6-Nights to go: Sweeping the Path: Crafting a Besom, the Witch's Broom


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The besom—a symbol etched into the collective psyche as the witch's choice of transport—is an artifact steeped in mysticism and practical magick.

This sacred tool goes beyond its folklore reputation, embodying a rich legacy of spiritual cleansing, energy manipulation, and ritualistic craftsmanship.

With Samhain's shadowy cloak enveloping the world, now is the auspicious time to create or renew your own besom. Let the old world wisdom and the transformative energies of this season guide you in this deeply magickal act.

 

The Ancestral Elements: Ash and Birch
The traditional crafting of a besom requires specific materials chosen for their magickal properties. Ash, often used for the handle, is revered for its protective attributes, making it the fortress of your besom. It serves as the core of your tool, a grounding force that stands resilient against any negative energies.

Birch, used for the bristles, is a tree deeply associated with purification and new beginnings. In mythology, it's often considered a 'pioneer species,' a renewal force in ecosystems devastated by natural calamities. Likewise, birch bristles sweep away stagnant energies, setting the stage for ritual and renewal.

 

 

The Besom Beyond the Physical
While  the besom is traditionally associated with cleaning, its magickal applications are equally varied and potent.

Whether sweeping away the mundane or the metaphysical, the besom adapts itself to your needs.

Let’s delve into the numerous fascinating ways to employ this elemental tool in your spiritual practice.

 
Besom for Cleansing Spaces
The most recognisable role of the besom is in cleansing your magickal space.
Before and after rituals or spellwork, you can use the besom to sweep away residual energies, thus purifying the area.
This act is both literal and symbolic; as you physically sweep, you also clear the energetic plane, making your space a clean slate for magickal workings.
 
Casting and Closing Circles
The besom is not just a cleaner but also a boundary-definer.
It can replace the athame or wand in circle casting.
Start in the east and move clockwise to cast the circle. To close, you would typically move counter-clockwise.
 
Energy Shielding
A potent use is in energy shielding.
Point your besom outward, bristles first, to form a barrier against what no longer serves of supports you.
In this stance, your besom becomes a magickal 'shield,' offering an additional layer of protection during rituals.
 
 
Mini Besoms for Personal Space and Altars
You can use small, handheld besoms to clear the energies off your altar, tools, and even crystals.
The crafting process is similar to that of a full-sized besom but on a miniaturized scale.
For a unique twist, consider using dried herbs like sage, lavender, or rosemary instead of birch twigs for the bristles.
These herbs bring their own cleansing and protective qualities into play, adding another layer of potency to your mini besom.
 
Besom for Personal Energy Work
A mini besom can also be employed for personal energy work.
You can use it to sweep over your own energy body to clear out any stagnant or negative energies.
Picture the bristles catching and removing ethereal cobwebs as you go.
 
Seasonal and Festival Uses
Given its strong elemental nature, the besom can be employed in various seasonal rituals.
From Samhain's closing energies to the renewing vitality of Beltane, the besom adapts to your seasonal needs, making it one of the most versatile tools in your magickal arsenal.
 
Besom as a Magickal Container
Your besom can serve as a repository for particular energies.
Store it near your altar or in other magickal spaces to imbue it with the energies of that space.
You can later channel these energies in rituals or spells when needed.
 
 
The besom, far from being a single-purpose tool, is a magickal Swiss Army knife.
Its applications range from the traditional to the esoteric, offering a broad scope for any practitioner to explore and innovate.
Remember, the besom is a tool, but it’s your intention and mastery that unlock its fullest potential.
The act of crafting your besom is the first step in a relationship with a magickal tool that will serve you in countless ways.

 

Crafting Your Broom

The Witches besom broom is iconic and steeped in myth and lore.

It’s also a super practical magical tool to have in your Witch Kit, and fairly easy to make yourself.

They’re typically made from the thin twigs of a birch tree, and wrapped around an ash or hazel handle.

Birch is frequently substituted by heather, but any twigs, grasses, or herbs can be used.

