Cerridwen and the Symbol of the Cauldron

Cerridwen, Welsh Goddess

Prophecy, Magic, Death, Rebirth, Divine, Wisdom, and Inspiration.

Goddess of the Cauldron.

A Cauldron is symbolic of a place where magic happens..that is, where something is transfored into something else.

..the womb is one form of such a Cauldron

when a circle is cast in Witchcraft, it too is a symbolic Cauldron. A place of of place and time as we know time, a safe place where magic happens.

Ceridwen is regarded by modern Wiccans as the Celtic goddess of rebirth, transformation, and inspiration.

Research Links Regarding Goddess Cerridwen 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceridwen

Cerridwen: Keeper of the Cauldron
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/godsandgoddesses/p/Cerridwen.htm

http://sacredmistsblog.com/goddess-of-the-week-cerridwen
"Cerridwen is the Keeper of the Cauldron, the mother of transformation and change.  She brings inspiration, wisdom and the gifts of prophecy to those that work with her.  She is seen in Welsh legend as being a crone Goddess"

Definition of Cauldron

"Cauldron

A cauldron is another of those tools that come to mind when witchcraft is mentioned or witches are being spoken about. The image of an old haggish looking woman with green skin, warts on her nose and teeth missing often comes to mind because of stories from childhood. These women are most often portrayed wearing a black pointed hat, black clothes, and are bending over a cooking fire with a big black pot full of something that smells bad. That big black pot is a cauldron and along with the stereotypical images of witches I just mentioned, the cauldron is misrepresented and misunderstood by the common man.

A cauldron is a pot made of some heavy metal that is used in ritual as a place to do things like burn spells and herbs as a part of consummating a spell. The best and most common cauldrons are made of iron. In many religions, not just witchcraft, it represents the Goddess, and her fertility, with its ability to hold things, like a womb. Often it is called the “Womb of Beginnings” when referring to its association with the Goddess, and the creation or birth of something.

This tool began to make its first appearance in the practice of witchcraft in ancient times; we know this from lore and mythology stories from several different cultures. The cauldron was often referred to as source or a fountain of wisdom, or a source of life giving foods in these tales.

Cauldrons still hold significant power in the performing of magick today, as a symbol of the transformation that occurs during the act of magick. That is a fancy way of saying it is the focal point of the actual workings of the spell. Magick accumulates in the cauldron as you built the power and intent of the spell throughout the ritual.

The cauldron is placed in the center of the circle during ritual to gather that energy and turn it into intent. This is why it is often called the “Womb of the Goddess”. It is the source that all the magick you can create flows from, and it is placed in the center of the circle for this reason. The magick needs to be able to flow evenly into the circle.

In the practices of witchcraft and spell work there are several ways a cauldron may be used. They include:

In specific spell work it is most effective in assisting transformation spells like those that are intended to create change in your life. This can be accomplished though banishing spells or the manifesting of positive things.

Cauldrons are used to help with spells that deal with reincarnation, immortality, and inspiration, because these are things the cauldron can represent.

Many witches still make potions in their cauldron because the concentration inside the walls of iron allowed more focus for the magickal energy on the goals wanting to be attained as the potion brews.

When working on divination of many kinds the cauldron can be used for scrying, or gazing into a mirror like image. Filling the cauldron with water creates that mirror surface for the witch.

A traditional cauldron does not have to be used in order for spell work to be effective. Any cooking pot or large metal container (preferably round) will work just as well, as long as it is fire resistant. In the older times the cauldron often held fire, or was set on top of fire to make water and other things boil, and this why they are traditionally made from cast iron.

Today it is not necessary for them to be made from the heavy metal, but since the cauldron is still used to burn things, it is a good idea to stick with it. The cauldron is often used to burn things like paper, incense, candles, and herbs during rituals and spell work to amplify magickal energy in a spell

The cauldron is the tool of choice to use during the celebration of Samhain, another reason why Halloween witches are often drawn with a cauldron nearby.

In witchcraft the Cauldron has associations with the elements, deities, and the directions.

Element: Water (yet holds fire)/Akasha

Direction: West

Female, associated with the Goddess

The cauldron also has the association of linking the four elements together

Place – Earth

Heat with – Fire

Fill with – Water

Send steam into – Air

Before you go out searching for the cauldron of your dreams be aware that they are one of the hardest tools to find. It is nearly impossible to find a cauldron unless you hunt in the right places, or spend a lot of time shopping on-line.

Some alternatives to a traditional cauldron are: Iron Dutch oven, steel stock pot, plain ceramic flower pots with a base, chiminea, fire pit, barbecue, iron kettle, brazier"

Source of Above Quoted Material
http://www.witchcraftwitcheswicca.com/witchcraft_cauldron.html