Blueanchor Sat Apr 16, 2016 5:43 pm
There are many rituals designed by different practitioners. So, as far as your grandmother is concerned, I don't know what she used her broom for. Could you ask your step mother?
If that isn't possible, then some generalisations. Historically, the craft was practised by the wise person of the village. They were often ordinary folk without money to spare for specific ritualistic items and the besom was just the type of broom that every household would have had (as was the pot or cauldron). So it would have been used to sweep floors.
After witch craft had been demonised, there came about many fantastical stories about witches flying on their broomsticks etc. It's only a best guess, but I believe that in trying to bring such stories back down to earth for more practical use, the old fashioned broom has taken on more meaning.
The most common uses I've heard for the broom is to cleanse a ritual area or sweep herbs around the area - or as a phallic.
A proper besom is a very beautiful use of natural materials (compared to the modern broom), and in my view, the craft is working with natural elements, so if you connect to the broom, then it may come to play a part in your craft, but if you don't, it isn't a must.
