Tag: Besom

Pagan and Magickal Terms and Definitions

Today’s Word is

Besom

From moonlitpriestess.com

A magickally charged broom generally used to sweep away negative energies. Sometimes used for home protection by placing above a door or window. Also used in fertility rituals for its association as a phallic symbol. In Handfastings, the besom serves as a sort of designator between one phase of life and another; couples will step or leap from their lives as individuals into their new lives as married couples.

From Spells8.com

A broom made of twigs tied around a stick. Used in cleansing rituals and to invite beneficial energies to a space.

Witch’s Broom Consecration

The most common use of brooms is to sweep away negative energies, thereby cleansing and purifying the space.

Learn how to consecrate your broom before you hang it over the door on inside a room for protection against negative energies, and find a printable page in PDF to add to your Witch’s Grimoire.

A Bewitching History: Why Witches Ride Broomsticks

From LiveScience.com

By Megan Gannon 

Among the throngs of this year’s trick-or-treaters, hundreds of Americans will be dressed as Miley Cyrus or a minion from “Despicable Me,” but more will go with a fail-safe getup. “Witch” once again reigns as the No. 1 costume for adults, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2013 Halloween survey.

Many of the pointy-hatted sorcerers who roam the streets this Oct. 31 will be carrying broomsticks or besoms. But few likely know the murky tale of how witches came to be associated with those familiar household objects.

The story — full of sex, drugs and Christian inquisitors — starts with poisonous plants like black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), sometimes called stinking nightshade.

Flying ointments

Ingesting henbane, which is rich in powerful alkaloids, can cause hallucinations (if it doesn’t kill you first). According to legend, witches used herbs with psychoactive properties like henbane in their potions, or “flying ointments.” Some historical accounts suggest witches applied these ointments to their nether regions. And what better applicator than a wooden staff?

Lady Alice Kyteler, Ireland’s earliest known accused witch, was condemned to death for using sorcery to kill her husband in 1324. (Kyteler escaped, and her maid was burned at the stake in her stead.)

The English historian Raphael Holinshed later recounted the case and described some of the supposedly damning evidence authorities found against Kyteler:…

One Way to Make Your Own Besom Using Branches and Sticks

I suggest gathering these under a full or waxing Moon phase as they will hold more helpful energy. Your Besom can also be used to sweep out the negativity in your sacred place and/or wherever you are going to cast a circle. Remember to ask the tree you get your branch and sticks from even if they are laying on the ground no longer attached to the tree. It is always better to take what you need from a tree or shrub off of the ground beneath it rather than cutting pieces off the tree or shrub. Get a branch about 3 to 4 inches little taller then you are. Gather good size bunch of unstift smaller branches, I have found getting the sticks from under a shrub or pine tree make the best sweeping part of the Besom, if possible the size difference in them should be no more the approximately 2 inches in size. After gathering the branch and sticks remember to thank the tree for the parts it has given you and to leave an offering such as some water out of a container you have drank from. You need a ball of natural thin twine or some type of undryed vine. Tie the twine or vine to the branch making sure it is tight and will not slip off (you may want to by an angular cut about 4 to 5 inch up from the bottom of the branch to slip this twine or vine when securing it. (The size you have at the bottom of your Besom made from the twigs is up to you. Usually doing 2 to 4 layers of sticks make a good size Besom. Lay your first stick against the branch pull the twine or vine around the stick as tightly as you can, continue doing this until you have made you first layer of sticks pull the twine or vine in the opposite direction the you have been placing the in a tightly as possible and tie it off but do not cut the twine or vine. For the next layer you will follow the same instruction except lay the sticks in the opposite direction from the first layer. The third layer will go in the same direction as the first layer and the fourth layer goes in the same direction as the second layer. To help ensure you sticks stay secure to the branch at the end of each layer of sticks pour white glue over the sticks and twine or vine and make sure it gets down to the branch. If you want you can even put glue on the branch as you lay each first layer stick. Let each layer of sticks dry for approximately 24 hours before adding the next layer. When you have done the last layer and have used glue to help hold it together let the entire Besom dry a minimum of 72 hours before using it.

Besom Chant

Witchy Comments
Besom Chant

Besom, besom long and lithe

made from ash and willow withe

Tied with thongs of willow bark

in running stream at moonset dark.

With a pentagram indighted

as the ritual fire is lighted

Sweep ye circle, deosil,

Sweep out evil, sweep out ill,

Make the round of the ground

Where we do the Lady’s will.

Besom, besom, Lady’s broom

Sweep out darkness, sweep out doom

Rid ye Lady’s hallowed ground

Of demons, imps and Hell’s red hound;

Then set ye down on Her green earth

By running stream or Mistress’ hearth,

‘Till called once more on Sabbath night

To cleans once more the dancing site.