Magical Drafts and Potions By: Arsenius Jigger

Potion Equipment

Before a Witch or Wizard can begin bubbling buxom brews, it's important to assemble the necessary tools of the trade, as it were. Although certain aspects and traditions of Potioneering do vary throughout the world, most of the tools used are relatively uniform in appearance and style. In this chapter, we will discuss the most important objects in a Witch or Wizard's potions closet, as well as delve briefly into the history of these objects in the magical and non-magical worlds.

As discussed in the Introduction, the cauldron is one of the more iconic symbolsof magic stretching back to ancient times. The cauldron is also probably themost important part of your potions closet.1 We see the world "cauldron" first in use in the13th century, borrowed from the Middle English word caudroun, which wasderived from the Anglo-Norman caudron. This comes from the ClassicalLatin word caldārium, which means simply "hot bath."

However,the cauldron was, of course, used prior to the 13th century. Our word "kettle,"in fact, comes from ketill, the Old Norse word for the cauldron. Magicaland Muggle archaeologists have uncovered cauldrons dating back as far as theBronze Age, which lasted from 3200 BCE all the way until 600 BCE Prior to theuse of bronze cauldrons, it is thought that prior to use of metal cauldrons,stone and even wood vessels may have been used by magical kind in order to brewpotions and mix magical poultices and salves. We will cover the types ofpotions that may have been used during this time in later chapters.

The most common materials used for cauldrons today involve pure metals. In theUnited Kingdom, we typically see pewter, brass, copper, and silver cauldrons.Pewter and silver cauldrons are the easiest to use - pewter is the mostinexpensive type of cauldron while silver is the most expensive. Brass andcopper cauldrons have medium brewing speeds. Copper cauldrons can be a bittemperamental and difficult to use, as they have the fastest brewing times, andincorrect calculations lead to the most errors. Another popular organiccauldron material is the fire crab shell. Fire crabs live in the Fiji Islands,and the magical communities native to the region make a good deal of moneyexporting the shells as specialty and special occasion cauldrons. Although theyare not as plentiful as metal cauldrons, they are almost the best for brewing,although the reason for this is yet unknown.

Materials of cauldrons made elsewhere include tin and cast iron. It is interesting tonote that, while Muggles have taken to using alloys - or combinations ofmetallic elements - for many metal-based materials, the Magical world has notyet begun to utilize this technology for making cauldrons.

Most utilitarian cauldrons do not have many embellishments, although several willhave charms, enchantments, and runic spells cast and carved into them toenhance their efficacy, particularly when a Witch or Wizard uses that cauldronprimarily for brewing one type of potion. This is a more advanced concept thatmay be covered in a more intermediate publication. However, as seen in theillustration of the silver Gundestrup Cauldron from sometime between 200 BCEand 300 CE, particularly expensive cauldrons may be quite decorative inappearance.

Objects for preparing potions ingredients prior to use are also important to consider.Scales, measuring cups, a mortar and pestle, a cutting board, and a knife ofsome sort are all crucial elements of your potion closet. Scales and measuringcups are interesting to note, as they are the most varied throughout themagical world. For example, in the past fifty years or so, European Witches andWizards have adopted the metric system, standardizing a system that waspreviously varied even within European countries. However, should a Potioneertravel to the United States, much of the measurement equipment there will bemeasured in US customary units. Traveling to Asia, Africa, Central and SouthAmerica, and Oceania, one will see even further discrepancy in units.

Asturdy stone mortar and pestle is also preferable, although you will see manymade of wood in various apothecary shops. The author usually advises againstboth a wood mortar or pestle, however, as wood chips much more easily thanstone. Potions are very temperamental, and the smallest wood shaving has beenknown to ruin even the simplest potion. There are also metal-derived mortar andpestles available, which are fine if you are fine with the feel and sound ofmetal. However, stone tends to be a little less harsh in texture, and alsocreates a slightly more consistent crushed powder. Stone or metal is simply anaesthetic and tactile preference, however.

Theproper protective equipment can save the properly-prepared Potioneer from manybad lab accidents. The most useful protective equipment consists of sturdydragon-hide gloves or other leather gloves of some sort and a sturdy apron. Theapron can be of dragon-hide or of any mostly flame-resistant material.

Whendiscussing protection and storage for your potions once they're brewed, mostPotioneers prefer clear glass or crystal phials. However, in the past, manywitches and Wizards used wood, leather, skins, and other materials to storebrewed potions. The author cautions against such materials, however, as theycan often contaminate the finished potion. Glass has proved to also beconducive to the best temperatures and light exposure for potions - althoughensure the proper storage methods for your potions before you bottle and storethem.

Oncea Witch or Wizard has collected all of this material - the cauldron,preparation and measuring devices, safety, and storage equipment, they areready to begin to investigate the foundations of brewing.

Theterms "potions closet" and "potions lab" may be used interchangeably thesedays, although previously the term "lab" was not utilized, as it was deemed tooclose to a mundane Muggle concept.

Beginning in the 20th century, the Ministry imposed heavyregulations and protections for fire crabs, as poaching led to drasticallyreduced populations and a threat of extinction. It is now thought that themagic inherent in fire crabs and their DNA may be the reason that their shellsmade for particularly good brewing vessels.

Inthe century subsequent to the publication of Jigger's book, witches and wizardsin Vienna did begin to experiment with the properties of alloy cauldrons.Magical tendency towards tradition still does not make this popular in most ofthe world, but there have been some curious experiments done about the impactalloys may have on the brewing process.

Itis now actually most common for the majority of magical nations, excluding theUnited States, who is rather stubborn about their measurements, to use themetric system. This system increased in popularity in the years following thepublication of this book, and now most magical communities in Africa, Asia,Europe, the Americas outside of the U.S., and Oceania.

Today, while we do not wear aprons quite so often in the lab orcloset, most Potioneers also recommend the use of goggles to protect the eyes.

There are also now tinted phials for potions that should be keptout of direct sunlight. Glass and crystal remain the best materials to maintaintemperature, but the need for darkness and shade for some potions precipitatedthe popularity of manufacturing tinted phials for such purposes.