Altar Tools: The Cauldron
Of the tools we use in our altar practice, the cauldron is probably the most potent symbol of the divine feminine. Whether used in potion making, burning of resins and incense, or as a simple offering vessel where various components are placed, it is a womb from which magic is born.
You can use just about any vessel as your cauldron—from a soup bowl to a teapot—but in my experience, most green witches prefer the more classic footed design. Brass, copper, cast iron, glass, ceramic—any material will work, just be certain the material is safe for your purpose. For example, some types of glass aren’t safe to burn in while cast iron may not be your best choice for brews that are for drinking.
A deeper look into cauldrons can be found in The Witch's Cauldron by: Laura Tempest Zakroff. In it she details nine uses for our cauldrons:
The Container—Used for holding items that are already in their final state, such as wine to be distributed to coven members.
The Maker—Used to actively prepare something, such as “brew, prepare, cook, or dye.”
The Transformer—Used in a metaphysical sense to transform one thing (or group of things) into another, such as charging or offering. Zakroff includes utilitarian transformations, such as metalmaking during a spell, in this definition.
The Purifier—Used to hold or boil water for washing or sterilizing.
The Gateway—Used during spellwork or meditation to connect to the gods or another realm or dimension.
The Marker—Used as a placeholder or guide during ritual work or used to help define sacred space.
The Drum—Used musically, sometimes representationally as the heartbeat of the user or group or simply for entertainment.
Divination—Used for scrying, pyromancy, hydromancy, or any other divination methods that require a vessel.
Rebirth—Used representationally as a womb.
Zakroff's book also includes an in-depth history of cauldrons in witchcraft. In addition, greenwitchvintage.com offers several titles full of ideas related to cauldron use, including Green Witchcraft Tea Recipes, The Witch’s Book of Potions, and Scott Cunningham’s The Complete Book of Incense, Oils & Brews. We also offer vintage and new cauldrons and bowls in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials.