Suggested Supplies

  • A handle for your broom*
  • Thin pliable twigs*, dried grasses, herbs
  • Twine
  • Secateurs
  • Additional embellishments**

* Try and opt for fallen branches, or RESPECTFULLY cut your twigs from a tree, first asking for the trees permission, and then leaving a bio-degradable offering of thanks.

** Optional

 

Creating Your Broom

1. Get Clear on the Use of Your broom
Decide what you want your broom to be used for, as this will determine the size of your broom.

You may want to create a small broom to be used to clear your spaces such as an altar, or to be used in the SACRED Practice.

Or you may want a larger broom to be used in ritual and ceremonies.

 

2. Cleanse Your Items and Tools
Use sacred smoke or your cleansing item of choice to cleanse your space and the materials that you’ll be using.

 

3a. Using Twigs
Gather your twigs together and cut them to the rough length that you want.

Cut from the ‘top’ of the twigs – the end that would’ve been closest to the tree, as this will keep the lovely natural ‘thinning’ and tapering off of the twigs towards the bottom of your broom.

If you’re using a broom handle, lay your twigs out flat and next to each other.

OPTIONAL: Add in any sticks of herbs that align with your intention for your broom.

Lay the handle on top of the twigs, at the end where you have trimmed them. This gives a crisp and ‘clean’ top of your broom bristles.

Next, gather the twigs up and around the handle, holding firmly.

If you’re not using a handle, simply gather your twigs together, ready to bind together.

 

3b. Using Grasses
If you’re using grasses, you may want to soak them to soften them up slightly to make them easier to work with.

If you’re using a broom handle, lay your grass out flat and next to each other.

OPTIONAL: Add in any sticks of herbs that align with your intentions.

Lay the handle on top of the grasses, with the grasses pointing towards the top of the broom handle (this will feel like they are pointing the wrong way)

Next, gather the grasses up and around the handle, and tie together about 2-3 inches down the handle, with a really tight knot.

 

4a. Tie Your Twigs Together
Tie your twigs together with your twine, in a firm overhand knot.

Wrap your twine around your twigs, and handle if using one, several times, knotting and fastening as needed.

You can add in some knot magic, and with every knot/tightening of your twine, you focus on ‘knotting’ in  your intention.

 

4a. Tie Your Grasses Together
Flip the grass so that the bristles now point towards the bottom of the handle, the way that they should be, and this gives a lovely rounded edge to the top of the bristles on your broom.

Wrap your twine around your twigs, and handle if using one, several times, knotting and fastening as needed.

You can add in some knot magic, and with every knot/tightening of your twine, you focus on ‘knotting’ in  your intention.

 

Step 5. Shape Your Broom
Now that your twigs or grasses are attached to your broom, you can decide on the shape of your broom.

You can leave it exactly how it is for a beautiful rustic feel.

Or you can shape your broom as feels good to you, using your secateurs to trim your twigs and grasses.

 

6. Decorate Your Broom
Optional: You can now decorate your broom in a way that aligns with, and gives additional power to, your intentions.

This could include adding:

  • Bells
  • Coloured Ribbon or String
  • Charms
  • Essential Oils
  • Feathers
  • Symbols or Sigils to your broom handle
  • You can add in some additional knot magic with your decorative ribbons and/or string.

 

7. Connect with Your Broom
It’s now time to focus your energy on your broom.

Hold your broom in your hands, and you might want to hold it next to your heart.

Spend some time just being with your broom.

Then when you feel ready, ask your broom the following questions:

How does your broom want to be used? This will likely be as you you intended, but honour its request if it asks for something different.
How does your broom want to be stored?
Is there anything else it wants you to know?

 

8. Consecrate Your Broom
Don’t rush this part, as you are really pouring your energy into, and honouring your sacred tool.

There’s no ‘right’ way to do this, do what feels aligned for you.

Bless your broom with a prayer, invocation, or thanks.
You many want to give it a name.
Dedicate it to a purpose, spirit or deity of your choice.
Charge it with protective energies.
Cleanse it with your breath or smoke.
Anoint it with oil.
Store it somewhere special.