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Witch's Blog

Broom Magic

Writer's picture: Harmony RoseHarmony Rose

Updated: Oct 7, 2024



The Enchanted Journey of the Witch’s Broom – History, Magic, and Modern Uses

 

One of my favorite forms of magic is broom magic. Near and dear to my heart, the broom represents the element of earth and air and dates as far back as 1336 BC to ancient Egypt.

A broom or besom is an essential part of her/his magical practice offering protection, a means of communication, and in some cases, pleasure to its owner. Read on as we discuss the enchanted journey of the witch’s broom.



 

A Brief History of Broom Magic

 

Egyptian priests used to sweep a ritual circle with a broom and then sprinkled blessed water over the area. A small altar broom was used to dip in the blessed water and then anoint people as they entered the circle. Then brooms would be placed at the doorway to enter and exit the circle. In Ancient Rome, brooms were used to sweep the threshold of the home after the birth of a child as it was believed the child would enter from the land of the dead. The Romans didn’t want to make it easier for the child to go back so sweeping the threshold was seen to cut ties between the world of the living and the other world. 

 

In America, women used brooms for different reasons. Without phones and email, the women would use brooms as a form of communication. They would position the broom in a certain way to let passersby know if they were in or out. If people were ill, or if they were helping clients, a broom by the front door with the bristles up meant I’m not home. Bristle down meant I’m home. A broom laying down meant I’m busy. If a broom sat bristle up at window it meant the lady of the house was out and would be back shortly and visitors were welcome to wait. 

 

Parts of a Witch’s Broom

 

The bristles of a broom represent air, and the broom stick is represented by earth element. In magical arts, we see brooms used for hand fasting ceremonies and for sending the dead back to the summer lands. In Italian witchcraft, the witch’s broom is made from three types of wood. An ash handle, a birch twig for the bristle, and willow for the binding string. The three parts are symbolic of the triple goddess. Ash represents the ability to work with the four elements, birch draws nine spirits to service, and willow is connected to the dark goddess energy. In some traditions six woods are used birch, broom, hawthorn, hazel, Rowan, and willow. Willow is a favorite tree of mine personally. 

 

Brooms are used in modern witchcraft in circles protection of a home at a doorway and with flying ointment for self-care on a full moon or self-pleasure in some cases. We see them hung above doorways for protection and as a magical companion. You can even use your broom and an onion to cleanse your home if you want an option other than the typical smoke cleanse. I teach more about this in The Way of the Witch classes. 


Crafting Your Own Broom

 

Decorating your own broom is a great way to connect with it energetically. Dry your favorite flowers and attach to your broom. You can also add some crystals and an intention. Be sure to cleanse, bless, and consecrate it and hang it in your home. Try some of the ways I mentioned above but never make a magical broom out of a broom with a metal or plastic handle, or one used for cleaning your home.

 

Until next time, happy sweeping Witches! 

 

Mystic Witch Harmony Rose is a Solitary Witch, certified E-RYT200, Yin & Shakti Yoga Instructor, Shamanic Life Coach, Retreat Facilitator, Womb Priestess, Yoni Steam Facilitator, Divine Feminine Mentor, Intuitive Healer, Reiki Master, and Spiritual Teacher. Her passion is bringing women to gather as sisters on the path of healing trauma held in the womb so they may return to wholeness. I offer women’s healing retreats, classes, one-on-one training & mentorship, and much more.


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