The broom or besom is
a ritual tool of the witch, sacred to both Goddess and the God.
The
God; through its symbolic phallic shape and the Goddess; through its
three-piece make up, the stick, brush and binding cord being symbolic of
the 
threefold aspect of the Goddess. 
Traditionally the broom was made
from three different woods.
Ash for the handle, Birch twigs for the
brush and Willow for the binding cord. 
Ash is protective and has
command over the four elements. 
threefold aspect of the Goddess. Traditionally the broom was made
from three different woods. Ash for the handle, Birch twigs for the
brush and Willow for the binding cord. 
Birch is used to purify and draws spirit
to one’s service. Willow is sacred to the Goddess. 
The
broom is used for a variety of purposes but most generally to purify
and protect. It is used to ritually cleanse an area before magic is
performed by symbolically sweeping away negative energies and astral
build up. 
Of old it was used to guard the home and persons within
against psychic attack or evil curses, 
this by placing it across the
threshold, windowsills or doorways. 
It was also placed under the bed or a
pillow to protect the sleeper.
Of old it was used to guard the home and persons within
against psychic attack or evil curses, this by placing it across the
threshold, windowsills or doorways. It was also placed under the bed or a
pillow to protect the sleeper. 
Traditionally
the use which most people identify it with,
are the old wedding
ceremonies where a couple leap over the broom to ensure fertility,
domestic harmony and longevity.
are the old wedding
ceremonies where a couple leap over the broom to ensure fertility,
domestic harmony and longevity.
