Besom

Ok so we have gone through most of the tools you might find on an altar. So what about the traditional image of the witch?

If only, is my answer! It would halve the time it takes me to get round the London Orbital! Unfortunately for me, witches do not really ride brooms. The only flying done is the mental sort where smoking herbs or a 'flying ointment' is used. Only a little bit of this should be used and rubbed on to the skin, but this is not for beginners!

So what is the Besom for? It is a fertility symbol. The besom or broom is a purifier, used for cleansing ritual areas prior to setting up the altar. This is symbolic to sweep away the bad vibes in a room. A besom can also be laid across the threshold of a doorway to protect the structure, and those within. It is also used in ritual as a gateway to the circle or used in a handfasting ceremony in "jumping the broom". Brooms are usually associated with a female witch, but is a global tool as discussed under staffs.

So do you buy or do you make? Below I have described ways of making your own. Remember to ask the tree first and to leave a gift.

Making a besom or witch's broom is not difficult and there are many good ideas around to borrow from and improve on. The choice you make for each part of your besom should reflect the purpose you intend it. Ideally, it should have protective properties but you may instinctively go for something else. It's your broom! Traditionally, it was made of birch twigs.

Suggestions are Ash (protection, prosperity, health), Birch (protection, binding, purification). Dogwood (wishes, protection), Elder (binding, protection, healing) . Oak (protection, health, money, healing and a tree scared to the Druid's). Pine (healing, protection, binding, money), or Rowan (psychic powers, healing, power, success, protection). or straw (which attracts fae).

So you have your wood: you have a sturdy staff for the handle, thin branches or straw for the broom stalks, willow for binding (traditional for all magickal besoms) and a choke ring to secure it all.

I would suggest that if the bark is very rough on the staff, you either sand it down or strip it. Either way, I would apply bees wax to it to prevent it from becoming brittle and snapping. The length should be determined by your height so that it is comfortable to sweep with.

The broom stalks are about half the length of the staff. Bind these with the choke ring to the staff 3 - 4 inches from the end of the staff. The choke ring is usually made from either silver or a silver coloured metal to reflect the lunar colours of the Goddess. You could use a jubilee clip. Make sure that the stalks are evenly spaced around the broom and bend outwards. Now bind them with your willow about 1 inch above the bottom of the staff. If you find this too difficult, you could always bind them with silver coloured cord. This is to ensure that the stalks stay evenly distributed and flex when you sweep.

You might want to add personal touched by adding symbols painted or carved into the staff or add acorns or small pine cones to the binding if you have made it from these trees. You could even add dried flowers that you have gathered. The choice is yours.

Chalice	Athame	Altar Tile
Wand	Censor	Staff
Cauldron	Bell	Shaman