I recently helped out on a project for a local folklorist looking for information on broom lore, and wound up with easily twenty pages of notes on the topic from a wide variety of sources. I thought that today I would share a few of the commonly held beliefs regarding brooms, as well as look at some of the most unusual practices surrounding this wonderful household item.
Of course there are many instances of witches riding broomsticks in art and media, but of course brooms were only one of the preferred methods for nocturnal transportation to Sabbat rites. Other mounts included pitchforks, stangs, goats, and eggshells (and even the occasional human being fitted with a magical bridle, in the cases of alleged ‘hag-riding’) (The Historical Dictionary of Witchcraft, Bailey: 23-4). Brooms served magical folk for more than hobby-horses and transport, though. In European culture, broom magic goes back at least as far as Ancient Rome. In that culture, the broom’s sweeping function translated into a purification rite. Eli Edward Burriss notes in his Taboo, Magic, Spirits that the Romans believed a new baby and its mother were in danger of being tormented by woodland spirits—particularly one called Silvanus—and goes on to quote St. Augustine about a three-part, three-tool ritual in which several spirits were invoked to provide protection. Let’s see what the good saint himself says on the subject (from Burriss’ book, and his translation of Augustine):
Burriss goes on to note that the iron in several of the implements provide the expected protection from evil, but the ceremonial sweeping is what actually drives away the wicked spirit. He also notes that Sir James Frazer observed something similar in his book The Golden Bough, which included sweeping salt out of a dwelling and disposing of it in a churchyard to remove any vengeful souls of the dead from the premises (Frazer 144, Burriss 35). Charles Leland noted that Gypsies used broom straws in spells to protect a mother during childbirth (echoing St. Augustine’s writings) and also says that Romanian Gypsies would use iron and broomstraws interchangeably as protective wards placed beneath pillows at night (Gypsy Sorcery & Fortune Telling, Leland: 47-48, 136).
In the New World, brooms retain much of their old purifying & protective power, but also begin to adopt new abilities within the new culture. African American folk practices show a strong connection to brooms and domestic bonds. African American cultural tradition (as well as other cultures) have a wedding practice of “jumping the broom” to seal the ceremony. It’s common enough that in 2011 a romantic comedy film about an African American wedding was entitled Jumping the Broom. This connection to marriage and the household also involves a number of superstitions and folk spells centered on weddings and love in association with brooms. Here’s a short collection of such beliefs:
I should note that these are only a very small handful of the superstitions associated with brooms in these two texts. Hyatt’s book alone has easily five hundred individual entries featuring various examples of broom magic and lore.
Of course, the broom’s protective power and its association with witches also become increasingly complex in the New World. Many sources (Hyatt, Thomas, Randolph, Puckett, etc.) all say that witches will not cross over a broom, and so it can be a powerful protective charm to put one across your doorway. Similarly, one could reverse a jinx or witchcraft by stepping backwards over a broom. Brooms can also be a component of spells to reverse the evil eye, according to curandero lore:
Here again we have a connection to magical protection, especially for children, much as we saw in the European lore. Brooms can also cure physical ailments, like warts, as well.
One of the most interesting themes in broom lore has to do with relocating a household. If one is moving, for example, one should not take the old broom along. Likewise, when you are moving, you should break your old broom and burn it before leaving the house. The superstitious believe that a new broom should be one for the first things you bring into a new home:
A number of superstitions also note that the first thing a person does in his or her new home should be to sweep it with a broom, then throw the ashes out the door to ensure that all bad luck is swept clean of the house before anyone sleeps there. Likewise, a new home can be blessed with good luck by throwing a broom over it.
While there’s much, much more that could be said on the topic of brooms, I’ll finish up today with a small grab-bag of the more unusual beliefs and practices involving these wonderful magical tools:
And just for fun, you should listen to blues legend Robert Johnson singing “I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom.”
So there’s my brief take on magical brooms. The short, sweet version is that they’re not just for riding up to unholy Sabbats upon anymore. I hope this information is useful to you! Until next time, thanks for reading!
The Hidden Significance of a Falling Broom Exploring the Folklore and Possible Messages
Have you ever been startled by a broom suddenly falling over in your home? While it may seem like a random household accident, there are some interesting superstitions and potential symbolic meanings surrounding a fallen broom In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at the cultural lore and contemplated messages surrounding this peculiar event
Throughout history, across many cultures, brooms have been infused with ritualistic and spiritual meaning. Beyond just mundane cleaning tools, brooms were often seen as having the power to sweep away evil spirits or negative energy. This belief led to brooms being used in various customs and practices:
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In African traditions, brooms were used in cleansing rituals thought to purify people and spaces.
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Some Native American cultures made brooms from sacred plants and used them in spiritual ceremonies.
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In European folklore, brooms became associated with witchcraft and magic.
