Sparrow's Nest~Chalices
By Katharine Clark

Good Litha, my little hatchlings! Midsummer is upon us, the sun is high, and it’s time to learn about our next magical tool--the chalice!

It’s a happy coincidence that we’re talking about the sacred cup at this time of year, as the chalice is a symbol of the Goddess, the Sacred Female. Cups are vessels for holding the blessed ale during Circle (representing the waters of Life), much as your mother’s womb was a vessel containing you as you grew and developed before birth. The Earth itself is a goddess--Gaia--and she is the vessel that contains all of life, including us!

Now-a-days, there’s been plenty of talk about sacred cups, particularly since the book and movie “The Da Vinci Code” came along. Christianity has long had a tradition of a sacred chalice--the Holy Grail. (For our purposes, we will consider the “grail” a “cup”. Not everyone agrees with this definition, but it is the most popular). It was said to be the cup Jesus used at the last supper. Others have said it was the chalice that contained the blood of Jesus, given to his uncle (Joseph of Arimathea) and brought to Glastonbury. He was said to have hidden the Grail in the well now called--not surprisingly--Chalice Well, where the sacred blood tints the water red. (This is actually caused by iron in the water).

This is the "Vesica Piscis" on the lid of the Chalice Well in Glastonbury.

Meanwhile, others claim that the “Holy Grail” was a reference to Mary Magdalene, claiming also that she was the wife of Jesus. Pregnant at the time of the crucifixion, she was taken to France for her own safety and that of the unborn child. She, therefore, was the grail itself, holding the “blood” of Jesus, his daughter, Sarah. True or not, these stories demonstrate how closely the idea of a sacred cup is linked with the idea of the blessed or secret female mysteries of Life.

For us Pagans, there are myths from every culture about the power of chalices. In the Celtic myths, cups are closely associated with cauldrons (we'll talk about those later!). Chalices represent the eternal sea and the certainty of rebirth. Sacrificial cups were used to catch the blood of white bulls, offered up to the gods. This would then be drunk by the priestesses and seers to renew their “second sight.” The four-handled Mether cup was passed from hand to hand, and turned as it passed, to seal or renew pledges. This was considered making your pledge upon the womb of the Goddess. Celtic chalices were latter-day versions of sacred wells.

This is the Dunvegan Cup--the one of the best examples of an ancient Mether Cup--it's over 1000 years old!

Your chalice can be made of any material that reminds you of the Goddess. It can be silver for the moon, wood for the earth, blue pottery for the seas, or glass for the clarity of water. In a pinch, even a Dixie cup will do!

Can’t afford a chalice, but want one that helps the earth, is safe to use, and won’t shatter if your baby sister or brother knocks it off your altar? Well, have I got an idea for you! It’s easy to make, costs next to nothing--and will be revealed in our Lammas issue. (Sorry-- you have to wait!)

Until then, keep your nest cool and your magic even cooler. Bye for now!

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