The traditional Witches' Broom is made from an Ash stake as a handle; Birch twigs for the brush and is tied together with Willow binding. Ash represents rebirth, healing and Shamanic spirit-flight, Birch symbolizes birth and purification and Willow is sacred to the Moon Goddess. Brooms do not have to be made from traditional materials; my own Broom is made from Olive wood. Witches' Brooms do not take long to make, say 15 or 20 minutes or so for your first one, less once you have some experience. Brooms can be tailored to suit your height and strength. They can be large, stiff Brooms for use in outdoor rituals or little hand Brooms for indoor temple work.

Step #1.

Ideally, the materials for the Broom should be cut at least a week before using them, this gives them a chance to dry out so that less shrinkage accompanies the final product. Cut the twigs at a point where the stems are about as thick as your little finger and then lie them in the sun to dry for about a week.

Step #2.

The handle of the Broom needs to be reasonably straight, although a slight curve can make the Broom easier to use. With the bark still attached, the wood for the handle needs to be slightly larger than a comfortable handle size. Using a tomahawk, skin any bark from the stick while it is still green since dried bark is much harder to remove. For safety's sake, place the end of the handle on the ground and aim the tomahawk downwards and away from yourself. Alternatively, leave the bark on if you prefer that look.

Step #3.

In some Witchcraft traditions, the part of the handle, which will be covered with the brush, is carved into the shape of a penis. This represents the Horned God of Witchcraft and emphasizes the phallic nature of the Broom. If the end is to be carved, now is the stage to do so using the white-handled Witch's knife, the Boline. The phallus can be around 20 centimeters long, however it does not have to be a work of art, as it will not be seen when the Broom is completed. Lightly sand the whole Broom handle.

Step #4.

The next step is to make the female part of the Broom, which is the brush. When the branches for the brush have dried, select the best and chop them off at the stalky end so that they are between 5 and 10 millimeters in diameter. Bundle them so that they form a neat head without twigs poking out at all angles and tie it temporarily with a bit of string.

Step #5.

Take 3 or 4 meters of Willow binding (available at craft shops) and soak it in a bucket of water for a few hours to make it suppler. Then attach it to something solid such as your house or a fence post using nails to secure it if necessary. Stretch the Willow binding out lengthwise and carry the Broom head to the free end of the binding. Poke about 15 centimeters of the end of the binding right through the bundle of twigs making sure that it does not go directly through the center which may impede the attaching of the handle later on. Next, begin to roll or wind the bundle of twigs along the Willow binding. As you make each complete turn, pull hard to tighten the binding, which must be as tight as possible so the Broom does not fall apart at first use. Keep each turn of the binding close to the previous one if you require a neat appearance. When you have made four complete turns, hold the binding tight and cut it from the long length. Bend the end around itself a few times and inse rt it into the brush, securing with a small nail or some wire if it appears to loosen.

Step #6.

Repeat this procedure 10 centimeters further down the Broom head so that it is actually tied tightly in two places, 10 centimeters apart. Next, use a handsaw to cut the untidy ends of the stalks to about 5 to 10 centimeters above the first lot of binding. Then using the Boline or a tomahawk, trim the leafy end of the Broom to a shape that you like.

Step #7.

To attach the brush to the handle, mark a spot about 25 centimeters down from the phallic end of the handle. Rest the other end of the handle on the ground and holding the brush, firmly push it down onto the handle, making sure it is going into the center of the brush. When it is firmly fixed, hold the Broom by its handle and bang it down on the ground, the brush will force its way down the handle, further tightening the bindings at the same time. Measure the handle for an appropriate length and cut it off.. Sand the blunt end.

Now you have your Witches' Broom. Decorate it with colored threads, dried flowers and herbs or whatever takes your fancy. Use the Broom to purify the Magick Circle, to banish negative influences and to soar over the rooftops to the Witches' Sabbat.

The Crafting of the Witches' Broom, copyright (c) 2001 by Caroline Tulley, all rights reserved.

Caroline is a professional Tapestry Weaver and a Witch with an interest in 'Faerie Doctoring': Healing with the aid of Faeries. She lives in Australia.