Just thought it would be fun to find out what creative things you've all thought up to utilize your cauldron in ritual & such. Also say what size cauldron you are using for a particular use.
Æri
Æri
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South Dakota
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 9:07 PMI've always wanted one, but I don't have one.
Domina -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Thu, February 28, 2008 - 9:23 PMMy cauldron is cast iron and I'm not sure what size really - other than just right *G*. It's well cured and so I use it to sometimes hold the charcoal for raw incense or as a place for a pillar candle when I need a central light. I've also used it as the recepticle when I need to burn a wish or something I let the parchment burn in the cauldron.
I wish I could get another one like it for brewing but I think the company where I got it is defunct.
Peace,
Raven -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sun, March 9, 2008 - 10:17 AMI have many, of all sizes and uses. Some are bronze, some cast iron, several copper, some of wood, (which you can heat liquid in by dropping in heated stones), and I use a number of large sea shells.
Depending on what I wish to do, ..Ceremony, cooking, holding, cleansing, even washing, will determine which one I use. I keep one of the larger sea shells out by the walk leading to my back door. It resides there to hold good intent, to share with all who approach my home. I generally use the cast for grinding herbs or heating water. Often the bronze is for cooking. ...And so it goes.
I've never bought any new. Several have been gifts. I have traded for several. And I always stop at every antique shop I come across, ..everything our ancestors needed, and everything we ourselves will need soon, can be found there.
Every mineral, plant material or shell has a different quality. Give some deep thought to what you wish to accomplish when choosing which to use. Ceremony includes all the aspects of it's doing. It can be affected by what you do, how you do, what you do it with, your mind "set" before you begin and during and the closing, who you do it with, ...and the "tools" you use.
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Thu, March 13, 2008 - 8:08 PMTry Azure Green
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Fri, February 29, 2008 - 4:01 AMAt Samhain I fill my cast iron cauldron, which is about the size of a large grapefruit, with rubbing alchohol and touch a lit long match to it. It burns a beautiful blue flame for quite awhile, depending how much alchohol you put in there.
I also have a bronze cauldron that holds my flame to Brighid. I use seven-day candles keep it perpetually.
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sat, March 1, 2008 - 11:29 AMI must say... when I read the subject of this discussion... I really did think it was something else entirely.
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"Question: What is the root of poetical art and all knowledge?
Not hard to say. Every person is born with three cauldrons existing within them: The Cauldron of Formation, the Cauldron of Vocation and the Cauldron of Wisdom.
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I suppose I feel a little despondent now... *Wanders off muttering things about cauldrons* -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sun, March 2, 2008 - 6:13 PMI have a small cauldron, about 2-3" high, and i use it for burning incense for ritual or for mundane purposes. i have a combination of herbs in there now. it's the cutest little cauldron. it was pricey for the size, so when i get more money, i will buy a bigger one if i need to. =)
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Mon, March 3, 2008 - 11:57 AMI've seen reference to the three cauldrons in John and Caitlin Matthews' works. I think it was the Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom. The three cauldrons correspond to area of the body, right? One at the head, one at the heart, and one at the belly. -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Mon, March 3, 2008 - 12:01 PMYes! I have that book and they do talk about the Three Cauldrons. =)
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Mon, March 3, 2008 - 12:54 PMThe cauldron and spoon/stick/etc in their simplicity,(as is the pestle and mortar, needle and cloth, etc...) symbolize both aspects of creation the masculine and feminine. The Cauldron is the womb, the place where things catalyze and form. Out of it we pour and present the birth product of our magical will.
Good Topic! I am preparing an article on the above theme for the equinox.
So I use my cauldron as a symbol for the above. I also use it for creating various other things I make for magickal use. Like inks, or elixers. I also like to cook foods ( make sure it is food grade material) for special events. A friend of mine even used hers to brew down rose petals from a funeral to make beads. The beads can then be used for charms and more.............. 4qt cauldron.
here is a good source too. www.magicwicca.com/files/cauldron.htm
If I remember correctly the maker of the cauldrons, most of them, is a pagan family. :)
Brenda -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sun, March 9, 2008 - 1:39 AMBrenda said:
"The Cauldron is the womb, the place where things catalyze and form. Out of it we pour and present the birth product of our magical will."
