~*The Besom (Broom) *~
The Besom, Bossom, Bossume, or simply the Broom has been used as an important tool of ritual & magick for both the ancient and the modern witch. The Besom is commonly used for cleansing ritual areas and sacred spaces, as well as during handfastings or for protection purposes.
History of the Besom
In times of old, fertility was a main concern, especially regarding seasonal 
crops, as it was a prime source of food and income for ancient tribes. In order to show proper respect and honor to Gods and Goddesses of fertility, ancients often created artistic figures, in Their image. Goddesses were shown with wide hips and large breasts, indicating the role of the female as child bearer. To pay homage to the male Gods, phallic symbols were used. Due to restrictions placed on Pagan practices, many were forced to hide their worship of fertility and God/Goddess symbols, as worshipping anything resembling a phallas would result in death. The besom was created for the Witch to worship her phallic symbol, cleaverly disguising it as a "broom". Ancient Besoms were made of ash, willow and birch, trees found in the local wooded areas. The handle, made of ash, is carved into a phallic symbol, allowing the Witch to continue to worship the masculine side of fertility. The bristles representing the lush feminine side, often broad and whisping. Thus, the Besom represented to the Witch the joining of both the masculine and feminine,both the God and the Goddess, a very strong fertility symbol.
The Use of the Besom for Magick & Cleansing
The Besom has long been used to cleanse a sacred space for ritual or magickal purposes. The cleansing is one of a spiritual or psychic nature, not necessarily to tidy a specific area. Although ancients often did use their 
brooms for daily household cleaning, it should be noted that when doing cleansing of a specific area for magick, the broom itself does not need to physically touch the ground. Pagans also used the Besom to prevent negative energy from entering their homes. Common practice, even today, is to keep a Besom on the hearth of a fireplace, preventing evils from entering. The Besom is also used to sweep negative forces and energy out of the home, thus purifying it.
Besom Chants
Besom, besom long and lithe
Made from ash and willow withe
Tied with thongs of willow bark
In running stream at moonset dark.
With a pentagram indighted
As the ritual fire is lighted;
Sweep ye circle, deosil,
Sweep out evil, sweep out ill,
Make the round of the ground
Where we do the Lady's will.
Besom, besom, Lady's broom
Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom
Rid ye Lady's hallowed ground
Of demons, imps and Hell's red hound;
Then set ye down on Her green earth
By running stream or Mistress' hearth,
'Til called once more on Sabbath night
To clean once more the dancing site.
Witches broom swift in flight
Cast out darkness, bring in light
Earth be hallow, Earth be clear
Fire bright as water heals
A sacred bridge this site shall be
As my will, So Mote it Be.
(Widdershins) This Circle I sweep with Besom of Heather;
All harmful and evil must vanish and scatter
(Deosil)This Circle I sweep with Besom of Heather;
All Peaceful and Good are invited to enter.
Uses of the Besom in Handfasting
Upon a man and a woman agreeing to marry, the happy couple would jointly choose a Besom to symbolize their new life together. The woman would retain the Besom, as keeper of the hearth and home, as well as the 
magickal powers contained within. The eve prior to the handfasting ceremony, the couple dresses their Besom with three strands of ribbon, decoratively around the handle. This represents the entwining of their lives, as they enter into marriage. During the handfasting ceremony, a small piece of the Besoms' brush is pulled from the broom and placed on the altar. The ceremony would then take place. Upon completion of the ceremony, the Besom is given to the happy couple, and they joyfully jump over it.
The night of the handfast, the couple places the Besom underneath their bed, as they make love, to further seal the bonds of their love.
Jumping Over the Broom
Although Pagan handfasting rituals did include the newly joined couple
jumping over their Besom, it should be noted that other cultures have also incorporated this practice into their marriage ceremonies. In the United States, before slavery was abolished, slaves were forbidden to have traditional ceremonies, including those of marriage. Slaves would often jump over a broom to symbolize their union. In modern times, many African-Americans have reassumed using this custom, paying respect to their ancestors.
Additionally, Puritans often incorporated jumping the broom in open fields in hopes of a successful harvest, showing the crops "how high to grow".
Flying on a Besom
Contrary to myth, the Besom was not used for the purpose of flying. There are a few basic opinions on where this image was formed from. First, as stated above, is the sight of people (often women), jumping over their broom in a field of crops may have given the suggestion of the desire to fly. During the Burning Times, as well as during the Salem Witch Trials, many could have easily mistaken this. This image was further reinforced during Colonial years, as slaves repeated this behavior in open fields.
The most common belief is that a Witch flying on her Besom symbolizes travel in the astral plane, either as an attempt to reach or actual astral travel, sending fourth ones' consciousness to other places, while remaining physically in the natural world.
