
The cauldron represents both life (the womb of our primordial Mother) and death (the tomb); from whence we came and will return. While there is a place for the chalice within my practice it has similar yet difference energetic impressions for me. My chalice also represents life, but not always death. While it holds water and often wine that I drink and offer as libations during ritual, it cannot withstand heat nor can it contain fire as the chalice is made of glass. Because the cast iron cauldron is able to contain the element of fire as well as water within itself it calls to my mind the alchemical process of creation, in which water and fire give birth to all other elements and is able to be used in conjunction with them all … the cauldron itself represents earth, is able to contain water or fire and when boiling water will create steam or can burn herbs to create smoke which represents air.
The cauldron is the tool of transformation and metamorphosis and is the source (Mother) from which all magick flows and as such has a prominent place within my own Craft and magickal practice.