The Role of the Chalice in Witchcraft

A chalice is a goblet or cup often used in ceremony as well as in spellcraft.  In Wiccan ceremonies the chalice is filled with wine and passed around, so that everyone can share the drink. In other traditions it is sometimes filled with mead, often after magickal workings, and shared.

The chalice is often used to represent the female aspect and is used in some ceremonies to this effect. It is also used to represent the water element and can be filled with spring water and positioned on the relevant point on a pentagram during spellwork.

Before using a chalice in spellwork it should be cleansed and there are a number of ways to do this, such as burying it in salt or earth. However, attention should be paid to how the chalice is made and what material it is made from as not all will weather well under this treatment. Instead it can be left outside in sunlight for an hour or left out overnight in the moonlight. This will dispel any residual energies left by others who may have touched it.

Once it has been cleansed it should be charged. Leaving your chalice out overnight in the moonlight will also charge it at the same time. However, if you want to charge it separately, hold it securely in your hand whilst concentrating on how you will use it in your magickal workings and what role you wish it to play.

There is no need to spend a lot of money on a chalice; a cup or wine glass would be fine to use but if do choose to buy one there are many designs to choose from. A chalice will be personal to you and if you use it for other non-magickal purposes, you should cleanse and charge it each time before using it in spellwork.