Ceramic Mortar & Pestle

Ceramic mortars and pestles are ideal tools for grinding coarse powders into very fine powders. The rough surface of the bowl's interior, combined with circular motion from the rough-textured pestle head, quickly reduces grain size. A fine powder is important when preparing many Frankincense or Myrrh products, such as electuaries or tooth powders. In the case of an Electuary, or in general when taking Frankincense powder internally, a finer ground powder is broken down and assimilated more easily and quickly than a coarse powder. The method for grinding powders in this type of mortar is by using a circular motion of the Pestle against the inside of the Mortar. Only a light downward pressure is needed to grind the material. In essence, you are rubbing the grains between the two tools. The process of grinding materials in a mortar is meditative and an opportunity to quiet one's mind. The repetitive motion combined with inner quietness can open doors and portals in our minds. Take advantage of it. Our ancestors repeated the very same process for thousands of years. This is often a time we can connect with them. A time of receptivity where ancient knowledge can reveal itself to us. This meditative process is also an excellent time to connect with our materials, with our bodies, our health, and with our intention. Energies that can contribute to the quality of the product we are preparing. The word Mortar comes from Latin Mortarium meaning a receptacle for pounding or grinding. The word pestle also comes to us from the Latin word Pistillum and means pounder or crusher. Pistillum is also the root of our word Pesto, which refers to a paste of crushed herbs, traditionally processed with a mortar and Pestle. Needless to say, there is deep symbolism in the form and action of the Pestle and Mortar, reflecting the archetypes of Yin and Yang, Male and Female, Sun and Moon, etc. I will leave it to you to ponder and explore this further. These heavy Mortars & pestle sets weigh just over 600 Grams or 1.3 Pounds. The bowl measures 5" wide by 2.4" high. The pestle is just over 5" with a 1" head. The exterior of the bowl is glazed, and its interior is unglazed. The handle of the Pestle is glazed up to the head. There is a handy Philtrum on the edge of the Mortar that helps pour liquids. A Philtrum (Also called a Medial cleft) is the indentation we all have that leads from our nasal septum down to our upper lip. Interesting that the word Philtrum also means Love Potion...Food for thought. Enjoy!! Dan Materials: Ceramic Mortar & Pestle, Clay, Porcelain