With this magical lore around brooms established, let’s explore some of the ways a fallen or dropped broom has been interpreted over time:
Incoming Visitors or Guests
One of the most common folk beliefs tied to a randomly falling broom is that it signifies guests or visitors are soon to arrive at one’s home. This symbolism connecting fallen brooms and imminent arrivals has spanned continents and centuries.
Some versions indicate that if a broom topples of its own accord, visitors will turn up within a day. If the broom is accidentally knocked over by a resident, it may foretell that guests already en route will soon reach the home.
Changing Luck or Fortune
Another frequent interpretation is that a fallen broom hints at impending shifts in one’s destiny, for good or bad:
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Certain traditions view it as an omen of good fortune or luck coming your way. The broom sweeps out old energies to invite in the new.
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However, some believe a falling broom serves as a warning of approaching misfortune or challenging times.
Spiritual Cleansing
Given a broom’s cleansing role, it falling can be seen as a sign of spiritual purification in process. The broom is thought to be energetically sweeping away negativity or signaling that it’s time for internal “cleaning house.”
Banishing Curses or Spells
Those who believe in magics and spells may see a falling broom as proof that curses directed their way have been broken or dispelled.
Communication from Spirits
For spiritualists, a fallen broom could indicate a message from spirit guides, ancestors or the beyond. The physical broom acts as a medium for the metaphysical realms.
While these meanings are widely associated with falling brooms, interpretations also depend heavily on one’s cultural background, personal beliefs and the context surrounding the incident. If you’re spiritually inclined, when a broom falls in your midst, pause to reflect on what it might mean for you in your current moment and life circumstances.
What messages about visitors, fortune, cleansing or spirits might your intuition be conveying? You may even want to proactively cleanse your home – physically and energetically – after such an event.
Of course, one can also view a fallen broom rationally as nothing more than physics at work. Debates around science vs spirituality will continue, but being aware of the extensive cultural lore around brooms is fascinating regardless of one’s beliefs.
So next time you’re startled by a suddenly dropped broom, consider the worldwide traditions infusing this humble household object with intrigue and symbolism. While a falling broom likely carries no true magical powers, it just may be sending you a little cosmic wink!
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What does it mean if the broom falls,
FAQ
What is the superstition about brooms?
If you sweep under someone’s feet, they will never marry. If you move, don’t bring the old broom with you or it will bring bad luck. Never step over a broom, even if you have to cross over it to pick it up. Some people place a broom across the door, especially on Halloween, to keep witches from entering the house.
What is the spiritual significance of the broom?
The broom is a traditional symbol of fertility and is said to be sacred to Goddess and God. It represents a balance of divine masculine energies (represented by the phallic handle) and feminine energies (represented by the “hairy” bristles) and is thought to promote fertility of people or land.
What is the old saying about a broom?
I take to heart the proverb “A new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners.” But what do we do with a broken broom?
What does it mean to leave a broom outside your door?
As @leladymoon on TikTok shared in a 2021 video, placing a cinnamon broom by your front door “[draws] in abundance, protection and ward[s] off negative energy.” Watch on TikTok. But where did this come from? It came from a witch’s relationship with brooms and cinnamon, of course.
What does it mean when a witch’s broom falls?
There are many guidances in folklore about what it means when a witch’s broom falls. If it falls in front of your door, it means that you will have company. After the broom has fallen, do not walk over the broom.
What does it mean if a broom falls?
According to superstitions, if a broom falls as you are passing it, you will have bad luck. If a broom falls in front of you and you step over it before picking it up, you will have a ‘bed of sickness.’ It is especially hard to sweep during the night.
What does it mean if a broom falls on a Friday?
If a broom falls on a Friday, it is said to signify bad luck. Also, sweeping dirt out of the house on this day may cause the house to burn. Carrying a broom under your arm is considered lucky, but carrying it over your shoulder brings bad luck. It is also considered unlucky to carry a broom from the front door to the back door. If a broom falls as you are passing it, you will also have bad luck.
What does it mean if a broom falls in front of me?
According to the lore, it is a sign of good luck to have a broom drop in front of you. However, it is considered a sign of misfortune if you lay a broom on the bed. Lean a broom against a bed and you will be unlucky. Sweeping under a bed where someone is lying is also considered to bring bad luck. Sweep the top of a bed instead.
What does breaking a broom mean?
According to old folklore, breaking a broom is considered a major omen of bad luck and misfortune heading your way. The reasoning behind this superstition is a bit murky, but some say it stems from the broom’s symbolic connection to domestic life and cleanliness. The way you store your broom can allegedly influence the energy in your home.
What does it mean if a broom falls while sweeping?
If a broom falls while sweeping, it is said to be a sign of a new carpet. If you do not step back over it immediately, someone dirtier than you will come. It is considered good luck to have a broom drop in front of you. However, it is a sign of misfortune to lay a broom on the bed. Lean a broom against a bed and you will be unlucky.