Common Broom Superstitions
What are the most common broom superstitions?
The best known broom superstitions are: never take an old broom into a new house, do not sweep after dark or you will sweep out your luck, keep a broom by the door to stop bad luck entering, and never sweep over someone's feet.
| Superstition | Folk meaning |
|---|---|
| Old broom, new house | Carrying it over brings old troubles with you; buy or make a new one. |
| Sweeping after dark | Sweeps away the household's luck or wealth. |
| Broom by the door | Guards the threshold and keeps unwanted visitors out. |
| Sweeping over feet | Said to sweep away a person's chances, often of marriage. |
| Dropping a broom | A visitor is on the way. |
| Broom across the doorway | Stops harmful spirits or a witch from crossing. |
| Jumping the broom | Marks a marriage or new partnership. |
| Sweeping dirt out the door | Sends bad luck and illness away from the home. |
Customs vary from region to region and family to family, and many contradict each other. That is part of the charm of folk belief.
So Are Brooms Magical?
In witchcraft, yes. A ritual broom or besom is used to sweep energy rather than dirt. Sweeping the air just above the floor clears stagnant energy, sweeping anticlockwise releases what no longer serves, and sweeping clockwise draws good energy in. These practices grew directly from the household customs above.
Simple Broom Magic for Your Home
- Before guests arrive: sweep the entryway towards the street to clear the way for good company.
- After an argument: sweep the room out through an open door, then open a window.
- At the front door: stand a besom bristles up to keep luck in, or hang it across the top of the door for protection.
- On moving day: sweep the empty old house out the door, then bring a new broom into the new one first.
Step by step rituals are in our guide to everyday besom magic.
Crystal broomsticks
Our crystal besoms combine natural twigs with gemstones such as amethyst, fluorite and tiger's eye. They work as doorway guardians, altar pieces and cleansing tools, and every one is slightly different. See the besoms and brooms collection.
Broom Folklore Questions Answered
Why should you not sweep at night?
Folk tradition in many cultures says sweeping after dark sweeps away the household's luck or money. Practically, it was also hard to see what you were sweeping out before electric light.
Why do people put a broom by the front door?
A broom by the door is an old protective charm. It was believed to stop bad luck, harmful spirits and unwelcome visitors from crossing the threshold.
Is it bad luck to take a broom when you move?
In folk belief, yes. Taking an old broom carries old troubles with you, so a new broom should be the first thing brought into a new home.
A Broom for Your Threshold
Crystal besoms and ritual brooms for protection and cleansing. Australian owned, shipping worldwide.
