Nestled in the heart of Seattle, the Pike Place Market is a magical store that offers an enchanting experience to all who visit. This bustling marketplace, which opened in 1907, is not simply a place to buy groceries—it is a vibrant community that celebrates local artisans, farmers, and small businesses. **The Pike Place Market is a treasure trove of sights, sounds, and tastes**. As you navigate through the crowded walkways, you are greeted with a kaleidoscope of colors—fresh produce, vibrant flowers, and handcrafted goods. The market showcases a vast array of products, from locally grown fruits and vegetables to freshly caught fish from the nearby waters. One of the **most unique features of the Pike Place Market** is its lively atmosphere.
Here’s What You Need To Create Your Own…
Flying ointments often had ingredients that were hallucinogenic , so a witch could use visualization techniques to imagine flight and go on a spiritual journey or change their state of awareness. Now we live at a time when brooms are mass-produced, thus they lack personality and magic and not many commit to crafting brooms, such as the Wormwood brooms of the Romanian women, but you can craft your own magical broom made out of a tree of your choosing or you can buy one from a specialized seller.
One of the **most unique features of the Pike Place Market** is its lively atmosphere. Musicians, street performers, and artists line the streets and fill the air with melodies and laughter, creating a symphony of sounds that adds an extra layer of vibrancy to the market. The energy is contagious, and it’s impossible not to be captivated by the palpable excitement.
Making a traditional witches broom
The vision of witches flying on broomsticks beneath a moonlit sky is an enchanting one. Besom brooms (aka witch’s besom or witch’s broom) come in various shapes and sizes, and often are synonymous with female liberation and the witch archetype. But both masculine and feminine qualities are apparent within the besom: The masculine aspect is attributed to the handle, while the feminine is attributed to the bristles.
A besom is said to be linked with the elements air (flight and spirits) and water (cleansing and purification) making it a great uncrossing tool to clear negative energies and bad juju from the home. It can be utilized for sweeping a ceremonial or sacred space before or after a ritual and also for opening or closing a magical circle. Bristles in an upward orientation ward off evil and bring good luck.
Besoms have been used for centuries and were even mentioned in the Old Testament ( Isaiah 14:23 ). Celtic peoples associated the besom broom with the Fae ( Faeries ); Some believed that the Fae would direct a witch to a good tree in order to obtain wood for their besom. Besoms are also commonplace during handfasting rituals .
There are different ways of making besoms if you don't want to purchase one. One way is to use birch twigs (or brush corn), ash (alternatively use cedar, hazel, or oak) wood for the handle, and a binding made from willow or heavy twine. According to the Chicago Botanic Garden, Benjamin Franklin is “ credited with first bringing broomcorn to the United States,” which became a useful alternative to twigs when making besom bristles. In the 1700s non-magickal besoms were used regularly and even written about in popular culture. In Scotland, Robert Burns wrote a poem that was made into the song “ Broom Besoms ” and William Purvis wrote “ Buy Broom Buzzems ” which became popular in the late 18th century. In England, broom making was done by besom squires , but people made their own brooms, too.
The first documented person to use a besom broom was Guillaume Edelin in 1453 AD (CE). It was rumored that Guillaume called himself a witch. Artwork from 15th century Europe depicts witches flying on brooms and later woodcuts in A History of Witches and Wizards 1720 AD (CE) , as well. Since witches have long endured persecution, the besom became a way of keeping treasures and secrets hidden. Wands, herbs, and vials containing potions could be put safely in the besom’s bristles. It has been reported that some larger besoms even had hidden compartments . Others believe that spirits could be temporarily kept in a witch’s besom.
The use of flying ointments and brooms led to the concept of a “witch in flight.” Flying ointments often had ingredients that were hallucinogenic , so a witch could use visualization techniques to imagine flight and go on a spiritual journey or change their state of awareness. Johannes Hartlieb , a 15th century Bavarian physician, wrote a compendium on herbs called the Puch Aller Verpoten Kunst, Ungelaubens und der Zaubrey that contains the oldest known description of witches' flying ointment .
