You have probably noticed this at one point in your life – when you’re at someone’s house, and they got their broom hanging upside down. I used to think it was weird, too, but apparently, people got their reasons for doing it. A lot of people believe it keeps bad spirits and ghosts away from the home.
I know it sounds strange, but lots of witches and regular people swear by it. Hanging your broom upside down is supposed to magically protect the place from unwanted spirits or energy or whatever. The idea is that spirits will think your house is already occupied by another spirit. Plus, it confuses them to see the broom backward.
The History And Folklore of The Upside-Down Broom
For centuries, witches have been hanging their brooms upside down behind their doors to keep out evil spirits and unwanted guests. The broomstick is a witch’s symbol and tool, so by displaying it that way, it lets any sinister supernatural people know that a witch lives there and not to mess around.
Origins of The Superstition
The superstition originated in Europe during the Middle Ages. At the time, brooms were made of a bundle of twigs tied to a stick, resembling a besom – a tool witches were said to ride at night. Hanging the broom upside down by its bristles was thought to trap evil spirits within the bristles so they could not enter the home.
Other Magical Uses
The upside-down broom actually has some other uses in witchcraft besides just scaring away bad spirits. Some witches think it can help sweep out any negative energy in the home and bring in good vibes. Others say it helps with protection spells and fertility magic, too.
The broom is also thought to represent the symbolic union of male and female – the stick, handle, and bristles, respectively. Displaying it upside down is a sign of drawing on the broom’s magical power.
A Witch’s Warning
For those who dare to cross a witch, an upside-down broom also serves as a warning. Its meaning is twofold: it signals the witch’s power while also cautioning others not to meddle in her affairs unless they want to stir up trouble. For witches seeking to establish authority over their domain, an upside-down broom left outside the front door makes a bold statement to any who pass by.
A Powerful Talisman
By inverting a broom, it loses its original mundane purpose and becomes a powerful talisman. The bristles pointing upwards are said to sweep away negative energies, while the handle grounds positive forces entering from above. This symbolic reversal of the broom’s form and function is what gives it strength as a magical safeguard.
Some witches will bind extra herbs like rosemary, thyme or rowan to the bristles before hanging to boost its protective powers. Others may inscribe magical symbols or runes onto the handle to specifically guard against certain evils. For the best results, hang your upside-down broomstick behind the front entrance to your home, with the bristles facing outwards.
How To Use An Upside-Down Broom To Ward Off Evil Spirits And Unwanted Guests
Position the broom so it’s upside down and leaning against the wall, covering the entrance to your home. This blocks evil spirits and negative energy from entering. It also signals to unwanted human visitors that they should stay away. For the best results, place the broom at every entrance to your home – the main one.
Strengthen The Broom’s Power
To increase the broom’s potency for warding off unwelcome spirits and guests, you can do a few things.
- First, you’ll want to carve some symbols into the handle. A cross or pentagram is always a good choice – anything that represents protection, really. Make sure to put your energy into it as you carve, too.
- Tying some red string or ribbon around it is also helpful. The color red signifies stopping bad things from happening.
- And finally, placing some protective crystals near the broom can amp up its power. Black tourmaline, obsidian, and tiger’s eye are all great options since they ward off negative energy. Just make sure to cleanse and charge the crystals first, so they’re really working at full power.
With all those added layers, your broom should have no problem keeping unwanted guests far away from your home!
Perform A Cleansing Ritual
Before positioning the broom, you may want to cleanse it to remove any negative energy attached to it. You can pass the broom through the smoke of a sage smudge stick while focusing on your intention to cleanse and purify the broom. You can also sprinkle saltwater or crushed eggshells over the broom. As you do so, visualize the broom being purified and empowered to guard your home.
Final Thoughts
Will you give this “magick trick” a try? I’ve been doing that for years now and I haven’t had any weird experiences or anything in my home. I looked it up online and found others saying it works for them as well.
On Reddit, there were some people talking about how they had the broom by the door without even realizing why but that it seemed to help keep unwanted spirits away. Either way, it can’t hurt to try so you might as well give it a shot if you’re looking for a cheap way to feel more at ease in your home!
