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Tools
of a Witch
The
Besom (Broom)
by
George Knowles
The besom, or broom, is one of the main ritual tools of the witch and is
sacred to both the Goddess and God. The
God - through its symbolic phallic shape, the Goddess - through its three-piece
make up, the shaft, the bristles and the binding cord, three being the triform
aspect of the Goddess. While besom
and broom are two names used interchangeably, there is a small difference in
their definition. The brush of a
besom is usually made of twigs and is therefore more rounded in shape, whereas
the brush of a broom is primarily made of straw, which is flatter in shape. Traditionally
a besom was made from three different woods, Ash for the shaft, Birch twigs for
the bristles and Willow strands for the binding cord. Ash is protective and has command over the four elements,
Birch is purifying and draws spirits to one’s service, while Willow is sacred
to the Goddess and binds them all together.
In modern witchcraft today, while the traditional besom still takes pride
of place, other woods are used for special purposes: Oak for added power and protection, Pine for luck and health,
Redwood for longevity, Maple for love and money, Walnut for health and wisdom,
and Cinnamon for spirituality. Magically,
a besom is used for a variety of purposes, but more generally they are used to
purify and protect. In ritual they
are used to cleanse sacred space before magick is performed by visually sweeping
away negative energies and astral build up.
Before casting the circle, the Priest or Priestess will walk clockwise
(deosil) around the circle space, and holding the besom a few inches off the
ground sweep outward from the centre while chanting the Besom Chant: Besom Chant
“Besom,
besom, sacred broom Sweep
out darkness, sweep out gloom Rid
this sacred hallowed ground Of
demons, imps and hell bent hounds; Then
set ye down on Her green earth By
running stream or Mistress' hearth, Till
called once more on Sabbath night To
cleanse once more this sacred site.” (Author
unknown) Sweeping
the area with a besom can be done in addition to or in place of incense, to
purify ritual space, and is often used for such when rituals are conducted in
smoke-free areas. When not being
used in ritual, place your magical besom by the door to protect the home from
evil spirits and negative energies. When
standing a besom, always place the bristles up, with the shaft on the floor.
This not only makes the bristles last longer, it will also bring you good
luck. Another old custom was to
place a besom outside the door, this as an indication to other witches that the
occupants are out, or working, and didn’t wish to be disturbed. To make
your own traditional besom you will need the following: A
length of Ash approximately 4ft long and about 1in thick
for the shaft. Birch
twigs (about 1-2 ft. in length) to act as the bristles. Several
strands of Willow for binding the bristles to the end
of the shaft. A
pair of Scissors. Water
and salt. Soak the
Birch twigs and Willow strands overnight in warm lightly salted water (to make
them pliable) and allow them to dry slightly before using.
They need to be damp and pliable before binding them to the Ash shaft.
Arrange the twigs alongside the shaft about 3-6 inches from the bottom,
larger twigs form the centre of the brush with shorter ones around the outside,
then bind them with the Willow strands. Be
sure to tie them very securely. Use
as many layers of twigs as you like depending on how full you want the brush to
be. Leave overnight to dry.
Consecration
Chant
“Besom
of birch and willow tied, Be
my companion and my guide. On
ashen shaft by moonlight pale My spirit rides the windy gale To
magickal realms beyond both space and time. To
magickal lands my soul will sail. In
the company of the crone I'll ride This
besom of birch with willow tied So
do I consecrate this magickal tree. As
I will it, so mote it be.” (Author
unknown) Once consecrated for use in the magick circle, it
should not be use for any other purpose. When
making a besom for normal household usage, it can still be magically charged for
that use. On one side of the shaft
(from the bristles travelling upwards) carve the following words while
visualising your intent: “I sweep
out evil and poverty.” On the
opposite side of the shaft (from the top travelling down to the bristles, carve
“I sweep in money and luck.” When
sweeping, visualise the same intent, but sweep towards the fireplace if you have
one. If not sweep in any direction
except towards the front door, so as not sweep out and lose your good luck. Myths and Folklore
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Whether
you make your own besom in the traditional way “as above,” or purchase a
ready made one, you may then wish to decorate is it with a magickal name or
other meaningful symbols or sigils.
