Cauldron Fires
Looking into the flames I recalled a time sitting by the camp fire whilst my dad would add an extra log making the flames seem to lick the sky. To this day fires have drawn me with a spiritual yearning that makes me complete. Having recently learnt to make a cauldron fire, using a candle and some sticks, having helped make them on several occasions, I decided it was time to make one of my own and perform a little magic at the same time.
Opening up my chest full of magical supplies I extracted candles, stones, incense, a few herbs and of course my cauldron. The cauldron already contained scrapings of bark from the time I made my wand; those would make a perfect base for the fire, or so I envisioned.
Using my mortar and pestle I crushed up a few herbs to add to the fire. A sprinkle of cinnamon, the dried bark of a laurel tree, which draws money for me in the form of a new job. A bit of Dragon’s Blood Resin, from the tree Dracaena Draco found in Africa, Asia and Central America, for prosperity. A smidgen of sage, used since the days of the ancient Greeks and Romans who believed that it imparted wisdom and mental acuity, for purification and healing. A pinch of lavender, the herb the ancient Greeks called nard, this plant will open the veil assisting my spirit to evolve through life, making my will manifest.
After bringing everything out onto the porch, I began the ritual. After calling the quarters, the cauldron fire lights from the small candle set into the cauldron at the center of wood scrapings. Once the fire got going I added a few branches and the herb mixture.
The fire begins to do its lovely mesmerizing dance. Flames shoot up about a foot out of the cauldron. This is when the realization that this wasn’t the best of ideas also shoots up in my mind. I live in a wood building, the porch is a screened in area but also wooden. As an ember jumps out of the cauldron I quickly stamp it out. I expeditiously close my circle. Using a finger, in panic, I tap the handle of the cauldron to see if it can be moved and in that fraction of a second a nice burn and blister magickally appear.
Looking around quickly I frantically search for a way to douse the flames my mind ablaze with visions of neighbors and fire services rushing to my aid--unwanted! The original plan of sitting on the porch and watching the fire burn out is now a long forgotten memory.
My search reveals some planters with dirt from an attempt at growing herbs. The dirt quickly smothers the fire. Running into the kitchen I grab some potholders and run back to move the cauldron and make sure the area under it didn’t get to hot. Well… the little feet of the cast iron cauldron got red hot too. The cauldron leaves a few nice little marks in the outdoor carpet on my porch.
That was my first and last attempt at burning a cauldron fire on my porch, next time my luck will have the whole building burned down to the ground. If this experience has taught me anything it's to start cauldron fires on a concrete, ceramic tile or dirt surface, and make sure I'm outside. Also, if I ever do use the cauldron inside again it will sure be only to use charcoal chips and incense.
And have an extinguisher to hand, now that's magick ;)
Firebug
