face our fears,
on the Dark Lords Horn.
We face our failure,
in the Mothers new planted corn.
We live our lives,
drumming and dancing on the meadow.
We confront our Death,
in the dancing moon light shadow.
Our paths run quickly,
on fleet foot and wing.
Our Circle is joyous
with our Queens and our Kings.
Let our little Circle be happy,
with Bell, Bowl or Bow.
And form now this Circle,
with gracious Love, Joy and Hope.