Exercises for Your Cauldron 

Exercise One: Transformational Earth Connection Exercise

This is an exercise to experience the transformational nature of all the elements, using the cauldron as a vessel for reflection. On the first night, fill your cauldron with earth. I like to use potting soil as it is soft and malleable. Pay careful attention as you are filling it. Use your hands to dip into the soil. Allow it to run through your fingers as you fill your cauldron. Imagine all the transformation that occurs in the Earth. From the formation of rocks to the building of skyscrapers. Once the cauldron is half filled with dirt. Brush off your hands and chant:

The Earth, the Air,

The Fire, the Water

Return, Return, Return, Return.

Journal your experience and share along this thread.

Exercise Two: Transformational Air Connection Exercise

On the second night, keep your cauldron filled with the earth. Gather smudge or incense and place it in the cauldron. Light it and allow the air essence of the incense to flow over and around the earth and up to the sky. Just notice where the smoke falls and rises, reflecting on the transformational quality of air, from the gentle breezes of summer to the destruction of a cyclone. You may want to play with the air with your wand, bidding the smoke to follow your direction. Once the smudge or incense has burnt out, chant:

The Earth, the Air,

The Fire, the Water

Return, Return, Return, Return.

Allow the ash from the incense to remain in the cauldron. Journal your experience and share along this thread.

 

Exercise Three: Transformational Fire Connection Exercise

On the third night, place a candle in the earth inside of your cauldron. Light the candle and gaze into its flame. Play with the flame, calling it to rise and lower, leap and jump. See if the candle responds to your will or does it’s own thing. As you are doing this, mediate on the transforming qualities of fire as it warms, glows, transforms sand to glass. When you are done chant:

 

The Earth, the Air,

The Fire, the Water

Return, Return, Return, Return.

Extinguish the candle but leave it in the cauldron. Journal your experience and share along this thread.

Exercise Four: Transformational Water Connection Exercise

On the fourth night, fill your chalice with water. Your cauldron should still contain the earth, ash from the incense and the extinguished candle. Pour the water into the cauldron, allowing it to flow and trickle over your fingers. Feel the wet, slippery, transient quality of the water. As you are doing this, consider all the transforming qualities of water. Empty the chalice completely into the cauldron and chant:

 

The Earth, the Air,

The Fire, the Water

Return, Return, Return, Return.

 

You have added all the elements to the cauldron. They have returned to their source as you return to your source through your own cauldron �?your physical body. Take a moment in gratitude to all the elements in your own self. Just notice which elements resonate most deeply with you. Know that you can always return to the true essence of yourself.

Journal your experience and share along this thread.

On the fifth night, bury the contents of your cauldron into the earth and clean it out to prepare it for the next transformational journey!