The broomstick has long been associated with witchcraft and is an iconic symbol in folklore and popular culture. It holds significance in the context of witchcraft due to its historical connection to rituals and practices. One theory suggests that broomsticks were used as instruments for applying ointments to sensitive areas of the body for the purpose of achieving an altered state of consciousness. The ointments contained various ingredients, including hallucinogenic herbs, which were absorbed through the skin. The broomstick was then used to help spread the ointment, hence the association between witches and flying on broomsticks. Another theory proposes that the broomstick symbolizes the sweeping away of negative energy and spiritual cleansing.
Puff the magic dragon military
Remember that DC-3 we told you about a few weeks back? The one we fabricated new hoses for? We thought it’d be fun to dig a little deeper into its service history.
“Spooky, also nicknamed ‘Puff, the Magic Dragon’ was the first in a series of fixed-wing gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. It was designed to provide more firepower than light and medium ground-attack aircraft in certain situations when ground forces called for close air support.” 1
Here’s an inside look at Spooky the DC-3 at Oshkosh a few years ago:
Where did the name Spooky come from?
During the war, the Viet Cong would hide in the brush during an air strike until the aircraft had used up its munition, and then resume their attack. When The AC-47 gunship (the military version of the commercial DC-3) came into the picture, it had a completely different effect.
The AC-47 was durable, and slow maneuvering. Its history as a cargo plane meant there was plenty of express space to carry additional ammunitions and flares. Additionally, every 5 th round fired was loaded with a distinctive red tracer round, a glowing bullet that, when fired at high speed, created the effect of a bright red rain. It was an exceptional innovation, a special kind of flare that helped illuminate the enemy while also blanketing them in heavy fire. 2 The Viet Cong had never seen such an attack from the sky, and are said to have thought it to be a fire breathing dragon. 3 The call name Spooky stuck!
For the full story of how fixed-wing gunships illuminated and dominated the battlefield, check out this comprehensive article written by Lawrence M. Greenberg over at history.net.
Where’s Spooky now?
We were honored to use our custom hose fabrication skills to reverse engineer 24 hoses for Spooky; the DC-3 is now headed for the Airborne Museum in Normandy. This museum is currently displaying some amazing aircraft, including a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, the Waco Glider, and The Piper J-3 Cub. Read more about those aircraft here. And we can’t let this article close without mentioning that the museum has recently re-opened its C-47 building, which now fantastically displays a legendary C-47 aircraft and “spectacular scenography made of deployed parachutes, suspended mannequins, and realistic status that question the visitor!”
Next time we’re in Normandy, we’re definitely making a stop here. ;)
Vietnam: From the “Puff the Magic Dragon” Plane to the Lockheed AC-130
Off in the distance came the faint drone of a large propeller-driven aircraft. The sound got steadily louder, when suddenly a curtain of red fire erupted from the sky and rained down on the rice paddies in front of us. Puff! Puff The Magic Dragon plane was predecessor to the Lockheed AC-130. When Puff unleashed that first six-second burst every man knew instantly what it was. The sound was indescribable, a deep guttural roar that anyone who has ever heard and lived, will always remember.
Puff the Magic Dragon flew back and forth over the battlefield that night in 1967, dropping huge two million-candle-power parachute flares and occasionally lighting up the sky with his fiery red breath. When daylight began Puff’s work was done. The drone of his huge engines faded into the distance and a deathly silence lingered over the battlefield. Nothing moved in the eerie glare of the last flare as it floated slowly to the earth.
Another theory proposes that the broomstick symbolizes the sweeping away of negative energy and spiritual cleansing. In rituals, witches would "sweep" the area in which they intended to perform their magic, removing any detrimental or unwanted influences. The sweeping motion was believed to create a sacred space for the practitioner and strengthen their connection to the spiritual realm.
The Evolution of Puff, the Magic Dragon Plane
The mighty dragon Puff evolved from very humble beginnings. The predecessor of the first fixed-wing gunship used in Southeast Asia was the WWII twin-engined C-47 (DC-3) “Gooney Bird,” which was first brought to Vietnam as a transport and cargo ship in November 1961. Shortly after their arrival, many C-47s were outfitted as “flare ships” and designated FC-47 (“F” for flare) to drop huge parachute flares over enemy positions during night attacks. In November 1963, FC-47s flung more than seven thousand flares over enemy positions.
Due to increased night activity by the Viet Cong (VC) in 1963, it soon became apparent that a better night air effort was necessary. After much deliberation, and because of the diligence and persistence of several young Air Force Officers, the modern concept of the fixed-wing gunship was accepted.
The effectiveness of such a gunship was dependent upon its ability to direct concentrated fire on enemy positions in near proximity to friendly forces. The chosen craft also had to have enough power and cargo space to carry the necessary armament and heavy loads of ordnance.
The flying maneuver that was necessary for this type of precision fire mission was to circle the enemy position in a tightly banked “pylon turn” while firing from side-mounted guns. This would allow the craft to sustain continuous fire on a relatively small area.
A cargo or transport-type craft was needed for the huge amounts of munitions required, and it had to be propeller driven, because jet aircraft were much too fast for the precision maneuvers necessary. The C-47 was chosen as the test plane.
The armament chosen for the gunships was the General Electric rotary-barreled M-134 machine gun, known as the “minigun,” which could fire either fifty or a hundred rounds of 7.62-mm ammunition per second. Initially three miniguns per ship would be fixed-mounted in a side-firing configuration. Positioning the aircraft at the proper altitude and angle was the only means of aiming the weapons.
Using this armament, a C-47 flying at three thousand feet in a tight circle could place a bullet in every square yard of a football-field-sized area (five thousand square yards) in approximately 17 seconds.
The broomstick has also been linked to fertility and abundance. In some traditional rituals, the broomstick was used to symbolize the union between the masculine and feminine aspects of nature, representing the balance of opposites and the creation of new life. It was believed to harness the energies of the earth and sky, bringing forth abundance and prosperity. Overall, the broomstick holds multiple meanings in the context of witchcraft. It represents the use of natural tools for spiritual practices, the act of sweeping away negativity, and the connection to the cycles of nature. While its association with flying witches may be the most well-known aspect, the broomstick encompasses a deeper symbolism that reflects the beliefs and practices of witches throughout history..
Reviews for "The Broomstick as a Magical Tool: Functions and Rituals"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - The broomstick and its meaning in the context of witchcraft was a disappointment for me. I was expecting a more in-depth exploration of the topic, but instead, it presented a shallow overview of the history and symbolism of broomsticks in witchcraft. The book lacked substantial research and failed to provide any new insights into the subject. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster read and not worth the time or money.
2. Peter - 3/5 stars - While "The broomstick and its meaning in the context of witchcraft" had some interesting information, I found it to be a bit repetitive and disorganized. The author jumped from one aspect to another without providing a cohesive narrative or analysis. Additionally, there were several instances where the writing felt biased and subjective, rather than presenting a balanced view. I expected a more scholarly approach to the subject, but unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations.
3. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "The broomstick and its meaning in the context of witchcraft" to be completely uninformative and misleading. The book made sweeping generalizations about the role of broomsticks in witchcraft without providing any credible sources or evidence. It felt more like a collection of opinions and hearsay rather than well-researched facts. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a serious and accurate exploration of the topic.