Realm of the Mystic Griffin

           THE MAGICK OF THE BROOM

 Sweeping & cleaning may not seem like magical activities, but the relationship between humans and the broom sweeps backwards into history. Aztecs, in days of old, worshipped the witch Goddess, Tlazolteotl. She was known to carry, or ride a broom, and was invoked to sweep away the transgressions of  worshipers. Our more recent ancestors in Europe hung crossed brooms over the doors and walled brooms up in houses during construction to ward off evil magic and offer protection to the house. Our grandparents' generation believed the broom to hold enough symbolic importance that images were formed onto cast iron trivets for daily use, many of which are still hanging around in collections today. In some areas, the Chinese still worship The Lady of the Broom, Sao Ch'ing Niang. Farmers in need of good weather can cut out paper images of brooms and put them onto doors and fences to call for Her help. And Wiccans of today jump over a broom in handfasting ceremonies. Ancient and modern humans alike saw the mysterious powers at work in the action of causing the dirt and grime to disappear.
   Technically, any broom can be used for magic. When you're cleaning the house, visualize negative energy being swept away. Don't forget those hard to reach areas -- you wouldn't want to allow negativity to hide in the back corners of your life so why allow it a free ride in your home? Also, don't  sweep towards the front door, as you might loose your good luck -- you could sweep it right out the door! Nothing makes faster work of cleaning your spiritual, or physical, house like the broom!
   In some instances you wouldn't want to use an ordinary broom. A special broom should be reserved for spells and magical rites. For example, if you plan to be away from home for some time and want to return to a safe bed, a broom tucked into your bed --  bristles to the pillow -- will prevent energies from drifting . This method will keep your empty bed clean from negativity. You can also protect the contents of the bed by placing a broom underneath. Perhaps the need to protect your bed at all derives from stuffing originally having been made from flammable substances, such as straw or animal hair. Such stuffing might also have come with "friends" -- parasites!! ( no extra charge, I'm sure). If this were a concern, the brooms would likely have been made with insect repellent herbs. But in today's age, unless you're worried about the blanket fairies running off with the designer sheets, we can probably utilize this charm to protect whom ever lays upon the bed. Nothing will disturb a bed guarded by a magic broom.

  A magical broom has many uses. Being a-kin to the wand and staff, it fits right in to Circle rites. Use your broom to symbolically sweep the area of your circle. This will remove any negative or static energy that may have built up since you last used the space. If you're being pestered by an unfriendly ghost or spirit, try stepping over a broom, or hang one over your front door to prevent them from entering in the first place. Swinging a magic broom overhead while outdoors is known to bring rain. But be careful, brooms can also draw lightning to them -- a shocking experience! A broom hung on your bedroom door, along with garlic under your pillow, will chase away nightmares and bring peaceful sleep.  And, of course, the Handfasting, or witches wedding, wouldn't be complete without the couple jumping over a broom to close the ceremony. This act may be performed in order to seal their vows and ensure domestic bliss. For the new couple, the broom will sweep away the methods of the past to clear a path for a new future together. Tiny brooms may be hung in the kitchen to keep it safe, or placed under a pillow to keep away bad dreams. There are many reasons to have a separate broom just for magic. Even in the techno-ruled society of today, the broom can still clean up the completion when it comes to magic!  * Shown: Plum Wood & Peacock w/ Emerald Spell Broom                 ©Tree Pruitt 9-24-04, (6 )

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