Making a traditional witches broom: A traditional witches broom, also known as a besom, is a tool that holds significant symbolism in witchcraft and pagan traditions. To make a traditional witches broom, a few materials and techniques are required. Firstly, the handle of the broom can be made from a variety of materials, such as ash, birch, willow, or hazelnut. The chosen material should be strong and sturdy. To obtain the handle, one can search for fallen branches in the woods or purchase a suitable wooden staff. Next, the bristles of the broom can be made from natural materials like straw, twigs, or reeds.
Here’s What You Need To Create Your Own…
Flying ointments often had ingredients that were hallucinogenic , so a witch could use visualization techniques to imagine flight and go on a spiritual journey or change their state of awareness. Now we live at a time when brooms are mass-produced, thus they lack personality and magic and not many commit to crafting brooms, such as the Wormwood brooms of the Romanian women, but you can craft your own magical broom made out of a tree of your choosing or you can buy one from a specialized seller.
Next, the bristles of the broom can be made from natural materials like straw, twigs, or reeds. Traditionally, witches use broomcorn, a type of sorghum, for the bristles. Broomcorn can be harvested, dried, and then woven into the shape of a broom.
Making a traditional witches broom
The vision of witches flying on broomsticks beneath a moonlit sky is an enchanting one. Besom brooms (aka witch’s besom or witch’s broom) come in various shapes and sizes, and often are synonymous with female liberation and the witch archetype. But both masculine and feminine qualities are apparent within the besom: The masculine aspect is attributed to the handle, while the feminine is attributed to the bristles.
A besom is said to be linked with the elements air (flight and spirits) and water (cleansing and purification) making it a great uncrossing tool to clear negative energies and bad juju from the home. It can be utilized for sweeping a ceremonial or sacred space before or after a ritual and also for opening or closing a magical circle. Bristles in an upward orientation ward off evil and bring good luck.
Besoms have been used for centuries and were even mentioned in the Old Testament ( Isaiah 14:23 ). Celtic peoples associated the besom broom with the Fae ( Faeries ); Some believed that the Fae would direct a witch to a good tree in order to obtain wood for their besom. Besoms are also commonplace during handfasting rituals .
There are different ways of making besoms if you don't want to purchase one. One way is to use birch twigs (or brush corn), ash (alternatively use cedar, hazel, or oak) wood for the handle, and a binding made from willow or heavy twine. According to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Benjamin Franklin is “ credited with first bringing broomcorn to the United States,” which became a useful alternative to twigs when making besom bristles. In the 1700s non-magickal besoms were used regularly and even written about in popular culture. In Scotland, Robert Burns wrote a poem that was made into the song “ Broom Besoms ” and William Purvis wrote “ Buy Broom Buzzems ” which became popular in the late 18th century. In England, broom making was done by besom squires , but people made their own brooms, too.
The first documented person to use a besom broom was Guillaume Edelin in 1453 AD (CE). It was rumored that Guillaume called himself a witch. Artwork from 15th century Europe depicts witches flying on brooms and later woodcuts in A History of Witches and Wizards 1720 AD (CE) , as well. Since witches have long endured persecution, the besom became a way of keeping treasures and secrets hidden. Wands, herbs, and vials containing potions could be put safely in the besom’s bristles. It has been reported that some larger besoms even had hidden compartments . Others believe that spirits could be temporarily kept in a witch’s besom.
The use of flying ointments and brooms led to the concept of a “witch in flight.” Flying ointments often had ingredients that were hallucinogenic , so a witch could use visualization techniques to imagine flight and go on a spiritual journey or change their state of awareness. Johannes Hartlieb , a 15th century Bavarian physician, wrote a compendium on herbs called the Puch Aller Verpoten Kunst, Ungelaubens und der Zaubrey that contains the oldest known description of witches' flying ointment .
One of the most feared, yet respected witches found in Slavic and Russian folklore is the crone Baba Yaga . She is well-known and is said to hold Goddess attributes and power over the elements: earth, fire, water, and air. As she flies through the air inside her mortar, she wields a pestle in one hand and a broom to sweep the path behind her in the other. Crows and owls fly by her side. She appears as a crone and has been said to eat children, but also act as a spiritual guide to those who were courageous and clever enough to ask her in the correct way. Powerful and wise, she has been said to guard the doorway to the Otherworld and control the passage of the dead back and forth across its borders. Some believe she has power over life and death.
