This listing is for one 'Brigid's Hearth' Handcrafted Wild Kaolin Chalice for Devotional Smoke Offerings, from The heART of Ritual.
 
These are lovingly handsculpted from wild kaolin clay that I hand gathered in the Balkans. After a year of processing and curing the clay, this wild earth gorgeousness was shaped by hand into what you see here, and fired in the kiln. This stunning clay is not something that I was able to easily share via the camera, the natural beauty is something that can only truly be appreciated in person.
 
While ritually co-creating the Divine Union incense, and Venus Planetary blend, it struck me that I really wanted to make a distinctly feminine vessel to pair with these very specific aromatic smoke blends. Throughout the winter, I observed my thoughts wandering to quiet simple places like cloisters, I considered sanctury spaces and sacred places, and devotional offerings within. Being an offering that bridges the Winter/Earth Element season and that of the Air Element and Spring, the idea of a wild earthen chalice came to mind for this work, inspired by the old fashion egg timers believe it or not! I wanted something that I could really feel, and hold, and explore through touch, so the bottom half of this chalice is earthy, heavily textured by a piece of Bantry Bay basalt and full bellied just like the earth itself. The top half of the chalice is smooth and delicate and round.
 
I do make my own wild glazes but the beauty of this rare clay needs to be experienced in its natural state and have the surface remain raw to the touch. I like this form of direct intimacy and to be honest, glazes would only take from this natural beauty and textures. These natural organic curves and surfaces have been touched by my fingertips only.
 
Due to the sustainable and ethical way I work, and the small amount of clay gathered by hand, just three of these ritual offerings are available. Due to the unique nature of this wild material, each one is totally unique in colour, shape, and form. The above photographs show ones available, please choose the one for you from the drop down menu. Each is adorned with Wild Rose and Mugwort plant fiber cordage, and two matt natural stone beads.