A besom is traditionally known as a type of broom made from a bundle of twigs or straw tied to a stout handle, often used for sweeping. Here's a deeper dive into what besoms represent and their uses:

Historical and Cultural Significance:

• Witchcraft and Folklore: Besoms have been historically associated with witchcraft, particularly in European folklore. They were often depicted as the mode of transport for witches, giving rise to the stereotype of witches flying on broomsticks. This imagery might be linked to various rituals or the application of hallucinogenic ointments as speculated in historical contexts.
• Pagan and Wiccan Traditions: In modern paganism, especially Wicca, the besom is used for ritual purification. It symbolizes the act of sweeping away negative energy or spirits, preparing a space for ritual work. This act of cleansing is not just physical but also spiritual, making the besom an essential tool in many ceremonial practices.
• Wedding Ceremonies: The besom has been used in wedding rituals, often referred to as "jumping the broom." This tradition, found in various cultures, symbolizes the sweeping away of the old and stepping into a new life together, crossing over into marriage.

Construction and Types:

• Materials: Traditionally, besoms are made from birch twigs for the sweeping part, attached to a handle made from hazel or willow wood. However, modern besoms might use different materials for durability or aesthetic reasons.
• Design: The design is simple yet functional, with a rounded shape due to the construction around a central pole, which differs from the flat modern brooms.

Practical Uses:

• Household Cleaning: Before the advent of the modern broom, besoms were widely used for sweeping floors and yards. They are still used today for this purpose, especially in rural settings or for their rustic charm.
• Ritualistic Sweeping: Beyond cleaning physical dirt, the act of sweeping with a besom in ritual settings can be about clearing energy, making it a powerful tool in magical practices for protection, purification, or to set boundaries in sacred spaces.

Symbolism:

• Protection and Boundaries: In various traditions, laying a besom across a threshold or sweeping around a space with it can ward off unwanted energies or entities, symbolizing protection.
• Connection to Nature: The materials used in making besoms often come from nature, reinforcing a connection to the natural world, which is central to many pagan beliefs.
• Transformation and Change: The act of sweeping symbolizes transformation, clearing out the old to make way for the new, which resonates with many life cycles and rituals.

Many Witches use their own personal Besom, or Magickal Broom as a part of their rituals.

Some Besoms are structurally different in shape from the flat ones sold today, being round on the end and having a smaller sweeping surface. They can, however, be fashioned flat or however you personally desire. These Magickal Brooms are commonly used for cleansing and purifying Sacred Space, but can be used for many other things... such as using one in place of a Wand, Athame, or finger to project your personal energy when casting your Circle.

Here is a simple way to create your own, quoted from one of Edain McCoy's wonderful books:

If you would like a Besom of your own, they are fairly easy to find in craft stores, country markets, or folk art fairs. You can also invest your energies into making one, a good idea if you wish to use it in place of a Wand or other ritual tool.

• To make a Besom you will need a four-foot dowel one inch in diameter, a ball of twine, scissors, and straw or other long strands of pliable herbs.
• Take the straw, or another herb you have chosen for the bristles, and allow them to soak overnight in warm, lightly salted water. The water softens the straws to make them pliable, and the salt soaks out former energies.
• When you are ready to make your Besom, remove the straws from the water and allow them to dry a bit, but not so much that they lose the suppleness you will need to turn them into your Besom.
• Find a work area where you can lay out the length of your dowel, and begin lining the straws alongside the dowel. Starting about three inches from the bottom, lay the straws, moving backward, along the length of the dowel. Begin binding these to the dowel with the twine. You will need to tie them very securely. You can add as many layers of straw as you wish, depending on how full you would like your Besom to be.
• When the straw is secured, bend the top straws down over the twine ties. When they are all gently pulled over, tie off the straws again a few inches below the original tie. Leave the Besom overnight to allow the straw to dry.
• The dowel part of the Besom can be stained, painted, or decorated with Pagan symbols, your Craft name, or any other embellishments you choose. Dedicate your finished Besom in your Circle as you would any other ritual tool.

The besom, therefore, isn't just a tool for sweeping but carries layers of cultural, spiritual, and practical significance, making it a versatile symbol in various contexts. Whether used in daily life, rituals, or as a decorative item, the besom embodies themes of cleansing, transition, and protection.