"I also use it for creating various other things I make for magickal use. Like inks, or elixers."
" A friend of mine even used hers to brew down rose petals from a funeral to make beads. The beads can then be used for charms and more.............. "
And this has to do with Celtic religion, how??
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sun, March 9, 2008 - 1:03 PMAn hour or two ago, I wrote the above post. Since then I've been out to feed the cows, goats and chickens.
This past week has been so beautiful here. On Tuesday it rained and the trees and grass and bushes became covered with ice. The next day the sky was beautiful iron gray, with low clouds and just the occasional shaft of sunlight peeking through. The ice and the light gave a most un-usual color to everything. An intensity strange and wonderful. Seeing Earth clothed so differently.
Then yesterday, it snowed for twenty four hours. Two feet of snow covered all. Drifts, some four feet. Low places filled to smooth. Higher places, even taller. There is a new texture and contour to Earth. New looks. New shapes. Different voices speaking.
-- I walked to the cows, carrying their hay. They walked to me, breaking paths thru the snow. Contentedly stepping, mooing softly, knowing food was awaiting. No other noise's, just the light wind stirring, the ice crunching and the occasional bird calling.
And I thought about the question, "How do you use your cauldron?" ....And I wondered in that moment of peacefulness. What is the meaning of the question ? That is, what is a chauldron ? And, what is one now, and what would it have been to one of the ancient people ?
I had earlier mentioned having "cauldrons" of wood, copper, cast iron and bronze. But isn't any "bowl" a cauldron ? Wouldn't your two hands cupped together form a "cauldron" ? Depending upon just what you mean by cauldron, there are nearly unlimited possibilities in what one might be. The ancients used animal skins and bladders and stomachs as vessels for carrying, ..and surely also for Ceremonies. Original Peoples from this land used/use woven baskets covered with pitch to make them waterproof, for many purposes. I should think Original Peoples from the Celtic lands must have also used grasses and reeds to make bowls. And wouldn't they have also been used in Ceremony ? And couldn't those bowls also be considered a type of "cauldron" ?
.....So, what is it you mean by "cauldron" ? And how, indeed, do you use it ?
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Tue, March 25, 2008 - 8:00 PMLOL,
First the topic posed was answered appropriately. I discussed ways mine is used, and some of the spiritual intent involved.
Secondly, assuming your question is more sincere..........
Are you asking what cauldrons have to do with Celtic Religion?
How Cauldrons and creativity, even the begetting of life (not my womb reference) have to do with Celtic Religion?
Or how possible the making of charms and other objects in a cauldron have to do with Celtic Relgion?
One only has to read the classics to find these answers. I am sure you understand also there is no specific Celtic Religion. Aside from what is disputed amongst highly regarded CR's , Literature professors, and archaeologist; Surely you know that while there are many common themes - it varies and adapts itself inside the various cultures it mingled with.
An dtigeann tú, Cáemgen? -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Tue, March 25, 2008 - 9:28 PMYes, I understand perfectly. But I wanted to get you to clarify a bit on where your attitude was coming from. Particularly your statement "product of our magical will." This "Will" thing is big with those influenced more by Aleister Crowley. It's your *attitude* while using the cauldron that I was questioning. If your attitude is like (which it seems to be) "the Magick of my Will," or "what my Will hath wrought," then your practicing Thelema, which is not Celtic. -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Thu, March 27, 2008 - 8:57 PMWell I suppose that depends on how you define magick.
How would the use of ones will not be Celtic? Given we choose to align our will based on our ethics and beliefs.
Perhaps we should define will as well, is it synonymous with intent, hope, etc..... You see the dilemma words can pose. And the moot pot semantics are.
I would be hard pressed to assume attitude from cold black text. No eye contact, no inflection in tone of the voice, no body language, aura etc.
I have no issues with Crowley, he did a lot of hard work, was a great poet, created a lot of good needed debate, and did develop some great magickal philosophy. He is very misunderstood, people often don't get the whole of him.
Not that I think he was a great role model in many ways.However, I found Lon Milo DuQuette's "Understanding Aleister Crowleys Thoth Tarot." very insightful to his humanity and very surprising. It is full of letters he wrote.
