dontlickdatoad:

Folklore Friday:

Never take an old broom into a new house, as bad luck is sure to follow. It must be a new broom, and first carried across the meadow, to avert any ill from entering the home.

@hiker88said, “I’ve been thinking of getting a hand made broom for a witchy friend. Any suggestions or comments?”

Sure! I’d suggest making it if at all possible. They aren’t very hard to make and instructions can be found online. I think there might even be some posts about how to make one here on tumblr. 

The basic principle of it is gathering two or three handfuls of sticks and binding them to the handle. Depending on your method you might be bunching the sticks into groups, attaching them together, and shoving your handle in. Or you might be soaking the sticks in warm water, tying them to the handle facing up, then folding them over so they point down and tying them again.

They’re traditionally Ash or Oak wood for the handle, Birch twigs for the bristles, and bound with Willow (soften in warm water) but you could make it out of anything! Switch out the bindings for cording or twine. Swap out the bristles with a woody herb like mugwort. Make an entire mini version using herbs like lavender or rosemary- whatever you want, it’s your gift to your friend!

At the very least, decorating an already made broom would be a wonderful touch to the gift. You could use color thread, feathers, stones, bones, or charms to decorate it. Carving it or using some kind of wood-burning tool might be nice as well! After the broom was finished (no matter if you made or bought it) I’d give it a quick but gentle sweep to celebrate its creation before gifting it.