HOW TO USE A CAST IRON CAULDRON

Cauldron History

Cauldrons have long been used within Wicca and witchcraft for many different purposes and from ancient times to current the cauldron continues to be a main stay within the craft.

So what makes a cauldron such a vital tool within Wicca and witchcraft? Well there are many different roles a cauldron can be used for anything from cooking, to being used as glass incense burner, or even as a fire resistance pit for burning items for rituals and spells.

In Wicca a cauldron symbolizes the womb of the Goddess and can also represent rebirth and purification through fire. The cauldron is considered a sacred vessel to the Goddess and so many individuals within the craft favor using it for this purpose.

In Celtic influenced Wicca the cauldron represents the goddess Cerridwen and Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was useful to warring armies: dead warriors could be put into the cauldron and would be returned to life, save that they lacked the power of speech. It was suspected that they lacked souls. These warriors could go back into battle until they were killed again.

Cauldrons In General

Almost all cauldrons are made from cast iron as this material is highly resilient to fire and will not burn or be damaged from the flames like other materials. Cast iron is also durable and strong and if properly kept clean and dried out after use will not rust that easily like other metals.

Many cauldrons come with lids and a metal handle useful for carrying and transporting them around either full or empty and the lids will protect the user from and the contents inside much like modern pots being used on the stove.

Cauldrons are excellent for cooking over camp fires or fire places and for centuries humans have used them to cook anything from stews and soups, to meat and beans.

Cauldrons can also be used as incense burners when granular or powder incense is burned within the cauldron. If charcoal and incense are placed within a cauldron and lit the incense will begin to burn and smoke and there is no fear of the heat or fire breaking loose out of the cauldron as the cast iron holds and absorbs the heat extremely well leaving one with a pleasant burning incense for quite some time until it burns out.

Cauldrons in Rituals

For ages within witchcraft and Wicca the cauldron has been used for rituals and spell use. Not only are cauldrons excellent tools because you can use fire safely but they also allow for a myriad of different ingredients and items to be burned in a ritual at the same time. Cauldrons are also well adapted at being used for scrying once filled with water. Below is an example scrying ritual to perform with your cauldron.

Example cauldron ritual and spell:

Fill a cauldron or large, black iron pot half-full of fresh water. Add a handful of Buttercup or Marigold petals. Light incense of Sage (also used for protection) or burn some 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 wait for visions to unfold. You don't request insight into any particular glass incense burner matter using this method.

Cauldrons For the Elements

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.

AIR Cauldron

Using tongs, put a chunk of dry ice is 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.

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.