Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep within the thick woods, lived a witch known for her hair-raising powers. The villagers whispered tales of her sinister spells, and everyone feared crossing her path. It was a chilly autumn evening when a young girl named Lily wandered into the forest, in search of her lost kitten. As she ventured further into the eerie woods, she felt a tingling sensation down her spine, as if someone was watching her. Unbeknownst to her, the notorious witch had taken notice of her presence. Lily stumbled upon an old, dilapidated cottage, concealed behind a curtain of tangled branches and leaves.
The word "besom" is derived from the Old English "besma," which means broom. Besoms were originally made from birch twigs, which were bound together with willow or hazel branches to form a handle. These natural materials were chosen for their durability and ability to sweep away dirt and debris.
If you have unwanted or boring guests in your home, place a broom upside-down behind the front door to make them leave I m noticing a fascination with brooms in Brazil. Anthologist Robin Skelton suggests the association between witches and brooms may have roots in a pagan fertility ritual, in which rural farmers would leap and dance astride poles, pitchforks or brooms in the light of the full moon to encourage the growth of their crops.
Lily stumbled upon an old, dilapidated cottage, concealed behind a curtain of tangled branches and leaves. Curiosity getting the better of her, she cautiously pushed open the creaking door. Inside, she found herself surrounded by a clutter of spell books, potion jars, and peculiar artifacts.
Why Do Witches Ride Brooms? The History Behind the Legend
From pagan fertility rituals to hallucinogenic herbs, the story of witches and brooms is a wild ride.
Updated: August 9, 2023 | Original: October 19, 2020
Universal History Archive/Getty ImagesThe evil green-skinned witch flying on her magic broomstick may be a Halloween icon—and a well-worn stereotype. But the actual history behind how witches came to be associated with such an everyday household object is anything but dull.
It’s not clear exactly when the broom itself was first invented, but the act of sweeping goes back to ancient times when people likely used bunches of thin sticks, reeds and other natural fibers to sweep aside dust or ash from a fire or hearth. As J. Bryan Lowder writes, this household task even shows up in the New Testament, which dates to the first and second centuries A.D.
Haunted History of HalloweenThe word broom comes from the actual plant, or shrub, that was used to make many early sweeping devices. It gradually replaced the Old English word besom, though both terms appear to have been used until at least the 18th century. From the beginning, brooms and besoms were associated primarily with women, and this ubiquitous household object became a powerful symbol of female domesticity.
Despite this, the first witch to confess to riding a broom or besom was a man: Guillaume Edelin. Edelin was a priest from Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris. He was arrested in 1453 and tried for witchcraft after publicly criticizing the church’s warnings about witches. His confession came under torture, and he eventually repented but was still imprisoned for life.
By the time of Edelin’s “confession,” the idea of witches riding around on broomsticks was already well established. The earliest known image of witches on brooms dates to 1451, when two illustrations appeared in the French poet Martin Le Franc’s manuscript Le Champion des Dames (The Defender of Ladies). In the two drawings, one woman soars through the air on a broom; the other flies aboard a plain white stick. Both wear headscarves that identify them as Waldensians, members of a Christian sect founded in the 12th century who were branded as heretics by the Catholic Church, partly because they allowed women to become priests.
Anthologist Robin Skelton suggests the association between witches and brooms may have roots in a pagan fertility ritual, in which rural farmers would leap and dance astride poles, pitchforks or brooms in the light of the full moon to encourage the growth of their crops. This “broomstick dance,” she writes, became confused with common accounts of witches flying through the night on their way to orgies and other illicit meetings.
As she tiptoed deeper into the cottage, Lily stumbled across a dusty mirror. Her eyes widened as she beheld her own reflection - her once smooth, golden locks now tangled and frizzy. Panic welled up inside her, realizing that the witch's curse had befallen her. Determined to break the spell, she decided to confront the witch herself. Tracking down the witch's lair was no easy task. Lily sought the help of the village elder, who provided her with an ancient map of the forbidden woods. Armed with the map and her unwavering determination, she trekked through the tangled maze of trees. After what felt like an eternity, she stumbled upon a decrepit cabin, emanating an aura of pure evil. Stepping inside, she found the witch hunched over a cauldron, stirring a concoction that emitted a putrid smell. Taking a deep breath, Lily found her voice and boldly demanded that the witch reverse the curse. The witch's eerie laughter echoed through the cabin, sending shivers down Lily's spine. With a flick of her gnarled finger, she cast a spell that trapped Lily in a whirlwind of darkness. Panicking, Lily thought her fate was sealed. But just as all hope seemed lost, a burst of courage surged within her. She summoned all her strength and fought against the darkness. Gradually, the whirlwind subsided, and Lily found herself standing face to face with the witch once again. This time, she refused to back down. With unwavering determination, Lily pleaded with the witch to undo the curse. Surprisingly, the witch contemplated Lily's request, her eyes flickering with a fleeting glimmer of sympathy. Realizing the error of her ways, the witch finally lifted the curse, returning Lily's golden locks to their former glory. From that day forward, the witch realized the power she held could be used to bring happiness rather than fear. She pledged to use her powers for good, mending broken hearts and granting wishes instead. The villagers had misjudged her all along, and she became a respected member of the community. And so, the tale of the hair-raising witch became a story of redemption and forgiveness, teaching the villagers a valuable lesson about not judging others based on appearances. Lily, forever grateful for her fateful encounter, continued to cherish her restored locks, a reminder of the bravery and compassion that ultimately triumphed over darkness..
Reviews for "The Chilling Witch Anecdote That Still Gives Me Goosebumps"
1. Emily - 1/5 - I can honestly say that "A hair raisingly horrifying witch anecdote" was one of the worst movies I have ever seen. The storyline was weak and predictable, and the acting was incredibly amateurish. The special effects were laughable at best and did nothing to enhance the already underwhelming plot. Overall, I found this movie to be a complete waste of my time and money.
2. John - 2/5 - As a horror movie enthusiast, I was excited to watch "A hair raisingly horrifying witch anecdote." However, I was left disappointed and unimpressed. The film had potential, but it lacked the suspense and scares that are characteristic of a good horror film. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, and the plot felt disjointed. I was expecting a truly terrifying experience, but instead, I was left bored and unaffected.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - I was expecting to be scared out of my wits when I watched "A hair raisingly horrifying witch anecdote," but instead, I found myself rolling my eyes at the cheesy dialogue and ineffective jump scares. The film relied too heavily on cheap tricks rather than building genuine suspense. The acting was subpar, and the characters lacked depth. Overall, this movie failed to deliver on its promise of horror and left me feeling disappointed.
4. Michael - 2/5 - While "A hair raisingly horrifying witch anecdote" had some potential with its unique concept, it ultimately fell flat. The pacing was off, and the story felt rushed and incomplete. The scares were predictable and cliché, and the film lacked any originality. Additionally, the lackluster performances from the cast further dragged the film down. It had the ingredients for a great horror movie but failed to execute them effectively.
5. Jessica - 1/5 - I cannot find a single positive thing to say about "A hair raisingly horrifying witch anecdote." The whole movie was just a mess - the plot made no sense, the scares were laughable, and the acting was cringe-worthy. It felt like a low-budget student film rather than a professionally made horror movie. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.