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The Besom

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Lady_Elaine

Castle Lord

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Forest Queen

Mariner's Shield

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Posted Wed May 14, 2008 1:49 pm...

The Besom

The besom or broomstick is made from many twigs, usually birch or heather, about 3 feet in length, tied in place around a pole of Willow, Ash or Hazel.

The ties are made of willow. As the besom is a fertility symbol, the pole being the male principal and the twigs into which it is inserted being female, it was popular to carve the hidden end of the pole in a phallus shape. Like some other tools of the Craft it is best to make your own.

Popular images of the Witch show her riding a broomstick, or besom. While this is not a form of transport, many Witches will have one for other reasons. The besom is an ideal garden broom, as it can sweep leaves off flowerbeds and lawns in a way no other garden tool can. It is useful for sweeping indoors, and in some ways is superior to a vacuum. Magically we use it to sweep the Circle or to sweep away negative influences and energies. For a Handfasting Ritual it will be decorated with ribbons, flowers and even bells. It is held across the Circle for the couple to jump, signifying their leap into a new life together, often being slightly raises during the leap to add more fun. The besom was once used as an indicator as to whether visitors were permitted to call at a house. Bristles upwards would mean that callers were not welcome, while bristles down indicated that you could expect a welcome.

"Just because you can send an email instantly doesn't mean it is a good idea."

~from the Real Witches Year by Kate West

If you cant explain it simply, you dont understand it well enough.-- Albert Einstein

Blessings Bright and Dark,

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Raith

The One Ring

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Posted Wed May 14, 2008 5:29 pm...

Thanks a bunch! I'm making one this weekend.

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