Book Review: The Witch’s Cauldron

“My feet are on the earth, my walls are strong and round.
Within me brews a mighty spirit, beautiful and sound!”

–Laura Tempest Zakroff

When I received The Witch’s Cauldron to review, I wasn’t sure what to expect. After all, surely information about cauldrons could be distilled into a one-page handout? It turns out that I couldn’t have been more wrong and that there is actually a lot to learn about the myth, lore, uses, and role of a cauldron! This book has a single focus: the cauldron as a tool of both magical and mundane use. The Witch’s Cauldron explores the history of the cauldron, both in myth, legend, and folklore, as well as practical kitchen implement. It goes on to explore the process of choosing a cauldron, materials for cauldrons, dedicating and blessing a cauldron, using a cauldron for divination, and using a cauldron in ritual. And, finally, it even includes recipes and suggestions for things you can cook in your cauldron!

The Witch’s Cauldron is a delightful, practical, insightful, creative resource book that is ready to show you the ins and outs of one of the most iconic tools in Witchcraft. You will learn about the cauldron’s role in mythology, its development through the ages, and old-world witchery as well as discovering how to choose, personalize, and care for your cauldron. It also includes a section on uncovering unconventional “cauldrons” already in use in your home. The Witch’s Cauldron also includes advice and spells from other well-known writers, helping you delve into the many creative possibilities for using a cauldron in your practice. You will be surprised and enchanted by how very much there is to know about this practical, magical, mystical device.

In ancient Celtic texts, three Cauldrons are described within each person. These are the Cauldrons of Warming, Motion, and Knowledge. They are known as the “Cauldrons of Poesy” by the Druids. Connected to three chakras each, the ideas is that we each have these three Cauldron energy centers within us and they are connected to the Land, Sea, and Sky of Celtic traditions. I have drawn upon this metaphor many times in my own work and I recorded a Cauldron meditation about the three cauldrons that was included in The Witch’s Cauldron. It takes you through an evaluation of the energy of your own cauldrons of warming, motion, and knowledge and helps you assess yourself and your energetic health.

Cauldron-themed resources for you:

• Three Cauldrons card layout
• Cauldron card layout
• Three Cauldrons guided meditation
• A Cauldron Month post and recording

The Witch’s Cauldron is published by Llewellyn and is available at Amazon, Amazon.uk, and on Kindle.