Do you want to practise witchcraft but don't know where to start? Do you find it all too confusing? Maybe you've been practising for a while and want to go back to basics. Or perhaps you're a seasoned witch and want to explore more ways of practisin...
The cauldron is another classic image associated with witches, and indeed real witches do use them. Traditional cauldrons are typically 3-legged cast-iron pots with a wide belly, but improvised cauldrons can be in the form of iron Dutch ovens, steel cooking pots, fire pits, chimineas, braziers, and stone mortars (depending on what you're using your cauldron for).
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Cauldrons can represent either the element of water or the element of fire, as they can be used for both holding liquids and containing fires. The cauldron is also associated with femininity due to it being analogous with a womb (it receives and contains energy). Thus, cauldrons are greatly associated with manifestation magick and are ideal for transformational spells (bringing changes into your life).
Cauldrons can be used for brewing potions, cooking magickal meals, making infusions, containing fires, crushing herbs & powders, and burning herbs, candles, & incense.
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Cauldron maintenance: > Wipe out the cauldron with a damp cloth if ash builds up on the inside. > If you are using your cauldron for cooking, follow the usual instructions for cleaning metal cookware. > If you are using a cast iron cauldron, make sure to dry it thoroughly after washing to prevent oxidisation, and keep it in a dry place. > If you are using your cauldron to contain fires, burn herbs/incense, or burn candles, then keep a layer of sand at the bottom. This will reduce the spread of fire and allow things to be easily snuffed out if something goes wrong. The sand can also be used to stand loose candles & incense in, and it will catch any dripping wax/ash which should make cleaning your cauldron easier.
Cauldron substitutes: Not every witch can have a traditional 3-legged, pot-belly iron cauldron, and it's perfectly okay to use something else that has the same symbolism. Depending on what you plan to use your cauldron for, there are many substitutions you can use.
If you are using your cauldron for...
Containing a fire: > fire pit > chiminea > barbeque > brazier
Brewing/cooking: > iron Dutch oven > cooking pot > steal saucepan > potjie (South African cooking pot)
Crushing herbs/powder: > mortar & pestle > ceramic flowerpot with base (unpainted) > any ceramic/stone bowl