But I do not practice Thelema, nor do I vibe with Kabala themes or methods at all!! I practice something more a kin to "traditional" witchcraft, strongly Irish, definitely not Wicca or even the nonsense called Witta, neither of which are Celtic either. Not that I think you believe as such.
Though I must say many people have had great success combining Celtic traditions and ideas with Wicca, naturally.
So how do you practice Celtic religion with out ever exercising your will? Which you must know is required to do anything!! ;)
Perhaps you should also start a line on what Celtic Religion IS. There are a lot of rounds on that with Imbas, most people find Alexies Apple Branch to be a good and thorough CR on it, others completely disagree. Surely you know there is not a sound consensus on what is exactly Celtic, but usually there is on what is not.
The fact remains it is all CR as in RE Constructed. The Romans have the best records, many do not believe all was as they wrote.;..
So what is a properly CR religion to you?
BTW, would you like to practice some Irish by writing notes? I have only been taking classes for a bit, but find the writing easier than the pronouncing - can't believe how much you have to train your mouth to work differently to speak it well. I focus on Munster personally. Are you game? Privately ofcourse.
I came across as Thelema - huh, interesting, I thought you were being prickly thinking I was coming across as Wiccan (given all the male female blah I was discussing) Just goes to show- text can be limiting.
Great to hear more from you!
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sun, April 6, 2008 - 1:12 AMBrenda said:
"Well I suppose that depends on how you define magick."
Well, when one is using phrases that stress the magick of *your* will to get something to happen, then you can be pretty sure that the Mage is influenced by Crowleyan Philosophy of Magic.
Brenda said:
"How would the use of ones will not be Celtic? Given we choose to align our will based on our ethics and beliefs."
Because it doesn't seem as though you make any distinction between Thaumaturgy ("thaumatos" = "wonder" + "ourgia" = "working") and Theurgy ("theourgia," that is, "theos" = "god" + "ourgia"). Will in this sense is an aspect of what the Qabalists, and Golden Dawn would call Ego. Sure a Draoidh may engage in "magical" ritual, but it's not going to be based on CM forms.
Brenda said:
"But I do not practice Thelema, nor do I vibe with Kabala themes or methods at all!! I practice something more a kin to "traditional" witchcraft, strongly Irish,"
If it's "strongly Irish" then why use modern English perjorative to describe it? You are aware that in Celtic speaking areas that those who practiced "Buidseacht" or "Witchcraft" were people who specialised in destructive magic, such as blighting crops, cursing, etc.
Brenda said:
"So how do you practice Celtic religion with out ever exercising your will? Which you must know is required to do anything!! ;)"
In that case it would be (theoretically) the Will of the Gods and not the Will of the Mage.
Brenda said:
"So what is a properly CR religion to you?"
The trend (but not always) in CR seems to be that of overlaying what is considered appropriate in Celtic religion onto a modern American lifestyle. IMO it's not a holistically consistant path and thus you get all kinds of strange permutations, i.e. Celtic Witchcraft, etc. There needs to be a Celtic social structure first before any metaphysical aspects should be focused on.
Brenda said:
"BTW, would you like to practice some Irish by writing notes?
I'd be game, as I need the practice.
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Thu, March 13, 2008 - 8:07 PMI have one of the smaller cauldrons, which i've used mostly for loos incenses. I would love to have one of the big cauldrons, it is more a yard/area issue and privacy issues with the people next door peeking over...something a well grown hedge could easily solve. -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Thu, March 27, 2008 - 9:11 PMYou can come use your big cauldron at my farm in Richfield. I'm just down the road from you. -
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Unsu...
Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 3:34 AMHere in Wales, the true home of Celtic spirituality, the Cauldon is always placed in the centre of the Altar ( see my pics on my website www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot) The three prongs at the base of the Cauldron always represents the Triple aspect of Aradia and the two prongs on the top, on either side of the lid represent Cernunnos..so you have a dual balance of energy there already-male and femal (X & Y). Cauldron's are used to make Offerings in to the Lord and Lady, it is used to burn charcoal disks in so you can place incense grains on it as an Offering. Cauldrons here in Wales are also used in Ritual, esp for Imbolc and Ostara, where they are filled with water, flowers, or large Ceremonial Candles (for Ostara) and also during the Dark (New Moon) the three yellow lights of Aradia are placed into the Cauldron to light up the dark nights when we have no visible Moon..yellow also being the colour of Aradia.
