When you see a cauldron, what is the first thing you think of? Witches? Halloween? Potions?
Cauldrons have been used in ritual and magic from ancient times and are still around today in modern Wicca and witchcraft. Cauldrons are used for everything from cooking to burning incense, for divination and scrying, and as a fire resistant container for burning items in rituals and spells.
The cauldron represents fertility and femininity. It symbolizes the womb of the Goddess, and also represents rebirth and purification through fire. It's associated with the element of water, the west and has connections with reincarnation and rebirth. The cauldron is considered as a very sacred vessel to the Goddess and is used to symbolize the feminine half in the ritual of the Great Rite, with the athame typically used as the masculine half.
In Celtic tradition, the cauldron represents the Goddess Cerridwen. Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was used by ancient Celtic armies. Dead warriors were placed into the cauldron and were given new life. The warriors then resumed battle until they were killed again. And according to Norse mythology, the god Odin received wisdom and intuitiveness from a cauldron.
A majority of quality cauldrons are made from cast iron (yes, like cast iron pots and pans), though some incense style cauldrons are made from brass or base metals. Cast iron is highly resistant to fire and is very durable. If a cast iron cauldron is seasoned and cared for properly, it will not rust, and can be handed down for several generations. Cauldrons can be used for making ritual brews like wassail or herbal teas, it can be used for burning resin or herbal incense on charcoal or it can be filled with water and used as a scrying tool. However, before using for food consumption or tea's, make sure your cauldron is food safe-meaning that there is no lead within it.
Cauldrons can also be used to represent the change of seasons, or to represent the elements in ritual or upon the altar. For fertility festivals (like Beltane or Ostara), fill the cauldron with fresh flowers and place on your altar. In banishing rituals, it is common to write a name, a bad habit or any problem on paper and burn it in a cauldron. By doing this, you symbolize the banishment. Wishing spells to bring a desired object - like a new car or job, and even bringing a person to you are often done in the same way. Remember to ALWAYS place a burning cauldron on a fireproof surface. ALWAYS practice safety when using your cauldron and when placing or using any volatile materials in it and you will enjoy your cauldron for many decades and in countless rituals/rites.
Cauldron Banishing Spell
What you will need:
•Black Candle
•Red Candle
•Banishing Herbs - To make your own, mix together two tablespoons each of rosemary, mugwort, and juniper. Add 1/2 tablespoon each of cloves, myrrh, and copal.
•Charcoal Tab
•Banishing oil for anointing the black candle - either a blended oil like Run Devil Run or Banishing, or an essential oil such as frankincense or basil
•Wishing oil for anointing the red candle - either a blended oil like Wishing or Mojo oil, or an essential oil such as cinnamon
•Fireproof Cauldron - ***this spell is best done in a medium or large cauldron, rather than the 'baby' style. It requires working with flames, and therefore needs a deeper well and more diameter than the baby cauldron provides.
•Clean paper or parchment about 3" by 2"
•Dove's blood ink and quill - or black marker
•Tongs or long tweezers
•Candle scribe or toothpick
•Banishing incense (stick is better than cone) - clove, frankincense or basil, or one made with blended oils specifically for banishing spells/rituals
•Envelope
•Pitcher of water - this is just in case of emergency. When you are working a spell using fire, it is important to take precautions in case you drop or knock over something.
On the black candle (Banishing candle), write what it is you want to banish from your life (depression, bad habit, destructive behavior, abusive person, bad luck, illness, etc). Write from the bottom to the top. Anoint this candle with the banishing oil, while focusing on what you want to banish. On the red candle (Quick Action candle), write from the top to the bottom what you wish to happen (be happy, quit smoking, have good luck, get well, etc). Anoint it with the wishing oil, while visioning and focusing on what you want to come in to your life.
Light the charcoal tablet and place it in your cauldron. If you have not used charcoal before, the charcoal tab will crackle and spark. This is normal - just let that run its course. The charcoal will begin to turn gray, just like on a charcoal grill. When it begins to turn gray, that is when it is ready to use.
