The cauldron of a necromancer... it evokes a certain grim image in
one's mind. I can guarantee you however that whatever you are imagining
is completely wrong. Firstly the vessel in question is small (usually 3
1/4 inches tall, by 3 inches wide), made of cast iron with a lid of the
same material). Secondly none of its uses involve macabre ingredients
such as parts of corpses, innocent blood, dead animal parts, etc.
Thirdly you won't ever see one being used in a graveyard. So how is it
used? Well in number of ways such as shown in the examples I will give.
Well
the most common use is in offering blessings or to ask requests of the
dead. In order to do this the cauldron is partially filled with dried
necromantic herbs. The blend I suggest is a combination of wormwood,
marshmallow (althea), and dandelion root. This will attract benevolent
spirits and will make communication easier. The papers on which the
blessings or requests are written are then laid on-top of the herbs. The
bottom layer is then lit and when everything is consumed the message
has been relayed to the dead. Be sure to use a fire-proof base or you
will likely lose your base of operations.
Another common use for a
cauldron by a necromancer is to hold offerings for chthonic gods and
spirits of the dead. Usually these take the form of liquid libations
such as wine, olive oil, ale, mead, etc. The libations are poured into
the vessel during the course of a ritual of worship. They are
subsequently disposed after a period of time by digging a hole and
emptying the cauldron into it. After this is done the hole is refilled
and the ground smoothed over. The cauldron can also be used to hold food
offerings. In such a case the procedure for disposal is the same.
Divination
by fire is the third most frequent use for a cauldron owned by a Worker
of the Dead. This process is performed by once again filling the
cauldron partially with necromantic herbs or wood shavings from trees of
the dead. These are then lit on fire and the flames are watched closely
for images or shapes. These are then interpreted by the necromancer
according to his/her personal symbol system. If using the smoke from the
fire to divine then the necromancer blows the smoke away from him/her
after asking a question. If the smoke twists clockwise (deasil) the
answer is NO. If it twists counterclockwise then the answer is YES. As
with the message delivery a fire-proof base should be used. Another form
of divination that uses a cauldron is done with olive oil (which is
sacred to the dead) and water. The vessel is filled with warm water and
then the oil is added. The shapes formed are interpreted symbolically.
A
less common use for the cauldron is for the mixing of magical oils. In
necromancy magical oils are used for a variety purposes though they are
generally are less important than other tools. The oils that a
necromancer uses are generally meant for the following purposes:
anointing tools, dressing candles and other objects, and anointing the
body before rituals or spells. Oils are not used by all necromancers
except those who incorporate elements of other magical traditions (such
as hoodoo, ceremonial magic, etc.) into their practice.
Note:
the cauldron can also be be used to hold libations of olive oil, wine,
or other liquid libations meant for the dead or chthonic gods.
Additionally it can be used for holding things such as: bone dust,
consecrated water, graveyard dirt, etc.
That's all for this post!
Slainte!
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