From the Cauldron Born

by Kristoffer Hughes

  June

  Contemplation and Study

  Reread the section dedicated to Cerridwen. There is much value in reading some of the old accounts of the witch goddess, therefore obtain a copy of The White Goddess by Robert Graves and read it, consult other written interpretations of Cerridwen, and compare them to your own experience. What does Cerridwen look like? Dedicate a portion of the month to creatively portraying her.

  Practical

  Clover (Trifolium spp.): A favourite symbol among the Irish and one steeped in mythology and tradition, this small, unassuming plant is prevalent throughout northern Europe and the United States. Nestled amidst the grass, the small leaves, normally found in groups of three, adorn the base of flowers that spring from tiny stems in well-drained soil. It is said that the discovery of a four-leaf clover will bestow luck and good fortune upon one who picks it. This feminine plant contains flavonoids that are oestrogenic, and as a consequence clover has long been connected with the ovaries, the breasts, and the female reproductive system. This tiny plant has a long list of medicinal qualities that bring significant properties to the brew and also imbue it with sympathetic associations regarding success, fruition, fidelity, and love.

  Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): Standing tall and proud in wild hedgerows, white or pinkish flowering heads sway in the summer breeze; country lanes abound with the pungent aroma of this dreamy creature. Enchanted sleep threatens to subdue the hardiest warrior or mischief maker, for no matter how tough a person deems themselves to be, nobody is immune from the mighty powers of valerian. She can heal and cure a number of ailments, but she can also be used to enchant or bewitch. This versatile plant has a history as long as civilisation itself. Long before Cerridwen walked the banks of Lake Tegid, the folk of the Mediterranean utilised its powers. Commonly referred to as “all-heal,” the name may well be derived from the Latin valere, meaning “to be well.” She was allegedly used by Hippocrates in the fourth century bc, and she also appears in Anglo-Saxon herbals and the English healing tradition known as leechcraft.

  The mighty ability of valerian to heal was extensively used during both world wars as a tincture to relieve the psychological damage caused by shell shock, implying that even modern medicine was aware of valerian’s underlying, sympathetic properties. She brings to our brew the powers of sedation, sleep, purification, relaxation, anaesthetics, and the ability to guard the mind against damage caused in the darkness of trauma.

  July

  Contemplation and Study

  Reread the section devoted to Gwion Bach. Spend the month contemplating your own spiritual journey since your spirit sensed the subtle. What brought you to the practise of Paganism? How different is your knowledge now compared to what it was a few years ago?

  Practical

  Oak Leaves (Quercus spp.): The king of the forest, the mighty oak stands proud, tall, and majestic; lowlier trees and shrubs bow in his presence, whilst within his branches creatures seek shelter. His strong, capable arms shelter and comfort the weary, and his deep-green canopy offers respite from the searing heat of summer. The oak needs little introduction. Long associated with the druid priest caste and a revered tree of northern European ship builders, his reputation as a tree of power, potency, protection, and abundance has been long established. The oak has presence; one can feel him before coming across him. Fancifully imagine the witch goddess approaching a glade where little grows; at its centre is the mighty trunk of an aged oak. She bows at the edge of the oak’s canopy’s range and whispers a greeting. She sings the songs of his leaves as she approaches his trunk, her hand caressing the rough bark. Her heart leaps in joyful connection with the king of the forest.

  Let yourself be guided to the mighty oak and there become lost in the rapture of his presence; touch him, sing songs of praise to him. Wrap your arms about his trunk in loving embrace, sleep beneath his canopy and dream of the woodlands’ tale. Gently ask and take a few leaves for the potion to imbue it with a deep sense of majesty or sovereignty. Oak’s powers of protection shall instill the brew with the ability to soothe the weary spirit and offer solace and comfort. Think of potency and vitality as you cast the leaves into the simmering cauldron’s belly. In the Ogham system the oak is called duir (DOO-ur).

  Gorse Flowers (Ulex europaeus): Also known as the whin bush or furze, these fantastic yellow flowers emit the most delicious aroma, evocative of a distant coconut smell. He is a bush that demands attention. On moorland or in hedges and scrubland, the gorse makes use of the poorest soil and will thrive against most odds. He is a plant attributed the qualities of fire and is traditionally associated with the heathen god Thor. In the Ogham tree system he is called onn (ON). The yellow blossoms can be added to boiling water and simmered for an hour, into which wool or cotton may be cast for dyeing. Perhaps Cerridwen herself wandered the woodland banks of the Tegid dressed in gorse-dyed robes, her basket swinging in the crook of her arm. Take an old robe and dye it deep yellow by use of the furze blossom to use in summer rituals and ceremonies. An old English phrase states that “when gorse is out of blossom, kissing is out of fashion”; thankfully, owing to the large number of gorse species, it can be found flowering at almost any time of year.

  Think of sunlight captured in a flower as you cast a handful of gorse flowers into the simmering cauldron. As the steam rises, see within it the powers of longevity and sustenance.

