The thrift store strikes again! I went in looking for something else, of course, which I also found: In this case, a green gown for the upcoming Arsenic Ball. But when I saw this cauldron sitting there, I immediately grabbed it! I mean, a metal cauldron this size?
This thing is 17" across. A small label on the bottom reads, "Threshold (the brand name), by Target Llc. Food safe. Not dishwasher or microwave safe."
It's made of a thin type of sheet pot-metal, I'm sure, like a low-carbon steel. A certain Percy Weasley would no doubt begin railing about the risks posed by thin-bottomed cauldrons. It's definitely not as sturdy as my smaller cast-iron models, nor the massive cast-iron equivalent I hope to one day afford on eBay.
I did a quick bit of research, and it seems this type of black finish is a powder-coating sprayed on and set at about 400 degrees F. So, cooking in my new score may pose a toxin risk! Brewing may be possible IF an internal liquid path keeps the temperature to water's boiling point. Otherwise, it's best to use this cauldron for pre-made punch or other cool foods, and save the heavy brewing for a genuine, use-tested model.
Still, my coven of silly witch-women might get a lot of fun out of this.
As I'll add: It may not be top-grade, but it'll do for now.
The cauldron, along with my green gown and a small Mary wall statue I found. I normally don't go in for cheap or "sappy" imagery, as it were, but something about the artistic lines, obvious age and general feel of this piece spoke to me. Besides, who knows how many prayers were made with its help?
Earlier today, I bought three tinctures from my fellow herbalist friend Monica, who needed pocket money for a Mexico trip. I focused on tinctures I both had more difficulty making, felt I needed energy-wise, and had never tried. Usnea is an immune and respiratory strengthener, a cleansing forest herb. Yellow Pond Lily has a drying effect and energetically is in the same family as the Lotus, known for rising out of the mud to bloom, carrying the power of an ascending spirit, and can help redirect excessive sexual energy (or fluids!) into creative power, which is precisely how I need to channel mine.
Other items of note include my finishing this small Earth goddess statue out of Play-Doh, mostly for fun because I'm totally on a statue kick right now, in terms of working with, acquiring, and making.
This beautiful print was also at the thrift store, and while I wasn't about to pay what they were asking, I took a photo so I could either print it or paint it myself later. It has a wonderful healing energy to me.
Finally, I keep finding these little Fireball liquor one-shot bottles everywhere, of the same kind we brought to the Inanna ritual and drank as offerings. Why leave them when they're so useful? If not for potions, then for filling up from a Fireball "mother bottle" at home so I have some any time I need it --- whether as a pick-me-up, goddess offering, or whatever!
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