A witch's broom, also known as a flying broomstick or a magic broom, is a fictional object commonly associated with witches and witchcraft. According to popular folklore, witches use these brooms to fly through the night sky. While the origins of the association between witches and broomsticks are unclear, it is believed to have roots in early folk traditions and pagan rituals. In folklore and literature, the idea of witches soaring through the air on broomsticks can be traced back to medieval times. During this period, beliefs in witchcraft and the supernatural were widespread, and witches were often depicted as flying on broomsticks to attend gatherings and perform their magical rituals. These gatherings, known as sabbaths, were said to be held in remote locations, such as mountaintops or crossroads.
The birch we are using this Halloween was cut as part of the ongoing woodland management at Roundwood on the Trelissick estate. Here, the ranger team are creating and managing an area of characteristic Cornish oak woodland with a heathland understory – this mosaic of habitat is very specific to Cornwall and, as a result, supports a characteristic set of species associated with estuarine woodland in the county.
Here, the ranger team are creating and managing an area of characteristic Cornish oak woodland with a heathland understory this mosaic of habitat is very specific to Cornwall and, as a result, supports a characteristic set of species associated with estuarine woodland in the county. The besom is also an important part of Wiccan handfasting marriage ceremonies in some traditions , and the couple may jump over the besom or over a small bonfire during the ceremony.
These gatherings, known as sabbaths, were said to be held in remote locations, such as mountaintops or crossroads. The concept of the witch's broomstick gained further popularity in the 16th and 17th centuries during the time of the witch trials and witch hunts. Accusations of witchcraft were widespread, and many confessions and testimonies from accused witches included tales of flying on broomsticks.
Witchcraft Terms and Tools – Besom Broom
A besom broom is the kind of broom traditionally associated with witches, and is one of the tools commonly used in the practice of modern Wicca. It is a traditionally-constructed broom made of a bundle of twigs tied to a central stouter wooden pole.
In the Middle Ages, witches would prepare a “flying ointment” (also known as “green ointment”) to aid them in their journey, the recipes for which usually had a base of either Belladonna (Nightshade) or Mandragora, both highly psychoactive drugs producing visions and encouraging astral projection, mixed with clove oil (which is known best for its anaesthetic properties). Thus, the generally accepted theory about the origins of witches flying on brooms is based in a ritual involving a psychoactive drug trip: as the ointment was rubbed all over the body using the broom (particularly on the forehead, wrists, hands, feet, under the arms or between the legs), it gave a sensation of flying. The witches mounted broomsticks and would leap around the fields, smeared with the flying ointment, to “teach” the crops how high to grow, and the ointment would give them imaginary “trips” and the feeling of having flown distances.
Despite the association with women, the first known case of claiming to have flown on a broomstick was actually confessed by a French male witch, Guillaume Adeline, in 1453, although there are prior records of witches flying on sticks or poles or similar objects. French and German illustrations from as early as the 15th Century show witches flying on broomsticks, or sometimes on pitchforks. Warlocks, the male equivalent of witches (usually in the pejorative sense of Europe‘s Middle Ages), are historically often described as riding pitchforks instead of the broomsticks of witches.
A modern Wiccan besom generally consists of an ash or hazel stave handle with bristles made from birch twigs (although the bristles can also be made of many other materials, including straw, herbs or other twigs), tied on using thin pieces of willow wood, all traditional and sacred woods. It is generally used to purify and protect, and to ritually cleanse a circle-casting area before magic is performed by symbolically sweeping away negative energies and astral build up. The High Priestess or High Priest walks clockwise, tracing the ritual circle and sweeping with the broom, usually a few inches off the ground.
The besom is sometimes thought of as masculine in nature, due to its phallic shape and symbolism, but its components are of both masculine and feminine orientation (the handle, an ash stave, is masculine in nature, while the birch used for the bristles is thought of as feminine in nature). The besom is also an important part of Wiccan handfasting (marriage) ceremonies in some traditions, and the couple may jump over the besom (or over a small bonfire) during the ceremony.
“Jumping the broom”, as part of an unofficial or non-Church marriage ceremony, is also a 19th Century African-American tradition that has stood the test of time in America and seems to be rising in popularity again after a major decline due to the association of slavery. It was possibly based on an old Roma tradition, and was also practiced in medieval England (hence the phrase “married over the besom”).
An upward pointed besom (bristles up), especially over or near a doorway, is also supposed to help protect the house from evil spirits or negative energies and, in the same way, a broom is sometimes laid at the opening of some covens‘ rossets. A broom was also traditionally placed under a bed or a pillow to protect the sleeper.
A besom broom is the kind of broom traditionally associated with witches, and is one of the tools commonly used in the practice of modern Wicca. It is a traditionally-constructed broom made of a bundle of twigs tied to a central stouter wooden pole.
These confessions often described how witches would use an ointment or potion made from various ingredients, such as poisonous herbs or hallucinogenic drugs, to help them achieve the sensation of flying. In modern times, the image of a witch riding a broomstick has become a prominent symbol associated with Halloween and witchcraft. It is often depicted in various forms of popular culture, including movies, books, and artwork. While the idea of flying on a broomstick remains a fictional concept, the broom has become an iconic tool of witches in folklore and is often used as a decorative item during Halloween. In conclusion, a witch's broom is a fictional object associated with witchcraft and the supernatural. Its origins can be traced back to medieval folklore and beliefs in witchcraft. While the concept of witches flying on broomsticks is purely fictional, it has become an iconic symbol in popular culture and is often associated with Halloween and witch-related imagery..
Reviews for "Witch’s Brooms: Understanding the Different Types and Variations"
1. John - 2/5 - While I appreciate learning about the different names given to witches' brooms in different cultures, I felt that the article lacked depth. The information provided was very basic and didn't go into much detail. I was hoping to learn more about the history and symbolism behind the different names, but unfortunately, this article didn't deliver.
2. Emily - 3/5 - I found the topic of this article interesting, but the execution fell short for me. The writing style was not engaging, and there were many grammar and spelling errors throughout. Additionally, I felt that the information was presented in a very scattered manner. It would have been more effective if the article had been organized better and provided a more comprehensive exploration of the subject.
3. David - 2/5 - I was expecting a more in-depth exploration of the topic, but this article failed to deliver. The author touched on different names for witches' brooms briefly, but there was no real analysis or explanation provided. It felt more like a list of names rather than an informative piece. I would have appreciated more context and historical background to make the article more engaging and informative.
4. Sarah - 2/5 - This article left me wanting more. While it briefly mentioned the different names for witches' brooms, it lacked any real substance. I was hoping to learn about the origins and cultural significance of these names, but there was little to no information provided. The article felt more like a brief overview rather than a comprehensive exploration. Overall, it was a disappointment considering the potential of the topic.