The Chalice and The Bowl

The Chalice and the Bowl are two of a practitioner's most sacred items. Used for everything from mixing and blending, to offering and cleansing, these two items are held in the highest regard within the alternative belief systems. Just as they are in almost every single other belief system ever known to humanity. Bowls and chalices are used more often than not due to their basic function. It is not coincidence that their modern look was conceived, almost literally, from the very basic bringer of life: the womb. Although the designs have changed with time, the representation is still very present. Both the chalice and the bowl were designed to not only help bring life into this world, but also to help sustain life. As time went on, both items were used in funerary rituals. Today, we often take these items for granted. We grab a bowl from the cupboard to hold some food for us to eat, not thinking that this bowl was originally designed with life sustaining intentions. We simply need something other than our hands to hold our food in, which is usually a type of liquid.

     When we go back in time, and take a look at archaeological finds, we notice that even the most ancient of people used bowls and rudimentary styled chalices. These were used to transport everything from water to people. They were used for grinding, kneading, mixing, blending, shaking, drinking and eating - all of which are life sustaining. To an Elder practitioner, the bowls and chalices are sacred. If you enter into the home of an Elder AP, you will often find these vessels all over the place, and in almost every nook and cranny. They may be hanging off of decorative hooks. They may be placed neatly on a display shelf. You may find them on an alter (or, several altars). They may be in all manner of shapes and sizes, colors and designs. In all cases, however, they each have their own purpose and intent. They all have been blessed, and all of them are used in very specific manners.

For the new-comer, I will warn you to never, under any circumstances, handle anyone else's chalices and bowls, without first being asked to (or, told to, as the case may be). Like healing stones, hag stones, chakra stones, wands and other such tools of the path, chalices and bowls are tools that are very personal to the owner. They are in tune, per se, with the owner's personal energy frequencies. Most female practitioners have a far larger collection than their male counter parts. However, this is not always the case, as an elder male practitioner may very well have an abundance on hand, as needed to handle necessary tasks and rituals. In general however, it is a fair guess to say that for every one bowl and chalice a male practitioner owns, the female practitioner will have at least 4. This has nothing to do with anything other than the gender itself. Males are physically incapable of producing life from a womb. Therefore, because of nothing more than maternal instinct, females seem to be more naturally drawn to these items. It has been my experience that women often see things in a softer view. For example: A male may see a bowl and think of it as an offering bowl, or a life-sustaining bowl, whereas a female would see that same bowl and immediately think of the womb, a baby's cradle or a nest. Again, it is simply a matter of gender-based points of view.

     We can see a very clear example of this by looking at the image to the right. This is not a Pagan image, but rather, a Christian one. It is the symbol for communion. The wheat represents the bread, where as the chalice represents the wine. The circle being shown partially inside the chalice is the symbol for the overall combination between the two. The bread and the wine, symbolizing the blood and body of Jesus, being dipped into the chalice, to be shared with his disciples. Even most Pagans know this story, and the symbology behind it. What most Christians do not know is that this originally was a PAGAN symbol. A symbol of life, fertility and longevity. The circle, represents the fertilized egg of the female, being carefully cradled within the safety of the womb (the chalice), and surrounded by the life-sustaining gifts of mother nature (Gaia) - the wheat. We see it in all religions, belief systems and faith paths. It is not new, nor will it ever represent anything else. It is one of the few symbols that has lasted throughout the entirety of time that humanity has lived on this planet (or, approximately 200,000 years).

 I have seen quite a few Elder AP's that even use small chalices (some are decorative, others are very plain) as medicine dispensers. I have seen them use bowls in the same manner. When you are given the opportunity to view someone else's altar, you may notice that there is at least one chalice, and one bowl, on that altar, regardless of how large or small they are. They are often used to hold offerings, ritual drinks (often wines, tinctures, potions, teas or healing waters), and stones. There are particular names that have been given to various types of bowls and chalices. For example: the Scrying Bowl, or the 'Holy Grail'. Trust me, the holy grail is by no means some kind of magic (notice the use of the letter C in that word, by the way) cup. It is the 'great life carrier', or, the womb. The original ancient symbol for the goddess, Venus, is in fact the letter V....which, when looked at properly, is a rudimentary shape of a womb....a bowl, or a chalice. The opposite, or masculine, for this is the reverse of the letter V. When placed together, you are given the 6 pointed star or, as we've come to know it, the Star of David. In alternative beliefs, the Star of David is understood as the overall unification between the male and female halves of all things. The necessary coupling that produces life itself, in all living things, not just humans.

     When we see this regal looking chalice, we can notice something very particular about this. It also looks like the cauldron. For those following the path of the witch, the cauldron is a sacred vessel, or bowl, or chalice. It is used to produce, hold and store, life sustaining food stuffs, medicines, tinctures, potions, teas and waters. So when we see a cauldron, we may joke about brewing up an eye of newt, leg of toad and hair of an old dog, but the truth is, we're not producing a poison....we're producing life-sustaining, healing concoctions that are very specifically designed for a very specific purpose and intent. So remember, the next time you sense a chalice or bowl 'calling' to you....answer that call. You may be very pleasantly surprised as to what it may have to offer you, and the path that you have chosen to travel.