  August

  Contemplation and Study

  Reread the section dedicated to Taliesin. Study the poetry of Taliesin; translations can be easily found on the Internet or by means of books listed in the bibliography. Attempt to recite some of the verses in the original language by means of the pronunciation guide included in this book. Discover how much impact the metered nature of the poetry has on the mind. Contemplate the nature of transformation. What is its purpose in a spiritual context?

  Practical

  Wheat (Triticum aestivum): The feast of Lughnassadh—Gwyl Awst in Wales—is the first baking of the earth, the initial harvest. It is the time of sacrifice, when John Barleycorn must be slaughtered by the harvest queen and his blood spilt upon the blessed earth. The fields transform in colour from the darkest greens to the golden ripeness of wheat, whose heads bob in the warm breeze of late summer. Crop circles magically appear amidst fields of gold; whether by hand of man or fairy, these enchanting symbols tickle the mind and senses, alerting people to the coming sacrifice. The spilling of the harvest blood results in fields of wheat sheaves that stand as sentinels to the coming change of seasons. By crushing and milling and subsequent baking, they transform into bread, the stuff of life.

  Watch the wheat heads dance on the surface of the brew before they are consumed to imbue it with nourishment, strength, and the true nature of sacrifice.

  Blood: The life force within every living being. In animals it is the red liquid that connects us to the realm of water; in the plant world it is the sap that rises in spring to course through branch and leaf. Blood is one of the most sacred components of the brew, for it imbues it with your quality, with the very spark of life from your own body. Previous ingredients have been from external sources. The cauldron bubbles with the essence of nature, and now you add to it the element of human nature.

  The manner by which you do this can only be decided by you. The brew does not demand a pint of the blood, but it does require a good dash of the red stuff. This aspect is a true sacrifice, for it will involve the act of cutting, slicing, or sticking and some pain. Whatever method you choose, use your common sense and be responsible; ensure that any tool is extremely clean and sharp, to create a smooth cut that will heal well. If sticking, be cautious not to jab the centre of a finger, which is rich in nerves; instead, aim for the side. The resulting blood flow should be directed into an offering receptacle, held up before the gods, and then cast into the cauldron. If in any doubt, exclude it or create an essence by allowing light to shine through blo
od placed on a sheet of glass above a bowl of water.

  September

  Contemplation and Study

  What is the nature of your relationship with the seasons and the phases of the moon? What do you know of the science behind the movements of our heavenly bodies? Study the passage of the sun and moon and how and why they affect the wheel of the year. How has the dance of the seasons affected the various sites you have used for the foraging of ingredients?

  Practical

  Acorns: The fruits of the mighty oak bring the same quality as oak into the brew, with the additional quality of nourishment and magic. Gather the acorns and crush them with a mortar and pestle before casting them into the cauldron.

  Rowan Berries (Sorbus aucuparia): This is the mountain ash. It is the second tree of the Ogham tree alphabet and is known as luis (loo-SH). It is a hardy, small tree that can grow in rather inhospitable environments. Woodlands bedecked with rowan become adorned with a profusion of blood-red berries during late summer and autumn as bunches of berries hang gracefully from branches that bend under their weight. What were previously cream flowers that sang to the bees have now been transformed into berries that sustain the birds. Witches and hedgerow pickers gather in their kitchens over simmering pots of steaming rowan-berry jellies and preserves. She is a tree of magic. Sometimes called the witching tree, she is renowned for her ability to heighten psychic abilities and visions; a branch worn about the neck will prevent enchantment by the fair folk. A loop made of her branches and hung above doors and windows will ward off negativity and unwanted spirits. Always plant a rowan near your house, in the garden or in a pot, to protect the dwelling and all who reside there.

  A single bunch of rowan berries should suffice for any amount of brew prepared. Remove each berry from its stalk and lightly crush with a pestle in a mortar. Take them into your hand and feel their energy pulsing through your skin; as you cast them into the cauldron, think of the subtle powers essential for any Pagan in his or her work. The rowan brings these gifts to the brew.

  October

  Contemplation and Study

  How does your Paganism and dedication to the gods serve your tribe and community? How do you disseminate your wisdom and skills of the magical arts? Do you teach? What is the nature of a teacher, and what responsibilities accompany this role?

  Practical

  Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium): This is artemisia; she is alluring yet deadly, and in high doses she is extremely poisonous. Her qualities are peculiar and diverse. Traditionally wormwood was used to ease digestive discomfort and stomach ache. The highly addictive liquor absinthe was created from a tincture of the plant and caused significant social problems during the nineteenth century. Common wormwood, or mugwort, has long been an important herb in Druidic and Saxon spirituality and was considered one of the most powerful herbs to repel evil spirits and counter poisons. Wormwood is highly fragrant and attractive and can be infused with boiling water and administered as a tonic after illness.

  Wormwood walks the path between beneficial and baneful; she must be handled with caution and deep respect. To our brew she brings the gift of caution, warning, psychic powers, and divination. She also brings the threat of addiction and death.

