The folklore of the witch’s boiling caldron can stir “magick” that can be both harmful and healing. The caldron is still represented in our everyday life. Next time you visit a pharmacy, take a closer look at the mortar and pestle symbol…it is an undersized caldron.
Song of the Witches: “Double, double toil and trouble”
By William Shakespeare (from Macbeth)
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Fillet of a fenny snake,
In the caldron boil and bake:
Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Adder’s fork and blind-worm’s sting,
Lizard’s leg and howlet’s wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and caldron bubble.
Cool it with a baboon’s blood,
Then the charm is firm and good.