The general definition of Besoms is a broom made of twigs tied around a stick. However, in the world of Wiccan and witchcraft, the meaning of Besom is much more than that. Magically speaking, Besom is a symbol of fertility and sexuality. The Besom represents both feminine and masculine aspects, bringing together many sources reporting the traditional construction of Besoms as an ash handle, a birch twig head, with willow binding. Ash is said to represent masculinity, protection, romantic love and to command all four elements, while birch is a wood associated with femininity, purification and is believed to attract spirits to its service. The willow is sacred to the goddess. and ties the three together, thus becoming a symbol of the unity of femininity and masculinity. Besoms are often used in handfasting ceremonies, hoping to bring fertility blessings upon the union of the two parties. This tradition would be borrowed from the Celtic tradition. Many stories also tell of how people would take their Besoms out into the fields when it was time to start planting and hop them up to show the crops how tall they should grow, as a form of encouragement, as if to guide cultures. This is why the stories of witches riding broomsticks began. Today, witches use their brooms in a variety of ways, from directing energy during a ritual, to sweeping negativity out of the space or home, to sweeping positivity into or anything. what we wish for at the moment, but it is said that one should never sweep negativity out the front door because it will take with it the prosperity of the family. I think I would like to use a broom in my practices and my life. .... middle of paper...... "Basom, broom, holy broomSweep away the darkness, sweep away the darknessRid this holy, holy landOf demons, imps, and hell-bent dogs; Then lay upon its green earthRunning the stream or the Mistress' hearth, until it is called once more on the Sabbath night to cleanse once more this sacred site of herbs, oils, feathers and. other things to add to the energy of the broom's intention Works Cited The Modern Pagan The Witch's Besom Lyon Mercaent http://www.themodernpagan.net/?p=751Controversial, Tools of a Witch The Besom (Broom). ), http://www.controverscial.com/The%20Besom%20%28Broom%29.htmThe Pagan Path, The Story of the Broom, Spring Wolf, http://www.paganspath.com/magik/balai.htm