Cauldrons are mainly rep' of the Lady, so a male witches semen in ritual is not placed in the Cauldon as an Offering but placed into an oblation bowl at the Altar or drunk in the Horn of Cernunnos, which rests when not in use behind the White Cernunnos Candle. The horn is a Cow's horn and also in many ways it is almost symbolic of the Amalthean Horn.
Cauldrons are working tools and are also used to brew potions in ( not to be drunk..as the cast iron Cauldons tend to go rusty and toxic) and are also used for burning paper spells in too. Cauldrons are used for divination..eg fill it up with spring water and gaze into it . Cauldrons are also used for the Beltane Fire at Midnight, when you jump over it for luck..far better than trying to jump over a 3ft high bonfire at Midnight.lol My Cauldron is quite large and rather heavy..its not used for smudging your body before ritual, as it is far too heavy. For smudging a small incense bowl is used. Cauldrons by the way do become quite hot when fire is in them and the heat retains for quite some time, so be careful!
I hope this is of help to you all... if any of you would like to have some traditional Celtic Rituals from here in Wales, email me at skycladcelt@aol.com
Light and blessings as always.
Julian Riley
www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot -
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 8:20 AMUmmmm. Aradia is Italian, daughter of Diana. In one paragraph you claim Wales to be the home of Celtic spirituality and yet associate the feet of the cauldron with an Italian goddess.
I'm aware of the fact that Celts were all over Europe, including Northern Italy, but that's stretching it a bit. And why is Wales the home of Celtic spirituality and not Ireland, Brittany, or any of the other myriad 'Celtic' countries? -
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Unsu...
Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 4:02 PMYip, ignorant... Aradia is NOT the Italian Goddess.. lol DOGH! LOL (thick)
Here in Wales, Aradia is:-
Awen /|\ Rhiannon /|\ Awen /|\ Dedicated /|\ I /|\ Am /|\ ( Ich dein)
Perhaps you ought to come to Wales, and learn the true aspect of Witchcraft and its true meaning not some american stuff. Our ancient Welsh language is a very sacred and spiritual language and carries in its tongue a sacred meaning. America is far too young to understand this... for example, my local Parish Church of Llanelly was built in 1120 AD.. the USA is only 200 yrs old. LOL My Yew tree in my garden is older than America.. its 900yrs approx. Speaks volumes.
Soz, but I love America but it cant really grasp the ancient paths as deeply as the Celtic Nations. Oh and yes, we also have a Cornish Gorsedd and a Breton and Manx one.. and Up Kelly AH! The Gorsedd Kernow is a wonderful national institution in Cornwall, as is the Breton Gorseddau'. They both are represented each year at the National Eisteddfod, held this year in August 2008 in Dinas Caredydd, the City of Cardiff.
The Awen /|\ is our sacred celtic lands symbol , ensignia from our gifted Bard : Iolo Morganwg.. the founder of the Gorsedd of Bards of the Isle of Britain. His AWEN /|\ Insignia is also borne upon the standard (banner) of the Gorseddau' of Bards of the Royal National Eisteddfod , and his Gorseddau' Patron is Her Majesty , Queen Elizabeth II. Dr Rowan Williams-Archbishop of Canterbury and a good friend of mine ( he was my bishop here in Monmouth) is also a member of the Gorsedd, as is the top Police Officer of North Wales Police. Oh and AWEN ( /|\) is not as you see and say it is..
its: "AaaaaaaaaaaWhooooooooooEnnnnnnnnnnn"!!
Hope that puts you all right.
j x
www.sorchartarot.com/homomoot -
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 4:38 PMHere in Wales, Aradia is:-
Awen /|\ Rhiannon /|\ Awen /|\ Dedicated /|\ I /|\ Am /|\
Wow, who knew?
Still anyone claiming to be the one and only leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Escpecially when as insulting as you.
The official age of this country (USA) has nothing to do with how deeply its citizens grasp the Mysteries. The people who lived here (one branch of my family tree) before Europeans arrived were here for a LONG time and had spiritual traditions just as grand as Celtia. And the Europeans who came here brought their traditions too. Especially the Irish in the Appalachian and Ozark mountain regions. In some cases the traditions are more pure there than the place they came from. Mostly because immigrants will cherish their traditions more by being in a strange land.