On the paper, write what it is you wish to happen. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, write, "I rid myself of the hold my tobacco addiction has on me." On your altar, set the Banishing candle on the left, the cauldron in the center, and the Quick Action candle on the right. Have the banishing mix ready in a small dish.
Call your corners or prepare for your ritual as your tradition requires. Using the incense stick, light your candles, then blow out the flame and place the incense stick in its holder. If you have prepared a spoken spell, chant or prayer, say it now. Using the tongs, pick up the parchment and repeat what you have written three times. Touch a corner of the parchment to the black candle, then immediately drop it in the cauldron. Sprinkle the banishing herb mix over the paper and the charcoal.
After the ashes in the cauldron have COOLED, pour the leftover contents into the envelope. Lay the envelope flat, then tip first the black candle, then the red candle over the closure of the envelope. Allow the candle wax to drip on the envelope seal, then press your thumb into the sealing wax. After the candles are spent - meaning have burnt out, take the leftover candle (wax and wick) plus the envelope, and dispose of them in a trash receptacle well away from your home, your work, or any place you frequent.
******Care instructions for your cauldron (cast iron)******
Many people - have cast iron pans (especially frying pans). To properly season cast iron, whether a cauldron or a pan, coat it inside and out with fat. The type you use can be dictated by personal or dietary preference....good choices are lard, Crisco, bacon fat, or corn oil. If your piece has a lid, make sure to coat that as well. Place the pieces upside down in an a low oven (275-300 degrees) and bake for an hour. Repeat this process again. The coating will protect the pan from rust and sticking. To clean cast iron, you can use sand or coarse salt, but a mild dish soap and scouring pad works just fine. After washing, place your cast iron in a warm oven or on the stove top on low heat to make sure it gets really dry - this keeps it from rusting. Repeat the seasoning process several times a year if you use your cast iron a lot - this will keep it in perfect shape, and it will last nearly forever.
Cauldrons have been used in ritual and magic from ancient times and are still around today in modern Wicca and witchcraft. Cauldrons are used for everything from cooking to burning incense, for divination and scrying, and as a fire resistant container for burning items in rituals and spells.
The cauldron represents fertility and femininity. It symbolizes the womb of the Goddess, and also represents rebirth and purification through fire. It's associated with the element of water, the west and has connections with reincarnation and rebirth. The cauldron is considered as a very sacred vessel to the Goddess and is used to symbolize the feminine half in the ritual of the Great Rite, with the athame typically used as the masculine half.
In Celtic tradition, the cauldron represents the Goddess Cerridwen. Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was used by ancient Celtic armies. Dead warriors were placed into the cauldron and were given new life. The warriors then resumed battle until they were killed again. And according to Norse mythology, the god Odin received wisdom and intuitiveness from a cauldron.
A majority of quality cauldrons are made from cast iron (yes, like cast iron pots and pans), though some incense style cauldrons are made from brass or base metals. Cast iron is highly resistant to fire and is very durable. If a cast iron cauldron is seasoned and cared for properly, it will not rust, and can be handed down for several generations. Cauldrons can be used for making ritual brews like wassail or herbal teas, it can be used for burning resin or herbal incense on charcoal or it can be filled with water and used as a scrying tool. However, before using for food consumption or tea's, make sure your cauldron is food safe-meaning that there is no lead within it.
Cauldrons can also be used to represent the change of seasons, or to represent the elements in ritual or upon the altar. For fertility festivals (like Beltane or Ostara), fill the cauldron with fresh flowers and place on your altar. In banishing rituals, it is common to write a name, a bad habit or any problem on paper and burn it in a cauldron. By doing this, you symbolize the banishment. Wishing spells to bring a desired object - like a new car or job, and even bringing a person to you are often done in the same way. Remember to ALWAYS place a burning cauldron on a fireproof surface. ALWAYS practice safety when using your cauldron and when placing or using any volatile materials in it and you will enjoy your cauldron for many decades and in countless rituals/rites.
