Brigid and the Cauldron of Transformation

Written 9/12/07
revised 01/29/08
By Holly Noelle

"Up rose a column of fire of the new goddess's head that burned to the very sky."(1) What a way to enter the world. Brigid showed her power through fire from the very beginning. "She is the Goddess of Smithcraft and Her alchemical fire melts the metal and turns it to beauty, as She is melting us, so the beauty of our soul can shine." (2) Brigid makes use of the cauldron as have other Goddesses before her. There is a great deal of symbolism that is represented by the cauldron, from its design to the things it has been used for.

The description given at the Witches Cauldron website explains the representation of the cauldron thus:

"An indispensable tool for the Witch is the cauldron, which combines the influences of the four elements. When it is filled with water for divinatory rites, it symbolizes the element of water. That it stands on a tripod emphasizes the triple aspect of the Goddess of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Objects from Earth (wood, herbs, flowers, resins, etc.,) then when lighted produce fire are place in the cauldron. The subsequent smoke that swirls up into the air is symbolic of the element of air. Thus, all four elements and the triple aspect of the Goddess combined into one tool making it a very magical tool for the Witch. Its shape represents the womb of the Goddess." (3)

One tool but all the elements can be represented by using that tool. It is amazing that one item can have so much power and uses to it. The cauldron looks just like another ordinary pot to so many. I will never look at the cauldron the same. Definitely knowledge can create transformation. Thus use of the knowledge in the right way can create even greater transformation. With the Brigid's help, transformation is inevitable.

The cauldron with very versatile use and meaning is definitely a perfect fit for a goddess who is an all around Goddess. Brigid represents all of the elements with the fire under the cauldron at the center of it all. Here the focus is on one aspect of the Goddess Brigid and how it can affect our lives. "Brigid is the patroness of blacksmith's, the King of Crafts which all other crafts depend." (4) The fire was used to shape metal into tools for many in the community. Thus if there was no smithy, the community was likely to fail. The fire here is the heart of the community and it took a skilled person to control that fire. Too much coal and air and the fire would burn out of control and destroy everything in its path. Not enough coal or air and it would go out.

The spirit in our lives is like the fire. If not controlled properly it can go unchecked, or if it is constantly pushed back it can die out and leave a walking shell. It can also build up to a point that there is no longer room for it and erupt at a very inappropriate time. All can be a danger to self and/or others. Brigid puts us in Her "cauldron" and "heats" us until we are workable, just as a smithy does with the metal. If the temperature is too cold the product breaks and won't form correctly; but if it is too hot, it may form but won't be strong enough to endure normal use.

Another issue that the smithy faces is the purity of the metal. If there are any impurities in it, the end product will be compromised and may not hold up when used. The purer the soul is, the more effective we can be. Fire is also a means of purification. The trials in our lives are represented by the smithy's fire.

My life has been full of constant change and turmoil. I cannot remember when I last felt any peace and true comfort in the changes that were taking place in my life. For once in my life, I am at peace and fairly content with what is going on. Brigid's fires have melted me and made me workable and now those same fires are inspiring me in ways that I never dreamed possible. I know that the success of the rest of my life depends on the success of transformation going on in my life right now. I may not always be happy with what is going on at the time, but I know deep inside it is necessary for me to grow to be the person I truly need to be.


END NOTES

(1) Gwydion, "Brigid_The Goddess of Imbolc and Celtic Europe" Real Magick http://realmagick.com/article/07/1807.html accessed 08/15/07

(2) "Brigit the Maiden" Lady of Avalon http://ladyofavalonwholesale.org/obod/festivals/imbolc/index.html accessed 08/15/07

(3) The Witches Cauldron http://hecatescauldron.org/The-Witches-Cauldron.htm accessed 09/05/07

(4) Susa Morgan Black, FSA, Scot Druid, OBOD, "BRIGIT" http://druidry.org/festivals/imbolc/index.html accessed 08/15/07

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