The Cauldron: Tool of the Witch

Do you use a cauldron in your magical practice? I do. I purchased mine a couple years ago, and it is one of my favorite tools to work with, though I haven't used it much recently. I brought it back out today because I've missed it on the altar, and I have been reading a bit about it in a book I own called "Way of the Hedgewitch" by Arin Murphy Hiscock. It's a great read for those interested in hearth based work, and contains alot of information about incorporating the cauldron into a home centered practice. I thought I would share a bit of information, from my own knowledge and the book itself. 

The cauldron is an iconic tool of magic and witchcraft, associated heavily with the witch in both mythology and pop culture. As a pagan symbol, the cauldron is often associated with the feminine, and serves as a representation of the female womb. It's energy is that of fire, creation, fertility, and abundance. It's connection to fire also leads it to be associated with correspondences if the element of fire, such as transformation and purification. It is a common tool of magicians and witches in European and Mediterranean mythological systems. 

In Vanir mythology, the cauldron would likely be most associated with the goddess Nerthus. Many cultures associated the cauldron with the Underworld, perhaps because it shape echoes the cave, often sacred to deep earth bound divinity. Nerthus herself is often associated with the cave, and with the cycles of life and death which are often echoed in the tales of the cauldron. For clarity I would mention that Nerthus has never appeared in any myth with a cauldron, I simply make that inference due to some of the common connections seen between the figure of Nerthus and the mythology of the cauldron. The cauldron can also be associated with Odin and Kvasir, connected to the brewing of the Mead of Poetry and the ideas of wisdom and inspiration.

Cauldron Divinities

• Cerridwen
• Dagda
• Medea
• Bran
• Anwen
• Brigid
• Odin
• Kvasir
• Hecate
• Circe

In The Way of the Hedgewitch, detailed instructions are given for making 

A Cauldron Based Needfire, which can be created even in the smallest of cauldrons (I know from experience)

You will need:

Epsom salts

Rubbing Alcohol

herbs and resins (depending on intent)

measuring cup

long handled match

heatproof trivet or pad

large bowl of sand

cauldron lid

fire extinguisher (safety first!)

1. Measure equal parts salt and alcohol. Add salt to cauldron and then pour alcohol over them. 

2. add herbs and resins if you are using them. Place cauldron on heatproof trivet.

3. Light the match and touch it to the mixture in cauldron. The fire will burn until the alcohol is consumed. (I would add to take care as well, I have used this method many times and the alcohol produces a silent flame that can be nearly invisible.)

The cauldron can be utilized in a wide variety of magical working, with or without the use of flame. Filling the cauldron with water will emphasize its properties of calm, soothing, and generative energy. The fire filled cauldron is used for its energy of transformation and purification. An earth or salt filled cauldron can be a powerful symbol of elemental earth, grounding and fertile. 

The author of the book also includes some cauldron prayers which are designed as meditative tools for various intent. Here are a couple of those.

Cauldron Prayer for Abundance

Blessed cauldron,

I invoke through thee Undry,

The great cauldron of Dagda.

Be for me a source of Abundance,

Nourishing Energy, and Strength.

Cauldron Prayer for Inspiration

Blessed cauldron,

I invoke through thee the cauldron of Odin.

Be for me a source of Inspiration,

that my work at hearth and home may be motivated by

Divine Insight, handled with sensitive perception,

And carried out with Poetry.

The cauldron is a valuable tool for witches and pagans alike who follow Euro based traditions and faiths. It can serve as tool for spellcasting, a vessel for divination, and even a meditative symbol of home and hearth. Do you have your own cauldron? What are your thoughts on it's value?

IN FRITH,

CENA

(Information under bold headings paraphrased from The Way of the Hedgewitch by Erin Murphy Hiscock. You can view or purchase a copy on Amazon from this link:

The Way of the Hedgewitch