A witch's broom, also known as a broomstick or flying broom, is a symbolic and iconic object associated with witches and their mystical abilities. According to folklore and mythology, witches are often depicted as flying through the night sky on their brooms, making it one of the most recognizable symbols of witchcraft. Traditionally, witches' brooms were made out of wood, with the handle being a long, straight piece and the bristles being made of dried plant material such as straw, twigs, or heather. These brooms were used not only for transportation but also for sweeping away negative energies and ensuring a clean and protected space for their witch owners. The belief in witches riding brooms can be traced back to medieval Europe, where it was thought that witches used special ointments made from hallucinogenic plants to induce an out-of-body experience. During these experiences, witches believed they could fly on their brooms to attend gatherings or Sabbaths, where they would meet with other witches and perform rituals.
In the comics, Dee is one of the most vicious and cruel characters that fans have ever read or seen. However, in the show, Dee appears to be a lot calmer and have a bigger heart, even having some viewers of the show refer to him as an anti-hero as opposed to the cruel villain he is in the comics. Dee was born to the mistress of the man who captured and held Morpheus hostage. His goal in his thoughts was to make the world a more honest place, in direct opposition to the way he grew up.
She had multiple lovers in the comic book, but in the series, she only ever loved Roderick Burgess, and when he denied her child, she took possession of the tools to survive. She first appeared in the 1st episode of The Sandman when she helped Alex Burgess, son of the Magus Roderick Burgess , to clear out the crowd in front of the Magus house.
During these experiences, witches believed they could fly on their brooms to attend gatherings or Sabbaths, where they would meet with other witches and perform rituals. In modern times, the image of a witch on a broomstick has been popularized and romanticized in literature, movies, and Halloween decorations. Despite its fictional portrayal, the association of witches with brooms remains deeply ingrained in popular culture.
‘The Sandman’ Character: Ethel Cripps, Explained: What Are The Changes From The Comic Book In Her Character?
While searching for his tools, Morpheus, the King of Dreams, learned about his helm and Ruby from the “three sisters”. His helm was traded away with a demon in exchange for the “Amulet of Protection.” The Ruby, which contained a part of himself and the most powerful of all the tools, was passed from a mother to a son. So, Morpheus set his course to collect them all, and while doing so, we were introduced to a character named Ethel Cripps. She first appeared in the 1st episode of “The Sandman” when she helped Alex Burgess, son of the Magus ( Roderick Burgess ), to clear out the crowd in front of the Magus’ house.
According to the comic book, John Dee’s parents were Ethel Cripps and Roderick Burgess. John Dee changed his name to Destiny to keep his identity safe as he knew he had done bad things that could bring shame to his parents. Ethel gave him the Ruby, and he altered its materials. He started affecting people’s dreams with the help of Ruby and called himself “Doctor Destiny.” Somehow, the Justice League stopped him from doing more damage and put him in Arkham Asylum. The Ruby was kept in an old warehouse in the upstate of Gotham. This information was passed to Morpheus by Martian Manhunter, one of the most senior members of the Justice League. Ethel Dee died and left the “Amulet of Protection” to her son, John. It was traded away to a demon by Sykes, one of Magus’ partners in Ancient Mysteries. Sykes seduced Ethel Dee, Burgees’ mistress at the time, and ran away with the tools. He knew that Burgess would use his magic to find them, but he summoned Choronzon, the Demon, and exchanged the helm of the dream lord to get the Amulet of Protection. It worked, and they somehow survived the magical reach of the Magus. In 1936, when Ethel left Sykes and took the Amulet of Protection with her, Burgess managed to put a spell on Sykes that wrecked him.
In the series, Ethel Cripps worked as an independent lady who smuggled different things. She did not run away with Sykes; instead, she grabbed the three tools and fled alone. As the Magus would not want her child, she decided to take on the world independently. Ethel Cripps bargained with the Demon and got the Amulet of Protection in exchange for the helm. She gave the Ruby to John, her son. She came to know from the Corinthian that Morpheus was now free and looking for the tools that were stolen from him. She visited John in the hospital and asked him to give her Ruby so she could return it to the dream lord. But, John refused to trust her as she never told him that Roderick Burgess was his father. Later, Ethel convinced her that he did not want him to be born, and all she did was protect him all the time. John still would not believe her words, so she gave him the “Amulet of Protection.” However, John did not want to have that in the first place, as he had seen what happened to people who stood on the opposite side of the amulet. After Ethel’s convincing, John agreed to have that Amulet and later, she died in his arms. The Amulet kept her alive for 116 years, so when she gave it to John, she grew old instantly and died. John then took the Amulet and escaped from the hospital, searching for the Ruby he had kept in storage. Ethel Cripps’ death had no such effect on John except for a moment.
Some changes were made to the Ethel Cripps character in the comic book adaptation. She had multiple lovers in the comic book, but in the series, she only ever loved Roderick Burgess, and when he denied her child, she took possession of the tools to survive. The Ethel Cripps represented in the comic book was a cunning woman who would bargain with anyone and anything to survive in a world full of vicious men. But, here in the series, we see a mother whose love for her child blinded her. This Ethel Cripps would go to any length to protect John from the impending dangers. Giving away the amulet to gain her son’s trust is one of the reasons that establishes the fact. The selflessness of the mother is what made Ethel Cripps one of the most remarkable characters in this series. In the comic book, she and Sykes stole the three tools for selfish reasons. But, in the series, we see that Ethel Cripps herself stole the tools and gave birth to her son. She stole them to raise her son and survive. It was, however, a personal reason, not wholly selfish. Whatever the reason, Ethel Cripps was portrayed as a character that had more emotional depth in the series, which is a good thing for comic book readers.
Sykes' amulet is a talisman that protects its bearer "from anything", according to its original demonic owner.
In contemporary witchcraft and Wiccan practices, the broom or besom, as it is commonly called, is still used symbolically. It is often associated with the element of Air and is used in rituals to sweep away negative energies, cleanse a space, or create a boundary for protection. In conclusion, a witch's broom, or broomstick, is an iconic symbol of witchcraft, commonly associated with flying witches. Whether in folklore, mythology, or modern witchcraft, the broom holds significance as a tool for transportation, ritual, and spiritual practice..
Reviews for "Secrets of the Witch's Broom: Unveiling the Mysteries"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "What is a witches broom called". The author seemed to rely too much on stereotypes and clichés about witches, and it felt very unoriginal. The storyline was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I was hoping for a fresh and unique take on the concept of witches, but this book didn't deliver. Overall, it lacked depth and creativity.
2. David - 1 star - I couldn't even finish reading "What is a witches broom called". The writing style was confusing and the plot was all over the place. It jumped from one scene to another without any clear direction. The characters were also poorly developed, and I couldn't connect with any of them. It felt like a haphazardly put together book, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "What is a witches broom called" to be quite boring. The pacing was slow, and the author seemed to focus more on descriptions than on progressing the story. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, I didn't feel any emotional connection to the characters, which made it even harder to remain interested. Overall, it was a lackluster read that failed to captivate me.
4. Michael - 1 star - "What is a witches broom called" was a complete waste of my time. The writing was amateurish, filled with grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. The plot was thin and uneventful, making it difficult to stay engaged. The book lacked any semblance of originality and failed to deliver on its promise. I would not recommend this book to anyone who values well-written and engaging literature.