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Jumping the besom (or broom!)

Jumping the besom into your future!

Jumping the besom – an ancient Celtic tradition.

Wedding traditions have been an integral part of human culture for centuries. They are a way of celebrating the union of two people and often involve symbolic elements or rituals that represent the couple’s hopes and dreams for their future together. One such tradition is the Welsh Pagan ritual of jumping the besom.

The besom, or broomstick, is an important symbol in Welsh Paganism. It is associated with the home and hearth and is believed to have protective and cleansing powers. Before the wedding ceremony, the couple would create their own besom, made from a wooden stick and bound twigs or straw. The besom was then used to sweep away negative energy from the space where the ceremony would take place.

During the wedding ceremony, the couple would hold the besom and jump over it together, often singing as they did. This act symbolised their union and their willingness to take a leap into a new chapter of their lives together. It was also believed to bring good luck and fertility to the newlyweds as so many wedding rituals do.

Jumping the broom was also a tradition in weddings during the time of slavery when indigenous cultural traditions were suppressed. As a result, it became a way for enslaved couples to create their own meaningful wedding ritual.

The Welsh Pagan tradition of jumping the besom is a beautiful and meaningful way to celebrate a couple’s union. It is a way of honouring the past while looking towards the future, and it allows the couple to create a unique and personal wedding ritual that reflects their values and beliefs.

If you’re planning a wedding and are looking for ways to incorporate meaningful traditions and rituals, let’s have a conversation.