A witch's broom is commonly known as a broomstick or simply a broom. It is a traditional mode of transportation for witches in folklore and mythology. The concept of witches riding brooms dates back to ancient times and has been depicted in various cultures and literature. In folklore, it is believed that witches would use their brooms to fly through the air to gather for their gatherings and rituals. The broomstick was seen as a symbol of their connection to the supernatural and their ability to harness magical powers. The association of witches with brooms is thought to have originated from superstitions and beliefs surrounding witchcraft.
Bring your favorite people together to ring in the summer season.
Many people in the northern hemisphere will be marking this oldest of festivals with traditional midsummer celebrations, and a lot of the ancient traditions and modern festivities focus on reconnecting with nature and trees. For druids, modern-day spiritualists linked to the ancient Celtic religious order, Stonehenge has a centuries-long importance, and they will be there to perform dawn rituals around the solstice in their traditional white robes.
The association of witches with brooms is thought to have originated from superstitions and beliefs surrounding witchcraft. Some theories suggest that the broomstick symbolized the sweeping away of negative energy or that it served as a tool for witches to communicate with spirits. In popular culture, the image of a witch riding a broomstick is often portrayed in Halloween decorations, movies, and literature.
Summer solstice brings druids, pagans and thousands of curious people to Stonehenge
Members of the Happy Seal Yoga class practice on Cayton Bay in Scarborough as the sun rises to celebrate the Summer Solstice, Wednesday June 21, 2023.
LONDON — All hail the rising sun.
A seemingly curious alliance of druids, pagans, hippies, local residents and tourists gathered around a prehistoric stone circle on a plain in southern England to express their devotion to the sun, or to have some communal fun.
They stayed and celebrated at Stonehenge for the night and greeted sunrise on Wednesday, which will be the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere.
All over the U.K., optimism will reign supreme as summer officially starts. It's no coincidence that the nearby Glastonbury Festival, one of the world's biggest music events, opens its doors on Wednesday, too. Both Stonehenge and Glastonbury supposedly lie on ley lines — mystical energy connections across the U.K.
13.7: Cosmos And Culture
Do You Really Know Why Earth Has A Solstice?
For the thousands making the pilgrimage to Stonehenge, approximately 80 miles (128 kilometers) southwest of London, it is more than looking forward to Elton John at Glastonbury or a few ciders in the sun.
For druids, modern-day spiritualists linked to the ancient Celtic religious order, Stonehenge has a centuries-long importance, and they will be there to perform dawn rituals around the solstice in their traditional white robes. It's effectively all about the cycle of life, of death and rebirth.
This year, the summer solstice at Stonehenge started at 7 p.m. Tuesday and ran through 8 a.m. Wednesday. For this one night, worshippers are allowed to spend time inside the stone circle. Others chant or play their acoustic guitars. Alcohol is prohibited, as are sound systems. Bring a blanket, but no sleeping bags, please. And definitely, no climbing on the stones.
The rules have been tightened over the decades, certainly during the coronavirus pandemic. Back in the less-restrained past, tens of thousands would travel by foot, car, bus or motorcycle to worship at the solar temple, or just have a bit of fun.
It's a symbol of British culture and history and remains one of the country's biggest tourist draws, despite the seemingly permanent traffic jams on the nearby A303 highway, a popular route for motorists traveling to and from the southwest of England.
People gather during sunrise as they take part in the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England Wednesday, June 21, 2023. Andrew Matthews/AP hide caption
toggle caption Andrew Matthews/APPeople gather during sunrise as they take part in the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
Stonehenge, one of the world's most famous prehistoric monuments and a World Heritage Site, was built on the flat lands of Salisbury Plain in stages starting 5,000 years ago, with the unique stone circle erected in the late Neolithic period about 2,500 B.C. Some of the stones, the so-called bluestones, are known to have come from the Preseli Hills in southwest Wales, nearly 150 miles (240 kilometers) away, but the origins of others remain a mystery.
The site's meaning has been the subject of vigorous debate, with some theories seemingly more outlandish, if not alien, than others.
English Heritage, a charity that manages hundreds of historic sites, notes several explanations — from Stonehenge being a coronation place for Danish kings, a druid temple, a cult center for healing, or an astronomical computer for predicting eclipses and solar events.
The charity said the most generally accepted interpretation "is that of a prehistoric temple aligned with the movements of the sun."
After all, the stones match perfectly with the sun at both the summer and winter solstices. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone in the northeast part of the horizon and its first rays shine into the heart of the stone circle. When the sky is clear, those rays are a triumphant spectacle to behold.
Astrologer Lisa Stardust adds that it’s also the longest day of the year, versus the spring and fall equinoxes which are divided into half sunlight and half evening.
It has become an iconic symbol associated with witchcraft and is widely recognized. Although witches do not actually use brooms for transportation in reality, the imagery continues to be ingrained in popular culture and continues to fascinate and capture the imagination of people. The broom, when mentioned in the context of witches, immediately conjures up an image of a witch flying through the night sky on her trusty broomstick..
Reviews for "Bridging the Gap: The Connection Between a Witch's Broom Name and Shamanic Practices"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "What is a witch's broom called" to be highly disappointing. The plot was thin, and the characters were underdeveloped. The writing was unimaginative and lacked creativity. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, which made it difficult to care about what happened to them. Overall, I found the book to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Emma - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "What is a witch's broom called," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story started off promising, but it quickly became predictable and lacked any depth. The dialogue was unrealistic and felt forced. The main character lacked any real growth or development, making it difficult to root for her. The book had potential, but it failed to deliver on a satisfying and engaging narrative.
3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
"What is a witch's broom called" had an interesting concept, but the execution left much to be desired. The pacing was off, with moments of intense action followed by long periods of dullness. The writing style was lackluster and failed to capture my attention. Additionally, the world-building was weak, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Overall, I feel like I wasted my time with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - ★☆☆☆☆
I couldn't finish "What is a witch's broom called." The writing was confusing, and the plot was all over the place. The characters were one-dimensional, and their actions made little sense. The author failed to create a compelling story, and I found myself losing interest after a few chapters. I was extremely disappointed in this book and regret picking it up. It was a complete waste of time and money.