The besom is a traditional witch’s broom and is used for many things other than flying through the sky. It is used to ritually cleanse a space to clear negative energies from your circle, always in a clockwise direction. Complete this ritual cleansing by closing the circle, this is done by counter-clockwise movements to draw the energies into the circle.Besom’s are also used in ceremonies to cleanse other things and even people, hung by a doorway, they act as a barrier to protect the room, and they are also used to direct magical energy much the same way as a wand or a staff. The besom is a great addition to your magical tools and although you can buy one, most witches build their own, this way it will be tuned to your own powers.

First, you must choose the wood for the broom stick. The most popular is Oak, but many prefer Ash or even Poplar as well. It needs to be around an inch thick and four to five feet long. They can be straight, but a good crook in them seems to help them hold the consecrated magic better. You’ll want to sand down the rough edges, but leave the bark in place, it also helps to hold in the magic.

Birch is by far the most commonly used bristles when making a besom but you can also use one of the broom corns too. Soak the bristle material in warm, salted water overnight along with the willow branches you will be using to tie them on with to soften them up and make them flexible. Many prefer to use twine or wire to secure the bristles with. Any twine is acceptable so long as it’s organic, no plastics, but if you choose to use wire, copper is the best choice.

Lay your chosen broom stick on the surface you’ll be working on, the floor or a large table. Then place the bristles out along side of it, line them up four inches from the bottom of the stick with the bottom of the bristles pointed towards the top of the broom. Using the presoaked willow branches, wrap the bristles around the broom stick. Add as many as you want to make your besom nice and full, at least three layers, then tie the willow branches securely with a slip knot.

Now fold the bristles over the willow binding so that they are pointing towards the bottom of the broom and tie them down, against the bottom of the broom stick securing it tightly about an inch below the first binding. Let it dry for at least a week before consecrating it.