Cauldron Banishing Spell
What you will need:
•Black Candle
•Red Candle
•Banishing Herbs - To make your own, mix together two tablespoons each of rosemary, mugwort, and juniper. Add 1/2 tablespoon each of cloves, myrrh, and copal.
•Charcoal Tab
•Banishing oil for anointing the black candle - either a blended oil like Run Devil Run or Banishing, or an essential oil such as frankincense or basil
•Wishing oil for anointing the red candle - either a blended oil like Wishing or Mojo oil, or an essential oil such as cinnamon
•Fireproof Cauldron - ***this spell is best done in a medium or large cauldron, rather than the 'baby' style. It requires working with flames, and therefore needs a deeper well and more diameter than the baby cauldron provides.
•Clean paper or parchment about 3" by 2"
•Dove's blood ink and quill - or black marker
•Tongs or long tweezers
•Candle scribe or toothpick
•Banishing incense (stick is better than cone) - clove, frankincense or basil, or one made with blended oils specifically for banishing spells/rituals
•Envelope
•Pitcher of water - this is just in case of emergency. When you are working a spell using fire, it is important to take precautions in case you drop or knock over something.
On the black candle (Banishing candle), write what it is you want to banish from your life (depression, bad habit, destructive behavior, abusive person, bad luck, illness, etc). Write from the bottom to the top. Anoint this candle with the banishing oil, while focusing on what you want to banish. On the red candle (Quick Action candle), write from the top to the bottom what you wish to happen (be happy, quit smoking, have good luck, get well, etc). Anoint it with the wishing oil, while visioning and focusing on what you want to come in to your life.
Light the charcoal tablet and place it in your cauldron. If you have not used charcoal before, the charcoal tab will crackle and spark. This is normal - just let that run its course. The charcoal will begin to turn gray, just like on a charcoal grill. When it begins to turn gray, that is when it is ready to use.
On the paper, write what it is you wish to happen. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, write, "I rid myself of the hold my tobacco addiction has on me." On your altar, set the Banishing candle on the left, the cauldron in the center, and the Quick Action candle on the right. Have the banishing mix ready in a small dish.
Call your corners or prepare for your ritual as your tradition requires. Using the incense stick, light your candles, then blow out the flame and place the incense stick in its holder. If you have prepared a spoken spell, chant or prayer, say it now. Using the tongs, pick up the parchment and repeat what you have written three times. Touch a corner of the parchment to the black candle, then immediately drop it in the cauldron. Sprinkle the banishing herb mix over the paper and the charcoal.
After the ashes in the cauldron have COOLED, pour the leftover contents into the envelope. Lay the envelope flat, then tip first the black candle, then the red candle over the closure of the envelope. Allow the candle wax to drip on the envelope seal, then press your thumb into the sealing wax. After the candles are spent - meaning have burnt out, take the leftover candle (wax and wick) plus the envelope, and dispose of them in a trash receptacle well away from your home, your work, or any place you frequent.
******Care instructions for your cauldron (cast iron)******
Many people - have cast iron pans (especially frying pans). To properly season cast iron, whether a cauldron or a pan, coat it inside and out with fat. The type you use can be dictated by personal or dietary preference....good choices are lard, Crisco, bacon fat, or corn oil. If your piece has a lid, make sure to coat that as well. Place the pieces upside down in an a low oven (275-300 degrees) and bake for an hour. Repeat this process again. The coating will protect the pan from rust and sticking. To clean cast iron, you can use sand or coarse salt, but a mild dish soap and scouring pad works just fine. After washing, place your cast iron in a warm oven or on the stove top on low heat to make sure it gets really dry - this keeps it from rusting. Repeat the seasoning process several times a year if you use your cast iron a lot - this will keep it in perfect shape, and it will last nearly forever.
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