One of the most feared, yet respected witches found in Slavic and Russian folklore is the crone Baba Yaga . She is well-known and is said to hold Goddess attributes and power over the elements: earth, fire, water, and air. As she flies through the air inside her mortar, she wields a pestle in one hand and a broom to sweep the path behind her in the other. Crows and owls fly by her side. She appears as a crone and has been said to eat children, but also act as a spiritual guide to those who were courageous and clever enough to ask her in the correct way. Powerful and wise, she has been said to guard the doorway to the Otherworld and control the passage of the dead back and forth across its borders. Some believe she has power over life and death.
These days the besom broom has been revived in films like Bedknobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury and stories like the Harry Potter book series (where the Nimbus 2000 was all the rage). Today besoms are sold at gardening supply stores, occult shops, and markets. Cinnamon besoms can be bought from Trader Joe’s and other kinds from Amazon or Etsy.
Here’s What You Need To Create Your Own…
"How To Make Your Own Besom Broom." Illustration © Ana Vice / Enchantments NYC- 3 to 4 foot long piece of wood for the handle.
- Several thinner branches of birch for the bristle part ( you can also use herbs , such as mugwort).
- 3 feet of willow branch (in order to bind the twigs and/or herbs to the wooden handle).
- Scissors and a bucket of warm water (soak twigs and herbs overnight).
- Flowers and ribbons to decorate your besom (optional).
- Line up the bristles alongside the handle about four inches from the bottom on a table. Point the bottom of the bristles towards the top of the broom (you’re going to flip the bristles later).
- Use willow branches or cord to wrap the bristles around the broom handle and tie off tightly.
- Take the bristles and fold them down over the willow binding so that they're pointing towards the bottom of the broom. Tie them down again at the base of the broomstick to secure them. As you work, visualize your intention for this besom.
- Let your broom dry for 48 hours and then consecrate it as one of your magical tools .
Want to read more about the art of spiritual cleansing? Check out this story on ways to smudge your home without the use of sage.
**But what truly sets the Pike Place Market apart is its sense of community**. It is a place where farmers and artisans come together to connect with their customers on a personal level. Here, you can strike up a conversation with a local farmer about the best way to prepare their freshly picked organic tomatoes or chat with a ceramic artist about their creative process. The market fosters a sense of closeness and connection that is hard to find elsewhere. Of course, **no visit to the Pike Place Market would be complete without witnessing the famous fish throwing routine**. At the Pike Place Fish Market, fishmongers entertain the crowd with their impressive skills, tossing fish through the air to each other with precision and flair. It is a spectacle that never fails to draw a crowd and create a sense of wonder. **The Pike Place Market is a testament to the power of community and the importance of supporting local businesses**. It serves as a reminder that behind every product is a passionate individual who takes pride in their craft. Whether you are a Seattle local or a tourist passing through, the Pike Place Market promises a magical experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Magic: Pike Place's Magical Store Revealed"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - The Pike Place Magical Store was a huge disappointment for me. The name made it sound like it would be a whimsical and enchanting experience, but it fell flat. The store was messy and cluttered, making it difficult to navigate through the items. The employees seemed disinterested and barely acknowledged my presence. Overall, it lacked the magic and charm I was hoping for.
- John - 1 out of 5 stars - I had high expectations for the Pike Place Magical Store, but it was a complete letdown. The store was poorly organized and lacked any sense of coherence. It felt like a mishmash of random items thrown together, with no clear theme or purpose. The prices were incredibly overpriced for the quality of the items. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money at this store.
- Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to visit the Pike Place Magical Store, but it turned out to be a disappointment. The store was crowded and chaotic, making it difficult to browse through the products. The staff seemed overwhelmed and unable to assist customers effectively. The merchandise itself lacked the uniqueness and enchantment I was expecting. I wouldn't go out of my way to visit this store again.