Broom Magic: How to Craft & Use Your Own Magical Besom

by Chelsea Townsend, Gypsey Elaine Teague, Debra L. Burris (Foreword by)

Overview

Sweep in the Magic of the Natural World

The witch's broom is one of the most loved magical tools, but not many practitioners know how to craft their very own from scratch. Chelsea Townsend and Gypsey Elaine Teague delve into the lore, magic, and craft of broom making.

Explore step—by—step instructions on how to create six different broom styles. Learn how to use your personalized besom in spells, rituals, and magical circles. Featuring the metaphysical properties of over 40 species of wood, deity correspondences, divination methods, and sewing techniques, this book ensures your new tool will be a powerful ally in your practice.

Includes an 8—page, color insert of broom photos.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738775869
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	06/08/2025
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Chelsea Townsend is a lifelong Pagan, professional broom maker, and small business owner. She sells her brooms at several festivals and conferences each year as well as online, national wholesale orders, and by custom request. She believes in empowering others in their practice, and she loves to teach others how to make and use their tools.

Chelsea is a master falconer, holds three degrees (one BA and two AA), and is a city commissioner for the East Point Local Food Ecosystem Commission. She has been involved in urban farming and urban homesteading for over 20 years. She is also a member of the American Association of Woodturners.

Visit her at BlossomsAndBrooms.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

Gypsey Elaine Teague (Callahan, FL) is an elder and high priestess in the Georgian tradition and high priestess in the Icelandic Norse tradition. She is also the author of Norse Divination and Norse Cosmology, both from Llewellyn, as well as The Witch's Guide to Wands (Weiser, 2015) and Steampunk Magic (Weiser, 2013).

Debra L. Burris is a witch, farmer, physicist, and Master Naturalist. She has a PhD in physics and teaches meteorology, astronomy, and physical sciences at the University of Central Arkansas. She has volunteered as a storm spotter, worked with the National Severe Storms Labs, and presents regularly at Mystic South. Visit her at Instagram.com/DocFireWoman.

Table of Contents

Contents

Foreword xv

Prologue xvii

Introduction 1

SECTION 1: Besom to Broom 3
Chapter 1: Broom History and Lore 5
Chapter 2: Understanding Your Broom 15
Chapter 3: The Essential Materials 21
Chapter 4: The Tools 31
Chapter 5: Basic Techniques 37
Chapter 6: Getting to Know Your Broom 47
Chapter 7: Brooms in Ritual and Magic 55

SECTION 2: Properties of Woods by Species 63
Alder 69
Apple 71
Ash 73
Beech 75
Birch 77
Black Locust 79
Black Walnut 81
Cedar, Deodar 83
Cedar, Eastern Red 85
Cherry 87
Chestnut 89
Cottonwood 91
Crepe Myrtle 93
Datura 95
Dogwood 97
Douglas Fir 99
Ebony 101
Elder 103
Elm 105
Fig 107
Gingko 109
Golden Rain Tree 111
Hackberry 113
Hawthorn 115
Hemlock 117
Hickory (Shagbark) 119
Holly 121
Hornbeam 123
Laurel 125
Magnolia 127
Maple 129
Mimosa 131
Mulberry 133
Oak 135
Olive 137
Orange 139
Osage Orange 141
Padauk (African Variety) 143
Peach 147
Pear 149
Pecan 151
Persimmon 153
Pine 155
Plum (Purple Leaf) 157
Poison Ivy 159
Poplar 163
Privet 165
Rosemary 167
Rowan 169
Spruce 171
Sumac 173
Supplejack 175
Sweetgum 177
Sycamore 179
Tulip Tree 181
Willow 183
Wisteria 185
Witch Hazel 187
Yew 189

SECTION 3: Broom Recipes 191
Cobwebber 193
Hearth Broom 197
Kitchen Broom with Knurl 203
Kitchen Broom with Hurl 209
Turkey Wing Whisk 217
Hawk Tail Whisk 223

Conclusion 229

Appendix A: Woods by Deities 231

Appendix B: Woods by Uses 237

Bibliography 241

Editorial Reviews

"For curious crafters and magickal minds who want to connect with their material more deeply, this book is an ode to the broom. A wonderful guidebook to broom craft. Enter into a relationship with the world's oldest cleaning tool—the broom. This book brings you on a journey of historical and practical intrigue guided by the personal passion of two esteemed women in their trades."
—Hilary Graves, broom maker and crafter, owner of the small business Roots, Stones and Bones

From the Publisher