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 5:07 PMOh...and let me see you tell my Strega friends that their beloved witch goddess isn't Italian. I would see a lemon with black pins for you real quick. -
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Unsu...
Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 5:20 PMARE you thick? Aradia in Strega is their Goddess!!! 100%!!!
Aradia in my land is that A . R . A . D . I . A NOT "ARADIA "
Can soneone help this poor lad out ( coyote) and explain to him I am not on about the Godess Aradia as in the Streg' tradition from Italy.
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 5:31 PM"Yip, ignorant... Aradia is NOT the Italian Goddess.. lol DOGH! LOL (thick)"
Not very polite or spiritual.
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sun, March 30, 2008 - 12:05 AMJulian Riley wrote:
"Perhaps you ought to come to Wales, and learn the true aspect of Witchcraft and its true meaning not some american stuff.
What's strange here is why someone would use an Anglo pejorative to describe his "Celtic tradition." The part about the "magic" being stronger in Wales than in the New World is funny too.
Julian Riley wrote:
"Our ancient Welsh language is a very sacred and spiritual language and carries in its tongue a sacred meaning. America is far too young to understand this... for example, my local Parish Church of Llanelly was built in 1120 AD.. the USA is only 200 yrs old. LOL My Yew tree in my garden is older than America.. its 900yrs approx. Speaks volumes."
Here we go again with people throwing around the terms "ancient" and "spiritual" to try to make an arguement. Welsh isn't anymore ancient than English my friend. And is one more "spiritual" than the other? What a ridiculas question, anyone want to tackle that one? People have been living in this country for tens of thousands of years. 'New World" is a relative term not really to be taken literally. In your logic, Europe then is technically only as old as the E.U., 15 years? Oh yeah, and there are trees here in California that are over 5000 years old btw.
Julian Riley wrote:
"Soz, but I love America but it cant really grasp the ancient paths as deeply as the Celtic Nations."
Last time I looked the "Celtic" Nations don't seem to have a hard time grasping modernistic, capitalistic paths in order to wipe clean their past histories.
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Sun, March 30, 2008 - 6:28 AMAh, you notice, Caemgen, that Julian has unsubscribed. Right after beseeching the rest of you to set me straight. Btw, he also sent me a private message that was more insulting and arrogant than what he posted here. I've also noticed in other tribes how he promotes his website, spouting ancient Welsh male mysteries ready to be taught. But of course everything comes with a cost. I have checked out his site. And while it's very pretty you don't really get ANYTHING unless you pay.
I have a hard time believing that the Puritan Parliament of the 1600's would have allowed practices this 'heretical and sinful' to go past their notice. They were most thorough according to the many history books I've read on the subject.
Not to say that it's not a valid path. Just that I myself question it's sincerity. -
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Re: Cauldrons
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 11:45 AMNo big loss from what I can see. Julian had some major attitude problems. I especially enjoy the fact that he insults the entire American Witch population and then runs an retail website. Great business model, bucko.
Anyhoo, returning the subject at hand:
Another great use for a cauldron is soaking a spell. I had a structure I wanted to consecrate (and lay down some protection on), so I soaked two High John the Conqueror Roots in a mixture of herbs and oils in the cauldron during the time that I was helping to make the shed. When it was done we dug two holes on either side of the entrance, put the Roots into the holes and then poured the mixture across the threshold between the two roots. Voila. -
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This is the maximum depth. Additional responses will not be threaded.
Re: Cauldrons
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 3:23 PMThat is an excellent suggestion. I really like that idea and would never have thought of it.
Thanks Angus
Peace,
Raven
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Mon, April 7, 2008 - 12:10 AMlolololololol......
omfgs.....
I'm still laughing..... -
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Mon, April 7, 2008 - 12:13 AMGod damn...
*spits fluff* -
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Re: Ignorant of Aradia and Welsh /Celtic Language
Mon, April 7, 2008 - 12:06 PMCount me as one of the ignorant then. I thought this was a discussion on the uses of a cauldron......
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Re: How do YOU use your cauldron?
Sat, March 29, 2008 - 9:27 AMAhem ... we keep candy in ours. When otherwise not in use, that is.