  Semen, Menstrual Fluid, Breast Milk: These embody the high mystery of creation and the powerful dance of sexual energy and prowess. They represent our passion, our lust and carnality; they are how we renew our species and feed our infants; they are the substances that come from the secret, powerful place in the core of our being. They embody the magic that we are inherently and inexorably attached to; they connect us to the singularity of the universe and the origin of our soul. Unlike the offering of blood, this ingredient need not be from your own body. It could be donated by a partner, or perhaps a member of your grove, coven, or group is lactating.Wherever it comes from, be sure to honour its significance and the person who donates it.

  Be sensible and safe. No instructions for their extraction are needed here! Honour yourself and our species as you cast the material into the cauldron.

  If you find these particular components abhorrent or wish to exclude them, by all means do so—simply subsititue the energy they embody with something of equal value. If you would rather not include them in the brew but still wish to have their potency present, create an essence by placing the substance on a piece of clear glass above a small bowl of water, then allow sunlight or moonlight to transfer the essence into the water, which you may then add to the brew.

  A note for menopausal women: I would suggest that you use your own blood for this ingredient. Your blood carries the memory of your sexual potency and virility and is a beneficial addition to the brew. Rather than repeat what was performed in August, you may wish to find an alternative to blood for the August selection. I suggest a kernel of corn or that you fashion a miniature grass doll in the guise of the great mother. You may also wish to bake a loaf of bread as an offering to the spirits of the first harvest, and place some of that into the brew.

  Ritual Instructions

  Preferably choose either the night of the full moon or the dark of the moon to perform your monthly ritual.

  You will have previously spent time meditating and connecting to the ingredients prior to and during their collection. On your chosen night pour your spring/river/lake water into your cauldron until half full, and set your cauldron above a flame to simmer.

  A reality check is needed at this point! In an ideal world your cauldron will be set in the middle of your own stone circle, hung from a tripod by blackened chains above a fire of sacred woods. We don’t all have such privileged ritual locations—you may have better—but the chances are you may also live in a town or a city or in the dizzying heights of a block of flats. Either way, this ritual can still be performed effectively. As previously stated, the size of your cauldron must realistically fit your location, the number of people in your group, etc. The location itself will affect the logistics of the ritual. Just remember there is no right or wrong way—it can be as elaborate or as simple as you want it to be. A cauldron big enough to accommodate a small child is equally as effective as a small cooking pot placed over a flame on your kitchen stove. The ultimate point is to connect.

  Once a month, set your cauldron above a flame to warm it. Do this gently, never boil the concoction, and accompany the act with flickering candlelight and incense that pleases the spirits. As the cauldron begins to simmer and vapour rises from its surface, cast your newly gathered ingredients into it. Perform this task with vigour, with ecstatic energy; evoke the memories you have of connecting to the ingredients you offer. Summon that emotional connectivity and cast it, too, into the bubbling brew.

  Take a spoon that has been specifically acquired for this act and stir the cauldron well; a good tip is to do this in multiples of three minutes, depending on the ritual you have created; i.e., stir in multiples of three minutes (three, six, nine, etc.), retain the intention, chant the verse, and so forth. Keep the mind alive and burning with intention, sing to the Goddess whose actions you mimic, call to her, see her hand upon yours, and feel her breath about your neck. Chant the following or similar:

  Stir the root, stir the flower

  Into this brew release your power!

  Remove the cauldron from the heat and allow it to cool naturally. Place a lid over the vessel and ensure it is safely stored until the following month. Thank the spirits and the archetypes you have invoked during your rite.

  Ritual Climax

  If you began the ritual in November, the natural conclusion would be to bring it to its climax on the nearest full or dark moon a year later. Gather in some secret place and bring the cauldron to a simmer. This is the climax of your rite; you will hopefully have spent the previous year planning this night. Throw every ounce of your being into it. Ensure that the location for the final ritual is bursting at the seams with candle lights and incense smoke, with
ritual attire and tools. Go crazy; launch yourself into the biggest, most dramatic ritual you can conceive. Invoke the Goddess and the prophet and summon Awen; sing until your heart is near bursting.

  Yr Awen a ganaf, o dwfyn y dygaf

  (Urr Ah-when a GAN-av, ohr DOO-vn uh DUG-av)

  At a pivotal point remove some of the liquid from the belly of the cauldron, either by spoon, pipette, or what have you. If this is a solitary rite, quickly place three drops of the burning liquid onto the side of your left thumb; do this at its base where the flesh meets your hand and the skin is thicker. In a group scenario ensure that each participant has a suitable receptacle by which to perform this task; effectively time it so that each member experiences the climax simultaneously.

  The brew will scald your skin. The accompanying pain is conducive to the ritual. At once, thrust the burning skin into your mouth and suck the brew away. It is at this point that the burning rays of Awen sear your very spirit; it is the culmination of all that you have done previously. Stand tall, cast your arms to your sides and out, palms forward, your body mimicking the pattern of Awen. Raise your voice in chant to invoke Awen. Become Awen. Chant until near bursting:

  Awen, Awen, Awen!

  The ritual is complete.

  What must naturally follow is the chase sequence through the elements; this can be achieved by meditation over the coming days. A process of quiet reflection and assimilation should also be planned whereby you ensure that you have time alone to digest the ritual and its effect upon you.