These days the besom broom has been revived in films like Bedknobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury and stories like the Harry Potter book series (where the Nimbus 2000 was all the rage). Today besoms are sold at gardening supply stores, occult shops, and markets. Cinnamon besoms can be bought from Trader Joe’s and other kinds from Amazon or Etsy.
Here’s What You Need To Create Your Own…
"How To Make Your Own Besom Broom." Illustration © Ana Vice / Enchantments NYC- 3 to 4 foot long piece of wood for the handle.
- Several thinner branches of birch for the bristle part ( you can also use herbs , such as mugwort).
- 3 feet of willow branch (in order to bind the twigs and/or herbs to the wooden handle).
- Scissors and a bucket of warm water (soak twigs and herbs overnight).
- Flowers and ribbons to decorate your besom (optional).
- Line up the bristles alongside the handle about four inches from the bottom on a table. Point the bottom of the bristles towards the top of the broom (you’re going to flip the bristles later).
- Use willow branches or cord to wrap the bristles around the broom handle and tie off tightly.
- Take the bristles and fold them down over the willow binding so that they're pointing towards the bottom of the broom. Tie them down again at the base of the broomstick to secure them. As you work, visualize your intention for this besom.
- Let your broom dry for 48 hours and then consecrate it as one of your magical tools .
Want to read more about the art of spiritual cleansing? Check out this story on ways to smudge your home without the use of sage.
To construct the broom, the bristles are tied tightly to one end of the handle. Using twine or sturdy cord, begin by wrapping it around the base of the bristles and the handle. Continue wrapping tightly, moving towards the opposite end of the bristles until they are secure. It is essential to ensure that the bristles are bound tightly for durability. Once the broom is assembled, it can be decorated or adorned with various symbols or charms that hold personal meaning for the creator. Some witches may choose to attach ribbons, feathers, or crystals as embellishments. To complete the broom, a ceremonial blessing or consecration may be performed. This can involve intentions, prayers, or rituals to infuse the broom with magical energy and empower its use in spellwork or rituals. In addition to its practical uses, such as sweeping the floors or cleansing a space, the traditional witches broom holds spiritual significance. It is believed to be a means of transportation for witches during astral travel or ritual practices. The sweeping motion of the broom is also symbolic of sweeping away negative energy or unwanted influences. In conclusion, making a traditional witches broom involves selecting a suitable handle material, gathering or growing suitable bristles, assembling the broom securely, and adding personal adornments if desired. The process of creating a traditional witches broom is both practical and symbolic, connecting the practitioner to ancient traditions and magical practices..
Reviews for "Let Your Inner Witch Fly: DIY Traditional Witches Broom Tutorial"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to try my hand at making a traditional witches broom, but I was disappointed with this tutorial. The video quality was poor, making it hard to see the details of each step. Additionally, the instructions were not clear and it felt like the person making the broom was rushing through the process. I ended up with a messy and lopsided broom that was far from the traditional one I had envisioned. Overall, I would not recommend this tutorial for beginners or anyone looking for a detailed and comprehensible guide.
2. Mike - 1/5
I found "Making a traditional witches broom" to be a complete waste of time. The person in the tutorial seemed to have no clue what they were doing and the end result was a disaster. The materials recommended were not easy to find, and the steps were poorly explained, leading to a lot of confusion and frustration. I followed the tutorial step by step, but my broom looked nothing like the traditional broom shown in the video. I regretted even attempting to make this broom and would advise others to find a different tutorial or resource if they want a proper result.
3. Emily - 2/5
I was hoping that "Making a traditional witches broom" would provide me with a fun and creative activity, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The tutorial lacked clear explanations and proper demonstrations, making it challenging to follow along. The video also didn't provide any alternative techniques or variations, making it difficult for me to customize my broom to my liking. In the end, I was left with an average-looking broom that wasn't worth the time and effort it took to make. I believe there are better resources available for those interested in making a traditional witches broom.