The cauldron, a magical instrument for witches and cooks

The cauldron was not only one of the first utensils used for cooking, but it also became a symbol of magic and transformation in popular culture since medieval times. Although the cauldron is related to the culinary world, it is also linked to witchcraft and sorcery. In ancient times, thousands of years ago, it was used for outdoor cooking, at a time when cooking methods were very limited, making it an instrument that revolutionized cooking at that moment. However, the cauldron is also an instrument we associate with witches. In popular culture and Hollywood movies, we are accustomed to seeing scenes where all kinds of ingredients are mixed to create potions and poisons, all inside a cauldron. Although the origin of the cauldron is rather utilitarian, it has become a symbol of magic within the kitchen, as mixing ingredients always results in a magical process to create delicious dishes to satisfy hunger.The origin of the cauldronAccording to experts, cauldrons began to be produced around the 12th century, becoming a valuable cooking instrument, but also one associated with sorcery and witches. This magical instrument continued to be a staple in the kitchens of Northern Europe until the 18th century. It is worth mentioning that, in medieval times, cauldrons were found in all households, whether rich or poor, but with certain differences. On one hand, in the homes of the wealthy, cauldrons were found only in the kitchen, while in poorer homes, this pot was usually located in the middle of the house, as it also served as a source of heat. On the other hand, it is important to note that although cauldrons were very common and of little economic value, they held significant sentimental value for families, as they were passed down from generation to generation.Cauldrons and witchcraftAccording to information published by Cornell University, cauldrons became a symbol of witchcraft in the late Middle Ages, when trials and executions against alleged witches were recorded. The idea that witches used cauldrons to cook lethal potions spread through pamphlets, illustrations, and books on the subject, while testimonies during trials also helped cement the symbolism of the cauldron as a magical instrument. During those years, images began to emerge of groups of witches gathered around cauldrons, which were associated with evil spells to invoke death and control the elements. In the world of literature, the cauldron also began to be associated with magic. The most famous example is Macbeth, one of Shakespeare's most famous works, where the witches gather around a cauldron.Cauldrons in mythologyAccording to the British Museum, cauldrons were not only utilitarian objects but also held significant symbolic value. It was so much the case that archaeologists have found these objects in rivers and small lake basins, places that were considered sacred and as portals between the world of the living and the dead. In Ireland and England, experts have also found cauldrons in places where important rituals were performed. The cauldron, that magical instrument that unites gastronomy with witchcraft, was present in different cultures and was an important part of legends and mythology in Ireland, Wales, Greece, and Norway, among other countries. For example, in Irish mythology, the god Dagda owned a powerful cauldron that always produced abundant food for warriors, healed the wounded, and revived the dead. In Greek mythology, the sorceress Medea used her cauldron to bring the dead back to life and rejuvenate people. Meanwhile, in Norse mythology, the god Odin drank magical blood from a cauldron to gain wisdom and knowledge. In all these cultures, the cauldron became a means to obtain wisdom and conquer death.From pot, pans, and cauldronsFor modern witches, the cauldron is a symbol of transformation and abundance. For cooks, preparing food is pure magic. We place all the ingredients in pots and pans, modern versions of cauldrons, and in the end, we obtain delicious dishes. Pots and pans become vehicles to transform simple ingredients into magical dishes that captivate our senses, just as cauldrons once did.