Altar items - Chalice

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Hi guys,


Continuing our altar items series today with the chalice. The pic above is the one that is on our altar, and this was gifted to us by the lovely Sarah as part of a set of three, when she officiated at our handfasting in 2020.

I never had a dedicated altar until Joe and I got together. I'd prefer to have little groupings of things all over the house. Did that make my entire house an altar...?

Your chalice can literally be anything that holds liquid, and it can be made from any non-toxic material. Before we were gifted the one above, mine was a red wine glass with a tree stencilled on it, which I do still own, even though the tree is long gone!

Christianity 

In Christian, and other traditions that use the Bible as scripture, it is a blessed and Holy item that is used to hold 'the blood of Christ', it is usually quite ornate, and very possibly silver. There is usually a white cloth that accompanies it.

It is used in the Eucharist, or Communion.

The chalice is representative of the vessel used to catch Christ's blood as he was on the cross.

Only wine, water and a portion of  The Host are permitted to be placed inside the Chalice.

Also, said to be the subject of religious quests, think the quest of the Holy Grail. Said to be the cup used by Christ at The Last Supper, either that, or as discussed above, to collect Christ's blood as he was hung on the cross.


Wiccan 

In Wiccan, it is a key piece of The Great Rite (the other being the athame), and is commonly used to summon the element of Water. A chalice is also used in the Small Rite. (I am NOT initiated into Wicca, so am unsure of this).

Symbolically, it is used for mixing and drinking. 

It is said to represent the genetalia of the Goddess, whereas the athame is the male counterpart.

It is very similar to the cauldron in it's symbolism, probably due to it's shape more than anything else. 


Rastafarianism

Used in this religion, it does not contain liquids in this case - it holds marijuana instead. In fact, the word chalice is said to refer to marijuana itself.

The Rastafarians believe that this plant is a gift from Jah. 

They use marijuana as a way to communicate with Jah, and the term 'lick the chalice' refers to a Rasta communing with Jah.

It could also be known as the 'wisdom' or 'chillum' chalice.



I am sure there are other traditions that use a chalice or similar vessel in their holy items. A lot of treasures throughout the world contain a goblet or chalice as part of their hoard.

I think I will leave this here for now, please feel free to comment if there's anything else I have missed.

Kerenza x




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