31/10/2025
🧹The Besom: A Symbol of Domesticity and Magic Through the Ages
The besom, a traditional broom made from twigs bound to a wooden handle, is far more than a humble cleaning tool. It carries centuries of cultural, spiritual, and magical significance, particularly within British folklore and witchcraft traditions. From its practical origins in rural households to its revered place in ritual and symbolism, the besom has swept its way into the heart of magical practice and myth.
Origins and Historical Use
The word besom derives from the Old English besma, meaning bundle of twigs. Historically, besoms were crafted using locally sourced materials: a sturdy branch for the handle—often ash or hazel—and birch twigs for the bristles, bound with willow or h**p twine. This construction made them accessible to rural communities across Britain and Europe, where they were used to sweep hearths, doorways, and ritual spaces.
In medieval Britain, the besom was a staple of domestic life. It was often hung above the door or placed near the hearth to symbolise protection and cleanliness. The hearth, being the centre of the home, was both a physical and spiritual space, and the besom played a role in maintaining its sanctity. It was also used to sweep thresholds, not only to remove dirt but to symbolically clear away negative energy or malevolent spirits.
The Besom in Folklore and Myth
The besom’s association with witches is perhaps its most enduring legacy. Popular imagery of witches flying on broomsticks dates back to the early modern period, particularly during the witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries. However, the origins of this myth are complex and layered.
One theory suggests that the image of flying witches arose from shamanic practices involving hallucinogenic herbs. These herbs—such as belladonna or mandrake—were sometimes infused into ointments and applied to the skin using a broomstick, particularly to the mucous membranes. The resulting visions of flight may have contributed to the folklore of witches soaring through the night sky.
In British folklore, the besom was also used in fertility rites. Couples would leap over a besom laid on the ground during handfasting ceremonies, symbolising the sweeping away of the old and the welcoming of new beginnings. This tradition echoes ancient pagan customs and is still practised in some modern Pagan and Wiccan weddings.
Magical Practices and Symbolism
In magical traditions, the besom is a tool of purification and protection. It is often used to ritually cleanse a space before spellwork or ceremony. Unlike a conventional broom, the besom is not used to touch the floor but is swept just above it, symbolically removing stagnant energy and spiritual debris.
The materials used in crafting a besom are chosen for their magical correspondences:
- Ash is associated with protection and strength.
- Birch represents renewal and purification.
- Willow is linked to intuition and the moon.
- Hazel is revered for wisdom and divination.
The besom is also used to mark sacred space. In Wiccan practice, it may be placed at the entrance of a circle to guard against unwanted energies. Some practitioners use it to “sweep” the circle before casting, ensuring the area is energetically clean.
During Sabbats such as Samhain and Beltane, the besom takes on additional significance. At Samhain, it may be used to honour ancestors and sweep away the remnants of the old year. At Beltane, it is often incorporated into fertility rites and spring celebrations.
The Besom in Modern Witchcraft
Today, the besom remains a cherished tool among witches, Pagans, and spiritual practitioners. It is often handmade, with attention paid to the intention behind its creation. Some decorate their besoms with ribbons, herbs, charms, or seasonal flowers, imbuing them with personal meaning and magical purpose.
In contemporary witchcraft, the besom is not only a tool but a symbol of balance. Its handle represents the masculine, while the bristles symbolise the feminine. Together, they form a union of energies, making the besom a powerful emblem of harmony and unity.
It is also a reminder of the sacredness of domestic space. In a world that often separates the spiritual from the mundane, the besom bridges the gap—bringing magic into the everyday and honouring the home as a place of power.
The Besom and Christianity: From Suspicion to Symbolism
Early Christian Attitudes
In early Christian Europe, the besom was a common household item, but its association with folk magic and pagan rites made it a subject of suspicion. Christianity, particularly during its consolidation across Britain and continental Europe, sought to distance itself from practices deemed “heathen” or superstitious. The besom, used in seasonal rituals and fertility ceremonies, was one such object.
As Christianity spread, it absorbed and reinterpreted many pagan customs. However, tools like the besom—especially when linked to witchcraft—were often condemned. The Church viewed magical cleansing rituals and fertility rites involving the besom as incompatible with Christian doctrine. This tension deepened during the medieval and early modern periods, when the Church actively persecuted those accused of witchcraft.
Witch Trials and Demonisation
During the witch trials of the 15th to 17th centuries, the besom became a symbol of heresy and diabolical activity. The infamous image of witches flying on broomsticks was popularised in part by Christian demonologists, who claimed that witches used besoms to travel to sabbats—gatherings where they allegedly worshipped the Devil.
This imagery was not just folklore; it was weaponised in legal and theological texts. The besom, once a tool of domestic life and seasonal celebration, became evidence of supposed pacts with dark forces. Women—especially those who lived alone, practised herbal medicine, or maintained folk traditions—were disproportionately targeted.
Symbolic Reclamation
Despite this history of demonisation, the besom has been reclaimed in modern spiritual practices, including Christian-adjacent traditions. Some Christian mystics and practitioners of folk Christianity have embraced the besom as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and protection. In these contexts, the besom is not seen as a tool of witchcraft, but as a metaphor for sweeping away sin, temptation, or spiritual clutter.
In Christian folklore, particularly in rural Britain, there are stories of besoms being used to ward off evil spirits or protect the home from misfortune. These practices often blurred the line between superstition and faith, and were tolerated so long as they did not openly challenge Church authority.
Contemporary Perspectives
Today, most mainstream Christian denominations do not engage with the besom as a spiritual tool. However, in interfaith and eclectic spiritual circles, some Christian practitioners incorporate elements of folk magic—including the besom—into their rituals. These individuals often view the besom not as a contradiction to their faith, but as a cultural artefact that connects them to ancestral wisdom and seasonal rhythms.
There are also Christian witches—those who identify with both Christian theology and magical practice—who use the besom in ways that honour both traditions. For them, the besom may symbolise the Holy Spirit’s cleansing power or serve as a tool for preparing sacred space for prayer and reflection.
The besom’s journey through Christian history is one of transformation—from feared object to reclaimed symbol. It reminds us how tools of everyday life can carry deep spiritual meaning, and how belief systems evolve, adapt, and sometimes reconcile in unexpected ways.
Helen Demetriou
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