This image has further been reinforced through books, television and the media. An example of this is "The Wizard of Oz", by Frank Baum, which portrayed two sides of a Witch. The evil of the two, flying in a darkened sky, cackling, perched upon her broom. As a tale devoted to children, the theme of riding a broom was easily picked up upon, and is now a widely known and understood Witches myth.
Create Your Own Besom
Items Needed:
~Stick for the handle; diameter one inch (1") or less
~Nine to eleven (9 - 11) stalks of broomcorn
~Four to five (4 - 5) yards of strong twine
~One long, large eyed needle or wire
~One three-quarter inch (3/4") nail or drill
~Eighteen inch (18") piece of twine, tied to form tie-off loop
~Six feet (6') of twine cut into two foot (2') lengths
~Hammer
~Tying Block
~Sharp Knife
The Method:
Gather your materials. Make a tying block by whittling the middle of a foot long (1'), very straight and narrow, limb. This should look rather like an hour glass when finished.
Start by preparing the handle. Drive the nail or drill a three-quarter inch (3/4")hole through the handle, some three inches (3") from where the broomcorn will be attached to the handle. Fasten the twine to this nail or hole. Wrap the other end of the twine around the center of the tying block, leaving a few feet of twine stretched between the block and the handle.
Traditional Besoms had a "knob" on the broomcorn end.
Broomcorn has three sections: stalks, brush and knurl. (The knurl is the junction between the stalk and the brush).
Trim the stalks to six inch (6") lengths. Place the broomcorn, stalk down, into hot water, covering both the stalks and the knurls. Let soak for ten minutes. Remove the broomcorn from the water, drain off. Place the tying block on the floor.
Place your feet on the tying block and pull the twine taught, with both hands on the handle.
Place a stalk of broomcorn next to the handle, next to the nail or drilled hole. (Have the knurl directly under the twine). Twist the handle so that the twine binds the broomcorn to the handle. Pull rather hard so the twine forms a rather V-shaped depression. Continue with broomcorns until you have covered the handle. Be sure to use an odd number of stalks to ensure the weaving comes out properly.
After all the stalks are bound to the handle, pull and wrap the twine around the stalks five times.
Begin the weaving of the stalks by placing your thumb on the twine and releasing pressure on the tying block. Raise one stalk, run the twine under it. Skip the next stalk and run the twine under the stalk after. Remember to pull the twine taught. Continue all the way around, and as far up the stalk as you desire. (Leave an inch or so to turn under).
With the eighteen inch (18") long piece of twine, fashion a tie off loop by tying the ends together.
If you are going to turn under the stalk ends, do it now. To tie off the twine, place the tie off loop next to the last stalk that the twine went under. Turn and wrap the stalks five more times, being sure to go over the loop, leaving the loop end free. Use your thumb to maintain pressure on the twine. Cut the twine loose from the tye off block, about six inches (6") from the broom. Thread the cut twine through the tie off loop. Pull the loop to bring the twine end under wraps on the broom, and to pull the tye off loop free.
If you did not turn under the stalk ends, take the knife and trim the stalks 
to about a quarter inch (1/4") above the twine.
To make the "spread", wrap twine about midway around the brush, four times. Do not pull too taught. Do this again about an inch above, and then a third time, an inch above that.
Thread the large eyed needle with a length of twine (You can make a needle out of a length of wire looped at one end).
Knot the free end to the top of the spread. Thread the needle through the brush (about and inch (1")from the edge, pass it over the front spreader twine, go over the broom three quarters of an inch (3/4") and thread the needle back through). Do this on both sides. At the end, reverse and do the same, creating "X" stitches.
Tie off, do the other two spreaders the same way.
~Credited to Ashlyns Grove Crafty Crafter
Caring for Your Besom
Upon receiving or completing the crafting of your Besom, it is important to
rub you hands over entire shaft, feeling the energy within and giving energy from yourself. Annoint the Besom with Oils, such as Chamomile, Willow, Lemon Balm, Elder or Mallow (all of which can be made into a consentrated oil form). Treat your besom as a member of your coven. Many witches choose to name theirs, as the besom is your friend, covenmate, family and magickal tool. Often, the besom, like the staff or wand used by many Witches, is the most sacred of all magickal tools, so treat it with respect and caring. Never use a besom for household cleaning or keep it outdoors in inclimate weather.
This chant can be used while annointing your besom:
Besom of birch and willow tied
(or besom of straw and cord tied)
Be my companion and my guide
On ashen shaft by moonlight pale
My spirit rides the windy gale.
To 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 and willow tied.
So do I consecrate this magickal Tree
As I will, So Mote It Be!
~Credited to Dan & Pauline Campanelli
©2001NyWitch
