http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/shoppingandsupplies/ss/Besom.htm
The besom is the traditional witch's broom. It's associated with all kinds of legend and folklore, including the popular notion that witches fly around in the night on a broomstick. In addition to being good for playing Quidditch, the besom is a great addition to your collection of magical tools -- it's used in many traditions as a method of cleansing or purifying a space. In some cultures, the rite of jumping the broom was considered an important part of a marriage ceremony. This ritual has seen some resurgence in popularity as more and more Wiccan and Pagan couples celebrate handfastings.
While it's easy to just buy a broom, it's also pretty easy to make one of your own out of different types of wood. Although the items that follow are for the more traditional style of besom, you can use nearly any types of branches available to you. You'll need:- A four-foot length of ash or oak for the handle
- Thin branches of birch for the bristle part (you can substitute a woody herb like mugwort or thyme for the bristles if you like)
- Lengths of willow or heavy cord to bind everything together
You'll also need scissors and a bucket of warm water.
Whatever you'll be using for the bristles -- whether it's birch, an herb, or some other wood -- should be soaked in the warm water overnight to make them pliable, as should the willow binding, if you're using it.
Lay the handle on a table or the floor, and place the bristles alongside it, lined up about four inches from the bottom. Point the bottom of the bristles towards the top of the broom, because you're going to flip the bristles in a minute (see Fig. 1).
Use the willow branches or cording to wrap the bristles around the broom (Fig. 2). Add as many as you want to make the broom full. Make sure you tie the cording off securely so your bristles don't come popping out later.
Now, take the bristles and fold them down over the willow binding or cording so that they're pointing towards the bottom of the broom. Tie them down again at the base of the broomstick to secure them(Fig. 3). As you're wrapping the cord in place, visualize your intent for this besom. Will it be strictly decorative? Are you going to hang it in place over a door? Perhaps you'll use it ceremonially, or maybe even for physical cleaning. Focus on what you're going to be doing it, and charge it with energy.
Let your broom dry for a day or two, and when it's all done, consecrate it as one of yourmagical tools.
great thanks,,....Now I am picturing my neighborhood and parks in my head lol wondering where I may be able to "borrow some" branches. Maybe have to wait till after we have a good storm. They are pretty good about picking up fallen tree limbs around here....
Quoting SerenaRose3:great thanks,,....Now I am picturing my neighborhood and parks in my head lol wondering where I may be able to "borrow some" branches. Maybe have to wait till after we have a good storm. They are pretty good about picking up fallen tree limbs around here....
I'm waiting until DH prunes/trims our apple tree. :D
I also used to have a link for a mini-besom that used raffia as the bristles. I liked that one.
where can ya buy raffia? I want to make one of those wreaths and then I can make my dd and I a mini besom. I so love atumn. Im done with summer already lol
Quoting ..MoonShine..:
Quoting SerenaRose3:
great thanks,,....Now I am picturing my neighborhood and parks in my head lol wondering where I may be able to "borrow some" branches. Maybe have to wait till after we have a good storm. They are pretty good about picking up fallen tree limbs around here....
I'm waiting until DH prunes/trims our apple tree. :D
I also used to have a link for a mini-besom that used raffia as the bristles. I liked that one.
Just about any craft store. The stuff I used on my wreath I got at the Dollar Tree. LOL
Quoting SerenaRose3:where can ya buy raffia? I want to make one of those wreaths and then I can make my dd and I a mini besom. I so love atumn. Im done with summer already lol
Quoting ..MoonShine..:
Quoting SerenaRose3:
great thanks,,....Now I am picturing my neighborhood and parks in my head lol wondering where I may be able to "borrow some" branches. Maybe have to wait till after we have a good storm. They are pretty good about picking up fallen tree limbs around here....
I'm waiting until DH prunes/trims our apple tree. :D
I also used to have a link for a mini-besom that used raffia as the bristles. I liked that one.
I shall fly over to the dollar tree then. lol ......Its beginning to look a lot like autumn (sung to the tune of "its begging to looka lot like Christmas) lol. Im so excited. Autumn to me is like christmas morning to children lol
Quoting ..MooznShine..:
Just about any craft store. The stuff I used on my wreath I got at the Dollar Tree. LOL
Quoting SerenaRose3:
where can ya buy raffia? I want to make one of those wreaths and then I can make my dd and I a mini besom. I so love atumn. Im done with summer already lol
Quoting ..MoonShine..:
Quoting SerenaRose3:
great thanks,,....Now I am picturing my neighborhood and parks in my head lol wondering where I may be able to "borrow some" branches. Maybe have to wait till after we have a good storm. They are pretty good about picking up fallen tree limbs around here....
I'm waiting until DH prunes/trims our apple tree. :D
I also used to have a link for a mini-besom that used raffia as the bristles. I liked that one.
Intention Ritual
- ..MoonShine..
on Aug. 18, 2012 at 6:09 PM