Hubble Bubble – August is Cauldron Month

“In all the old stories, the geilt is hypersensitive to the sights and sounds of the civilised world, finding them unendurable. She finds other people unendurable too; only alone in the wild, in nature, can safety and freedom be found.”
― Sharon Blackie, If Women Rose Rooted: The Power of the Celtic Woman

While I claim not to be a crazy woman, I recognise that need to withdraw. The sights and sounds of this world, often larger than life, in technicolor and 3D, are overwhelming at times. Quiet is not just something I enjoy, it is something I need. Quiet and space. And I know I am not alone in this need. (I have witnessed it especially strongly in fellow HSPs). So, when I first heard Molly Remer talk about a cauldron month in 2016, it immediately resonated…

Photo by Artem Maltsev on Unsplash

During August, I vow, I will take it all to the Cauldron…to let it bubble and brew and stew and percolate. I will pull my energy inward to let myself listen and be and to see what wants to emerge. I give myself permission not to create for public consumption during this month, but just to sit with myself and see what is bubbling, what is cooking, and how I might create a safe space for myself in which to stew up my truest magic.

Sustaining Myself by Molly Remer

I said to myself, that’s a beautiful idea, but I just can’t do it. I need to be connected, sharing my creations with the world, interacting with other people. I didn’t recognise that beneath that “need” for connection was fear. What would happen if I stopped?

The next few years I took a token Cauldron Month. I allowed myself to move away from daily posting on social media (and that is something that I have adopted as a habit all year round). But I was still blogging/ making videos/ writing and submitting. It was like I had a slow cooker month rather than a cauldron month. The alchemy was happening, but incredibly slowly (and it’s frustrating because you just want to take the damn lid off and stir and taste it, but you know you can’t because it will add another hour to the cooking time).

Photo by Tikkho Maciel on Unsplash

This year is different. This year I am going deep (which is appropriate, as Cauldron Month falls in the middle of my Depth Year). When I drew my cards for 2019 in my Wheel of the Year Spread, guess what came out for August? Yup, the Hermit! I took the hint (finally).

So, for me, the practical application of cauldron month means I will be removing all social media from my phone, including messaging apps like What’s App and Facebook Messenger. It says a lot that I have had to plan this in advance and let people know my plans. I am still reachable by phone or text for those who have my number, or by email (though I will be only checking email once a week).

But the HUGE thing is that, I am, like Molly, giving myself permission not to create for public consumption for the entire month! I won’t be posting any blogs, videos, articles etc. which feels like a huge deal because I have been consistently creating content for… well… a long time. It feels really radical. And just the right amount of scary. I have the whole of August to go deep into the cauldron of myself. Adding to the brew. Adjusting if necessary. Bubbling and boiling the raw ingredients into something tastier, more distilled – something ready to share. I can’t wait to taste what is in the pot come September.

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

So, that is what Cauldron Month looks like for me, for you it may be different.

Does Cauldron Month resonate for you? If so, you should check out Molly’s excellent resources here. 

See you in September.