Hello, I am somewhat new to witchcraft and would like to know more about besoms/ brooms. Is there any specific way to make one and what can they be used for other than cleaning? Also, is it possible to make one fly or is that just mivie magic?
Traditionally called a “besom” and often handmade from the branch of a tree, the broom is not considered to be a core ritual tool in Wicca, but it is often used to purify the ritual space before casting the sacred circle. This doesn’t usually involve actual sweeping, however—the bristles of the besom generally don’t even touch the floor. This is more of a ritual, energetic purifying of the space, removing negative energy or just plain energetic “clutter.” This step happens after a good mundane sweeping with a regular broom (or vacuum) has already taken place.
It’s unclear just how the idea of Witches flying around on broomsticks originated, but many people believe this to be a mistaken interpretation of astral projection, which some Witches in past centuries would use psychoactive herbs to facilitate.
source: http://wiccaliving.com/wiccan-broom/ (this is an external link so be careful!)
Besoms are typically made from a solid branch of wood usually birch or hazel, the bristles are then either made of broom, or some alternative fine twigs, willow works well.
No you can't make one fly, often the idea of witches flying on brooms comes from the use of flying ointments and many of the traditions surrounding broomsticks where people would leap upon a broomstick through fields to help the crops grow. A besom, as mentioned is primarily for cleansing, they are also used for home protection by placing them next to, or above doors and are also used in representation during spellwork, rituals and general association.
Besoms are also used within some wedding celebrations such as in handfastings, where a couple will "jump the broom" after the ceremony, symbolising them traveling from one aspect of their live, to another.
